La Plata County, CO Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- 2024 International Energy Conservation Code, without appendices
- Local section
- La Plata County Code § 18-44
- Effective
- 6/30/2026 under Resolution No. 2026-14
- Commercial credits
- Section C406 of the 2021 IECC, COMcheck 7 percent above code
- Residential performance
- At or below 85 percent of reference design energy cost
- Large homes
- Additional 5 percent cut above 5000 square feet of living space
- Administration
- Section 18-35 replaces IECC Chapter 1 and prevails in conflict
Summary
In unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado, the Board of County Commissioners adopts the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code without appendices, then rewrites parts of it. Residential performance designs must reach 85 percent of the reference design's annual energy cost, and commercial efficiency credits are verified with COMcheck at 7 percent above code.
The volumes, parts, and chapters, without appendices of the IECC, as published by the International Code Council, together with amendments and deletions as set forth in this section, are hereby adopted pursuant to C.R.S. § 3028-201(1). ... Section C405.15 and its subsections shall be deleted in its entirety. ... Section C406 ... of the 2024 IECC shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with Section C406 of the 2021 IECC. Compliance with this Section shall be verified by submittal of a 2021 version of COMcheck that passes by a minimum of 7 percent above code. ... 3. For all dwelling units, the annual energy cost of the proposed design shall be less than or equal to 85 percent of the annual energy cost of the standard reference design. For each dwelling unit with greater than 5000 square feet of living space located above grade plane, the annual energy cost of the dwelling unit shall be reduced by an additional 5 percent of annual energy cost of the standard reference design.
Full Breakdown
La Plata County Code § 18-44 adopts the volumes, parts, and chapters of the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code, without appendices, in unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado. The text was set by Resolution No. 2026-14, dated 06/23/2026, and is effective on 6/30/2026. Chapter 1 Scope and Administration of the IECC, in both the commercial and residential provisions, is replaced by Section 18-35 of the county code, and if the IECC and Section 18-35 conflict, Section 18-35 prevails. That sends permits, inspections and violations through the county building official, a position Section 18-35 creates and fills by appointment of the La Plata County Manager.
The local amendments change how compliance is shown. Commercial buildings (Section C401.2) must comply with the Colorado Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready Code, Commercial Provisions, plus one of the listed IECC options. Residential buildings (Section R401.2) must comply with the Residential Provisions of that same model code and with Section R401.2.1, R401.2.2, or R401.2.3. Section C406 of the 2024 IECC is deleted and replaced with Section C406 of the 2021 IECC, and compliance is verified by submitting a 2021 version of COMcheck that passes by a minimum of 7 percent above code. Section C405.15 on-site renewables, Sections C502.3.7, C502.3.8 and C503.6, Section R404.4 (Renewable Energy Certificate documentation), and Sections R502.2.5 and R503.1.5 are each deleted in their entirety.
For the residential simulated performance path, Section R405.2 item 3 requires the proposed design's annual energy cost to be less than or equal to 85 percent of the annual energy cost of the standard reference design. A dwelling unit with greater than 5000 square feet of living space above grade plane must reduce its annual energy cost by an additional 5 percent of the reference design cost. Energy prices come from an approved source, such as the US Energy Information Administration's State Energy Data system, and the code official is permitted to require time-of-use pricing in the calculations. Section R403.1.1 also gains an exception for thermostats serving hydronic radiant systems.
Violations & Fines
Under Section 114.4 as amended by § 18-35, anyone who violates the code, ignores a requirement, or builds or alters a structure against approved construction documents, a building official directive, or an issued permit or certificate is subject to penalties as prescribed by law. If a notice of violation is not complied with promptly, Section 114.3 lets the building official ask the County Attorney to start proceedings at law or in equity to restrain, correct or abate it. Section 114.5 bars an owner with an open notice from selling, mortgaging or leasing the structure without giving the other party a true copy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which energy code applies to a new home in unincorporated La Plata County?
What is the residential performance target under Section R405.2?
How does La Plata County treat the additional efficiency section for commercial buildings?
Who administers and enforces the energy code in unincorporated La Plata County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in La Plata County
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