Boulder County Board reviews building code amendments, addresses post-wildfire health concerns

The Boulder County Board of Review held a public meeting on Jan. 8 to discuss proposed modifications to building code amendments following recommendations made after their Dec. 19, 2024, meeting.

In a move to promote energy efficiency while maintaining flexibility for homeowners, the Board endorsed new guidelines for home additions. Projects between 500 and 1,000 square feet must now demonstrate a 30% improvement in energy efficiency through the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index score evaluation before construction can begin.

The Board approved several significant changes to the county's building regulations, including an update to crawl space requirements that now permits up to 200 square feet of 6'8" headroom for mechanical and plumbing equipment installation.

The amendments also addressed backup power systems, with the Board approving the county-wide use of backup systems without penalties, provided they operate only during power outages.

During the session, Board members raised concerns about seasonal cabins throughout Boulder County, noting that many existing structures face challenges meeting current building code safety standards. While outside the scope of the current amendments, staff indicated they would seek guidance from the Board of County Commissioners regarding potential flexible code pathways for these buildings.

Technical updates included clarification of mathematical notations (equations that are used to calculate things like structural loads, ventilation requirements, energy efficiency ratings, or safety factors) in building code equations, aligning with International Code Council standards while maintaining consistency with national model codes.

The approved amendments were described as Boulder County's ongoing commitment to balancing safety requirements with practical considerations for property owners while advancing energy efficiency goals.

The meeting also highlighted emerging challenges at the intersection of building safety and environmental health, particularly lessons learned from the Marshall Fire in 2021.

A portion of the discussion centered on the environmental health impacts on surviving structures, an understudied aspect of wildland-urban interface fires. New research was cited indicating that homes that appear undamaged may face indoor toxicity issues, presenting a complex challenge for homeowners, insurers, and regulators.

Board member Stephen Titus observed that they are encountering situations where homes appear almost completely unaffected from the exterior, with only slight surface damage visible, yet the occupants are experiencing strange odors and ash deposits within their homes.

Titus explained that these circumstances exist in an ambiguous regulatory space, creating challenges for homeowners as they work through insurance claims and try to undertake restoration work.

The Board highlighted how well-sealed homes demonstrated better resistance to wildfire smoke infiltration, similar to their performance in excluding seasonal temperature extremes. However, for homes with potential contamination, the lack of standardized indoor air quality measurements presents a significant obstacle.

The discussion highlighted the importance of developing thorough protocols for assessment after disasters. While considerable progress has been achieved in preparing sites for reconstruction, there remains a need to establish improved criteria for evaluating and confirming the safety of homes that survive fires.

The full meeting recording is available on the Boulder County government website.

The Board approved a motion to recommend approval authorizing Ron Flax, Deputy Director/Chief Building Official, to present these recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners for final approval.

The Board of County Commissioners public hearing is set for Thursday, Jan. 23 at 9:00 a.m. Those who want to attend can register to attend virtually or register to speak in person. This meeting is open to the public, however, registration is mandatory.