Updated : 07/10/2024

Overview

Denver, Colorado, adopted the 2022 Denver Residential Code (DRC), which is comprised of the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), including appendices E, F, J, K, M, Q, R, and S, and Denver amendments. Denver, Co. Muni. Code, § 10-16 (2022 DBC adopted) and 2022 Denver Building Code (2022 DBC comprising 2021 IRC plus amendments). Denver, Colorado, adopted the 2022 Denver Building Code, which includes the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) with amendments. Denver, Co. Muni. Code, § 10-16 (2022 Denver Building Code adopted) and 2022 Denver Building Code (2022 DBC comprising 2021 IBC plus amendments). Denver, Colorado, adopted the 2022 Denver Existing Building Code, which includes the 2021 International Existing Building Code with amendments. Denver, Co. Muni. Code, § 10-16 (2022 Denver Building Code adopted) and 2022 Denver Existing Building Code (2022 DEBC comprising 2021 IEBC plus amendments).

Helpful resources for Denver, 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.

Denver 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.

Auto Search - beta:

2021 IRC(Denver, CO Sec. 10-16. - Denver building code and Denver fire code adopted.)

...The building and fire codes as filed November 27, 2023, in City Clerk File Number 20230131 are hereby adopted as the 2022 Denver Building Code and 2022 Denver and Fire Code. The 2022 Denver Building Code and 2022 Denver Fire Code will be maintained by the department of community planning and development and will be available to the public...

Drip Edge

Drip Edge: Yes

Denver, Colorado, requires drip edge flashing. 2022 DRC § R905.2.8.5.

Ice Barrier

Are ice barriers required for Denver ? No
Citation: 2022 DRC, Table R301.2(1) CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC DESIGN CRITERIA
Municipal Code https://www.denvergov.org/files/assets/public/community-planning-and-development/documents/ds/building-codes/2022-denver-building-and-fire-code.pdf#page=191
Comments:

Denver, Colorado, does not require ice barrier underlayment on the eaves. 2022 DRC, Table R301.2(1) CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC DESIGN CRITERIA (amendments to the 2021 IRC).

Comments

Denver, Colorado, adopted the 2022 Denver Residential Code (DRC), which is comprised of the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), including appendices E, F, J, K, M, Q, R, and S, and Denver amendments. Denver, Co. Muni. Code, § 10-16 (2022 DBC adopted) and 2022 Denver Building Code (2022 DBC comprising 2021 IRC plus amendments).

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.

Denver, Colorado, adopted Appendix J of the 2021 IRC. Denver, Co. Muni. Code, § 10-16 (2022 DBC adopted) and 2022 Denver Building Code (2022 DBC comprising 2021 IRC plus amendments).

Furthermore, Section R102 was amended to clarify that Appendix AJ or the Denver Existing Building Code shall apply to existing homes and townhomes.

Section R102 Applicability is replaced in its entirety as follows: R102.1 Repairs, Alterations, Additions, Change of Occupancy. The repair, alteration, addition, change of occupancy, and relocation of existing structures regulated by this code shall comply with Appendix AJ or the Denver Existing Building Code. Where the alteration, addition, or change of occupancy causes the structure to be changed to one outside the scope of this code, the provisions of the Denver Existing Building Code shall apply.

Id.

Commercial Building Code

Denver 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.

Auto Search - beta:

2021 IBC(Denver, CO Sec. 10-16. - Denver building code and Denver fire code adopted.)

...The building and fire codes as filed June 20, 2023, in City Clerk File Number 20230083 are hereby adopted as the 2022 Denver Building Code and 2022 Denver and Fire Code. The 2022 Denver Building Code and 2022 Denver Fire Code will be maintained by the department of community planning and development and will be available to the public....

Comments

Denver, Colorado, adopted the 2022 Denver Building Code, which includes the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) with amendments. Denver, Co. Muni. Code, § 10-16 (2022 Denver Building Code adopted) and 2022 Denver Building Code (2022 DBC comprising 2021 IBC plus amendments).

Existing Buildings

Denver, Colorado, adopted the 2022 Denver Existing Building Code, which includes the 2021 International Existing Building Code with amendments. Denver, Co. Muni. Code, § 10-16 (2022 Denver Building Code adopted) and 2022 Denver Existing Building Code (2022 DEBC comprising 2021 IEBC plus amendments).

Other Building Codes