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Building Code Update 2026
The City periodically adopts a package of model codes that are published by the International Code Council (ICC), together referred to as I-Codes (e.g., International Building Code). The current adopted codes are the 2021 version of the I-Codes and the City is beginning the process of adopting the 2024 I-Codes, along with the 2026 National Electrical Code. As part of the adoption process, jurisdictions routinely include amendments to the base codes to align procures and requirements to local conditions and to introduce strengthening amendments to advance specific community goals. The City is considering continuing local strengthening amendments to the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code as part of the broader I-Code adoption that furthers some of the City’s sustainability, resilience, and building safety goals.
In 2021, the City of Lafayette joined a cohort of eight nearby cities and Boulder County with the intent to adopt strengthening amendments to the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code that are consistent throughout the region. The cohort is also working to develop a common roadmap to achieve new net-zero construction and 100 percent renewable electricity. In 2024, the cohort was expanded to include jurisdictions throughout the Denver Metro area and is moderated by the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) and has been renamed the Building Policy Collaborative (BPC). The goal of this group is to maintain consistency within the adopted energy regulations and to work toward the goal of net-zero new construction by 2030. As part of this work, the BPC created specific amendments to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and published them through the ICC. This code, which the City is considering adopting, is called the Metro Cohort Model Code - Based on the 2024 IECC. A link to this code can be found here. Amendments that are specific to this code use Red font.
Additionally, the City is considering keeping several amendments that were adopted as part of the 2021 code package in the 2023 Lafayette, Colorado Building Code. They are summarized below.
International Energy Conservation Code
Electric-Required: One of the City’s priorities is to reduce the reliance on natural gas. This amendment would require all-electric construction for all new residential and commercial projects, with certain exemptions for commercial projects (large systems, kitchen cooking equipment, hospitals, labs, industrial, etc.)
Solar-Required: The solar-required amendments would require new commercial buildings 5,000 square feet or more and major renovations of buildings 5,000 square feet or more to have a solar system installed as part of the construction. The amendment will require that solar produce two watts per square foot of useable roof space or be sized to produce 50% of the building's anticipated load.
Solar-Ready: The solar-ready amendments would prepare new homes, major renovations of new homes, new commercial buildings less than 5,000 square feet, and major renovations of commercial buildings less than 5,000 square feet for future solar installation by requiring the installation of wire or conduit from the roof to the electrical panel and providing adequate space in the electrical panel for future breaker installation. This makes the installation of solar panels in the future easier and more cost-effective to install. The amendment requires that 40% of the usable space on commercial buildings and 300 square feet for residential buildings be allocated for the installation of future solar panels.
What applies and where?
Topic
Purpose
Required By the Base Code Package?
MCMC - IECC
Electrification (continued amendment from previous code cycle)
Require full electrification for all new buildings
No
Solar Ready/ Required (continued amendment from previous code cycle)
Solar Ready and Required based on building type and size.
No- Solar Ready is required by the State of Colorado Low Energy and Carbon Code (LECC). Solar required for commercial buildings 5,000 square feet or more is an amendment unique to Lafayette.
EV requirements (continued amendment from previous code cycle)
Establish minimum site requirements for EV charging
No- EV capable/ ready/ installed requirements are required by the State of Colorado LECC. Current regulations require additional infrastructure. The City is considering options which can include maintaining the current requirements or relaxing them to align with State requirements.
IRC
Radon Control Methods
Establish minimum requirements for radon control for new construction and certain alterations
No - this is an Appendix in the IRC that the City would adopt with additional requirements for alterations and additions.
Fire sprinklers
The City is considering eliminating an exception that allows new homes in existing developments to omit the installation of a sprinkler system where the infrastructure was not designed to allow for a sprinkler system.
Yes
Permits for Window Replacements
Require permits for all window replacements
Yes
Building Code Update 2026
The City periodically adopts a package of model codes that are published by the International Code Council (ICC), together referred to as I-Codes (e.g., International Building Code). The current adopted codes are the 2021 version of the I-Codes and the City is beginning the process of adopting the 2024 I-Codes, along with the 2026 National Electrical Code. As part of the adoption process, jurisdictions routinely include amendments to the base codes to align procures and requirements to local conditions and to introduce strengthening amendments to advance specific community goals. The City is considering continuing local strengthening amendments to the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code as part of the broader I-Code adoption that furthers some of the City’s sustainability, resilience, and building safety goals.
In 2021, the City of Lafayette joined a cohort of eight nearby cities and Boulder County with the intent to adopt strengthening amendments to the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code that are consistent throughout the region. The cohort is also working to develop a common roadmap to achieve new net-zero construction and 100 percent renewable electricity. In 2024, the cohort was expanded to include jurisdictions throughout the Denver Metro area and is moderated by the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) and has been renamed the Building Policy Collaborative (BPC). The goal of this group is to maintain consistency within the adopted energy regulations and to work toward the goal of net-zero new construction by 2030. As part of this work, the BPC created specific amendments to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and published them through the ICC. This code, which the City is considering adopting, is called the Metro Cohort Model Code - Based on the 2024 IECC. A link to this code can be found here. Amendments that are specific to this code use Red font.
Additionally, the City is considering keeping several amendments that were adopted as part of the 2021 code package in the 2023 Lafayette, Colorado Building Code. They are summarized below.
International Energy Conservation Code
Electric-Required: One of the City’s priorities is to reduce the reliance on natural gas. This amendment would require all-electric construction for all new residential and commercial projects, with certain exemptions for commercial projects (large systems, kitchen cooking equipment, hospitals, labs, industrial, etc.)
Solar-Required: The solar-required amendments would require new commercial buildings 5,000 square feet or more and major renovations of buildings 5,000 square feet or more to have a solar system installed as part of the construction. The amendment will require that solar produce two watts per square foot of useable roof space or be sized to produce 50% of the building's anticipated load.
Solar-Ready: The solar-ready amendments would prepare new homes, major renovations of new homes, new commercial buildings less than 5,000 square feet, and major renovations of commercial buildings less than 5,000 square feet for future solar installation by requiring the installation of wire or conduit from the roof to the electrical panel and providing adequate space in the electrical panel for future breaker installation. This makes the installation of solar panels in the future easier and more cost-effective to install. The amendment requires that 40% of the usable space on commercial buildings and 300 square feet for residential buildings be allocated for the installation of future solar panels.
What applies and where?
Topic
Purpose
Required By the Base Code Package?
MCMC - IECC
Electrification (continued amendment from previous code cycle)
Require full electrification for all new buildings
No
Solar Ready/ Required (continued amendment from previous code cycle)
Solar Ready and Required based on building type and size.
No- Solar Ready is required by the State of Colorado Low Energy and Carbon Code (LECC). Solar required for commercial buildings 5,000 square feet or more is an amendment unique to Lafayette.
EV requirements (continued amendment from previous code cycle)
Establish minimum site requirements for EV charging
No- EV capable/ ready/ installed requirements are required by the State of Colorado LECC. Current regulations require additional infrastructure. The City is considering options which can include maintaining the current requirements or relaxing them to align with State requirements.
IRC
Radon Control Methods
Establish minimum requirements for radon control for new construction and certain alterations
No - this is an Appendix in the IRC that the City would adopt with additional requirements for alterations and additions.
Fire sprinklers
The City is considering eliminating an exception that allows new homes in existing developments to omit the installation of a sprinkler system where the infrastructure was not designed to allow for a sprinkler system.
