Building Safety in La Plata County, CO (2026)
8 rules for unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Sprinkler Requirements
In unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado, Section R309.1 of the county's residential code amendments states that automatic fire sprinkler systems in one and two-family dwellings and townhouses are not mandated by that section. Exceptions apply where subdivision approvals require sprinklers and inside the Old Hermosa Cliffs Fire Protection District, under § 18-36.
La Plata County Residential Fire Sprinkler Requirements
Light RestrictionsLa Plata County Code § 18-36(R309)
R309.1 Automatic fire sprinkler systems. Except as provided in section 18-36(309.5) below, automatic fire sprinkler systems in one and two-family dwellings, or townhouses, are not mandated by this section. ... R309. ... 5 Old Hermosa Cliffs Fire Protection District residential fire sprinklers. Within the boundaries of the Old Hermosa Cliffs Fire Protection District the following shall apply: An...
Childcare Center Rules
In unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado, a day care facility serving five (5) to fifteen (15) individuals needs a minor land use permit under section 66-6, and one serving sixteen (16) or more needs a major land use permit under section 66-7. The land use permit does not replace the county building permit for the structure.
Childcare Center Permits in Unincorporated La Plata County, CO
Significant RestrictionsLa Plata County Code §§ 66-6, 66-7
I. Minor land use permits required. ... A minor land use permit shall be required for any of the following developments: ... ... O. Day care facility serving five (5) to fifteen (15) individuals; ... ... I. Major land use permits required. A major land use permit shall be required for any of the following developments: ... ... J. Day care facility serving sixteen (16) or more individuals;
Green Building Code
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.
La Plata County Energy Code: 2024 IECC Amendments
Some RestrictionsLa Plata County Code § 18-44
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 wit...
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
In unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado, the county's replacement Section R311.3 of the 2024 International Residential Code requires carbon monoxide alarms on the exterior of the sleeping area within 15 feet of each bedroom door. The rule is in § 18-36 and took effect with Res. No. 2026-14 on 6/30/2026.
La Plata County Carbon Monoxide Alarm Location Requirement
Some RestrictionsLa Plata County Code § 18-36(R311.3)
The volumes, parts, chapters, and appendices of the 2024 International Residential Code, as published by the International Code Council, together with the amendments, additions, and deletions as set forth in this section are hereby adopted pursuant to C.R.S. § 30-28-201(1). ... Section R311.3 shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced as follows: R311.3 Location. Carbon Monoxide alarms shall...
Building Permits
In unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado, La Plata County Code § 18-35 (105.1) requires an owner or agent to apply to the building official and obtain all required permits before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing or changing the occupancy of a building. Section 105.2 exempts items such as small sheds and fences not over 8 feet high.
Building Permit Requirements in Unincorporated La Plata County
Some RestrictionsLa Plata County Code § 18-35
105.1 Permits. Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure subject to this Code, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any gas, mechanical, or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this Code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall f...
Electrical Permits
In unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado, Section 18-42 adds a local electrical rule on top of the Colorado State Electric Board's requirements: electrical service to buildings and structures must have an outside main electrical service disconnect, located on the building exterior or within 50 feet of the structure.
La Plata County Outside Main Electrical Disconnect Rule
Some RestrictionsLa Plata County Code § 18-42
In addition to electrical code regulations and requirements as enforced by the Colorado State Electric Board, La Plata County requires electrical services to buildings and structures to be provided with outside main electrical service disconnect, as follows: ... Electric installations. In addition to electric code regulations and requirements enforced by the Colorado State Electric Board, La Pl...
Plumbing Permits
In unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado, Section 18-40 adopts the 2024 International Plumbing Code, and Chapter 1 administration comes from the county's own Section 18-35. Where county and Colorado Plumbing Code technical requirements conflict, the more restrictive one applies, and local amendments set freeze depth and sewer depth.
La Plata County Plumbing Code Adoption and Amendments
Some RestrictionsLa Plata County Code § 18-40
The volumes, parts, chapters, and appendices of the 2024 International Plumbing Code, as published by the International Code Council, together with amendments, additions, and deletions as set forth in this section, are hereby adopted pursuant to C.R.S. ... § 30-28-201(1). Chapter 1 Scope and Administration ... of the IPC shall be amended by incorporating Section 18-35 of this Code. All other IP...
Building Inspections
In unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado, construction under a building permit stays subject to inspection by the building official until approved. Section 18-35(110) requires inspection requests 24 hours ahead, runs first come, first served, and sets stages from footings through frame, energy, fire-resistant penetrations, and final inspection.
La Plata County Building Inspection Process and Stages
Some RestrictionsLa Plata County Code § 18-35(110)
110.1 General. Construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the building official and such construction or work shall remain visible and able to be accessed for inspection purposes until approved. ... Requests for inspection shall be made 24 hours in advance of the work being ready for inspection. Inspections will be provided on a first come, first serve...
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