Roof building codes are compared here jurisdiction by jurisdiction for 12 building departments: 8 enforce the 2024 IRC (Denver through its 2025 code based on the 2024 I-codes) and 4 still enforce the 2021 IRC. 9 of the 11 Colorado departments require an ice barrier everywhere or above a set elevation, while Austin requires none and exempts most reroofs from permits.
General information read from official code text and department handouts on 2026-10-28. Confirm with your building department before work starts; each linked page lists its sources.
Roof code comparison table
| Jurisdiction | IRC | Reroof permit trigger | Ice barrier | Ground snow | Design wind | Layers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs (PPRBD) | 2021 | Over 100 sq ft | At or above 7,000 ft | 43 psf (57 at 7,000 ft+) | 130 mph | 1 (remove all) |
| Denver | 2024 | Over 10% or 2 squares | Not required | 35 psf | 115 / 125 / 140 mph by zone | Tear off at 2+ |
| Aurora | 2021 | Any replacement | Required | 40 psf | 105 mph (Risk Cat. II, 3-second gust) | IRC limit |
| Lakewood | 2021 | 100 sq ft or more | Not required | 30 psf | 138 / 166 mph by Kipling | 1 (to deck) |
| Littleton | 2024 | Over 1 square = full roof | Required | 40 psf | 136 mph | 1 (no overlays) |
| Centennial | 2021 | Over 100 sq ft | Required | 30 psf roof | 115 mph | Tear-off over 25% |
| Castle Rock | 2024 | Replacement; repairs over 1 square | Required | 30 / 35 / 40 psf by elevation | 115 mph | 1 (recover deleted) |
| Douglas County (unincorporated) | 2024 | Over 1 square | Above 7,000 ft | Not on roofing page | 115 / 130 mph shingle class | 1 |
| Jefferson County (unincorporated) | 2024 | 25% or over 2 squares | Required | 43 psf (rises by elevation) | 129 mph | 1 (no recover) |
| Arvada | 2024 | Over 100 sq ft per year | Required | 30 psf | 136 / 150 mph by Hwy 93 | Not stated |
| Golden | 2024 | Over 10% | Required | 42.9 psf | 150 mph | IRC limit |
| Austin, TX | 2024 | Exempt unless WUI and 50%+ | Not required | 5 psf | 105 mph | IRC limit |
"IRC limit" means no local layer rule was found, so the IRC recover limits apply. Centennial's snow value is a roof snow load. Aurora's wind values are 3-second gusts; most others are ultimate design wind speed.
How to read your jurisdiction's rules
- Find who issues permits for your address. A city mailing address can sit in unincorporated county land, and the county rules apply there.
- Check the permit trigger against the size of the job. Several departments measure repairs in squares (100 sq ft each), others in a share of the roof.
- Check elevation-based rules. Colorado Springs (PPRBD), Douglas County, Castle Rock and Jefferson County change ice barrier, snow or wind rules by elevation.
- Check the wildfire map. Several departments now apply the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code to reroofs, and Austin applies its own WUI code.
- Open the jurisdiction page for the full table, the items its inspectors check and the sources.
Pages by jurisdiction
- Colorado Springs (PPRBD) roof code data (2021 IRC)
- Denver roof code data (2024 IRC)
- Aurora roof code data (2021 IRC)
- Lakewood roof code data (2021 IRC)
- Littleton roof code data (2024 IRC)
- Centennial roof code data (2021 IRC)
- Castle Rock roof code data (2024 IRC)
- Douglas County (unincorporated) roof code data (2024 IRC)
- Jefferson County (unincorporated) roof code data (2024 IRC)
- Arvada roof code data (2024 IRC)
- Golden roof code data (2024 IRC)
- Austin, TX roof code data (2024 IRC)
Related guides
- Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code on a reroof
- Hail history by ZIP code
- Free roof inspection, Colorado Springs
- Free roof inspection, Denver
- Free roof inspection, Austin
Compiled by Integrity Roofing and Painting, in business since 1990 (36 years), an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor with 650+ Google reviews. Our repair scopes follow the local code and the manufacturer's installation and warranty requirements. We do not issue permits or rule on code; the building department does.
