How Centennial Handles Building Safety: A Practical Guide
Centennial maintains 86 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with building safety. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Centennial falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Electrical Permits
Centennial adopts the 2023 National Electrical Code for all electrical design, installation, and inspection; no building may be wired or altered without meeting NEC standards.
Key details: Adopted code: 2023 National Electrical Code. Governing section: City Code § 18-11-10. Local body substituted: City Council for governing body. Penalty: Civil infraction, capped fine.
Civil infraction for erecting, installing, altering, or maintaining electrical work in violation of the NEC; penalty capped at the maximum civil fine under Section 1-4-10(b).
Plumbing Permits
Centennial adopts the 2021 International Plumbing Code as its Plumbing Code; any plumbing work must meet IPC standards, including a local amendment setting minimum sewer depth at 12 inches.
Key details: Adopted code: 2021 International Plumbing Code. Governing section: City Code § 18-5-10. Local amendment: 12-inch minimum sewer depth. Penalty: Civil infraction, capped fine.
Civil infraction for constructing, altering, or maintaining any plumbing work that violates the IPC; penalty capped at the maximum civil fine under Section 1-4-10(b).
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Centennial requires every licensed short-term rental to be equipped with operational carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers as a condition of keeping the rental license.
Key details: CO detectors required: Sec. 6-9-70(6), all licensed STRs. Also required: Smoke detectors, fire extinguishers. Verified by: City inspection under Sec. 6-9-50(6). First penalty: $150 administrative fine.
A missing or nonfunctioning carbon monoxide detector is a compliance finding that can draw a $150-$500 administrative penalty and, after repeat findings, license suspension or revocation.
Building Permits
Centennial ties deck and patio placement to the residential setback table in LDC § 12-3-601, caps deck height at the second floor of the house, and limits patios to 60 percent of the rear yard with a no-added-runoff design condition.
Key details: Deck/patio setback: Per LDC § 12-3-601. Max deck surface height: Second-floor level of house. Max patio coverage: 60% of rear yard. Patio design condition: No added stormwater runoff.
Building a deck or patio that ignores the § 12-3-601 setback, raising a deck above the second-floor line, or covering more than 60 percent of the rear yard with a patio violates LDC § 12-3-604 and can force a redesign.
The Bottom Line
Centennial's building safety rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Centennial is broadly strict or permissive.
All of the above reflects Centennial's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.