HB 24-1239

HB 24-1239, which has been signed into law in Colorado, allows local governments (such as city councils and county boards) to update their building codes by December 1, 2026. This change would permit multifamily buildings up to five stories high to have a single exit stairway, rather than requiring multiple exits. The bill also offers technical support from the state for local governments that need help implementing these changes. This affects developers and residents of multifamily housing in areas where local building codes are updated according to this law.

Official Summary

On or before December 1, 2026, the bill requires a board of county commissioners or the governing body of a municipality to adopt a building code, or amend an existing building code, to allow up to 5 stories of a multifamily residential building to be served by a single exit. To satisfy this requirement, a local government shall incorporate by reference and adopt or adapt and adopt language from a portion of an existing building code that allows a single exit to serve no more than 5 stories of a group r-2 occupancy in the same building. If a local government so requests, the department of local affairs shall provide technical assistance to the local government in satisfying this requirement. The bill also clarifies that the adoption or amendment of a building code to satisfy the requirements of the bill does not qualify as adopting or enforcing a building code for the purpose of determining whether a board of county commissioners or the governing body of a municipality is required to adopt an energy code. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)