Codes Adopted In Larimer County

Larimer County adopted its first building code effective January 1, 1972.  All structures built after January 1, 1972 require(d) a building permit except as noted below, and except for structures in Townships 10, 11, and 12 within Ranges 76, 77, and 78 constructed prior to January 1, 1978.

The effective dates of all building codes and amendments adopted by Larimer County are:

Effective DateCode Edition
January 1, 19721970 UBC, Volume I; 1971 1&2 FDC; 1971 NEC; Plumbing Regulations, Technical Plumbing Code issued by Colorado Department of Public Health (1,2,4)
December 6, 19731973 UBC; 1973 UMC; 1971 1&2 FDC; 1971 NEC; Plumbing Regulations, Technical Plumbing Code issued by Colorado Department of Public Health (1,2)
June 28, 19781976 UBC; 1976 UMC; 1976 UPC; 1977 CECS (1,2)
February 15, 19831979 UBC; 1979 UMC; 1979 UPC; 1977 CECS (1,3)
March 5, 19841982 UBC; 1982 UMC; 1982 UPC; 1977 CECS (3)
November 3, 19861985 UBC; 1985 UMC; 1985 UPC; 1977 CECS (3)
October 30, 19891988 UBC; 1988 UAC; 1988 UMC; 1988 UPC; 1977 CECS
March 18, 1991Amendments to 1988 Code Editions
February 10, 19931991 UBC; 1991 UAC; 1991 UMC; 1991 UPC; 1977 CECS
July 1, 1995Amendments to 1991 Code Edition (Wildfire Mitigation & Roofing Requirements)
May 1, 19981997 UBC; 1997 UAC; 1997 UMC; 1997 UPC; 1977 CECS
July 1, 2000Amendment governing installation of solid fuel burning devices
November 17, 20042003 IRC; IBC; IPC; IMC; IFGC; IECC; IEBC; 2002 NEC
October 2, 20072006 IRC; IBC; IPC; IMC; IFGC; IECC; IEBC; 2005 NEC
July 31, 20112009 IRC; IBC; IPC; IMC; IFGC; IECC; IEBC; 1997 UAC; 2008 NEC; 2008 NGBS
January 1, 20142012 IRC; IBC; IPC; IMC; IFGC; IECC; IEBC; 1997 UAC; 2011 NEC; 2008 NGBS
May 1, 20162015 IRC; IBC; IPC; IMC; IFGC; IECC; IEBC; 1997 UAC; 2014 NEC; 2008 NGBS
January 1, 2018Amendments to 2015 IRC, IBC & UAC regarding Vacation Homes in the Estes Valley Planning Area, appeals to Building Official determinations, abatement cost recovery
February 1, 20192018 IRC; IBC; IPC; IMC; IFGC; IECC; IEBC; IPMC; 2017 NEC; 2008 NGBS
September 1, 2019Amendments to 2018 IRC & IBC regarding Short-Term Rentals outside Estes Valley
July 1, 20202020 NEC
March 1, 20222021 IRC; IBC; IEBC; IECC; IFGC; IMC; IPC; IPMC; ISPSC; NEC admin amendments
FDC = One- and Two-Family Dwelling CodeIBC = International Building CodeIPMC = International Property Maintenance Code
NEC = National Electrical CodeIEBC = International Existing Building CodeIRC = International Residential Code
UBC = Uniform Building CodeIECC = International Energy Conservation CodeISPSC = International Swimming Pool and Spa Code
UMC = Uniform Mechanical CodeIFGC = International Fuel Gas Code

NGBS = National Green Building Standard

 (voluntary green building standard for 1- and 2-family homes)

UPC = Uniform Plumbing CodeIMC = International Mechanical Code
UAC = Uniform Code for the Abatement of  Dangerous BuildingsIPC = International Plumbing CodeCECS = Colorado Energy Conservation Standards

1. COs not required for single-family residences.

2. EXEMPT FROM PERMIT/SPECIFICATION REQUIREMENTS (at Building Officials discretion): Agriculture buildings, private garages, carports, sheds, one-story buildings with an area not exceeding 600 square feet of Type V conventional wood-stud construction, small and unimportant work.

3. EXEMPT FROM PERMIT/SPECIFICATION REQUIREMENTS (at Building Officials discretion): Agricultural buildings of any size for private use only.

4. EXEMPT FROM PERMIT/SPECIFICATION REQUIREMENTS (at Building Officials discretion): May waive permitting on any type of structure up to December 6, 1973.  1972 – no inspections took place anywhere in Larimer County; 1973 – inspections only happened in subdivisions along the Front Range in Ranges 68 & 69.