Updated : 04/22/2024

Overview

The Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD) was created by an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) between the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners and the City Council of Colorado Springs in 1966. The PPRBD services unincorporated El Paso County; the cities of Colorado Springs, Fountain and Manitou Springs; the towns of Green Mountain Falls, Monument and Palmer Lake; and in Teller County, the City of Woodland Park.

The main goal of the Department is to safeguard life and limb, health, property and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, construction, quality of materials, use and occupancy of all buildings and structures in their area of responsibility through efficient and consistent application of adopted codes and standards.

The following codes are incorporated into the 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Building Code:

• The International Building Code, 2021 edition. Section RBC302.3 (p.56) (adopted as amended).

• The International Residential Code, 2021 edition. Section RBC303.3 (p.64) (adopted as amended).

• The International Existing Building Code, 2021 edition. Section RBC311.3 (p.89) (adopted as amended).

Helpful resources for Colorado Springs, Colorado include the following.

• PLRB, Ordinance and Law Coverage Discussion for Colorado

Residential Building Code

Colorado has yet to adopt a statewide residential code. Local laws will control.See PLRB, Colorado Building Codes for more information on state level codes.

Colorado Springs adopted the 2021 IRC, locally. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.

You can find a copy of the model code here.

You can find information about amendments to the model code here.

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2018 IRC(Colorado Springs, CO 7.10.102: CODE ADOPTED BY REFERENCE:)

...D BY REFERENCE:There is hereby adopted by reference the edition of the Pikes Peak Regional Building Code, 2017 edition, 2nd Printing, as published...

See Amlegal(Colorado Springs, CO PART 14 BUILDING CODES)

...PART 14 BUILDING CODES SECTION: 7.4.1401 : Purpose 7.4.1402 : Applicability 7.4.1403 : Interpretation 7.4.1404 : Code Adopted By Reference 7.4.1405 : Street Numbering...

Drip Edge

Drip Edge: yes

Ice Barrier

Are ice barriers required for Colorado Springs ? Yes
Citation: https://www.pprbd.org/File/ByAlias/PPRBC2023Edition (p. 65)
Comments:

Flat Roof Snow Load	Wind Speed (mph)	Topographic Effects	Special Wind Region	Wind-borne Debris Zone	Seismic Design Category	Damage from Weathering
30/40	130 Exp. C (min)	NO	YES	NO	B	Severe

 

Damange from Frost Line Depth	Damage from Termite	Winter Design Temp	Ice Barrier Underlayment Required	Flood Hazards	Air Freezing Index	Mean Annual Temp
30 inches (762 mm)	Slight to moderate	0ºF (-18ºC)	YES	12/18/1986	1,000	45ºF (7ºC)

Government Officials

Comments

The 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Building Code incorporates the International Residential Code, 2021 edition, including Appendix H and Q. Section RBC303.3 (adopted as amended).

The IRC was adopted in full including the Appendices, except the following, which are deleted:

1. Chapter 1, Administration

2. Chapter 11, 12 and 25

3. Chapter 34 through 43

4. Appendix AA through Appendix AG

5. Appendix AI through Appendix AP

6. Appendix AR through Appendix AW.

RBC303.3.

According to Table R301.2(1), ice barriers are required. RBC303.4.2.

Section R313.2 was deleted. Automatic fire sprinklers are not required for one- and two-family dwellings. RBC303.4.22.

 

Existing Buildings

Existing buildings, meaning buildings that were built in accordance to code at the time of construction, typically merit extra consideration in a current updated code.

The 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Building Code incorporates the International Existing Building Code, 2021 edition. Section RBC311.3 (adopted as amended).

Commercial Building Code

Colorado Springs adopted the 2021 IBC, locally. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.

You can find a copy of the code here.You can find information about amendments to the model code here.

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See Amlegal(Colorado Springs, CO Municipal Code)

...Adoption not found...

See sterling(Colorado Springs, CO 8.4.105: AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE:)

...8.4.105: AMENDMENTS TO THE International FIRE CODE:The International Fire Code and Appendices herein adopted, are adopted subject to the following...

Comments

The 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Building Code incorporates the International Building Code, 2021 edition, including appendices C, G, H, and I. Section RBC302.3 (adopted as amended).

The IBC was adopted in full including the appendices, except the following, which are deleted:

1. Chapter 1, Administration

2. Chapter 27, Electrical

3. Chapter 28, Mechanical Systems

4. Chapter 29, Plumbing Systems

5. Chapter 32, Encroachments into the Public Right-of-Way

6. Chapter 34, Existing Structures

7. Appendix A, B, D, E, F, J, K, L, M, N, and O.

RBC302.3 

 

Ice Barriers

RBC302.4.29 Section 1501.2 Insert a new section as follows:

1501.2 Cold Climates. Where this Chapter refers to “areas where the average daily temperature in January is 25 °F (-4 °C) or less” or “where there has been a history of ice forming along the eaves causing a backup of water”, this shall be construed to mean areas with a grade plane elevation of greater than 7,000 feet (2,134 m).

 

Existing Buildings

The 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Building Code incorporates the International Existing Building Code, 2021 edition. Section RBC311.3 (adopted as amended).

 

Other Building Codes