Jefferson County, CO Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopting resolution
- CC23-054
- Effective date
- April 10, 2023
- Code adopted
- 2018 IFC, Appendices E, F, G only
- Max fine per violation
- $1,000 civil infraction
- Enforcing agency
- Jeffco Sheriff's Office
- Appeal deadline
- 30 days to Board of Review
Summary
Unincorporated Jefferson County runs on the 2018 International Fire Code as its minimum fire safety standard, adopted by the Board of County Commissioners under Resolution CC23-054. Fire protection districts with their own approved code control inside their boundaries; the Sheriff's Office enforces the code everywhere else, with violations charged as civil infractions.
The 2018 edition of the International Fire Code, as promulgated by the International Code Council, with Appendices E, F and G only (the "Fire Code") shall serve as the minimum fire safety standards for unincorporated Jefferson County. The full text of the 2018 edition of the International Fire Code is incorporated into this Ordinance as if fully set forth herein, save and except for Appendices A-D and H-N, which are expressly excluded from the Fire Code. ... Any person who violates any of the provisions of the Fire Code commits a civil infraction and, upon conviction thereof, such person shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1000 for each separate violation, which shall be collected by the Treasurer of Jefferson County and paid into the treasury of Jefferson County.
Full Breakdown
The Board of County Commissioners adopted the 2018 edition of the International Fire Code, published by the International Code Council, as the countywide minimum fire safety standard effective April 10, 2023 (Resolution CC23-054, adopted February 21, 2023). Only Appendices E, F and G are incorporated; Appendices A-D and H-N are expressly excluded from the code. S. Title 32 that has adopted its own fire code approved by the Board of County Commissioners, that district's code controls instead of the county's version, and the district enforces it.
Everywhere else in unincorporated Jefferson County, the Sheriff's Office is the enforcing agency. A property owner or applicant who disagrees with a Sheriff's decision under the Fire Code, including denial of a permit application or a dispute over how a provision was interpreted, can appeal to the Jefferson County Board of Review, sitting as the Board of Appeals, within 30 days of the decision. 5 as the county's statutory authority to adopt a fire code by resolution.
Violations & Fines
Violating any provision of the Fire Code is a civil infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 for each separate violation, collected by the County Treasurer and deposited into the county treasury. Under C.R.S. § 30-15-402(2), a convicted violator also owes a mandatory $10 surcharge, collected by the clerk of the court and sent to the judicial district's victims and witnesses assistance and law enforcement fund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which fire code applies in unincorporated Jefferson County?
Who enforces the fire code where I live?
What happens if I violate the Fire Code?
Can I appeal a Fire Code decision by the Sheriff?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jefferson County
Compare Jefferson County to another location·View the Colorado fire regulations overview
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