Fort Collins begins review of 2024 building‑code package; council weighs wildfire, EV and energy changes

Fort Collins staff presented the city’s proposed 2024 building‑code adoption package at a City Council work session, outlining state mandates, local amendments and a timeline for outreach and adoption.

The package centers on adopting the 2024 International Code Council (ICC) model codes, folding in state requirements such as a new Colorado wildfire‑resiliency code and proposing local amendments to reflect community priorities on housing, safety and climate.

What’s in the state and model codes Marcus Coldiron, the city’s chief building official, summarized two state law impacts the city must address. House Bill 1273 requires jurisdictions with populations over 100,000 to allow certain design options that can permit a single‑exit, up to five‑story multifamily building under specific life‑safety conditions (sprinklers, egress and other requirements). Coldiron said that the height allowance would apply only where local zoning already permits taller buildings and would not expand height allowances citywide.

Staff also summarized House Bill 23‑166, the state wildfire resiliency law, which creates a Wildland‑Urban Interface (WUI) designation and requires jurisdictions with WUI areas to adopt a wildfire resiliency code by April 1, 2026. The state map shows Fort Collins contains low‑ and moderate‑hazard WUI areas on the city’s northwest, southwest and portions of the east side;…