Arvada, CO Building Safety: Fire Sprinkler Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Townhouse sprinklers
- Requirement deleted, §18-184
- 1-2 family sprinklers
- Requirement deleted, §18-185
- Day care exception
- >8 occupants need sprinklers, §18-213
- Adopted code
- 2018 I.R.C., Ord. No. 4738
Summary
Arvada does not require automatic fire sprinklers in new one- and two-family homes or townhouses: the city deleted both residential sprinkler mandates from the adopted International Residential Code. The one exception is a licensed home day care serving more than eight occupants, which must install a fire sprinkler system under Section 18-213.
Section R313.1, Townhouse automatic fire sprinkler systems is hereby deleted in its entirety.
(Ord. No. 4738, § 6, 9-14-2020)
Sec. 18-185. - I.R.C. Section 313.2, One- and two-family dwelling automatic fire systems.
Section R313.2 One- and two-family dwelling automatic fire systems, is hereby deleted in its entirety.
(Ord. No. 4738, § 6, 9-14-2020)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: City Council Policy Manual: Supplement 1 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 67).
Full Breakdown
When Arvada adopted the 2018 International Residential Code by Ordinance No. 4738, it struck the two provisions that would otherwise require home sprinklers. C. C. 2, One- and two-family dwelling automatic fire systems, in its entirety. As a result, a new single-family home, duplex, or townhouse built under the residential code in Arvada is not required to include a fire sprinkler system, unlike jurisdictions that keep the model code's sprinkler mandate intact. C. C. Section R313 whenever a home is licensed by the State of Colorado as a day care for more than eight occupants.
3 of the adopted fire code, which lets the fire code official require a sprinkler system on a change of occupancy that lacks approved fire department access, regardless of building size.
Violations & Fines
Operating a state-licensed home day care for more than eight occupants without the Section R313 sprinkler system required by Section 18-213 is a building code violation, punishable under Section 18-106 (I.B.C. Section 114.4) by a fine or imprisonment, or both, up to the limits in Section 1-5, with the certificate of occupancy withheld until the system passes inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Arvada require sprinklers in new houses?
What about new townhomes?
Are there any homes in Arvada that must have sprinklers?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arvada
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