Pikes Peak Regional Building Department

The Pikes Peak Regional Building Department was created by an Inter-governmental agreement between the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners and the City Council of Colorado Springs in 1966. The Cities of Fountain, Manitou Springs, Green Mountain Falls, Monument and Palmer Lake later became parties to the Agreement. The Department is administered by the Regional Building Commission, a three member governing body consisting of an El Paso County Commissioner, a City of Colorado Springs Councilperson and a representative from one of the five suburban parties to the Agreement. This representative is nominated by the Councils / Boards and elected by the Mayors of those five entities. Commission terms are for two years. The Commission generally supervises departmental administration and directs policy. It is also responsible for preparation of the budget, which is approved by the City of Colorado Springs Council and the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners, and to establish fees for the various permits and services. The Building Commission meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month. A five member Regional Board of Review proposes rules, regulations and standards necessary to accomplish the objectives of the various building codes. Their proposals are subject to final approval by the appropriate legislative bodies. In addition, the Board of Review is the authorized contractor licensing body. Members of the Regional Board of Review and its advisory committees are appointed for three-year terms with a maximum of two terms. The Regional Building Advisory Board assists the Regional Building Commission in matters relating to departmental administration, finance and budget. The Advisory Board consists of the five member Board of Review to represent the City of Colorado Springs and El Paso County and one appointed representative from each of the suburban entities. The Regional Building Committee, the Regional Electrical Committee and the Regional Mechanical Committee advise the Board of Review. These committees are responsible to review license applications, review the performance of work required under the various building codes and make recommendations regarding requests for variances from code requirements to the Board of Review. The Department is designed to be self-supporting and nonprofit making. A cost analysis is performed annually by an independent auditor. Fee adjustments are proposed when the Commission determines them to be necessary to maintain the Departments' operations. The main goal of the Department is to safeguard life and limb, health, property and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, construction, quality of materials, use and occupancy of all buildings and structures within all zoned areas of El Paso County through the enforcement of minimum building code standards. Also, the building department performs comprehensive inspection of all new building construction and alterations and additions to all buildings to ascertain compliance with numerous building codes through: Plan Review of new construction and components Construction Inspections ElectricalInspections Heating, Ventilating & Air Conditioning Inspections Plumbing Inspections Elevator Inspections Mobile Home Inspections Enumeration (Addressing)