Colorado Springs, CO Environmental Rules: Defensible Space (2026)
Key Facts
- Immediate Zone
- 0-5 ft: non-combustible surfaces, no new plants
- Intermediate Zone
- 5-30 ft: tree, wall, fence clearances
- Tree/dripline clearance
- 15 ft from structure (evergreens)
- Retaining wall/fence rule
- Ignition-resistant within 8 ft of structure
- Site plan approval
- Required for Class II parcels (K101.6)
- Governing text
- Appendix K to City Code § 8.4.105
Summary
In Colorado Springs' wildland urban interface risk areas, Appendix K to the fire code splits every parcel into a 0-5 foot Immediate Zone requiring non-combustible surfaces and no new planting, and a 5-30 foot Intermediate Zone with tree, retaining-wall and fencing clearance rules enforced through fire-department plan review and inspection.
Section K108.1.1 Structure Ignition Zone 1 (0-5 feet): Immediate Zone Section K108.1.1.2 Materials. Use non-combustible, hard surface materials in this zone, such as rock, gravel, sand, concrete, bare earth or stone/concrete pavers. Areas under deck and immediately surrounding a deck shall comply with this section.
Section K108.1.1.3 Plantings and Vegetation. Remove all vegetation including shrubs, slash, combustible mulch and other woody debris, and there shall be no planting of new vegetation in the immediate zone. ... Section K108.1.2 Structure Ignition Zone 2 (5-30 feet) Intermediate Zone Section K108.1.2.1 Evergreen Trees within 15 feet (15') of any structure shall be pruned to maintain a minimum clearance of 15 feet (15') as measured from the dripline to the structure. Prune tree branches to a height of 6 -10 feet (6' - 10') from the ground or a third of the total height of the tree, whichever is less.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Code current through: Ord. 26-23, passed June 9, 2026).
Full Breakdown
2. 3 requires removal of all shrubs, slash, combustible mulch and woody debris with no new plantings, though low-flammability species on the fire code official's approved list and existing character trees (kept at 15 feet clearance) are exempted. 3 requires the same for fencing within 8 feet, though vinyl fencing is exempted. 1 - no hazardous vegetation within 15 feet of a structure (30 feet for low-flammability species), brush patches separated by 10-foot clear or mowed (4-inch) breaks, and dead limbs pruned to 10 feet.
6, item 4, requires a defensible space site plan submitted to and approved by the fire code official as part of the permit application for Class II parcels, though the official may waive it for alteration or repair permits.
Violations & Fines
Section K101.7 ties compliance to the permit and inspection process: all fuels and site management work must be reviewed and approved by the fire code official before building-permit issuance and before final inspection (Class I residential projects are exempted from pre-issuance review). Class II parcels get a pre-construction fuels and site inspection with the Wildfire Mitigation Section before foundation pour, a framing inspection with Fire Construction Services, and a final fire department inspection required before the Certificate of Occupancy is issued.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as defensible space in Colorado Springs?
What can I put in the 0-5 foot zone next to my house?
Do fences and retaining walls near my house need special materials?
Does the fire department inspect defensible space work?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Colorado Springs
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