Colorado building code

Codes in force in Colorado

Each code family with the edition and the date it took effect, as the adopting agency or statute states them.

Scope, amendments and transition rules

International Residential Code (IRC)

Scope

State buildings only¹

Applies to

Buildings under Division of Fire Prevention and Control oversight¹

International Building Code (IBC)

Scope

State buildings only¹

Applies to

Buildings under Division of Fire Prevention and Control oversight¹

International Existing Building Code (IEBC)

Scope

State buildings only¹

Applies to

Buildings under Division of Fire Prevention and Control oversight¹

International Mechanical Code (IMC)

Scope

State buildings only¹

Applies to

Buildings under Division of Fire Prevention and Control oversight¹

International Fire Code (IFC)

Scope

State buildings only¹

Applies to

Buildings under Division of Fire Prevention and Control oversight¹

National Electrical Code (NEC)

Scope

Statewide minimum; local governments may go further¹

Local amendments allowed?

Yes²

International Plumbing Code (IPC)

Scope

Statewide minimum; local governments may go further¹

Local amendments allowed?

Yes¹

International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)

Scope

Statewide minimum; local governments may go further¹

Local amendments allowed?

Yes¹

Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC)

Scope

Statewide minimum; local governments may go further¹

Applies to

New buildings and significant additions, repairs and remodels in the wildland-urban interface¹

Local amendments allowed?

Yes¹

State code

Scope

State buildings only¹

How Colorado adopts building codes

C.R.S. §§ 30-28-201, 31-15-601, 31-15-602, 12-115-107, 12-155-106, 24-33.5-1237

• Adopted locally. A board of county commissioners is authorized to adopt ordinances and a building code consistent with the uniform building code, 1988 edition, as promulgated by the international conference of building officials and as revised from time to time, in all or part of the county, and not embraced within the limits of any incorporated city or town.³
• Municipal powers. To prescribe the thickness and strength of, and the manner of constructing, stone, brick, and other buildings and to prescribe the construction of fire escapes therein…⁴
• Energy code tied to local building code. The governing body of any municipality that has adopted and enforced one or more building codes, or that adopts and enforces one or more building codes after July 1, 2022, shall adopt and enforce an energy code that applies to the construction of, and major renovations and additions to, all commercial and residential buildings as required by the energy code in the municipality to which the building code applies.⁴
• Home Rule. Current State Code Home Rule Home Rule…⁵
• NEC 2026 statewide minimum. The effective date shall be August 1, 2026.¹
• Colorado Plumbing Code statewide minimum. The Colorado Plumbing Code sets forth the minimum standards governing the inspection, installation, alteration, and repair of the plumbing fixtures, appliances, and systems throughout Colorado.¹
• Wildfire code minimum in the wildland-urban interface. These rules and regulations apply to all newly constructed buildings and structures, and to significant additions, repairs, and remodels in the wildland-urban interface, as identified in these rules and as described in the code, with the exception of any thirty- five acre parcel with only one residential structure on it that does not abut a residential or commercial area pursuant to the provisions of Sections 24-33.5-1236 and 24-33.5- 1237, C.R.S.¹
• Wildfire adoption window. The act extends the time frame within which a governing body of a city, town, or city and county with jurisdiction in an area within the wildland-urban interface is required to adopt wildfire codes and standards that meet or exceed the wildfire resiliency code board's wildfire codes and standards from 3 to 9 months after the board's adoption of wildfire codes and standards.⁶
• Local codes. However, this requirement does not apply when energy-efficient building codes are adopted, nor does it apply to one- and 2-family dwellings and townhomes that comply with either the International Residential Code or a local building code whose accessibility standards are equivalent to the standards in the International Residential Code.⁶
• State housing standards apply where no local code exists. The act also requires the state housing board to ensure that, when the uniform construction and maintenance standards for hotels, motels, and multiple dwellings in jurisdictions with no local building code are substantially amended, the standards meet or exceed the accessibility standards in the International Building Code.⁶
• Factory-built structures move to state housing board rules. The act provides that, after the state housing board (board) adopts rules about any activity required to undertake or complete the construction or installation of a factory-built nonresidential structure, a factory-built residential structure, or a factory-built tiny home (factory-built structure), the state plumbing board, the state electrical board, and the state fire suppression administrator do not have jurisdiction over and their rules do not apply to a factory-built structure.⁶

Applies to

Unincorporated county areas only³

Can local rules be stricter?

Yes²

Residential code in Colorado cities

The edition each city enforces, from the city’s own adoption page or ordinance.

For permits, exemptions and owner-builder rules, see Colorado building permits. To compare editions across states, see the code adoption map.