Chapter 15.08 - Residential Code Adopted
Chapter 15.08 - Residential Code Adopted15.08.010 Adoption of the 2021 International Residential Code.
The following code section was adopted by Resolution No. 25-303 by the Pueblo County Board of County Commissioners on December 22, 2025, with an effective date of December 31, 2025 and pursuant to C.R.S. 30-28-201 hereby adopts the 2021 International Residential Code Relating to Building Regulations for One- and Two- Family Dwellings Published by the International Code Council, Inc., and providing penalties and remedies for the violation thereof.
The ordinance and code adopted in this Resolution shall be a part of and cited as the "Pueblo County Residential Code," and are referred to in this Chapter as "the Code”
The purpose of the Code is to provide minimum standards to protect the public health and safety by controlling and regulating buildings, structures, and equipment including, but not limited to electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation comfort cooling, refrigeration systems; signs and sign structures; elevators, dumbwaiters, and escalators; boilers and pressure vessels; plumbing and drainage systems; single and multiple dwellings; business and commercial buildings and structures; electrical conductors and equipment; and the storage and handling of hazardous materials in the County of Pueblo.
The provisions of the Code and the other codes adopted by reference shall apply to the construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, conversion, demolition, occupancy, use, storage, height, area, maintenance, installation, inspection, design, operation, testing, handling, erection, and fabrication of equipment, structures, and buildings within the County of Pueblo; except work located in a public way, public utility towers and poles, mechanical equipment not specifically regulated in the Code, and hydraulic flood control structures. Where, in any specific case, different sections of the Code, the County zoning resolution, or any other resolution of the County or other governmental body specify different requirements, the most restrictive provision shall govern.
Pursuant to C.R.S. § 30-28-201(1), 12-115-107(2) and 12-155-106, except for provisions addressing electrical and plumbing matters, buildings or structures used for the sole purpose of providing shelter for agricultural implements, farm products, livestock, or poultry are exempted from the Code. All provisions of the Code apply to agricultural buildings and structures unless expressly exempted from the Code.
The Code shall apply to all unincorporated areas in Pueblo County.
The adoption of this resolution shall not create any duty to any person, firm, corporation, or other entity with regard to the enforcement or nonenforcement of this resolution or the Code. No person, firm, corporation, or other entity shall have any private right of action, claim, or civil liability remedy against the County of Pueblo, or their commissions, boards of review, or officers, employees or agents of such bodies or entities, for any damage arising out of or in any way connected with the adoption, enforcement, or nonenforcement of this resolution or the Code. Nothing in this resolution or in the Code shall be construed to create any liability, or to waive any of the immunities, limitations on liability, or other provisions of the Governmental Immunity Act, C.R.S. §24-10-101, or to waive any immunities or limitations on liability otherwise available to the County of Pueblo or their commissions, boards of review, or officers, employees or agents of such bodies or entities.
If any part, section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this resolution or the Code is held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this resolution or the Code.
All ordinances, resolutions, regulations and building codes of Pueblo County are repealed and superseded to the extent the same are inconsistent or in conflict with any term or provision of the Code. However, if the Code, this resolution, or any part of either is declared invalid, so that after such declaration of invalidity a building code for any matter covered in the Code shall not be in effect, the previous building or plumbing code covering the same matter shall not be deemed to have been repealed and shall be deemed reenacted and in effect.
As provided in C.R.S. § 30-28-210, any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of the Code may be subject to a civil infraction. Each day after issuance of the county court order during which such unlawful activity continues shall he deemed a separate violation subject to a continuing. Any civil penalty ordered by the county court may be collected as provided in C.R.S. § 30-28-210. In case any building or structure is, or is proposed to be, erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, or remodeled, used, or maintained in violation of any provision of the Code, the Pueblo County Attorney, pursuant to C.R.S. § 30-28-209 and in addition to other remedies provided by law, may institute an injunction, mandamus, abatement, or other appropriate action or proceeding to prevent, enjoin, abate, or remove such unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, remodeling, maintenance, or use.
15.08.110 International Residential Code; adoption by reference.
(a) The International Residential Code, 2021 Edition, promulgated and published by the International Code Council, Inc., 4051 Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, IL 60478, together with the following Appendix Chapters: Appendix AH, (Patio Covers), Appendix AJ (Existing Buildings and Structures), Appendix AQ, entitled "Tiny Houses", Appendix AR, entitled "Light-Straw Clay Construction, Appendix AS, entitled "Strawbale Construction" and Appendix AU, entitled "Cob Construction (Monolithic Adobe)" hereinafter collectively referred to as the "I.R.C." or "International Residential Code," as amended by this Chapter are hereby adopted by reference; provided, however that the following portions of the I.R.C. are not adopted and are expressly deleted:
Part VIII, entitled "Electrical."
Chapter 25, entitled "Plumbing Administration,"
Chapter 26, entitled "General Plumbing Requirements,"
Chapter 27, entitled "Plumbing Fixtures,"
Chapter 28, entitled "Water Heaters,"
Chapter 3, entitled "Sanitary Drainage,"
Chapter 31, entitled "Vents,"
Chapter 32, entitled "Traps"
Sections P2901 through and including P2903.11, and
Sections P2905 through and including P2913.4.2 of Chapter 29, entitled "Water supply and distribution,"
Sections AJ107.1.2, entitled "Plumbing materials and supplies, AJ107.2, entitled "Water Closets", AJ107.3 entitled "Electrical", AJ109.5., entitled "Electrical Equipment and Wiring" and all subsections of AJ109.5.
(b) Copies of the I.R.C. are available in the office of the Pueblo Department of Planning and Development.
(c) The erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, demolition, conversion, occupancy, equipment, use, height, area and maintenance of all buildings and structures regulated by the International Residential Code within the County shall be in compliance with the terms and provisions of this Chapter and the I.R.C.
(a) Section R103 of the I.R.C., entitled "Department of Building Safety," is amended to read as follows:
"R103 Pueblo County Building Division-Enforcement Agency.
"Administration and enforcement of this Code and all related and secondary codes are hereby delegated to the Pueblo [County Building Division. Wherever in this Code the phrase 'building official' appears, it shall be construed to refer to the Director or the Building Official of the Pueblo County Building Division or the Building Official's designated representative. The building official, the building official's designated representatives, and such building inspectors as the building official may appoint, shall be vested with the authority of a law enforcement officer with respect to enforcing this Code including the authority to issue summons and complaints for the violation thereof."
(b) Subsection R105.2 of the I.R.C., entitled "Work exempt from permit," number 7., is amended to read as follows:
"7. Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy, which are installed entirely above ground”
(c) Section R105 of the I.R.C., entitled "Permits," is amended by the addition of Subsection R105.10, entitled "Issuance of permit," to read as follows:
"R105.10 Issuance of permit. A building permit shall be issued only to the contractor performing the work covered by the contract between the owner and the contractor. Such permit shall be delivered only to the contractor or the contractor's authorized representative(s). Should any portion of the work be excluded from the contract, the application or permit shall state the portions so excluded. Should the contractor be discharged or abandon the work, the contractor shall immediately notify the building official in writing. No further work shall be performed until a successor contractor has been selected who shall notify the building official in writing of the contractor's selection to complete the work."
(d) Subsection R106.1 of the I.R.C., entitled "Submittal documents," is amended to read as follows:
"Construction documents will also include all plans and specifications, drawings, diagrams, calculations, computations, reports, specifications and other necessary data to complete the habitable structure, along with the necessary code study to compare and delineate the occupancy use and fire resistive type of construction within the I.R.C. Each set of plans and specifications shall bear the stamp or seal and signature of an engineer or architect licensed under Title 12 of Colorado Revised Statutes and in accordance with Sections 12-120-216 and 12-120-417, C.R.S., respectively."
(e) Subsection R108.2 of the I.R.C., entitled "Schedule of permit fees," is amended by the addition of two (2) new subsections, R108.2.1 and R108.2.2, to read as follows:
"R108.2.1 Permit fees. The fee for each permit shall be as established in the fee schedule adopted by the Board of County Commissioners by resolution.
"R108.2.2 Plan review fees. Plan review fees shall be as established in the fee schedule adopted by the Board of County Commissioners by resolution."
(f) Section R110.3.1 of the I.R.C., entitled "Certificate issued," is amended to add a new subsection R110.3.1 to read as follows:
"R110.3.1 Public improvement requirements for a certificate of occupancy. Applications for building permits for buildings or structures for one- and two- family dwelling units and town homes shall be accompanied by a set of plans or a drawing which shows all existing and proposed public improvements required by this Code. Foundation plans and soils report shall be prepared by and bear the seal of an architect or engineer licensed to practice in Colorado. Accessory structures shall have plot plans showing all existing and proposed public improvements required by the County Code.
“Before any building permit is issued, all applications for building permits and accompanying plans or drawings shall be reviewed by the Director of Public Works to determine whether the proposed construction will require the installation or reconstruction of public improvements. For purposes of this Section, public improvements shall include, but not be limited to, street paving, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, drainage facilities and the dedication of land for such purposes. Upon request, the Director of Public Works shall provide a written statement of the public improvements that will be required as a condition for the issuance of a building permit and a certificate of occupancy. No certificate of occupancy shall be issued for any structure or building until all public improvements required by this Code shall be constructed in full compliance this Code, engineering regulations, design standards and construction specifications as adopted by resolution of the Board of County Commissioners.
Acceptance of required public improvements shall be completed upon written notification signed by the Director of Public Works.
“If it is determined by the Director of Public Works that any such public improvements are necessitated by the proposed construction, a condition shall be inserted in any building permit to be issued for such proposed construction, which shall require the dedication of such land and improvements to the County, the applicant for such building permits, if not the owner, shall notify the owner of the requirements to dedicate to the County such public improvements. The cost of any such improvements shall be borne by the owner, and the construction shall be subject to the provisions of all applicable County resolutions, regulations and policies.
“Failure to comply with the provisions for public improvements required by this Section shall be deemed a violation of the Building Code and shall constitute grounds for applicable penalties as provided in Titles 15 of this Code and for revocation of any issued certificate of occupancy or temporary certificate of occupancy.”
(g) Subsection R113.4 of the I.R.C., entitled "Violation penalties," is amended to read as follows:
“R113.4 Violation penalties. Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this Code, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as provided in Title 15 of the Pueblo County Code. The application of any such penalty shall not be held to prevent the enforced removal of prohibited conditions.”
(h) Subsection R301.2, entitled "Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria," is amended by the addition of Table R301.2(5), entitled "Pueblo County Ground Snow Loads," to read as follows:
| Elevation (asl) | Ground Snow Load (PSF) |
|---|---|
| 5,300 | 20 |
| 5,550 | 23 |
| 5,800 | 25 |
| 6,050 | 27 |
| 6,300 | 30 |
| 6,550 | 33 |
| 6,800 | 35 |
| 7,050 | 38 |
| 7,300 | 40 |
| 7,550 | 41 |
| 7,800 | 43 |
| 8,050 | 44 |
| 8,300 | 45 |
| 8,550 | 46 |
| 8,800 | 48 |
| 9,050 | 49 |
| 9,300 | 50 |
| 9,550 | 51 |
| 9,800 | 52 |
| 10,050 | 54 |
| 10,300 | 55 |
| 10,550 | 56 |
| 10,800 | 58 |
| 11,050 | 59 |
| 11,300 | 60 |
(i) Subsection R302.5.1, Opening protection, of the I.R.C., is amended by deleting the words "equipped with a self-closing or automatic closing device" at the end of the second sentence.
(j) Subsection R309.1 of the I.R.C., entitled "Floor surface", is amended by adding Exception 1 to read as follows:
Exception 1. The floor surface shall not be required to slope when the foundation is for enclosed non-habitable accessory structure.
(k) Subsection R311.3.2 of the I.R.C., entitled "Floor elevation at other exterior doors", Exception is amended to read as follows:
Exception: When more than two (2) rises are required, landing length at the exterior door may be reduced to eighteen inches (18") provided the door does not swing over stairs. Maximum height of landing shall not exceed thirty inches (30") above adjacent grade.
(l) Subsection R313.1 of the I.R.C., entitled "Townhouse automatic fire sprinkler systems," Exception is amended to read as follows:
Exception #1. An automatic sprinkler system shall not be required where additions or alterations are made to existing townhouses that do not have an automatic sprinkler system installed.
Exception #2. An automatic sprinkler system shall not be required with four or less attached dwelling units when separated in accordance with Section R302.2.2 item 2.
(m) Subsection R313.2 of the I.R.C., entitled "One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire systems," is deleted.
(n) Table R1102.1.2 (R402.1.2), entitled "Maximum Assembly U-Factors a and Fenestration Requirements" is amended to read as follows:
| Climate Zone | Fenestration U-Factor f | Skylight U-Factor | Glazed Fenestration SHGC d | Ceiling U-Factor | Wood Frame Wall U-Factor | Mass Wall U-Factor b | Floor U-Factor | Base-ment Wall U-Factor | Crawl Space Wall U-Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 And Marine 4 | 0.32 | 0.55 | 0.40 | 0.026 | 0.06 | 0.082 | 0.033 | 0.050 | 0.055 |
Footnotes:
a. Nonfenestration U-factors shall be obtained from measurement, calculation or an approved source.
b. Mass wall shall be in accordance with Section 402.2.5 where more than half of the insulation is on the interior, the mass wall U-factors shall not exceed 0.065 in Climate Zone 5 and Marine 4.
c. The SHCG column applies to all glazed fenestration.
d. A maximum U-factor of 0.32 shall apply in Climate Zone 5-8 to vertical fenestration products installed in buildings located above 4,000 feet in elevation above sea level.
(o) Table N1102.1.3 (R402.1.3), entitled "Insulation Minimum R-Values and Fenestration Requirements by Components" a is amended to read as follows:
| Climate Zone | Fenestration U-Factor b, i | Skylight U-Factor b | Glazed Fenestration SHGC b | Ceiling U-Factor | Wood Frame Wall U-Factor g | Mass Wall U-Factor h | Floor U-Factor | Basement c,g Wall R-Value c,g | Slabd R-Value &Amp; Depth d | Crawl Space Wall U-Factor c,g |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 And Marine 4 | 0.32 i | 0.55 | 0.40 | 49 | 20 h or 13 + 5ci h | 13/17 | 30 | 15ci or 19 or 13 & 5ci | 2f | 15ci or 19 or 13 & 5ci |
Footnotes:
a. Nonfenestration U-factors shall be obtained from measurement, calculation or an approved source.
b. The fenestration U-factor columns excludes skylights. The SHGC applies to all glazed fenestration.
c. "5ci or 13" means R-5 continuous insulation (ci) on the interior or exterior surface of the wall or R-13 cavity insulation on the interior side of the wall. "10ci or 13" means R-10 continuous insulation (ci) on the interior or exterior surface of the wall or R-13 cavity insulation on the interior side of the wall. "15ci or 19 or 13&5ci" means R-15 continuous insulation (ci) on the interior or exterior surface of the wall; or R-19 cavity insulation on the interior side of the wall; or R-13 cavity insulation on the interior of the wall in addition to R-5 continuous insulation on the interior or exterior surface of the wall.
d. R-5 insulation shall be provided under the full slab area of a heated slab in addition to the required slab edge insulation R-value for slabs. as indicated in the table. The slab-edge insulation for heated slabs shall not be required to extend below the slab.
e. The first value is cavity insulation; the second value is continuous insulation. Therefore, as an example, "13&5" means R-13 cavity insulation plus R-5 continuous insulation.
f. Mass walls shall be in accordance with Section R402.2.5. The second R-value applies where more than half of the insulation is on the interior of the mass wall.
g. A maximum U-factor of 0.32 shall apply in Climate Zones 3 through 8 to vertical fenestration products installed in buildings located above 4,000 feet in elevation.
(p) Section N1104.1 (R404.1) of the I.R.C., entitled "Lighting equipment" is amended to read as follows:
"Not less than nintey [ninety] percent (90%) of all permanently installed lighting fixtures, excluding kitchen appliance lighting fixtures, shall contain high-efficiency lighting sources."
(q) Subsection M1305.1.3 of the I.R.C., entitled, "Appliances under floors," is amended by the addition of a sentence after the Exceptions which reads as follows:
"All access openings to underfloor furnaces shall be provided with a permanent ladder for equipment access."
(r) Subsection M1401.3 of the I.R.C., entitled, "Equipment and appliance sizing," is amended by adding a third exception which reads as follows:
"3. Additions that are 600 square feet or less."
15.08.130 Responsibility for damages; liability of County.
The provisions of this Chapter and the I.R.C. shall neither release nor discharge any person from any liability imposed by law for any injury to persons or damage to property caused by or resulting from the performance or failure to perform work or furnishing materials covered by this Chapter or the I.R.C. Neither Pueblo County nor any of their agents or employees will be held liable for any injury to persons or damage to property by reason of an inspection or failure to perform any inspection authorized or required by this Chapter or the I.R.C. or arising from the issuance or failure to issue any certificate of occupancy as herein provided.
Whenever in the I.R.C., as adopted by this Chapter or in any secondary code adopted thereunder or by this Code in the adoption of such International Residential Code, it is provided that anything must be done to the approval of or subject to the direction of the Building Official or any other officer of the Pueblo County Building Division, this shall be construed to give such official only the discretion of determining whether the requirements and standards established by the International Residential Code and all secondary codes adopted thereunder or by this Chapter in the adoption of such International Residential Code have been complied with; and no such provision shall be construed as giving any official discretionary powers as to what such regulations or standards shall be, or power to require conditions not prescribed by such code or codes, or to enforce the provisions of such code or codes in an arbitrary or discriminatory manner.
15.08.150 Offenses; criminal penalties; permit revocation; and other enforcement provisions.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly violate, disobey, omit, neglect, refuse or fail to comply with or resist the enforcement of any provision of this Chapter or of the International Residential Code.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse or fail to timely comply with any order issued by the Building Official, the Director of the Pueblo Department of Planning and Development or other designated building inspectors pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter or the International Residential Code.
(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly make any false statement, representation or certification in any application, record, report, plan or other document filed or required to be maintained pursuant to any requirement of this Chapter or the International Residential Code.
(d) Any permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter or the International Residential Code may be suspended, terminated or revoked by the Building Official for: (1) any of the reasons stated in Subsection R105.6 of the International Residential Code; or (2) any material violation of the terms of said permit or requirements applicable thereto.
(e) In the event any owner or occupant of premises within the County. shall refuse entry to the Building Official or any building inspector, or if any premises are locked and the Building Official or any building inspector has been unable to obtain permission of the owner or occupant to enter, the Pueblo County Court is authorized to issue a search or inspection warrant authorizing such entry in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Colorado Court Rules.
(f) In the event any owner or occupant of premises within the County, any licensed contractor or any permittee shall fail or refuse to comply with any provision of this Chapter, the I.R.C. or any license or permit issued thereunder, the County may initiate an action for injunctive relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to compel compliance with said Chapter, I.R.C., license or permit.
(g) The enforcement remedies in this Section are expressly declared to be cumulative, and the exercise of any one (1) or more of them is not dependent upon the exercise of any other remedy, nor does the exercise of any one (1) or more of them constitute any bar or limitation to the exercise of any other. (Res. 25-303)