Development in Boulder requires conformance with all adopted building codes, all land use regulations, and the city’s design and construction standards. These codes, rules and regulations comprise the minimum standards required for development in the city.
City Council adopted of the 2018 International Code Council (ICC) suite of codes with local amendments March 3, 2020. These can be found in Title 10 of the Boulder Revised Code. The city also adopted the 2020 City of Boulder Energy Conservation Code (PDF). The effective date for the new codes is July 1, 2020. The ICC codes can be viewed for free online.
On Aug. 1, 2023 the 2023 edition of the NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (NEC) was adopted by the State of Colorado and enforced by the City of Boulder with local amendments in the Boulder Revised Code . As a result, the 2023 NEC became the minimum standard for electrical permits issued on or after Aug. 1, 2023.
The Boulder Revised Code is the charter for the municipal government of the City of Boulder, Colorado.
An online version of the Boulder Revised Code is provided as a public service, but is different in layout, format, and structure from the official Boulder Revised Code. Select the "Boulder Revised Code" link to view the online version.
The official version of the Boulder Revised Code is supplemented and published quarterly in written form, and is available in Central Records at the City of Boulder Municipal Building, 1777 Broadway. A printed copy is available at the Main Boulder Public Library, 1000 Canyon Boulevard.
All civil engineering design must conform to the Design and Construction Standards.
The Design and Construction Standards are intended to protect the public health, safety, and welfare in the provision and maintenance of public improvements within the City of Boulder. These standards apply to the comprehensive design and construction of adequate and functional public improvements associated with developing, redeveloping and subdividing lands and providing necessary right-of-way, transportation, and utility services.
