autotelic.build

DESIGN · BUILD · AUTOMATE

BRIGHTON SERVICES

Second-Story Addition in Brighton

Licensed second-story addition services for Brighton and Adams County. Double your living space without moving.

GET A FREE ESTIMATECALL (720) 287-7958
  • Full Design Lifecycle
  • Construction & Tenant Finish
  • Smart Home · A/V · Edge Compute
Second-Story Addition

Double your living space without moving

EVERY PROJECT STARTS WITH DESIGN

Local Service

Second-Story Addition Services in Brighton, Colorado

Autotelic provides professional second-story addition services throughout Brighton and the surrounding Adams County area. Full second-story additions across the Denver metro with structural engineering, framing, roofing, and complete interior build-out. Commercially licensed and insured. Whether you're in Brighton (northeast Denver metro) or nearby communities, our team delivers quality workmanship backed by Colorado licensing and full insurance coverage.

Permit Thresholds

Brighton permit thresholds

Brighton, Colorado (City of Brighton building department) requires a building pe
Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system...Section R105.1
Code reference
This is codified in Brighton Municipal Code (BMC) Chapter 15 (Buildings and Construction), particularly Article 15-28 (International Residential Code adoption and amendments).
Building
One-story detached accessory structures (e.g., sheds, playhouses) ≤ 200 sq ft floor area (zoning must still be met); retaining walls ≤ 4 ft high (footing to top); painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; prefabricated swimming pools < 24" deep; swing set
Electrical
Listed plug-and-cord temporary decorative lighting; replacement of a circuit breaker (same location/capacity); low-voltage wiring/devices (< 25 volts, ≤ 50 watts); minor repairs like changing bulbs or same-location fixture/outlet replacement.
Notes on exemptions and triggers
The FAQ lists slightly varying shed thresholds (e.g., < 120 sq ft in one place); the dedicated permit guide (200 sq ft) is the more specific reference.
Code reference
Any structural alteration, enlargement, or repair affecting the structure generally triggers a permit under the broad “alter/repair” language of R105.1 (no separate valuation-based threshold or explicit “structural trigger” list beyond this).
Use tax/fee basis
Use tax is 3.75% applied to 50% of the project valuation (materials + labor).
Section R105.1Source: brightonco.gov

Codes are amended regularly — verify current requirements with **The City of Brighton (specifically its Community Development/Building Division) issues residential building permits.

Zoning & ADU

Brighton zoning & ADU quick facts

Code reference
Most common single-family residential districts in Brighton, CO, include R-1 (Single-Family Residential), R-1A (Single- and Two-Family Residential), and R-1B (City Neighborhood Residential), per LUDC Article 4 (Table 4-1 and related intent descriptions).
Code reference
Numeric standards (lot coverage/open space, height, ADU rules, setbacks) are primarily in LUDC Article 5 (esp.
Code reference
Table 5-2 Residential District Building Type & Development Standards, as amended) and Article 4.03(B) (Accessory Dwelling standards, as amended by the 2025 ordinance).
Code reference
Data is drawn from district tables and use-specific rules; exact per-district lot coverage % and some setbacks are table-based and qualified below where extractable.
A/R (rural/agricultural residential, less common but relevant for large lots)
80% open space.
Typical suburban/neighborhood detached house districts (R-1 and similar)
65% open space.
More compact or higher-density residential (R-1B, R-2 contexts)
40% or lower open space (higher coverage allowed).
R-1 and similar low-density suburban
35 ft / 2.5 stories.
Source: brightonco.gov

Codes are amended regularly — verify current requirements with **The City of Brighton (specifically its Community Development/Building Division) issues residential building permits.

Energy Code

Brighton energy code quick facts

Code reference
2021 IECC (no specific local energy code amendments identified beyond the base code and any applicable state requirements).
Code reference
Brighton’s official codes page explicitly lists the International Energy Conservation Code 2021 (alongside the other 2021 I-Codes).
Code reference
Colorado state law (e.g., HB 22-1362) requires adoption of the 2021 IECC (plus electric/solar ready provisions) when updating other building codes, but Brighton’s published list aligns with the 2021 edition without further local overrides described.
Code reference
Brighton is in Climate Zone 5B (standard for the Denver-metro/Adams County area).
Code reference
Key prescriptive requirements relevant to remodels/additions are drawn from the 2021 IECC (base code) for CZ 5B.
Code reference
Specific numeric values and sections are not detailed in Brighton’s public code listings or amendments pages; refer directly to the 2021 IECC Table R402.1.2 (or equivalent) and related sections for wall/ceiling insulation R-values or U-factors, air-sealing thresholds (typically tested or prescriptiv
Code reference
The city adopts the 2021 IECC via its standard building code adoption process (see codes page and related ordinances adopting the 2021 I-Codes).
Construction use tax
City of Brighton imposes a 3.75% city use tax on construction and building materials (paid on an estimated basis at permit issuance; contractors track and reconcile actuals; present permit to suppliers to avoid duplicate city sales tax).
Source: brightonco.gov

Codes are amended regularly — verify current requirements with **The City of Brighton (specifically its Community Development/Building Division) issues residential building permits.

text

What a second-story addition covers

A second-story addition in the Denver metro adds habitable floor over an existing house: new floor structure, stairs, roof, windows, and usually electrical, mechanical, and plumbing. The existing foundation and walls have to carry the extra load. A municipally licensed Denver general contractor coordinates the project, design professionals, and licensed specialty trades. Cost is project-specific and depends on structure, roof, and how much of the first floor is opened.

text

Structure and zoning height

City and County of Denver Community Planning and Development treats second-story additions as structural review items that exceed IRC prescriptive limits. The residential permitting guide asks for a letter of structural integrity sealed by a design professional who personally inspected the existing foundation and building (DBCA 133.3). Zoning height is measured in feet and stories from the front and rear base planes (Denver Zoning Code Sec. 13.1.2). Plans should show allowed versus proposed height.

text

Permits and who coordinates the work

Additions typically need zoning, building, and Sewer Use and Drainage (SUDP) reviews, plus electrical, mechanical, and plumbing when those systems change. Denver Energy Code Chapter 5 [RE] applies to additions. Cities and counties license general contractors. Colorado has no statewide general contractor license. Autotelic acts as a municipally licensed Denver general contractor and coordinates licensed specialty trades plus the design professionals required for the project.

text

What buyers should prepare

Target rooms, existing drawings if any, roof and attic photos, and known foundation concerns.

FAQ

Common questions

Do second-story additions need a Denver permit?

Yes. CPD requires building, zoning, and typically SUDP, with structural review because the work exceeds IRC prescriptive limits.

Who handles second-story permits and licensing?

A municipally licensed Denver general contractor coordinates the project, design professionals, and specialty trades. Colorado has no statewide general contractor license.

Can the existing foundation take a second story?

Only after a design professional inspects it. CPD asks for a sealed structural-integrity letter for second-story additions.

How is height measured?

In feet and stories from the zoning front and rear base planes, not just from the sidewalk.

What information helps define scope?

Desired rooms, existing drawings, foundation notes, landmark status, and city or county.

Service Area

Serving Brighton and Adams County

We serve Brighton, CO and all surrounding Denver metro communities. Our team is based in Denver and operates throughout the Front Range, from Castle Rock to Longmont and everywhere in between. Contact us for a free estimate on your Brighton project.

How It Runs

01

Survey

02

Design

03

Build

04

Verify

DESIGN SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION

TECHNOLOGY

TRUSTED TO BUILD FOR

  • Punch Bowl SocialFirst four locations
  • Spectrum RetirementSenior living communities
  • Denver HighlandsFirst modular custom home

Let's design your perfect Second-Story Addition together

Get a personalized estimate in about 2 minutes — no pressure, no obligation.

★★★★★
500+ Denver homeowners trust Autotelic
Licensed & Insured ContractorVeteran-OwnedTesla Certified

How This Works (2 minutes)

  1. 1Tell us about your project (30 seconds)
  2. 2Answer a few quick questions for an accurate estimate (60 seconds)
  3. 3Get your personalized estimate instantly (30 seconds)

No pressure. No obligation. No spam calls. If we're not the right fit, we'll tell you — and even recommend someone who is.

Explore

Also serving

DenverAuroraLakewoodArvadaWestminsterThorntonCentennialBoulderBroomfieldCommerce CityEnglewoodGoldenLittletonWheat RidgeNorthglennFederal HeightsParkerCastle RockLone TreeLouisvilleLafayetteSuperiorLongmontErieGreenwood VillageCherry Hills VillageHighlands RanchCastle PinesKen Caryl

Explore

Related services in Brighton

Bathroom RemodelADU / Backyard CottageCommercial Tenant FinishOutdoor Event Infrastructure
CALL NOWESTIMATE