8695 - AMENDING CHAPTER 10-8.5, “WILDLAND CODE,” B.R.C. 1981; TO ADOPT BY REFERENCE THE 2024 EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL WITH CERTAIN AMENDMENTS Intro and 1st Rdg 3/17/25, 2nd Rdg Amended
K:\PLCU\o-8695 3rd rdg Wildland Urban Interface Code--0001.docx
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
ORDINANCE 8695
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 10-8.5, “WILDLAND
CODE,” B.R.C. 1981; TO ADOPT BY REFERENCE THE 2024
EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL WILDLAND-URBAN
INTERFACE CODE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CODE
COUNCIL WITH CERTAIN AMENDMENTS; AND SETTING
FORTH RELATED DETAILS.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BOULDER,
COLORADO:
Section 1. Section 10-8.5-1, “Legislative Intent,” B.R.C. 1981, is amended to read as
follows:
10-8.5-1. Legislative Intent.
The purpose of this chapter is to protect public health and safety by regulating the use,
condition, construction, alteration, repair, and maintenance of buildings, structures, and premises
within the defined wildland-urban interface areas in the city in order to prevent the spread of fire
and risk of harm to persons and property from the intrusion of fire from wildland fire exposures
and fire exposures from adjacent structures, as well as to prevent structure fires from spreading
to wildland fuels. The city council hereby adopts the 20242018 edition of the International
Wildland-Urban Interface Code with certain amendments, additions, and deletions thereto found
to be in the best interests of the city.
Section 2. Section 10-8.5-2, “Legislative Intent,” B.R.C. 1981, is amended to read as
follows:
10-8.5-2. Adoption of the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code With
Modifications.
(a) The 20242018 edition of the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code of the
International Code Council is adopted by reference as the City of Boulder Wildland Code
and has the same force and effect as though fully set forth in this chapter, except as
specifically amended by the provisions of this chapter.
(b) Appendix B, "Vegetation Management Plan," and Appendix C, "Fire Hazard Severity
Form," and sections contained therein are adopted.
K:\PLCU\o-8695 3rd rdg Wildland Urban Interface Code--0001.docx
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
(c) Section 101.1, “Title,” is repealed and reenacted to read:
101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the City of Boulder Wildland Code or
Wildland Code or wildland code, hereinafter referred to as “this code.”
(dc) Section 102.4.1, "Conflicts," is amended to read:
102.4.1 Conflicts. Where conflicts exist between provisions of this code and the
referenced standards or the building, residential, or fire code, the most restrictive
provisions shall govern.
(ed) Section 103.1, "Creation of an enforcement agency," is repealed and reenacted to read:
103.1 Division of Building Safety. "Division of Building Safety" means the
administrative unit established by the city manager or the manager's delegates, and the
personnel assigned to the unit by the manager. The Division of Building Safety
administers the City of Boulder Wildland Code assisted by a Community Risk Reduction,
established within the fire department, under the direction of the manager.
(fe) Section 104.83, "Liability of the code official," is repealed and reenacted to read:
104.83 Liability. The Wildland Code shall not be construed to hold the City of Boulder
or any of its employees, officials, or agents responsible for any damage to persons or
property by reason of inspection or reinspection or failure to inspect or reinspect as herein
provided or by reason of the approval or disapproval of any equipment as herein
provided. No employee, official, or agent of the city who enforces, attempts to enforce,
or is authorized to enforce the Wildland Code renders him or herself or the city liable to
third parties for any damage or injury to the person or property of such third parties as a
result of enforcement or nonenforcement of the fire codeWildland Code. The city
assumes no duty of care by virtue of the adoption of the Wildland Code. No person is
justified in relying upon the approval of a plan, the results of an inspection, or the
issuance of a certificate of inspection or occupancy, and such approvals, inspections, and
certificates are not a guarantee that the plan or work so approved, inspected, or
certificated in fact complies with all requirements of the Wildland Code. It is the duty of
the person owning, controlling, or constructing, altering, or maintaining any building, or
structure, or premises to ensure that the work is done in accordance with the requirements
of the fire codeWildland Code, and it is such persons and not the city who are responsible
for damages caused by negligent breach of such duty.
(f) Section 106, "Appeals," is repealed and reenacted to read:
SECTION 106 APPEALS
106.1 Appeals.
(a) Any appeal under this section shall be heard by the Board of Building Appeals
K:\PLCU\o-8695 3rd rdg Wildland Urban Interface Code--0001.docx
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
established under Section 2-3-4, "Board of Building Appeals," B.R.C. 1981,
unless the city manager determines, due to the nature of the issues in a particular
appeal, to appoint a hearing officer under Section 1-3-5, "Hearings and
Determinations," B.R.C. 1981.
(b) Any person directly affected by a decision of the code official or an order issued
under this code may appeal the decision or order on the ground that:
1. The decision or order was based on an error of fact or an erroneous
interpretation of this code or the rules legally adopted thereunder;
2. The code official erroneously failed to approve an alternative material or
method pursuant to Section 105.3 prior to its installation or use. In
determining such an appeal, the board shall apply the standards of Section
105.3, but the board shall have no jurisdiction to consider if a material or
method expressly prohibited by this code is an acceptable alternative; or
3. The code official has erroneously failed to grant a modification pursuant
to Section 105.1. In determining such an appeal, the board or hearing
officer shall apply the standards of Section 105.1.
The code official has the burden of proof under paragraph 1. The appellant has the burden
of proof on appeals brought pursuant to paragraphs 2 and 3. The board or hearing officer
shall determine the appeal and decide whether the code official's interpretation or
application of such code was correct or in error at a hearing under the procedures
described in Chapter 1-3, "Quasi-Judicial Hearings," B.R.C. 1981.
(a) An application for appeal must be filed in writing with the city manager within
fourteen days after the date the decision or order was served.
(b) An applicant for an appeal shall pay the fee prescribed by Section 4-20-47,
"Zoning Adjustment and Buildings Appeals Filing Fees," B.R.C. 1981. The fee
for an appeal heard by a hearing officer shall be the same as the fee for an appeal
heard by the Board of Building Appeals.
(c) The city manager may apply to the Board of Building Appeals, without fee, for an
advisory opinion concerning alternative methods, applicability of specific
requirements, approval of equipment and materials, and granting of special
permission as contemplated in Section 105.1, Practical difficulties, or Section
105.3, Alternative materials or methods, of the Wildland Code.
(d)(b) The board or hearing officer has no authority to interpret chapter 1 (the
administrative requirements) of this code except as expressly provided in this
section, nor, because this code sets minimum standards, to waive any requirement
of this code.
K:\PLCU\o-8695 3rd rdg Wildland Urban Interface Code--0001.docx
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
(g) A new section 104.11, “Compliance with Federal and State Law,” is added to read as
follows:
104.11 Compliance with Federal and State Law.
The code official may modify for individual cases the provisions of this code to allow a
design, installation, construction, use, or maintenance not in compliance with the
provisions of this code, if otherwise the provisions of this code would result in a violation
of federal or state law, legislation, or regulation, and the modification would be the
minimum modification that provides relief.
(hg) Section 1057, "Permits," is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
1057 Permits. The provisions of Section 105, "Permits," of the City of Boulder Building
Code, Section 105, "Permits," of the City of Boulder Fire Code, and Section 105,
"Permits," of the City of Boulder Residential Code, apply, as otherwise applicable to the
work requiring the permit.
(ih) Section 1068.1, "General," is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
1068.1 General. The requirements of Section 107.1, "General," of the City of Boulder
Building Code apply.
(j) Section 106.2, “Information on plans and specifications,” is repealed and reenacted to
read as follows:
106.2. Information on plans and specifications. Plans and specifications shall be
drawn to scale and shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, nature, and extent
of the work proposed, and show in detail that it will conform to the provisions of this
code and relevant laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations.
(ki) Section 109.3.610.4.6, "Prosecution of violation," is repealed and reenacted to read as
follows:
109.3.610.4.6 Violations.
(a) General Provisions.
(1) No person shall erect, construct, enlarge, alter, extend, repair, move,
remove, improve, convert, demolish, equip, use, occupy, or maintain any
building, or structure, or premises in the city or cause or permit the same
to be done except in conformity with all of the provisions of this code and
in conformity with the terms and conditions of approval issued under this
code, or of any directive of the code official. No person shall violate the
K:\PLCU\o-8695 3rd rdg Wildland Urban Interface Code--0001.docx
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
provisions of this code, fail to comply with any requirements thereof, or
fail to comply with any order issued by the code official under this code.
(2) In accordance with the provisions of Section 5-2-11, "Prosecution of
Multiple Counts for Same Act," B.R.C. 1981, each day during which
illegal construction, alteration, maintenance, occupancy, use, or violation
continues constitutes a separate offense remediable through the
enforcement provisions of this code.
(3) The owner, tenant, and occupant of a structure or land and the agents of
each of them are jointly and severally liable for any violation of this code
with respect to such structure or land.
(4) The remedies for any violation of any provision of this code or of any
permit, certificate, or other approval issued under this code or other City
of Boulder codes or of any directive of the code official may be pursued
singly or in combination.
(5) If any person fails or refuses to pay when due any charge imposed under
this section, the code official may, in addition to taking other collection
remedies, certify due and unpaid charges to the Boulder County Treasurer
for collection as provided by Section 2-2-12, "City Manager May Certify
Taxes, Charges, and Assessments to County Treasurer for Collection,"
B.R.C. 1981.
(6) The code official may charge the cost of any action taken to correct or
abate a violation, as authorized by this code, plus up to fifteen percent of
such cost for administration, to the property owner. If any property owner
fails or refuses to pay when due any charge imposed under this section, the
code official may, in addition to taking other collection remedies, certify
due any unpaid charges, including interest, to the Boulder County
Treasurer, to be levied against the person's property for collection by the
county in the same manner as delinquent general taxes upon such property
are collected, under the procedures described by Section 2-2-12, "City
Manager May Certify Taxes, Charges, and Assessments to County
Treasurer for Collection," B.R.C. 1981.
(b) Administrative Procedures and Remedies.
(1) If the code official finds that a violation of any provision of this code or
any approval granted under this code exists, the city manager, after notice
and an opportunity for hearing under the procedures prescribed by Chapter
1-3, "Quasi-Judicial Hearings," B.R.C. 1981, may take any one or more of
the following actions to remedy the violation:
(A) Impose a civil penalty according to the following schedule:
K:\PLCU\o-8695 3rd rdg Wildland Urban Interface Code--0001.docx
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
(i) For the first violation of the provision or approval, $100;
(ii) For the second violation of the same provision or approval,
$300; and
(iii) For the third violation of the same provision or approval,
$1,000;
(B) For a violation concerning the use of a residential building under a
rental license, revoke such license;
(C) Require the filing of a declaration of use as provided in subsection
(e); or
(D) Issue an order reasonably calculated to ensure compliance with the
provisions of this code or any approval granted under this code.
(2) Prior to the hearing, the code official may issue an order that no person
shall perform any work on any structure or land, except to correct any
violation found by the code official to exist with respect to such structure
or land.
(3) If notice is given to the code official at least forty-eight hours before the
time and date set forth in the notice of hearing on any violation that the
violation has been corrected, the code official will reinspect the structure
or land. If the code official finds that the violation has been corrected, the
manager may cancel the hearing.
(4) No person shall fail to comply with any action taken by the code official
under this section.
(c) Criminal Penalties. Violations of this code are punishable as provided in Section
5-2-4, "General Penalties," B.R.C. 1981.
(d) Other Remedies. The city attorney may maintain an action for damages,
declaratory relief, specific performance, injunction, or any other appropriate relief
in the District Court in and for the County of Boulder for any violation of any
provision of this code or any approval granted under this code.
(e) Declaration of Use. If the code official determines that a person is using a
structure in a way that might mislead a reasonable person to believe that such use
is a use by right or otherwise authorized by this title, the code official may require
such person to sign under oath a declaration of use that defines the limited nature
of the use and to record such declaration in the office of the Boulder County Clerk
and Recorder against the title to the land. In addition to all other remedies and
actions that the code official is authorized to use under the Boulder Revised Code
or other applicable federal, state, or local laws to enforce the provisions of this
code, the code official is authorized to withhold any approval affecting such
K:\PLCU\o-8695 3rd rdg Wildland Urban Interface Code--0001.docx
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
structure or land, including, without limitation, a building permit, use review, site
review, subdivision, floodplain development permit, or wetland permit, until such
time as the person submits a declaration of use that is in a form acceptable to the
code official.
(lj) Section 109.34.7, "Violation penalties," is repealed and reserved.
109.3.7 Reserved.
(m) Section 112, "Means of Appeals," is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
SECTION 112- MEANS OF APPEALS
112.1 Appeals.
(a) Any appeal under this section shall be heard by the Board of Building Appeals
established under Section 2-3-4, "Board of Building Appeals," B.R.C. 1981,
unless the city manager determines, due to the nature of the issues in a particular
appeal, to appoint a hearing officer under Section 1-3-5, "Hearings and
Determinations," B.R.C. 1981.
(b) Any person directly affected by a decision of the code official or an order issued
under this code may appeal the decision or order on the ground that:
(1) The decision or order was based on an error of fact or an erroneous
interpretation of this code or the rules legally adopted thereunder;
(2) The code official erroneously failed to approve an alternative material,
design, or method pursuant to Section 104.2.2, Alternative materials,
design and methods, prior to its installation or use. In determining such an
appeal, the board or hearing officer shall apply the standards of Section
104.2.2, but the board or hearing officer shall have no jurisdiction to
consider if a material, design, or method expressly prohibited by this code
is an acceptable alternative; or
(3) The code official has erroneously failed to grant a modification pursuant
to Section 104.2.3, Modifications. In determining such an appeal, the
board or hearing officer shall apply the standards of Section 104.2.3,
Modifications.
The code official has the burden of proof under paragraph 1. The appellant has the burden
of proof on appeals brought pursuant to paragraphs 2 and 3. The board or hearing officer
shall determine the appeal and decide whether the code official's interpretation or
application of such code was correct or in error at a hearing under the procedures
described in Chapter 1-3, "Quasi-Judicial Hearings," B.R.C. 1981.
K:\PLCU\o-8695 3rd rdg Wildland Urban Interface Code--0001.docx
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
(c) An application for appeal must be filed in writing with the city manager within
fourteen days after the date the decision or order was served.
(d) An applicant for an appeal shall pay the fee prescribed by Section 4-20-47,
"Zoning Adjustment and Buildings Appeals Filing Fees," B.R.C. 1981. The fee
for an appeal heard by a hearing officer shall be the same as the fee for an appeal
heard by the Board of Building Appeals.
(e) The city manager may apply to the Board of Building Appeals, without fee, for an
advisory opinion concerning alternative methods, applicability of specific
requirements, approval of equipment and materials, and granting of special
permission as contemplated in Section 104.2.2, Alternative materials, designs and
methods, or Section 104.2.3, Modifications, of the Wildland Code.
(f) The board or hearing officer has no authority to interpret Chapter 1 (the
administrative requirements) of this code except as expressly provided in this
section, nor, because this code sets minimum standards, to waive any requirement
of this code.
(nk) The definition of "Code Official" in Section 202, "Definitions," is amended in that the
definition of “Code Official” and “Defensible Space” are repealed and reenacted and in
that a definition for “Noncombustible Zone” is added to read:
CODE OFFICIAL. Code official means the city manager or the city manager's delegate.
DEFENSIBLE SPACE. An area that has been modified and is maintained to reduce fire
risk, intensity, and spreading by disconnecting fuel loads both vertically and horizontally.
In this area, natural and manmade fuels are treated, removed, and reduced to slow the
spread of wildfire and alter fire behavior.
NONCOMBUSTIBLE ZONE. A five-foot area around a building or other structure
having no vegetation and no combustible material.
(ol) Section 403.2, "Driveways," is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
403.2 Driveways. Driveways shall be provided when any portion of an exterior wall of
the first story of a building is located more than 100 feet (30,480 mm) from a fire
apparatus access road.
(pm) Section 403.2.1, "Dimensions," is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
403.2.1 Dimensions. Driveways shall be provided as defined in Section 503.2.1,
"Dimensions," of the City of Boulder Fire Code, as locally amended in Paragraph 10-8-
2(b)(116), B.R.C. 1981, for an "accessible private drive" and with a minimum
unobstructed height of 15 feet (4572 mm).
K:\PLCU\o-8695 3rd rdg Wildland Urban Interface Code--0001.docx
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
(qn) Section 403.2.4, "Turnarounds," is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
403.2.4 Turnarounds. Driveway turnarounds shall have a turning radius to
accommodate an SU-30 vehicle. Driveways that connect with a road or roads at more
than one point shall be considered as having a turnaround if all changes in direction meet
the radii requirements for driveway turnaround.
(ro) Section 403.3, "Fire apparatus access road," is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
403.3 Fire apparatus access road. When required, fire apparatus access roads shall meet
the requirements of the City of Boulder Design and Construction Standards.
(sp) Section 404.2, "Water sources," is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
404.2 Water sources. Water sources shall be designed and installed in accordance with
the City of Boulder Design and Construction Standards.
(t) Section 502.1, “General,” is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
502.1 General. The fire hazard severity of building sites for buildings hereafter
constructed, modified or relocated into wildland-urban interface areas shall be established
by the code official based on the class of ignition-resistant construction identified for the
building site on the wildland-urban interface area mapping or, alternatively, in
accordance with Table 502.1. See also Appendix C.
(u) Section 503.1, “General,” is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
503.1 General. Buildings and structures hereafter constructed, modified or relocated into
or within the wildland-urban interface areas shall meet the construction requirements for
Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 ignition-resistant construction based on the class identified for
the building site on the wildland-urban interface area mapping or, alternatively, in
accordance with Table 503.1. Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3, ignition-resistant construction
shall be in accordance with Sections 504, 505 and 506, respectively. Materials required
to be ignition-resistant building materials shall comply with the requirements of Section
503.2.
(vq) 503.2 Ignition-resistant building material. Add the following, as option 5:
5. Deck surface. Approved wood thermoplastic composite lumber with an
ASTM E84 flame-spread index no greater than 200, or any approved Class
A roof assembly.
A new section 503.2.4.4, “Appendages and projections,” is added to read as follows:
503.2.4.4 Appendages and projections. Unenclosed accessory structures attached to
buildings with habitable spaces and projections, such as decks, shall be constructed of a
K:\PLCU\o-8695 3rd rdg Wildland Urban Interface Code--0001.docx
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
material meeting the following:
503.2.4.4.1 Surface. The surface shall be constructed of ignition-resistant building
material meeting the requirements of Section 503.2 or of approved wood thermoplastic
composite lumber with a flame-spread index no greater than 200 or any approved Class A
roof assembly.
503.2.4.4.2 Framing. Framing shall be constructed with one of the following methods:
1. 1-hour fire resistance-rated construction.
2. Heavy timber construction.
3. Approved noncombustible materials.
4. Fire-retardant-treated wood labeled for exterior use.
(w) Section 504.2, “Roof assembly,” but not including, Section 504.2.1, “Roof valleys,” is
repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
504.2 Roof covering. Roofs shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of the
City of Boulder Building Code and the City of Boulder Residential Code, as applicable.
(xr) Section 505.2, "Roof covering assembly," but not including Section 505.2.1, “Roof
valleys,” is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
505.2 Roof covering. Roofs shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of the
City of Boulder Building Code and the City of Boulder Residential Building Code, as
applicable.
(ys) Section 506.2, "Roof covering assembly," but not including Section 506.2.1, “Roof
valleys,” is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
506.2 Roof covering. Roofs shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of the
City of Boulder Building Code and the City of Boulder Residential Building Code, as
applicable.
(z) A new Section 506.6, “Appendages and projections,” is added to read as follows:
506.6 Appendages and projections. The surface of unenclosed accessory structures
attached to buildings with habitable spaces and projections, such as decks, shall be
constructed of material that complies with Section 503.2, “Ignition-resistant building
material”.
(aa) A new Section 506.6.1, “Screening,” is added to read as follows:
506.6.1 Screening. Unenclosed accessory structures attached to buildings with habitable
K:\PLCU\o-8695 3rd rdg Wildland Urban Interface Code--0001.docx
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
spaces and projections, such as decks, that are 48 inches or less above the ground,
measured from the lowest point of the appendage or projection to the ground, shall have a
noncombustible corrosion-resistant mesh with openings not to exceed 1/8 inch around the
perimeter or shall be designed and approved to prevent flame or ember penetration under
the unenclosed accessory structure or projection.
Exception: The framing material meets the ignition-resistant building material
requirements of Section 503.2, “Ignition-resistant building material.”
(bbt) Section 507.1, "Replacement or repair of roof coverings," is repealed and reenacted to
read as follows:
507.1 Replacement or repair of roof coverings. Replacement or repair of any wood
roof shall meet the requirements of Section 10-5-5, "Wood Roof Covering Materials
Prohibited," B.R.C. 1981.
(cc) A new Section “508 - FENCING” is added to read as follows:
SECTION 508 – FENCING
508.1 Installation and replacement of fences. All fence and gate sections within 8 feet
(2.4 m) of any structure shall be constructed of noncombustible materials in accordance
with Section 503.2.1, “Noncombustible material.”
(u) Section 601.1, "Scope," is repealed and reenacted to read:
601.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter establish general requirements for new
buildings, structures, and premises located within wildland-urban interface areas. Only
the requirements of Sections 607.1, "General," and 607.2, "Storage for off-site use," shall
apply to new and existing buildings, structures, and premises located within wildland-
urban interface areas.
(ddv) Section 603.2, “Fuel modification,” is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
603.2 Fuel modification. Buildings and structures constructed in compliance with the
conforming defensible space category (moderate hazard, high hazard, or extreme hazard)
as identified within the wildland urban interface area by the code official shall comply
with the applicable fuel modification distance established in Table 603.2 or with fuel
modification to the lot line, whichever is less. The distances specified in Table 603.2
shall be measured on a horizontal plane from the perimeter or projection of the building
or structure as shown in Figure 603.2
(ee) A new Section 603.2.4, “Noncombustible Zone,” is added to read as follows:
603.2.4 Noncombustible Zone. All new buildings with habitable space and all new
K:\PLCU\o-8695 3rd rdg Wildland Urban Interface Code--0001.docx
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
structures shall have a noncombustible zone.
(ff) A new Section 603.2.5, “Fuels planted within defensible space,” is added to read as
follows:
603.2.5 Fuels planted within defensible space. In areas identified for Class 1 or Class 2
ignition-resistant construction on the wildland-urban interface area mapping, fuels
planted within the defensible space, in the area that is between 5 feet (1.5 m) from the
building or structure and the property lot line, but not to exceed 30 feet (9.1 m) in width,
shall be low-flammability plants with a rating score between 7.5 and 10 as identified by
the Colorado State Forest Service.
(gg) A new Section 603.2.6, “Junipers,” is added to read as follows:
603.2.6 Junipers. No species of Junipers (Juniperus spp) shall be planted.
(hh) The first sentence of Appendix C, "Fire Hazard Severity Form," is repealed and reenacted
to read as follows:
The appendix may be used in place of Table 502.1 to determine the fire hazard severity.
Section 3. The city council deems it appropriate to repeal the adoption of the 2018 edition
of the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code and adopt by reference the 2024 edition of
the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code. The International Wildland-Urban Interface
Code prescribes standards of construction, alternation, movement, repair, maintenance, and use
of any building, structure, and premises within the wildland-urban interface areas of the City of
Boulder. The city council orders that at least one copy of the International Wildland-Urban
Interface Code being considered for adoption by reference in this ordinance be on file with the
city clerk, Municipal Building, 1777 Broadway, City of Boulder, County of Boulder, State of
Colorado, and open for public inspection during the business hours of the city. Such copy shall
be certified to be true by the mayor and the clerk.
Section 4. Unless expressly provided otherwise, any violation of the provisions of the
code adopted by reference herein shall be punishable as provided in Section 5-4-2, “General
Penalties,” B.R.C. 1981.
K:\PLCU\o-8695 3rd rdg Wildland Urban Interface Code--0001.docx
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Section 5. The city council orders and directs the city manager to make any additional
citation and reference changes not included in this ordinance that are necessary to properly
implement the adoption of the 2024 edition of the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code
and all related local amendments.
Section 6. This ordinance shall take effect on August 1, 2025. It shall be applied to
building permit applications submitted on or after the effective date. Building permits applied
for before the effective date shall be considered under the code in effect at the time of
application.
Section 7. The city council intends that the sections, paragraphs, clauses, phrases, items,
and compliance options of this ordinance and the code adopted herein by reference be severable.
If any compliance option, item, phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section of this ordinance
or the code adopted herein by reference is declared unconstitutional or invalid by the valid
judgement or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, such unconstitutionality or invalidity
does not affect any of the remaining compliance options, items, phrases, clauses, sentences,
paragraphs and sections of this ordinance or the code adopted herein, unless it appears to the
court that the valid provisions of the section or ordinance are so essentially and inseparably
connected with, and so dependent upon, the void provision that it cannot be presumed the
council would have enacted the valid provisions without the void one; or unless the court
determines that the valid provisions, standing alone, are incomplete and are incapable of being
executed in accordance with the legislative intent. If the provision of an exception invalidates a
prohibition, but the prohibition without the exception would be valid, then it is council’s intent in
such cases that the exception be severed, and the prohibition upheld.
K:\PLCU\o-8695 3rd rdg Wildland Urban Interface Code--0001.docx
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Section 8. This ordinance is necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of
the residents of the city and covers matters of local concern.
Section 9. The city council deems it appropriate that this ordinance be published by title
only and orders that copies of this ordinance be made available in the office of the city clerk for
public inspection and acquisition.
K:\PLCU\o-8695 3rd rdg Wildland Urban Interface Code--0001.docx
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
INTRODUCED, READ ON FIRST READING, AND ORDERED PUBLISHED BY
TITLE ONLY this 17th day of April 2025.
____________________________________
Aaron Brockett,
Mayor
Attest:
____________________________________
Elesha Johnson,
City Clerk
READ ON SECOND READING, AMENDED AND PASSED this 15th day of May 2025.
____________________________________
Aaron Brockett,
Mayor
Attest:
____________________________________
Elesha Johnson,
City Clerk
READ ON THIRD READING, PASSED, AND ADOPTED this 5th day of June 2025.
___________________________________
Aaron Brockett,
Mayor
Attest:
____________________________________
Elesha Johnson,
City Clerk