Cheyenne council adopts updated building, fire and above‑ground tank rules on second reading

The Cheyenne City Council approved three ordinances on second reading Feb. 10 that update municipal adoption of building and fire codes and clarify rules for above‑ground tanks and hazardous liquid containers.

Ordinance 7 amends multiple sections of Title 15 (buildings and construction) to adopt updated building code requirements. Council members noted the need to adopt the state‑endorsed International Building Code updates within the statutory time window to preserve local authority to enforce building standards. The committee recommendation to approve on second reading was moved by Councilmember Michael White and seconded by Councilmember Roybal; the council approved the ordinance on second reading.

Ordinance 8 updates the city’s adoption of the International Fire Code (Title 8) and includes technical revisions discussed in committee. Fire Marshal Mason explained two items that drew questions at committee: an exception tied to commercial cooking appliances and a new section (904.15) addressing domestic cooking facilities. Mason said the proposed language narrows the definition of commercial cooking so that infrequent domestic cooking in day cares or community kitchens would not automatically trigger commercial hood requirements, but the new 904.15 language requires a Type I suppression hood in certain occupancies (I‑1, I‑2 and R‑2) where cooking occurs. Mason also described proposed language to clarify rooftop ladder step‑off areas for solar installations; he said local solar contractors reviewed and generally supported the revised, less restrictive wording. Councilmembers expressed concern about retroactivity; Mason and staff said existing solar systems and propane tanks would be grandfathered except when a substantial replacement is made. The council approved the fire code ordinance on second reading; staff said a substitute may appear at the next meeting for fine‑tuning.

Ordinance 9 amends section 8.24.002 to clarify and further regulate the installation of above‑ground tanks and containers for class 1 and class 2 flammable liquids, including container size thresholds (60 gallons) and related technical corrections. The council approved that ordinance on second reading as well.

Speakers at the meeting included Michael White, who provided historical context on residential fire sprinklers and standard‑of‑care issues; Fire Marshal Mason outlined the specific code language under discussion and answered council questions about retroactivity, annexation and propane tank limits. Each ordinance passed on second reading by voice vote with no recorded opposition announced on the record.