Broomfield City Council votes unanimously to adopt new emission-reducing building codes

Corbett Stevenson, Daily Camera, Boulder, Colo.
·2 min read

Jul. 26—Broomfield City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to move forward with the next step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the city and county.

In a presentation given by city and county staff, Ordinance 2216, as well as past efforts to reduce emissions, were identified. In 2022, Colorado legislature passed HB22-1362, which updated minimum energy code requirements, requiring jurisdictions to adopt the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code. In addition, the Energy Code Board was established to provide a model code that jurisdictions could utilize.

With Broomfield having already adopted the 2021 IECC, the next step in the city and county's plan to reduce emissions is to adopt the ECB model code or something similar or stronger. During Tuesday's meeting, city staff outlined the basics of the model code that would apply to all new one- and two-family homes, townhomes and commercial/industrial and multifamily buildings as well as additions to existing commercial/industrial buildings.

The first requirement outlined in the code requires buildings to be solar ready, requiring buildings to have adequate roof zones for solar panels should they be installed. Secondly, the code requires new buildings to be electric vehicle ready, with electric vehicle-capable parking spaces. Lastly, all new buildings will be required to be electric ready. Although builders are not required to rely solely on electric, any area in the building equipped with natural gas must include electric service in that location as well to allow for transition to electric power in the future.

"Buildings are responsible for 40% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, so reducing building greenhouse emissions is an essential part of a community's effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," the city and county staff document presented to the council reads.

City and county staff stated in their presentation that they anticipate much of the costs of adhering to the new code to be passed on as part of the sale of the land. In addition, builders experienced in constructing all-electric homes in other communities shared that the mechanical system for an all-electric home is between $5,000 to $7,000 more than a typical gas system.

Broomfield staff began communicating the anticipated code update with developers and contractors in April. Applicants who have had their building plans reviewed and approved under the current energy code will need to be issued permits prior to Jan. 1 or otherwise their plans will need to be updated prior to issuance of the building permit.

With the first reading of the ordinance approved, 2216 will now be published in full and a public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 22.