La Plata County, CO Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Code adopted
- 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code, published June 1, 2025
- Effective date
- June 17, 2026
- Where it applies
- Unincorporated areas outside a fire protection district
- Excluded lands
- Federally or tribally owned lands
- Hazard map
- State Fire Intensity Classification layer
- Administered by
- Community Development Department
- Appendices
- State model code Appendices A, B, and C not adopted
Summary
In unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado, the Wildfire Resiliency Code applies only outside the boundaries of a fire protection district and never on federally or tribally owned lands. The county adopted the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code and the state's Fire Intensity Classification map, effective June 17, 2026.
This chapter (which in all instances includes all incorporated aspects of the state’s model code adopted by the county) shall apply to the types of activities set forth in the state’s model code when such activities occur in the unincorporated areas of La Plata County that are outside the boundaries of a fire protection district, such areas being the exclusive areas of county authority and jurisdiction to adopt and enforce the state’s model code pursuant to the definition of “governing body” in C.R.S. § 24-33.5-1237(1)(d)(IV) and thus are within the jurisdiction of the county as an “adopting governing body” pursuant to the that term’s definition in C.R.S. § 2433.5-1237(1)(a). As noted on the map adopted in section 19-2 above, this chapter shall not apply on federally or tribally owned lands, and is not intended to interfere with the jurisdiction or regulatory authority of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 19 of the La Plata County Code is the county's wildfire resiliency code. Section 19-1 records that the Board of County Commissioners is required by C.R.S. § 24-33.5-1237(2)(a) and (b) to adopt and enforce a code that meets or exceeds the state model code. Section 19-2 adopts all chapters, parts, and sections of the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code, published by the Division of Fire Prevention and Control on June 1, 2025, along with the Fire Intensity Classification layer of the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency State Code Map. Every reference to a map, wildland-urban interface, wildfire hazard area or fire intensity classification takes the meaning and location shown on that state map, as it is updated, amended, and replaced. The county does not draw its own zone map.
Section 19-4 sets where the code bites: unincorporated areas of La Plata County that are outside the boundaries of a fire protection district. It does not apply on federally or tribally owned lands, and it is not intended to interfere with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe's jurisdiction. Appendices A, B, and C of the state model code are not adopted, so permits, submittals and inspections follow the county's chapter 18 processes instead.
Section 19-3 declares the chapter in force as of June 17, 2026, for permit applications under chapter 18 filed on or after that date. An application the community development director had deemed complete by the effective date is not reviewed under this chapter, provided construction is diligently pursued and finished before the permit expires. Under Section 19-5, an owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, install, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, convert, replace, or change a regulated building or structure must first apply to the building official, and wildfire resiliency code fees, if any, sit in the Appendix A fee schedule. The Community Development Department administers and enforces the code under Section 103.1 as revised by Section 19-7.
Violations & Fines
Section 19-5 requires the owner or agent to apply to the building official and obtain every required permit before work starts, and it routes review, inspection and related procedures through chapter 18 of the county code. Where chapter 18 is unclear for wildfire-regulated work, the community development director makes the final determination. Section 104.8, as revised in Section 19-7, creates no duty to any person and no private right of action against the county for enforcement or non-enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the wildfire code apply in La Plata County?
What map does the county use to define wildfire hazard areas?
Does the code affect permit applications already in the pipeline?
Who issues permits and enforces the wildfire code?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in La Plata County
Compare La Plata County to another location·View the Colorado fire regulations overview
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