Dillon to align with Summit County building codes; council considers payment‑in‑lieu for renewable‑energy mitigation

Senior planner Ned West presented a proposal to adopt Summit County's 2024 building and secondary codes so the town's plan review and inspections align with the county's enforcement. The package includes the International Building Code (2024), International Residential Code (2024), the county's amended International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), and associated mechanical, plumbing and fuel gas codes.

Ned said the county has already begun enforcing its package and noted state statute requires towns that adopt codes after July 1 to adopt either the state low‑energy code or a more stringent alternative. "Traditionally we adopt in sync with the county because the county provides building department services and inspectors," he said. Ned recommended removing the Renewable Energy Mitigation Program (REMP) from the immediate adoption package and instead drafting a chapter‑16 land‑use amendment so the town can evaluate on‑site versus payment‑in‑lieu options.

A staff‑submitted comment estimated the new codes could add $18–$32 per square foot in construction costs; council members discussed the tradeoff between higher upfront costs and long‑term energy benefits. Several council members favored a payment‑in‑lieu fund to allow town‑level renewable projects where on‑site offsets are impractical (for example, heated plazas with no on‑site area for panels). Ned said a public hearing will be set for July 21 and first reading could be included on the consent agenda.

No amendment was adopted during the work session; staff will prepare public‑hearing materials and, if council wishes, draft a land‑use code amendment for REMP in the coming months.