Cheyenne advances 2024 fire‑code updates; adds limited solar‑panel access rule and widens oversight of above‑ground tanks/containers

A City of Cheyenne committee voted to forward to City Council on second reading an ordinance updating the city’s adoption of the 2024 International Fire Code, with local amendments covering cooking operations, rooftop solar access, and the regulation of above‑ground tanks and containers that store class 1 and class 2 flammable liquids.

Bob Mason of Cheyenne Fire Rescue, who participated in the city’s code adoption committee, outlined the proposed fire‑code changes to the committee. Mason described an existing local exception that allows certain day‑care or similar facilities to use cooking equipment only for warming — rather than full cooking — and noted the new 2024 fire code adds section 904.15 addressing residential cooking operations and specific institutional occupancies. Mason said the city amended its ordinance so that the day‑care warming exception would remain in place where it does not conflict with the new section.

A separate change would add language intended to improve firefighter access to roofs with solar panels. The fire‑code packet includes a proposed requirement that roof pathways from ridge to edge remain 36 inches wide and that when obstructions make ladder access difficult, an adjacent 72‑inch by 36‑inch step‑off area be provided at the roof edge. Mason said he and local solar contractors plan to refine that language and proposed alternative wording before the full council meeting to avoid creating undue burdens for existing installations. Travis Spears, an electric and solar specialist who spoke at the meeting, said contractors share the aim of maintaining life‑safety access but urged the city to avoid retroactive requirements that would force homeowners to reengineer or re‑permit existing systems; he asked that any retroactive requirement be explicitly grandfathered.

The ordinance also updates several sections governing storage of flammable liquids, clarifying that the municipal code will regulate both tanks (more than 60 gallons) and containers (60 gallons or less) for class 1 and class 2 fluids and aligning references between the fire code and city ordinances. Mason said the prior language sometimes referenced “containers” while the city ordinance referenced “tanks,” creating ambiguity; the amendment inserts consistent language and cross‑references to the municipal code section 8.240.020.

Committee members raised questions about whether the fire‑code amendments would be retroactive and about ordinary household propane use. Mason and other staff said the rooftop solar access requirement would not be retroactive to currently installed systems, and he said that if a structure burns and is rebuilt it would be subject to the new code when re‑permitted. A city building official present noted that the municipal ordinance currently limits above‑ground residential propane storage to 25 gallons; committee members asked staff to draft explicit grandfathering language so roof replacements or hail damage repairs would not automatically impose new solar‑access requirements on existing homeowners without clear notice.

After public comment and committee discussion, the committee approved the fire‑code ordinance on second reading and voted to forward it to the full City Council. Councilwoman Aldridge announced she would vote no on the fire‑code item at committee, citing the need for additional legal review and corrections to drafting errors; the chair said the motion passed with Aldridge recording a no vote. The related ordinance clarifying tanks/containers was approved on committee vote and will go to City Council as recommended.

What happens next: Mason said he will work with solar contractors and the city attorney to refine the solar access language and proposed grandfathering wording before the ordinance goes to City Council.