Wheat Ridge Building Division

Having completed a few remodels in other jurisdictions, we were wary about the process of permitting and completing our kitchen addition without a GC, but after interviewing a handful of contractors, and recognizing the rampant fraud and ineptitude throughout the industry, we decided to take a chance and GC our own remodel. From the early planning and permitting, to inspections, every member of the city has been consultative, professional, and helpful. Even when we’ve missed something, we were never treated like idiot homeowners, but instead received encouraging guidance on what needed to be fixed and the why behind it. What likely would have taken more experienced hands 4 months, our year long project hasn’t been quick, but we’re happy with and confident in our finished project, and are grateful to WR for their support in our home upgrade.

I am a citizen, and I must say that the building dept inspectors always answer their phone or call you back in a reasonable amount of time and have been very nice and helpful with advice for me. I have been dealing with these sketchy roofing contractors and the city has done their job for me (the homeowner/taxpayer/resident of their city) and helped me with good customer service attitudes.

Friendly and willing service from the ladies at the front desk. I went in on a Monday at 10:45 am and there was no wait. As a homeowner who has never applied for a permit before, my experience with this office was much more pleasant than I expected.

Went in for building permit and the staff was super helpful, bent over backwards to get everything processed and done quickly. The Building Inspector was very informative and helpful as well. Everyone was super efficient and pleasant to work with!

Kim at the permit/plans desk rocks! She has been very patient and helpful with me as a first time home owner and renovator.

Dina was awesome! Very helpful. She even stayed late on a Friday to help me process my permits. Thanks ladies.

I've been dealing with building departments for roughly 35 years. It's a government bureaucracy so don't expect Amazon efficiency, but they have greatly improved the process from years past. If the use of modern technology (pictures - videoing etc.) could be employed in given situations to keep from holding up the job, I would be inclined to click on additional stars.

This is how the roof permitting process works in Wheat Ridge.
1. Drive to the building department to get permit. All permits can be pulled live except the roofing permit, even if you are a general contractor. Pulling a permit for multiple trades? Pull the permit for everything else at the building department. leave to find a computer to pull the roof permit online.
2. Apply for permit online, attach signed contract (Pretty sure requiring a contract isn’t legal, being that it is a proprietary legal document). You must have a signed contract even if you sub for someone else. Does the website care? No, it doesn’t. Does the website tell you that your insurance is expired? No, see step 6.
3. Call the building department to confirm that they still require you to drive to the actual building department to pick up the permit. Yes, they are stuck in the distant past. Do they tell you to bring contract? No, it was in your email confirmation, see step 4.
4. Drive to the building department to pick up the permit. Did you bring a copy of the paper contract? No, the contract you have is electronic, and was already submitted online. Do they care? No. Is that a printer directly behind the staff, can they print it for you? No.
5. Drive to Kinkos, print contract, drive back. Submit paper copy of permit previously submitted electronically.
6. When applying permit, did the system tell you to update your insurance certificate? No, that was in your email confirmation. Call insurance to set up certificate holder.
7. Pull permit – Simple!!!

Absolute disgrace. Small businesses have to wait months for these 🤡 to do much of anything. This community wants bakeries, restaurants, etc to improve the neighborhood, but the city does not feel this way. Patrick Goff and Bud Starker should step up and clean house.

Very rude government employees! Not even waisting time pulling a permit

No one answers the phone, no one returns call, if your planning to build in the city just don't. I'm an electrical contactor and have worked in about every jurisdiction in the state and this place is the worst!!

By far the most inept building department in the Denver Metro area. As of this review, it is 2017 and the department requires all documents to be hand delivered for a contractor license. A fax or email from insurance agency will not suffice. Good luck working with this agency.

Now i know why this city only has 1.9 stars for the building department What a major hassle dealing with the City of Wheat Ridge. They are so far behind the times. Homeowners should just do their best to not involve this municipality when doing any work.

Terrible service by front desk ladies. Typical cranky government workers at front desk who annoy contractors and the hinder the permit process with ambiguous information and deliberate attitude to further irritate an already irritating process. Building inspectors, field workers and chief inspector Randy all have been great. Thanks Randy!

Can you say long lines and rude employees?!? Unfortunately as a contractor I have to go to the wheat ridge building department to get permits for work to be done in wheat ridge. The workers are not helpful, very short and rude, don't offer online permits, and all around slow.

Unorganized and unprofessional. Very chaotic and unnecessary. I work with building departments throughout Colorado and these people need to learn from others they are way out of control

Typical inept gov't program, I am always reminded what a nightmare government run healthcare would be when I deal with the city of Wheatridge

Horrible service for licensing, permitting and inspection services I scheduled a Mid roof and drecking inspection and they never showed yesterday.

Hands down the least efficient municipality around. Time to join everyone else in the twenty-first century.