Larimer County adopted its first building code effective January 1, 1972. Any structure built since that date (with some minor exceptions) was and is required to have a permit issued before work is started. The effective dates of all building codes adopted by Larimer County since 1972 are:
| Effective Date | Code Edition |
|---|---|
| January 1, 1972 | 1970 UBC, Volume I; 1971 1&2 FDC; 1971 NEC, Plumbing Regulations, Technical Plumbing Code by Colorado Department of Health |
| December 6, 1973 | 1973 UBC; 1973 UMC; 1971 1&2 FDC, 1971 NEC; Plumbing Regulations, Technical Plumbing Code by Colorado Department of Health |
| June 28, 1978 | 1976 UBC; 1976 UMC; 1976 Plumbing Code |
| February 15, 1983 | 1979 UBC; 1979 UMC; 1979 UPC |
| March 5, 1984 | 1982 UBC; 1982 UMC; 1982 UPC |
| November 3, 1986 | 1985 UBC; 1985 UMC; 1985 UPC |
| October 30, 1989 | 1988 UBC; 1988 UAC; 1988 UMC; 1988 UPC |
| March 18, 1991 | Amendments to 1988 Code Editions |
| February 10, 1993 | 1991 UBC; 1991 UAC; 1191 UMC; 1991 UPC |
| July 1, 1995 | Amendments to 1991 Code Editions (Roofing Requirements) |
| May 1, 1998 | 1997 UBC; 1997 UAC; 1997 UMC; 1997 UPC |
| July 1, 2000 | Amendment governing installation of solid fuel burning devices |
| May 17, 2004 | 2003 IRC |
| November 17, 2004 | 2003 IRC; IBC; IPC; IMC; IFGC; IECC; IEBC |
| October 2, 2007 | 2006 IRC; IBC; IPC; IMC; IFGC; IECC; IEBC |
UBC = Uniform Building Code
FDC = One and Two Family Dwelling Code
UMC = Uniform Mechanical Code
NEC = National Electrical Code
UPC = Uniform Plumbing Code
UAC = Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings
IRC = International Residential Code
IBC = International Building Code
IPC = International Plumbing Code
IMC = International Mechanical Code
IFGC = International Fuel Gas Code
IECC = International Energy Conservation Code
IEBC = International Existing Building Code