My New Blog

‘BuildSmart,’ Boulder County’s green building codes adopted last year that apply to new construction and expansions/remodels are acknowledged as the most restrictive in the country. Now, county officials are asking the public to comment on how they are working; or not. BuildSmart regulations focus on 1) deconstruction—salvaging and recycling material from existing building that are demolished; 2) energy conservation—new houses of different sizes must meet energy use reductions based on the Home Energy Rating Scale (HERS); 1000SF/HERS of 85, 1001-3000SF/HERS of 60, 3001-4000/HERS of 40, 4001-5000SF/HERSo of 25, 5001 or larger/HERS of 10; 3) outdoor energy use—regulates energy use of pools, spas, ice melt systems, patio heaters, etc.; 4) water conservation—requires use of low flow toilets, and that showers and faucets must have a 2 gallon per minute flow or less. Part of the county review will consider changes to passive solar design rules and whether to reconsider how basement space is counted. For more information and to view the regulations go to www.bouldercounty.org/lu/buildsmart. Comments on BuildSmart regulations should be sent to Doug Parker, at dgparker@bouldercounty.org or at 303.441.3930.

I never spoke to anyone who designed and built a home in the County that wasn't driven to the edge of going "Postal" on the whole department by the time they were finished (if they even were allowed to build).  The process is confusing, costly, inconsistent, arbitrary and frustrating.  It will cost you between $50,00 and $250,000 extra dollars because of these programs.