Castle Rock staff outline broad updates to building, energy and fire codes, aim to adopt by June 30

Town of Castle Rock staff told the Board of Building Appeals on June 1 that the town is preparing a comprehensive update to local building, energy and fire codes and aims to finalize adoption by June 30 to meet state timelines.

John White, a town staff member, told board members the town is proposing to update its code base from the 2018 codes (with a 2023 NEC exception) to the suite of 2024 International Code Council (ICC) codes, adopt the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with selected 2024 amendments, adopt the 2026 National Electrical Code and bring local accessibility rules in line with the 2017 accessibility standard. "It's due to go back on the consent calendar for second reading tomorrow night, June 2, for approval," White said, adding that staff is considering emergency-adoption procedures "to make sure it gets adopted by June 30" so the town meets the state's July 1 enforcement date.

White listed several substantive local amendments under consideration. Structural-design provisions would be updated (including snow loads and risk categories), and accessibility and egress requirements would be strengthened to align with newer national standards. Electrical updates would expand requirements for electric-vehicle charging infrastructure and add enhanced safety provisions such as arc-fault and ground-fault protections. White said the code package would "support electrification and solar readiness" and adopt Colorado's solar- and electric-ready provisions where applicable.

On fire-safety provisions, White said the town proposes codifying several fire-division policies that were previously enforced by practice rather than ordinance. He cited a clarified definition of "fire apparatus road" to make inspection and enforcement clearer, and a requirement for door identification in some commercial buildings to help first responders locate specific doors. "It helps people identify if they are trapped to first responders, what door they're at," White said.

White also said staff plans to reinstate a requirement for automatic sprinklers in townhomes and to lower the permit-exemption threshold for accessory structures from 200 square feet to 120 square feet to align with the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code. "We will be, however, putting back into the code, amending back in requirements for sprinklers in townhomes," he said. The 120-square-foot threshold for accessory structures — for things such as small sheds or playhouses — would require those smaller structures to obtain a permit under the amended code.

White described an enforcement approach that includes allowing third-party energy inspectors "to increase flexibility and capacity," while the town will continue to perform energy inspections in certain circumstances. He said the proposed changes also include adopting applicable ASME and ASCE conveyance standards for elevators and similar equipment.

If the council approves the package as planned, the Board of Building Appeals would be renamed in ordinance to the Board of Building and Fire Appeals, White said, giving residents and business owners a clear appeal path for both building- and fire-related inspection decisions. White described the change as designed "to promote uniform interpretation, review and application of related building and fire codes."

The staff presentation included repeated reminders that the town is trying to align with neighboring jurisdictions and state expectations. White said the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code was approved earlier and that its enforcement date is July 1; he advised that the town’s ordinance posting is subject to a 30-day administrative delay.

Next steps: staff said the code adoptions are scheduled for second reading at town council on June 2 and, if approved, the town aims for code adoption effective on or before June 30 with enforcement considerations tied to the state's July 1 timeline.