Centennial staff to develop hybrid energy-code ordinance to meet state requirements

City staff told the council on April 7 that Centennial must adopt at least the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — and Colorado’s electric-ready and solar-ready model provisions — to comply with state law. Joseph Montoya, chief building official, explained that options include full adoption of the 2024 IECC, adoption of the 2021 IECC, or a hybrid approach that adopts the 2021 IECC with targeted 2024 provisions to meet state model standards while limiting short-term cost impacts.

Montoya said the 2021-plus-targeted-amendments hybrid is staff’s recommendation, balancing neighbor alignment (many nearby jurisdictions already use the 2021 IECC), compliance, and cost. He estimated residential cost impacts in the range of $4,000–$10,000 depending on design and equipment choices, with commercial impacts of about 1–3%. Montoya described “commissioning” as a third-party verification process (blower-door tests and equipment commissioning) that would add administrative and inspection costs but improve compliance and performance.

Council members signaled support for staff to draft a formal ordinance consistent with the hybrid approach and return for first reading and a public hearing. Staff said it will bring back a proposed ordinance and more detailed cost and implementation guidance.