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Codes Adopted In Larimer County

Larimer County adopted its first building code effective January 1, 1972. Any structure built since that date (with some minor exceptions, see footnotes) was and is required to have a permit issued before work is started. The effective dates of all building codes adopted by Larimer County since 1972 are:

Effective Date Code Edition
January 1, 1972 1970 UBC, Volume I; 1971 1&2 FDC; 1971 NEC, Plumbing Regulations, Technical Plumbing Code by Colorado Department of Health1,2,5
December 6, 1973 1973 UBC; 1973 UMC; 1971 1&2 FDC, 1971 NEC; Plumbing Regulations, Technical Plumbing Code by Colorado Department of Health1,2
June 28, 1978 1976 UBC; 1976 UMC; 1976 Plumbing Code1,2
February 15, 1983 1979 UBC; 1979 UMC; 1979 UPC1,3
March 5, 1984 1982 UBC; 1982 UMC; 1982 UPC3
November 3, 1986 1985 UBC; 1985 UMC; 1985 UPC3
October 30, 1989 1988 UBC; 1988 UAC; 1988 UMC; 1988 UPC3
March 18, 1991 Amendments to 1988 Code Editions
February 10, 1993 1991 UBC; 1991 UAC; 1191 UMC; 1991 UPC3
July 1, 1995 Amendments to 1991 Code Editions (Wildfire Mitigation & Roofing Requirements)
May 1, 1998 1997 UBC; 1997 UAC; 1997 UMC; 1997 UPC4
July 1, 2000 Amendment governing installation of solid fuel burning devices
November 17, 2004 2003 IRC; IBC; IPC; IMC; IFGC; IECC; IEBC
October 2, 2007 2006 IRC; IBC; IPC; IMC; IFGC; IECC; IEBC
July 31, 2011 2009 IRC; IBC; IPC; IMC; IFGC; IECC; IEBC; 1997 UAC; and the latest published version of the NGBS for the standard for a voluntary green building program for 1 & 2 family residences.

UBC = Uniform Building Code
FDC = One and Two Family Dwelling Code
UMC = Uniform Mechanical Code
NEC = National Electrical Code
UPC = Uniform Plumbing Code
UAC = Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings
IRC = International Residential Code
IBC = International Building Code
IPC = International Plumbing Code
IMC = International Mechanical Code
IFGC = International Fuel Gas Code
IECC = International Energy Conservation Code
IEBC = International Existing Building Code
NGBS = National Green Building Standard ICC 700

1 COs not required for single-family residences.

2 EXEMPT FROM PERMIT/SPECIFICATION REQUIREMENTS (at Building Officials discretion): Agriculture buildings, private garages, carpots, 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: One-story detached accessory buildings, used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses provided the projected roof area does not exceed 120 square feet; Fences not over 6" high, etc.

4 EXEMPT FROM PERMIT/SPECIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: One-story detached accessory buildings, used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet; Fences not over 6" high, etc.

5 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.