Building Safety in Adams County, CO (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Adams County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
Building Permits
Unincorporated Adams County adopted the 2024 International Building Code by reference through Ordinance No. 12, effective July 1, 2026, so any construction, alteration, repair or occupancy change needs a Building Safety Division permit unless the work is specifically exempted. Section 105.2 lists the exemptions, including short fences, minor roof patches and certain farm buildings, but plumbing, mechanical and electrical work on those same structures still needs its own permit.
When You Need a Building Permit in Adams County
Some RestrictionsAdams County Building Code § 105.2 (Ord. No. 12)
105.2 Work exempt from Permit Buildings: 2. Fences, other than swimming pool barriers, not over 42 inches (1067 mm) 7 feet (2134 mm) high. 14. Replacement of asphalt shingles when over the aggregate roof area there is less than one square (100 square feet) of replacement or repair. 15. Pursuant to C.R.S. § 30-28-201(1), as may be amended, buildings or structures used for the sole purpose of pro...
Electrical Permits
Unincorporated Adams County adopts the 2023 National Electrical Code by reference under Ordinance No. 12, effective July 1, 2026, and requires a building permit before electrical construction work begins. The Building Safety Division enforces the code, Appendix AB sets permit fees, and denied applications go to the county's Board of Building Code Appeals within 30 days.
Adams County CO Electrical Permit and NEC Rules
Some RestrictionsAdams County Ordinance No. 12, § 1 (Adoption of 2023 National Electrical Code)
The Board of County Commissioners of Adams County hereby adopts, by reference, the International Building Codes, 2024 editions, with amendments as described in Section 5, and the National Electrical Code, 2023 edition, including the following appendices to the 2024 Edition of the International Building Codes: Appendix C (Group U Agriculture Buildings), and Appendix I (Patio Covers); and includi...
Plumbing Permits
Unincorporated Adams County adopted the 2024 International Plumbing Code by reference through Ordinance No. 12, effective July 1, 2026, so plumbing work needs a permit under that adopted code and its local amendments. The county's biggest departure from the model code is an outright ban on graywater reuse systems, which the 2024 IPC otherwise allows.
Adams County Plumbing Permits and Code Rules
Some RestrictionsAdams County Plumbing Code §§ 101.1, 102.7-A (Ord. No. 12)
101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Plumbing Code of Adams County, hereinafter referred to as "this code." ... [A] 102.7-A. Graywater. Graywater systems are prohibited and shall not be designed, installed, or connected to building plumbing. Any provision of this code authorizing graywater reuse is hereby excluded from adoption by Adams County. No provision of this code shall be...
Building Safety by City in Adams County
2 cities in Adams County have their own building safety rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Adams County ordinances
See every category we cover for Adams County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Adams County Ordinance Hub →