Farming, ranching, and agricultural operations are an important part of Larimer County’s heritage and critical to our continued economic and natural vitality. Like all buildings, agricultural buildings are subject to building and land use code rules, whose application depends on exactly how the buildings are used.
What kind of permits do agricultural buildings need? Which code requirements apply?
Building Use | Risk Category (a) | Bathroom Required in Building (b) | Disabled Accessibility Required | Heat and Insulation Required (c) | Sprinkler (depending on size and # of occupants) | Parking, Drainage and Specific Use Standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Growing-only greenhouse, barn, shed, etc. | I | N | N | N | N | See Larimer County Land Use Code Articles 2.1, 2.9, 3.2.6, 3.2.7, 3.2.8, and 3.3.2, or contact Planner On Call at (970) 498-7679 or poc@larimer.org |
| Ag Buildings with, processing, packaging, or shipping | II | N | Y | N | Y | |
| Private riding arenas | I | N | N | N | N | |
| Public riding arenas, Equine Therapy, Veterinary Care etc. | II | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Farmstands with no public inside | I | N | N | N | N | |
| Retail Farmstands/ag buildings with public access inside, Sales, Classes, etc. | II | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Events Centers | II or III (Depending on size) | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Barndominiums (Dwellings) | II | Y | N | Y Single Family N Cabins | N unless Fire Dept. or subdivision requires | |
| Commercial Repair Garages, Other Businesses | II | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
a) Risk Category I = low hazard to human life in case of failure such as agricultural facilities, temporary & minor storage facilities ( i.e no public access) Risk Category II = ordinary buildings (homes, garages, stores, factories, etc.) Risk Category III = substantial hazard to human life in case of failure such as assembly buildings with hundreds of occupants (i.e. 4-H Building at county fairgrounds) b) Employee and public bathrooms may be allowed elsewhere on site with approval of the Building Official. Public bathrooms are not required for buildings and spaces without public access or with less than 300 sq. ft. intended for quick-pickup transactions (takeout, pickup and drop-off) but employee bathrooms are required. c) If building is heated or cooled for human comfort, insulation requirements apply. Utillity buildings are not required to be heated or cooled. | ||||||
