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Building Department

Alamosa County Has Adopted The 2018 ICC Building Codes

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Effective July 1, 2023 Alamosa County has adopted the 2018 Editions of the IRC for Residential Construction, IBC for Commercial Construction, and the IECC Energy code for both residential and commercial construction.
In addition, the county adopted the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) and the 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) that regulate existing buildings.

The International Code Council has made the model codes available online at codes.iccsafe.org/codes/i-codes/2018-icodes

Click here for Alamosa County Design Criteria

Click here for a Residential Building Plan Application packet

The Building Department administers building codes as adopted by the Board of County Commissioners for the design, construction, and renovation of all structures and onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) in unincorporated Alamosa County.

Types of Permits issued:

  • Building Permit
  • Reroofing Permit
  • Demolition Permit
  • OWTS Permit
       How to apply for a building permit

You can download our Residential Development Guide here 
You can download an application packet for Residential Building here
 

When you submit your completed application, the Building Division staff will give you an approximate date when you can expect to hear from the County. The actual time it takes to receive approval is determined by the clarity and completeness of your application materials, as well as the number of other applications awaiting review. If your submitted documents are complete, accurate and meet all the code requirements, the possibility of your application requiring resubmittal or correction is reduced. 
Building Permit Submittals 
o    Proof of Legal Water 
o    Proof of Legal Sanitation 
o    County Driveway Permit or CDOT Access Permit for road and driveway may be required.
o    HOA approval must be provided if there is an active HOA.
o    Complete set of construction drawings

To apply click here.

       How to apply for an OWTS permit

Purpose 

On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems Act, 25-10- 101, et seq., C.R.S. (OWTS Act); and, Colorado Water Quality Control Commission On-Site Wastewater Treatment System Regulation Number 43, 5 CCR 1002-43 (Regulation 43).

The purpose of Regulation 43 is to:
•    Eliminate or control the causes of diseases and infections
•    Protect public health, safety and welfare
•    Protect the quality of the environment
•    Reduce the pollution of the air, land and water
•    Regulate waste from residences, businesses, industrial buildings, and other uses
It is declared to be in the public interest to establish regulations regarding On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems in Alamosa County, Colorado and to provide the authority for the administration and enforcement of such regulations.
Responsibility

These regulations govern all aspects of permits, performance, location, construction, installation, maintenance, alteration, use, and repair of OWTS in Alamosa County except those aspects that are specifically reserved by law solely to the State of Colorado.
Whenever it is uncertain as to whether an OWTS ( formally known as ISDS) should be reviewed under these regulations or state regulations, the more stringent and restrictive applies.

Copies

The On-Site Wastewater Treatment System include standards and requirements for installing an individual sewage disposal system (septic tank / leach field).
Offline amendments and reformatting of the document are ongoing. Hard copies of the current document are available in the Alamosa County Land Use and Building Department. 

OWTS Contractor & Cleaner Licensing

Becoming a Septic Contractor/Installer

Septic Contractors/Installers must be licensed by the Alamosa County Land Use and Building Department. Licensing involves taking an open book test from the OWTS Regulations. Tests may be taken during regular business hours Monday-Friday. A copy of the Regulations may be purchased at our office. Please be aware that testing takes, on average, about 2 hours. Once you have passed the test, you will then need to pay a $25.00 licensing fee.  Licenses must be renewed each year. If your license expires you must test again to reinstate your license.

Question and Answers: 
How long is the permit valid? 
The septic system permit is valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance. 

Who can install a septic system?
All systems must be installed by a licensed Alamosa County septic installer.  For a list of our latest licensed installers, please click here. 

What inspections are required during installation?
Your OWTS permit fee entitles you to one inspection during the construction process Additional inspection fees will be charged if more inspections are necessary. All components of the system must be left exposed until the inspection is completed unless otherwise approved in advance by the inspector. Arrangements for all inspections should be made at least one business day in advance of the requested inspection time.

Does snow and winter weather affect my ability to construct an OWTS? 
OWTS are generally constructed between April – November due to the challenges of working in freezing temperatures and snow. Alamosa County may limit OWTS permitting during winter months, depending on soil conditions.  

       How to apply for an electrical or plumbing permit

All building permits that require electrical or plumbing components must have permits issued by the State of Colorado. You may apply online here.

Building Framing with Construction worker
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Inspection & Plan Review Policy

All inspection requests require a minimum 24-hour notice. Call 719-589-3812 or visit the ONLINE PORTAL to schedule.

Permit applications are processed in the order they are received.

  • Residential Building Plans require a minimum of 7-business days of review.
  • Commercial Building Plans require a minimum of 14-business days of review.
  • Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) plans require a minimum 72-hours of review
  • Re-roof and fencing permits may still be issued same day but certain applications may take up to 24-hours to review.
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Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS)

  • New regulations for OWTS (septic systems) were adopted statewide and by Alamosa County through Regulation 43.

  • Property Owners:
    • All OWTS must be designed by a competent technician and installed by a licensed installer.
  • Installers:
    • All systems contractors must become licensed as a competent technician as defined by Regulation 43 and pass a test to install in Alamosa County.
      • More information about becoming a competent technician is available through Colorado Professionals in Wastewater CPOW here.

Construction Design Standards

The Alamosa County adopted IRC Table 301.2 Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria is available here

  • Design Standard:
    • 2018 International Code(s)
      • IBC – IRC – IMC
    • Energy Code: 2018 IECC
  • Ground Snow Load:
    • 30 PSF
    • 40 PSF at elevations greater than 7880 feet
  • Wind Velocity:
    • 115 MPH
  • Insulation Requirements:
    • Wood Frame Walls: R-20 (cavity) + R-5 (continuous) OR R-13 (cavity) + R-10 (continuous)
    • Ceilings: R-49
    • Foundation: R-10 to 4 feet depth, AND R-5 required under heated slab
  • Climate Zone: 6B
  • Seismic Zone: C
  • Elevation: 7,500 - 9,200
  • Frost Depth: 36" below final grade (water lines at a minimum of 5’ or 60”)
  • Ice Barrier Underlayment Required

Manufactured Home Regulations

  • Zoning Requirements:
    • Single Section Manufactured homes (single-wides) may not be older than 15 years.
      • Single-wides need to go through the Special Use Permit application process for most zoned districts.
    • Multi-Section Manufactured homes (double-wides) may not be older than 1976
  • All Manufactured Homes must sit on a permanent foundation.
    • Foundation Drawings stamped by a Colorado Licensed Engineer are required.
    • List of Local Engineers.
  • Manufactured Home Permit Costs:
    • Based off of Sq footage of the structure. 2021 IBC & IRC standards.
  • Sample Manufactured Home Plans

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Frequently Asked Questions

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         When do I need a building permit?

All occupied structures and all structures over 200 square feet need a permit as do fences over 6 feet, solar panels, demolition projects, re-roofing, decks/patios, stucco/re-siding, residential additions of any kind, and onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS).

       What are the current building codes?
  • 2018 International Building Code (IBC)
  • 2018 International Residential Code (IRC)
  • 2018 International Mechanical Code ( IMC)
  • 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
  • 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC)
  • 2018 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC)
       What are your insulation requirements?

The International Energy Conservation Code provides multiple pathways for compliance, the most common locally being the Prescriptive R-Value Alternative (Table R402.1.2) and Total UA Alternative (RESCheck). 

The Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria (table 301.2) for Alamosa County is available here

Table 401.1.2 Insulation requirements include:

  • Wood Frame Walls: R-20 (cavity) + R-5 (continuous) OR R-13 (cavity) + R-10 (continuous)
  • Ceilings: R-49
  • Foundation wall: R-10 to 4 feet depth, AND R-5 required under heated slab
       Do you require contractors to be licensed?

Contractor licenses are not required in the county for construction except for OWTS Installers/Cleaners and Manufactured Home Installers.

  • County licensed OWTS installers/cleaners are listed here
  • Manufactured Home contractors are licensed by the state. More information can be found on the DOLA website
       How much do permits cost?

Building permits are based on the valuation of construction costs which is calculated based on square footage. Alamosa County uses the ICC Building Valuation Data from February of the prior calendar year, and Appendix L of the IRC. The current department fee schedule can be found here:

Other permit fees include:

  • Roofing: $150 (per building)
    • Ex. House with detached garage is $200 if re-roofing both the house and garage.
  • OWTS Permit:$500
  • Solar PV systems: $100
  • Storage/Shipping Container Placement: $50
  • Demolition Permit:$0 (Must provide permit documentation from CDPHE)

 

Monthly Permit Reports

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Effective January 2022, Public Access Information on Building and Land Use Permits are available in real-time through our ONLINE PORTAL.

Monthly reports for building permits issued in 2020 and 2021 can be accessed below.

A CORA request must be submitted and approved before more detailed reports can be generated by our department.
 

       2021
January 2021
February 2021
March 2021
April 2021
May 2021
June 2021
July 2021
August 2021
September 2021
October 2021
November 2021
December 2021
       2020
January 2020
February 2020
March 2020
April 2020
May 2020
June 2020
July 2020
August 2020
September 2020
October 2020
November 2020
December 2020