Fort Collins adopts 2024 International Fire Code with city‑specific appeals process

The Fort Collins City Council adopted the 2024 edition of the International Fire Code with local amendments on second reading, keeping appeals of fire code rulings within the city's Building Review Commission process rather than creating a new joint appeals board.

The second‑reading ordinance (No. 51, 2025) updates Chapter 9 of the city code by repealing the 2021 International Fire Code and adopting the 2024 edition with Fort Collins amendments. Division Chief Sean McGaffin told council there was no operational problem with the prior local appeals process but explained Larimer County would no longer operate the previous multi‑jurisdictional appeals mechanism; staff presented three options and recommended retaining the city's Building Review Commission approach.

One public speaker, Joe Rowan, urged council to adopt option 3, which keeps appeals in the Building Review Commission; several council members expressed the same preference during deliberations. Council Member Pinotaro said he preferred option 3 because the committee had historically handled appeals without issue and the Building Review Commission had recommended that route.

Vote: The ordinance passed on second reading with a 7–0 roll call (Pinotaro, Katowski, Arndt, Francis, Wilson, Pat Yandi, Canonico).

Why it matters: Updating the fire code ensures Fort Collins uses the most recent national standards while preserving a local, community‑facing appeals process. Council and staff framed the change as consistent with prior practice while accommodating a regional change in how appeals would be administered.

Implementation: The city will implement the 2024 fire code with the amended local language and retain the Building Review Commission as the appeals body; staff indicated no operational disruption and noted appeals have been rare (two appeals in 15 years, Division Chief McGaffin said).