Pueblo, CO Building Safety: Fire Sprinkler Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- 1-2 family homes
- No sprinkler mandate
- Townhomes
- Exempt at 4 units or fewer
- Code amended
- 2021 I.R.C. §§ R313.1-.2
- Other I.R.C. rules
- Still apply
Summary
Pueblo strikes the IRC's mandatory fire sprinkler rule for one- and two-family homes and narrows the townhouse sprinkler exception to buildings of four or fewer units.
(m)Subsection R313.1 of the I.R.C., entitled "Townhouse automatic fire sprinkler systems," Exception is amended to read as follows: Exception #1. An automatic sprinkler system shall not be required where additions or alterations are made to existing townhouses that do not have an automatic sprinkler system installed.
Exception #2. An automatic sprinkler system shall not be required with four or less attached dwelling units when separated in accordance with Section R302.2.2 item 2.
(n)Subsection R313.2 of the I.R.C., entitled "One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire systems," is deleted.(o)Table R1102.1.2 (R402.1.2), entitled "Maximum Assembly U-Factors a and Fenestration Requirements" is amended to read as follows: Climate Zone Fenestration U-Factor f Skylight U-Factor Glazed Fenestration SHGC d,e Ceiling U-Factor Wood Frame Wall U-Factor Mass Wall U-Factor b Floor U-Factor Basement Wall U-Factor Crawl Space Wall U-Factor 5 And Marine 4 0.32 0.55 0.40 0.026 0.06 0.082 0.033 0.050 0.055
Footnotes:
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 109).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 4-6-2(n) deletes Subsection R313.2 of the International Residential Code, entitled 'One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire systems,' so Pueblo does not require automatic sprinklers in new single-family or duplex homes. Subsection R313.1's townhouse sprinkler rule is narrowed by two exceptions: additions or alterations to an existing townhouse without a sprinkler system don't trigger one, and no sprinkler system is required for four or fewer attached dwelling units separated under IRC Section R302.2.2 item 2. All other I.R.C. building requirements, including permits from the Southern Colorado Building Department, still apply.
Violations & Fines
Building without required permits or other safety features still due under the I.R.C. remains a Sec. 4-6-6 offense; the sprinkler deletion is a design exemption, not a permit exemption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are fire sprinklers required in new Pueblo homes?
Do townhouses need sprinklers in Pueblo?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pueblo
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