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Local Building Departments - Tiny Homes and Tiny Houses

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Salesforce Login Information

Current registered Manufacturers, Sellers, Installers, or Inspectors of factory built structures can access Salesforce using the below link. New applicants should visit the appropriate page for their account type, follow the provided instructions, and submit a registration application. Upon successful entry into the system, login information will be sent to you.

Salesforce Link

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The Division of Housing must conduct a full design and plan review and inspection of the construction of Tiny Homes and Houses to the extent the design and construction relates to work performed offsite or work that is completed onsite using components shipped with the Tiny Homes and Houses as reflected in the approved plans. Local governments cannot review or approve the construction of Tiny Homes and Houses. Additionally, local governments cannot charge building permit fees to cover the costs of the Division's reviews or inspections.

A local government's jurisdiction is limited to work done onsite in compliance with section 24-32-3311(6), C.R.S., and includes associated plan review, permits, inspections, and fees.

The Division of Housing may authorize a local government to inspect and approve work that is completed onsite using components shipped with the Tiny Homes and Houses as reflected in the approved plans. If authorized, a local government may charge inspection fees to assist the Division of Housing to inspect and approve work that is completed onsite using components shipped with the Tiny Homes and Houses as reflected in the Division of Housing approved plans.

Construction Requirements

In Colorado, there are over 300 jurisdictions. Most have active building departments and each have their own Ordinances and building code adoptions. With the vast differences in codes, it can be difficult to produce a manufactured unit that can be installed anywhere in Colorado. The Division of Housing does account for and apply a local government's standards concerning unique public safety requirements related to geographic or climatic conditions, such as weight restrictions for roof snow loads, wind shear factors, fire suppression systems, and wildfire mitigation. Below you will find a few elements of construction that the DOH takes into consideration.

A Tiny Home and Tiny House unit has to comply with the following requirements at a minimum in Rule 2 of the Administrative Rules 8 CCR 1302-14:

  • Roof Snow Load: 30 psf, non-reducible
    The roof snow load, wind design, and seismic zone shall be in accordance with the local jurisdiction requirements and shall not be less than the minimums stated. The allowable increase for snow duration shall not be used when the snow load is above 65 PSF.
  • Basic Wind Speed: 115 (Vult), Exposure C
    The roof snow load, wind design, and seismic zone shall be in accordance with the local jurisdiction requirements and shall not be less than the minimums stated. The allowable increase for snow duration shall not be used when the snow load is above 65 PSF.
  • Wind Topographic Effect: Per Local
  • Seismic Design Category: Minimum B
    The roof snow load, wind design, and seismic zone shall be in accordance with the local jurisdiction requirements and shall not be less than the minimums stated. The allowable increase for snow duration shall not be used when the snow load is above 65 PSF.
  • Weathering: Severe
  • Frost Line Depth: Per Local
    In areas of the state without a local jurisdiction, the Division of Housing will approve all temporary or permanent foundation systems as defined in Rule 2.
  • Termite Damage: Slight
  • Winter Design Temperature: Per Local
    See Appendix B of the Administrative Rules and verify with local jurisdiction. 
  • Ice Barrier: Yes
  • Flood Hazards: Per Local
  • Air Freezing Index: Per Local
    See the National Climatic Data Center data table “Air Freezing Index-USA Method (Base 32o Fahrenheit).”
  • Mean Annual Temperature: Per Local
    See the National Climatic Data Center data table “Air Freezing Index-USA Method (Base 32o Fahrenheit).”
  • Wildfire Risk: Per Local
  • Fire Suppression: Per Local

Tiny Home and Tiny House Building Codes

Currently Adopted Codes are as follows, with amendments within Rule 2 of the Administrative Rules 8 CCR 1032-14:

  • 2018 IRC with Appendix AQ
  • 2023 NEC
  • 2015 IECC

On-site Construction Inspections

On-site Construction (OC), as defined by the DOH, are items that have to be completed on site, to complete the compliance of the structure. These items can vary, but do not relate to the installation of the structure, nor items built on site for attached/detached structures, or utility work. Typical site-built items that are permitted by the locals include, but not limited to, garages, patios, patio covers, decks, external stairs, and carports.

Items that relate to OC include, but not limited to, the completion of insulation at the crawlspace or basement for thermal envelope, under floor plumbing and gas to complete the plumbing system to utility connection, mechanical and plumbing vents above the hinge of a hinged roof system, drywall on the exterior of home where an onsite attached garage will be built, dormers, and exterior fixtures.

These OC items are required to be placed on our OC form, by the manufacturer, for review and approval by the DOH. This form is then submitted to the local for the review to either accept the responsibility of the inspection of these items, to the DOH approved plans, or deferred back to the manufacturer, who then can decide if a DOH third party agency will be contracted to do the inspection or the DOH.

Please review the On-site Construction Form for further information.

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Foundation Requirements

As mentioned above, there are a vast number of jurisdictions with active building departments, these jurisdictions have complete authority over the plan review, inspection and approval for the construction of foundation systems within its jurisdiction. The only requirement that the DOH enforces through C.R.S. Title 24-32-33 and in the Administrative Rules 8 CCR 1302-14, is that a permanent or temporary foundation system that is designed for the installation of manufactured buildings, must be engineered.

If you are in a jurisdiction that does not have a building department or you are curious about the requirements for those jurisdictions, please look at the Jurisdiction without Building Departments section.

Participating Jurisdictions

Participating Jurisdictions (PJs) are jurisdictions that opt into the DOH installation program to assist with the installation inspections of manufactured homes, multifamily, and tiny homes in Colorado. These PJs are approved by the DOH to conduct installation inspections after they have submitted application and attended required installation training. For more information please contact our Manufactured Home Installation Program Coordinator at dola_mhip@state.co.us.

Manufactured homes, Tiny homes, and multifamily structures installed in a Participating Jurisdiction must schedule installation inspections with the local building department. These jurisdictions have been authorized to complete inspections on the behalf of the Division of Housing.

MHIP Inspection Procedures for Participating Jurisdictions

MHIP Inspector Application for Participating Jurisdictions

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