2021 Building Code Information
2021 Building Code Information
Starting January 1, 2023, the Town of Crested Butte will be enforcing new building codes to ensure the health and safety of our citizens, as well as contribute to meeting the Town’s Climate Action Goals of promoting energy efficiency and facilitating renewable energy. These new provisions apply to building permits within the Town of Crested Butte.
All permit applications and permit sets submitted after December 31st, 2022, will need to be designed under the newly adopted codes.
Click here for more information and a FAQ on the new building codes and keep scrolling for more information, resources, and to prepare for the new codes.
Residential Construction – Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) Program
New residential construction will need to achieve ZERH certification, a program administered by the United States Department of Energy. Follow the steps below to get started on your path towards ZERH certification.
Step 1. Contact a HERS rater.
ZERH offers a performance or prescriptive pathway to achieve certification. A HERS or ERI rater will be required to meet the performance pathway requirements. Check out ZERH list of partners on the Department of Energy website HERE, where you can filter to view verified raters.
2. Sign up to be an Energy Star and ZERH partner.
If you are the general contractor of the project, register on the ZERH website to become a program partner , and register to become an Energy Star partner HERE, which will provide you with orientation to learn more about the program. The Town will require the general contractor of each project to become a ZERH partner prior to receiving a building permit under the new building code.
3. Familiarize yourself with the program through training and educational resources.
Learn more about the ZERH program with the following webinars and resources provided from the Colorado Energy Office.
Colorado Energy Office: Building Energy Code Training -- Building Science 101
ZERH Webinar Series Program Overview
ENERGY STAR - the Foundation of ZERH
ZERH Webinar Series Indoor airPLUS
Additional ZERH Program Requirements
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL COLORADO ENERGY OFFICE BUILDING CODE TRAINING VIDEOS
4. Familiarize yourself with ZERH program documentation.
This resource library provides you with an overview of required documentation for the ZERH program. This website takes a deep dive into each program requirement and provides additional information and explanations to help in success of the project. You can also view this page for all program checklists.
5. Submit your development application to the Town.
Once you are familiar with the ZERH program, follow the submittal requirements on the “New Construction” pathway to apply for your development approval and building permit.