Douglas County to consider wildfire building rules for South Metro areas

Douglas County commissioners are scheduled to consider a resolution Oct. 20 that would apply the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code in the unincorporated parts of South Metro Fire Rescue’s district within the county, according to the county meeting packet. The proposed resolution would not cover all county properties or incorporated municipalities.

Within the district-county overlap, requirements would apply to parcels designated as wildfire hazard areas on maps adopted by the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code Board. The code’s standards vary by mapped fire-intensity class. The proposal does not identify individual properties; coverage would depend on the adopted maps.

The code covers new construction and structures moved into or within covered areas, as well as certain alterations and repairs. Replacing at least 25% of a roof or exterior-wall surface can require the entire affected surface to meet new-construction standards. An addition that increases a building’s footprint by 500 square feet or more is also listed as triggering new-building requirements, but the code’s provisions are inconsistent about additions of exactly 500 square feet. Some limited repairs and small detached, nonhabitable structures are exceptions. Existing legal uses generally may continue.

Under the proposed intergovernmental agreement, Douglas County would handle building permits, plan reviews, inspections and most code enforcement. South Metro would respond to complaints involving specified site provisions, Sections 502.1 and 503. The agencies would jointly review requests to change a site’s mapped hazard designation.

The draft agreement sets a start time of 12:01 a.m. Nov. 1, 2026, but would not become binding until both the county and South Metro execute it. The resolution would apply the code locally; the separate agreement would establish how the agencies administer it.