The Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD) was created by an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) between the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners and the City Council of Colorado Springs in 1966. As the Pikes Peak region has grown so have we. Today the PPRBD services unincorporated El Paso County; the cities of Colorado Springs, Fountain and Manitou Springs; the towns of Green Mountain Falls, Monument and Palmer Lake; and in Teller County, the City of Woodland Park.
The Pikes Peak Regional Building Department focuses on safeguarding life and limb, health, property and the public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, construction, quality of materials, use and occupancy of all buildings and structures in our area of responsibility. Our goal is to ensure life safety and welfare of our citizens through efficient and consistent application of adopted codes and standards.
The Department is governed by the Regional Building Commission. The Commission is composed of a three member governing body consisting of one County Commissioner designated by the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners, one council member designated by the City Council of Colorado Springs and one elected official, chosen by the other member jurisdictions served by the PPRBD.
The Department is designed to be self-supporting and nonprofit making. Annually an independent auditor conducts a cost analysis which helps us determine our operating expenses and set fees. We are proud to say that our permit fees have not been increased in more than a decade and we have some of the lowest fee structures in the State of Colorado.
It takes everyone in the community to keep our homes, schools, offices, stores and other buildings safe for public use. Safe construction practices help protect us, our families, friends and our investments.
Within our eight jurisdictional areas of responsibility we are responsible for the administration and enforcement of the minimum building code standards. These standards are recommended by the International Code Council and the Pikes Peak Regional Building Code is adopted by the jurisdictions we represent. In coordination with you we perform comprehensive inspections of all new building construction, alterations and additions to all buildings and homes to ascertain compliance with numerous building codes through:
Additionally, we review qualifications and conduct examinations of all General Building Contractor and Mechanical Contractor applicants as well as handling the registration of all Colorado licensed plumbing and electrical contractors working within our area of responsibility.
Pikes Peak Regional Building Department is governed by the Regional Building Commission. The Regional Building Commission is composed of a three member governing body consisting of one County Commissioner designated by the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners, one City Councilmember designated by the City Council of Colorado Springs, and one elected official, chosen by the other member jurisdictions served by PPRBD. Regional Building Commission members serve a term of two years.
The Regional Building Commission provides general supervision in administration and policy direction to Pikes Peak Regional Building Department. The Regional Building Commission is also responsible for review and approval of the budget, which, further, is approved annually by the City Council of Colorado Springs and the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners. Additionally, the Regional Building Commission establishes the regional modifiers used in the application of the adopted ICC Building Valuation Datafor the various permits and services administered by Pikes Peak Regional Building Department. The Regional Building Commission meetings are open to the public and occur on the fourth Thursday of each month.
The Regional Building Advisory Board serves in an advisory capacity to the Regional Building Commission on matters relating to departmental administration, policy direction, and budget. The ten member Advisory Board consists of the five members of the Board of Review and five additional appointees.
The Advisory Board meets monthly with the meetings at least one week prior to the meeting of the Regional Building Commission.
The five member Board of Review proposes rules, regulations, and standards necessary to accomplish the objectives of the various building codes. The Board of Review undertakes a review of each proposed building code and conducts session(s) of review and public hearing(s) before making final recommendation for adoption of a new or amended Pikes Peak Regional Building Code to the participating jurisdictions. The proposals or recommendations are subject to final approval by the appropriate legislative bodies. In addition, the Board of Review is the authorized contractor licensing body and the final approval authority for all variances.
Members of the Board of Review are appointed to three-year terms with a maximum of two terms. The Board of Review meets on the third Wednesday of each month.
The five member Board of Appeals provides for final interpretation of the provisions of the Pikes Peak Regional Building Code specific to “Dangerous Buildings” and hears appeals provided for thereunder. The Board of Appeals meets as needed.
The Technical Committee reviews minor variance requests to the current edition of the Pikes Peak Regional Building Code. The Committee is comprised of an Architect, Engineer, Electrical Contractor, Mechanical Contractor “A”, Building Contractor “A”, Master Plumber, and a Citizen-at-Large. The City Council of Colorado Springs and the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners appoint the members to serve three-year terms. The Technical Committee meets the first Wednesday of each month.
The Licensing Committee reviews testing, experience, and licensing of applicants as well as hears complaints filed against licensed / registered contractors. While electrical, plumbing, and escalator and elevator contractors are licensed by the State of Colorado, they must also register with PPRBD to perform work in PPRBD’s jurisdiction(s).
The Committee is comprised of an Architect, Banker, Building Contractor (A, B, or C licensed), Building Contractor (A or B licensed), Building Contractor (D licensed or sub), Citizen-at-Large, and Structural Engineer. The City Council of Colorado Springs and the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners appoint the members to serve three-year terms. The Licensing Committee meets the second Thursday of each month.
The Pikes Peak Regional Building Code outlines the criteria for inspection, determination and disposition of a dangerous building or structure. Within each jurisdiction the Health Officer and the Fire Chief of the Fire Authority along with the Pikes Peak Regional Building Departments Building Official and their authorized representatives are authorized to make any inspections and take any actions required to enforce the provisions of Section RBC112 - Dangerous Buildings.
A building or structure that has any or all of the conditions or defects described in the Pikes Peak Regional Building Code shall be deemed to be a dangerous building, provided that the conditions or defects exist to the extent that the life, health, property or safety of the public or its occupants are endangered. Upon determining a dangerous building, the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department will issue a Notice and Order to the owner to remove or correct the dangerous condition and/or may order the demolition of the building through an order to the City Engineer. This service is provided only in the home rule communities.
If you have any questions about dangerous building code enforcement please give the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department a call at 719-327-2880 for more information.
The Pikes Peak Regional Building Department Enumeration Office is responsible for assigning addresses to all new buildings and confirming compliance with the addressing ordinance. This is done by using a grid system with its base established at the intersection of Pikes Peak Avenue & Cascade Avenue in Colorado Springs. Enumeration protects and promotes the health, safety and general welfare of people and their property by providing property addresses in a logical and orderly manner. These addresses help ensure the efficient, timely and convenient delivery of services and goods.
The Pikes Peak Regional Building Department Enumeration Office provides addressing to unincorporated El Paso County, the cities of Colorado Springs and Fountain and the town of Monument.
If you have any questions about Enumeration and its process please give the Enumeration Office at the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department a call, 719-327-2880, for more information.
The Pikes Peak Regional Building Department Floodplain Management Office is responsible for ensuring Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regulations are met. We do this by reviewing proposed construction plans, issuing Floodplain Development Permits and inspecting construction for compliance with local and federal floodplain regulations. We provide floodplain management services for unincorporated El Paso County; the cities of Colorado Springs, Fountain and Manitou Springs; the towns of Green Mountain Falls, Monument and Palmer Lake.
All proposed alterations or construction on properties located in floodplain areas must be reviewed by the Regional Floodplain Management Office, and most projects will require a Floodplain Development permit. Project examples include new construction, remodeling or additions to existing dwellings or buildings; excavation, fill or extensive landscaping; and installation of fences, roads and bridges.
Most property insurance companies will not cover losses caused by flooding. The federal government, through FEMA, provides flood insurance coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program for all floodplain residences and businesses in the communities served by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department.
If you have questions concerning floodplains and their management give the Floodplain Management Office at the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department a call, 719-327-2898, for more information.
The Licensing office processes license applications, renewals and registrations for contractors who perform work within our jurisdiction, which includes the cities of Colorado Springs, Fountain, Green Mountain Falls, Manitou Springs, Monument, Palmer Lake and unincorporated El Paso County.
Renewal Forms are emailed to the current licensee and/or registrant of record. Please ensure that the licensing department has the most current email address and phone number. You can renew your license online by login into your contractor web account Click Here. A renewal form can also be returned by mail (2880 International Circle, Colo Spgs, Co 80910), email (licensing@pprbd.org) or it can be hand delivered. If the form is not renewed in person or online, the licensee MUST sign the form before a notary Public.
If there are any Expired/Administratively closed (A-Status) permits at the time of renewal you will not be able to renew online. Any A-status permits must be closed before a full renewal can be processed. Contact the licensing department (licensing@pprbd.org) for questions.
If the state issued license is expired at the time of renewal for any Electrical, Plumbing or Manufactured Building Installer renewals then an updated copy with a valid expiration will be required to be submitted prior to being able to pull permits.
Contractor licenses are renewed annually on the anniversary of the month you acquired the license. Late fees may apply if renewal occurs after the expiration date. If a license is not renewed after 180 days of the expiration date, the license is subject to re-application through the licensing committee and approval by the Board of Review.
If you are no longer working in our jurisdictions as a contractor and do not wish to continue to carry insurance, you can place your license on a voluntary suspension by providing a letter notifying us of the effective date. The annual renewal fee will still be required in order to maintain your license.
