Larimer County's Wildfire Resiliency Code requires defensible space around structures, organized into ignition zones: 0-5 ft (immediate), 5-30 ft (intermediate) and 30-100 ft (expanded). The immediate zone must be cleared of shrubs, slash and combustible debris.
Adopted September 22, 2025 and effective January 1, 2026, the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code as amended by Larimer County applies county-wide in unincorporated areas. Zone 1 (0-5 feet) uses noncombustible surfaces such as rock, gravel or concrete and removes woody plantings. Zone 2 (5-30 feet) requires removing dead material and spacing trees and shrubs. Zone 3 (30-100 feet) keeps fire on the ground through tree spacing. Tree crowns within 10 feet of a structure must be pruned to maintain 10 feet of clearance, and branches pruned 6-10 feet up. The code references the Colorado State Forest Service Home Ignition Zone Guide.
Defensible space and vegetation must be maintained by the property owner; noncompliance can trigger corrective orders, stop-work orders and fines established by the county.
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