Building Services Newsletter
WELCOME TO THE BUILDING SERVICES NEWSLETTER

Welcome the Building Services Newsletter.  

I hope you are enjoying the beautiful summer weather! As always, thank you for the work that you do and our partnership ensuring the life, health, and safety of everyone who lives, works, and plays in Fort Collins. If you have any feedback for us on how we can continue to improve our services and processes, please, don’t hesitate to reach out.   

Additionally, if there is any material, news, or updates you feel would be beneficial to include in the next newsletter, let us know.  

Best, 

Marcus Coldiron  

Chief Building Official   

City of Fort Collins  

970-416-2324  

REMINDERS

BUILDING PERMIT EXPIRATIONS:

  • Per section R105.5 of the 2021 IRC and IBC, every permit issued will become invalid unless work authorized by such permit is commenced within 180 days after its issuance or if more than 180 days pass between inspections. 
    • Extensions will only be considered on a limited basis when justifiable cause can be demonstrated.  

HEADS UP! STOCK PLAN HOLDERS:

  • The 2024 I-codes will be proposed to be adopted by the end of this year. Drafts of the 2024 codes will be posted on our website soon. Keep in mind that all stock plans must be updated to the new codes, once adopted. New permits will not be issued without updated stock plans following the adoption of new codes.  

2024 I-CODES ADOPTION UPDATE

The Building Code Adoption Committee had it’s final meeting on July 30th.

Next steps in the adoption process includes a Council work session on September 9th, and bringing the material to various boards and commissions prior to presenting to Council for adoption by the end of the year.

For more information regarding the adoption, including a timeline, recordings of each committee meeting, and once completed, drafts of the proposed codes, visit https://www.fcgov.com/building/building-news.  

PERFORMANCE CODE PATH TO ZERO CARBON NEW CONSTRUCTION BY 2030

The development of Fort Collins’ Performance Code Path to Zero Carbon New Construction by 2030 is nearing completion.  

Visit: https://ourcity.fcgov.com/zero-carbon-construction-code to follow the progress, share thoughts and engage with city staff. You can also access this site through the “Learn more or engage with staff” link at www.fcgov.com/zerocarboncode.

There is still an opportunity to engage during an upcoming Community Advisory Group on July 23rd, 2:30-4 pm at 222 Laporte Ave, Colorado River room.

BUILDING INDUSTRY WORKFORCE TRAINING FUNDS AVAILABLE - Upcoming Heat Pump Training

With the increase in Heat Pump installations and with the future local and state code trajectory it’s more important than ever to fully understand advancing heat pump technology.

Just down the road, Construction Instruction is offering a High Performance Heat Pump Integration training in September, among other trainings through 2025.

The City of Fort Collins offers scholarship funding to further educate and expand local industry workforce on energy efficiency, zero energy, and high-performance building. Individuals can apply for up to $1,200 and businesses or organizations can get up to $2,500 annually.

For scholarship info, or to apply for funding visit https://fcgov.com/buildingscholarship

LIGHTING REBATES FOR BUSINESSES

DONT GET LEFT IN THE DARK! 

As of January 1, 2025, fluorescent lighting sales ended in Colorado. Brighten your space and your budget by switching to energy efficient LEDs now! Rebates are available for troffers, strip fixtures, recessed lighting, and more. Use a premium service provider to unlock extra savings. 

Make the switch today—visit fcgov.com/BusinessLighting 

 NEED HELP WITH A LIGHTING PROJECT OR HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT REBATES FOR YOUR BUSINESS?  

Reach out to an energy advisor for guidance. Visit Fcgov.com/EWBAdvising to get started today! 

MULTI-FAMILY DEVELOPMENTS

We continue to see an increase in multi-family development proposals. Throughout these reviews we have noticed a few common oversights that if addressed as early as possible, can make the review process more effective and efficient. Keep these reminders in mind as you submit your application: 

  • Electric vehicle charging parking spaces are required per local IBC amendment 3604, which requires 70% of parking spaces provide 3 types of EV charging.  

  • The recently adopted Land Use Code removed required parking space minimums. EV charging percentage requirements in accordance with IBC amendment 3604 are now calculated using all provided parking spaces.  

  • If the building is located within 250ft of a 4-lane road or 1000 ft of an active railway, must provide exterior composite sound transmission of 39 STC min.  

  • R-2 occupancies must provide 10ft to 30ft of fire separation distance (setback) from property line and 20 feet between other buildings or provide fire rated walls and openings per chapter 6 and 7 of the IBC.  

  • Required fire separation distance (how far a building must be from prop lines or another building) for multifamily buildings (MF) of V-B construction is required by IBC chap 5,6 and 7: 

  • 10 feet from the building to any property line (PL). Can be closer if that wall faces a public way (street). 

  • All MF buildings on the same lot/property must be spaced 20 ft apart due to assumed PL between them. 

  • The wall closer than 10ft to the PL must be fire rated per IBC section 705.5 and openings protected per 705.8. 

  • Or documentation that on the side where the building is closer than 10ft to the PL, that adjacent land is a no-build easement or a fire access/emergency easement (not a utility easement). 

  • Garage units provided for multi-family buildings must provide min fire separation distance, usually 15ft min. 

Building Services
281 N College
Fort Collins, CO 80524