Colorado Springs, CO Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 6.12.305 (Maintenance)
- Applies to
- all buildings used for human habitation
- Handrail trigger
- 30-inch surfaces or 4+ risers
- Lead paint
- must report peeling/flaking to health dept
- Enforcement officer
- the Administrator (§6.12.104)
- Max penalty
- $2,500 fine / 189 days jail (§1.1.201)
Summary
Colorado Springs requires every rental dwelling to stay structurally habitable under City Code § 6.12.305: foundations, walls, roofs, windows and doors must be weathertight, watertight, rodent-resistant and in good repair, stairs and decks must safely bear normal loads with handrails above 30 inches, and plumbing and deteriorating paint must be addressed.
A. Every foundation, floor, floor covering, wall, ceiling and roof shall be reasonably weathertight, watertight and rodent resistant, shall be capable of affording privacy and shall be kept clean, in sound sanitary condition and good repair. B. Every window, exterior door and basement door or cellar hatchway shall be reasonably weathertight, watertight and rodent resistant, and shall be kept in sound working condition and good repair. C. Every inside and outside stair, porch, private sidewalk, balcony, walking surface, deck and related appurtenances shall be constructed so as to be safe to use and capable of supporting the load normal use may cause to be placed on it and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair. Handrails are required on walking surfaces that are more than thirty inches (30") high or a stair that has more than four (4) risers.
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
305 sets the baseline maintenance a rental unit must meet to remain habitable. D requires every plumbing fixture and water or waste pipe to stay properly installed, sanitary and free of leaks and obstructions, subsection E requires water closet, bathroom and kitchen floor surfaces to stay impervious to water and easy to keep clean, and subsection F requires every supplied facility, piece of equipment or utility to function safely and be kept in good repair. Subsection G specifically targets deteriorating exteriors: dwellings with extreme peeling, flaking or chipping paint must have the surface removed, repaired or repainted, siding and masonry joints must stay weathertight, and any peeling or flaking lead-based paint must be reported to the El Paso County Department of Health and Environment or the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
306 separately bars an owner, operator or occupant from shutting off any required service, facility or utility in an occupied unit except for actual repairs or a City-approved temporary emergency. 107 makes it unlawful to maintain a building contrary to any Article 12 provision, giving code enforcement the basis to order repairs on a rental property that falls below these maintenance standards regardless of whether a tenant has separately complained.
Violations & Fines
Maintaining a rental dwelling below these standards is unlawful under § 6.12.107 and enforced by the Administrator under § 6.12.104; absent a specific penalty in Article 12, a conviction falls under the Code's general penalty, § 1.1.201: up to a $2,500 fine, 189 days in jail, probation, or a combination, with each day of a continuing violation potentially charged separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What structural standards must my Colorado Springs rental meet?
Can my landlord shut off my water or heat for repairs?
Who enforces Colorado Springs' rental maintenance code?
Is peeling paint a code violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Colorado Springs
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