Building Permits
Homeowners in unincorporated Boulder County who are applying for a building permit for a new home, addition over 200 square feet, or deck work with Boulder County Community Planning and Permitting are subject to wildfire mitigation requirements. Projects in west Boulder County have additional vegetation requirements.
Those who choose the Wildfire Partners path for their project must submit an online application to the program.
- Contractors cannot apply on behalf of homeowners.
- All building permit fees will be applied and paid through the Boulder County Community Planning and Permitting department.
- These fees cannot be waived by Wildfire Partners.
Short Term Rentals
Homeowners applying for a Short-Term Rental license (STR Primary Residence or STR Secondary Residence) are required to have completed a Wildfire Partners assessment before their initial license is issued. They must be certified through Wildfire Partners before the STR license is renewed after two years.
- If you’ve received an assessment or certification since 2014 through Wildfire Partners, no further action is needed. Your assessment and/or certificate will be accepted.
- If your assessment or certificate is more than six years old, we do not require but do highly recommend getting a new assessment, since conditions on your property may have changed and wildfire science is likely to have evolved. There is no fee for a re-assessment or re-certification.
Homeowners applying for a Vacation Rental license must be certified through Wildfire Partners before their initial license is issued.
- If you’ve received a certification since 2014 through Wildfire Partners, no further action is needed. Your certificate will be accepted.
- If you’ve received an assessment but have not yet completed the certification, please schedule a final inspection once all the required items on your assessment report have been completed.
- If your certificate is more than six years old, it will be accepted to fulfill the licensing requirement. However, we highly recommend getting a new assessment, since conditions on your property may have changed and wildfire science is likely to have evolved. There is no fee for a re-assessment or re-certification.
See the Boulder County website for more information about updated licensing requirements for short term rentals. For questions about short term rental licensing, email strlicensing@bouldercounty.org.
Want a Short Term Rental License or a Vacation Rental License?
Make sure you have completed a Wildfire Partners Assessment.
Financial Awards
Program participants may be eligible for financial assistance if they meet program requirements and grant funding is available. New homes built as part of a building permit are not eligible. If you are accepted into the program, you will receive details on your eligibility for a financial award with your assessment report. All financial awards are limited to forestry work performed by Wildfire Partners forestry contractors.
The standard award is 50% of the contractor’s cost. The maximum award Wildfire Partners will pay is $2,000. Participants with limited incomes can apply for a need-based award that covers additional costs.
Do you meet the Program requirements to be eligible for Financial Assistance?
Applications are reviewed regularly. Upon approval of your application, you will receive an email with a link to submit a waiver. Assessments will not be scheduled until the waiver has been received.