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Appeals To Building Official And Board Of Appeals

APPEALS TO BUILDING OFFICIAL: The Larimer County Building Official is granted discretionary interpretative powers in the Larimer County Building Code, at Section 104.1 of the International Building Codes which states:

The building official shall have the authority to render interpretations of this code and to adopt polices and procedures in order to clarify the application of its provisions. Such interpretations, policies, and procedures shall be in conformance with the intent and purpose of this code.

A written request to appeal a field decision should be submitted to the Larimer County Building Official at the following address:

Tom Garton
Chief Building Official
Larimer County Building Department
P.O. Box 1190
Fort Collins, CO 80522-1190

APPEALS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS: The Board of Appeals is a five member board. The function of the Board of Appeals is to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions, or determinations made by the Building Official relative to the application and interpretation of the International Residential, Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Energy Conservation, Fire, and Existing Building Codes. The Building Official is a non-voting, ex-officio member of the Board and acts as the Secretary to the Board. The Board of Appeals has no authority relative to interpretation of the administrative provisions of the Code nor is the Board empowered to waive requirements of the Code.

Meetings are called when necessary by the Building Official, usually the second Wednesday of the month. The meeting time and place is announced by an agenda.

Members of the Board are people who are qualified by experience and training to pass upon matters pertaining to building construction such as, but not limited to, structural engineers, architects, or contractors. Appointments to terms of three years are made upon approval of the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners.

The person requesting the appeal (appellant) needs to submit a petition form to the Building Department together with a processing fee in the amount of $50.00 two (2) weeks prior to the next meeting date; the petition is forwarded to the Board of Appeals together with the agenda for the next regularly scheduled meeting; the Board adopts its own rules of procedures for conducting its business; the Board renders all decisions and findings in writing to the appellant with a duplicate copy to the Building Official.

International Existing Building Code

The International Existing Building Code (IEBC) adopted by Larimer County provides the Building Official with the proper legal steps to abate dilapidated, defective buildings which endanger life, health, property, and public safety. When the building official has cause or inspected any building and has found the building to be dangerous, the Building Official can commence proceedings to cause the repair, vacation, or demolition of the building.