SUBJECT:
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: An Ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of Erie Amending Section 9-1-2 of the Erie Municipal Code to Remove the Automatic Sprinkler System Requirement in the International Residential Code
Department
DEPARTMENT: Planning & Development
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PRESENTER(S): Deborah Bachelder, Deputy Planning & Development Director
Sarah Nurmela, AICP, Planning & Development Director
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Time
TIME ESTIMATE: 45 minutes
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For time estimate: please put 0 for Consent items.
Fiscal
FISCAL SUMMARY:
N/A
Policy
POLICY ISSUES:
Town Council wishes to consider removing the current Town requirement for automatic fire sprinkler systems for all single family detached and attached homes (duplex and townhomes) in the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC). Town Council will weigh the benefits and impacts of removing this requirement, including housing costs, effectiveness, and safety. The Council may also choose to retain the requirement for all single family attached homes or just townhomes.
Recommendation
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
The proposed ordinance is responsive to the Council's direction from the May 20 Study Session.
Body
SUMMARY/KEY POINTS
* In December 2022, the Town adopted an updated building code ordinance that included requiring automatic sprinklers for all residential construction, including single family detached and attached (duplex and townhomes) homes.
* In December 2024, the Town held a roundtable discussion with the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Metro Denver, developers, and homeowner association (HOA) representatives to listen to concerns regarding development in the Town. A potential action item identified during this discussion included removing the requirement for sprinklers in single family detached and attached homes.
* In May 2025, Town Council held a study session to discuss removing the automatic sprinkler requirement from the code. The HBA spoke in favor of removing the sprinkler requirem...
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