Adams County, CO Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Ordinance
- No. 14, effective May 15, 2026
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Adams County only
- Standard
- 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code
- Max fine
- $1,000 per day, C.R.S. §30-15-402
- Enforcement
- Building Safety Division code official
- Appeals
- Board of Adjustment (Chs. 3, 5)
Summary
Adams County adopted the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code by Ordinance No. 14, effective May 15, 2026, declaring wildland-urban interface hazard areas across the unincorporated county. New buildings and structures inside those WUI areas must meet Chapter 4's ember-resistant exterior construction standards, subject to narrow exceptions for small accessory buildings, minor additions and limited repairs. Violators face fines up to $1,000 per day.
Pursuant to C.R.S. § 30-15-401.5, as may be amended, this Ordinance shall apply to all of the unincorporated areas of Adams County and shall not be administered or enforced within the limits of any incorporated city or town, unless such city or town elects to have such provisions apply. ... 401.1 Scope. Exterior design and construction of new buildings and structures within the wildland-urban interface areas of Colorado shall be constructed in accordance with this chapter. Exceptions: 1. Buildings of an accessory character classified as Group U occupancy (including agricultural buildings) of any size located at least 50 feet from a structure containing occupiable or habitable space. 2. One-story detached accessory, nonhabitable structures, such as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided that the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet and the structure is located greater than or equal to 10 feet from the nearest adjacent occupiable structure.
Full Breakdown
The Board of County Commissioners adopted Ordinance No. 14 on March 24, 2026 (Resolution 2026-112), incorporating by reference the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code published by the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code Board within the Division of Fire Prevention and Control. Section 3 limits the ordinance to unincorporated Adams County: it does not apply inside Brighton, Thornton, Commerce City, Northglenn, Aurora, Westminster or Federal Heights unless that city separately elects to adopt it. 1 has the code official declare the wildland-urban interface areas within the county based on that map.
1 requires new exterior construction there to follow Chapter 4's ember- and fire-resistant building standards. The county carved out real exceptions: small accessory buildings 50 feet or more from a habitable structure, one-story sheds and playhouses under 120 square feet set back at least 10 feet, additions that add no more than 500 square feet of footprint, and repairs or reconstruction touching less than 25 percent of a wall or roof's surface measured against its condition on April 1, 2026. The county's Building Safety Division administers permits and inspections, and appeals of code-official decisions on Chapters 3 and 5 go to the Adams County Board of Adjustment rather than the Building Code Board of Appeals, which instead hears Chapters 1, 2 and 4 disputes. Permit fees follow the county's adopted Building Permit Fee Schedule.
Violations & Fines
Under Section 5 of Ordinance No. 14, anyone who violates the wildfire-resiliency construction rules is subject to the penalties in C.R.S. § 30-15-402: a fine of up to $1,000 for each separate violation, with every day the violation continues counted as its own offense. The county can pursue this fine alongside, not instead of, any other remedy available under federal, state or local law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this wildfire code apply inside Brighton or Thornton?
What construction is exempt from the WUI standards?
Who enforces the wildfire code and how do I appeal?
What triggers a wildfire hazard area declaration?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Adams County
Compare Adams County to another location·View the Colorado fire regulations overview
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