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00:00:07.360Welcome to Inside Arvada Podcast, the official podcast of the City of Arvada.
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00:00:09.119I'm Sean Starb, one of your hosts.
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00:00:14.800Today's episode, we're discussing recent updates to the city's building codes with Chief Building Official Kylie Flynn.
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00:00:19.519Kylie leads the city's building safety division's permitting plan review and inspections.
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00:00:36.240With more than 12 years of experience in the building safety profession and 25 International Code Council certifications, Kylie has worked in nearly every facet of the industry, progressing from permit technician and combination inspector to plans examiner, deputy building official in her current role as chief building official.
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00:00:38.960And as always, I'm joined by my co-host Katie Patterson.
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00:00:39.520Hi, Katie.
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00:00:41.520Hey, Sean, and hi Kylie.
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00:00:42.399Thanks for being here.
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00:00:42.960Of course.
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00:00:43.679Thanks for having me.
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00:00:52.079And I don't know half of what Sean just described, so I can't wait to talk to you about what exactly you do here at the city and what the building code is.
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00:00:54.320So tell us a little bit more about your work here.
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00:00:59.039So I run, uh, just as Sean said, the building safety division for the city of Arvada.
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00:01:09.439Um, we are responsible for permitting, um, intake and issuance, as well as certificate of occupancy issuance, and then as well as inspections and plan review of construction documents.
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00:01:17.680We are comprised of building inspectors that hold various certifications and expertise, as well as plans examiners, and permit technicians.
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00:01:23.040And I've been here in the industry for over 12 years and here with the city in this capacity for just over a year.
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00:01:23.439Yeah.
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00:01:27.760And so we uh wanted to bring you on the show to talk about updates to the building codes.
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00:01:32.640So, first off, help us understand what are building codes and what does it mean when we update them?
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00:01:40.560So, building codes are minimum standards that basically tell you how you can uh build something, a structure, an appurtenance.
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00:01:41.280I love that word.
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00:01:42.079What is that?
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00:01:43.840How is that different than a building?
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00:01:46.560Like it's a it's an appurtinence of a building.
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00:01:50.719It's like a retaining wall nearby a building or a fence nearby a building.
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00:01:52.480That's a fun word.
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00:02:09.280Um but basically they tell you um how to build those um structures and they contain things like um electrical safety requirements, um plumbing requirements, mechanical fuel gas, swimming pool and spa requirements, um, energy efficiency, fire codes, and so forth.
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00:02:11.280So um, oh, accessibility is a good one too.
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00:02:12.960So they contain a lot of requirements.
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00:02:17.439When you see something sketchy at someone's house and you say that doesn't look up to code, that's what we're talking about, these building codes.
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00:02:18.080That's exactly right.
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00:02:18.479Yeah, yeah.
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00:02:20.719How often does a city need to update these building codes?
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00:02:23.840It's best practice to update every three to six years.
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00:02:26.560Our surrounding communities do the same exact thing.
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00:02:30.319In fact, this is exactly what's happening across the nation, too, and internationally.
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00:02:33.360This is the same process that is happening around that cadence.
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00:02:35.759Aaron Powell And building codes, like why do we have them?
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00:02:38.479What they're here to help keep us safe, right?
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00:02:38.879Essentially.
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00:02:40.560Yeah, that's my primary goal.
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00:02:41.759That's our primary duty.
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00:02:43.599Um, but they're so much more than that, too.
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00:02:51.120Um, they protect um public welfare, they protect properties and property value, they protect life safety first responders.
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00:03:01.840Um, but they also are legal documents that um protect you legally if you go to sell your property or if you need insurance coverage for an accident that's happened or a fire, um they protect you there as well.
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00:03:05.280So that there's just that's just a few of the benefits of of building permits.
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00:03:10.319What are some of the updates that are happening and and who needs to know about them?
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00:03:14.800Um so I guess as far as who needs to know about them, it's it's really everyone.
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00:03:16.159I mean, these codes affect everyone.
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00:03:23.280Anyone who's wanting to construct, demolish, alter, repair, change of use, your occupancy, and so forth would need to follow these requirements.
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00:03:26.319You know, no one needs to be an expert in these codes necessarily.
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00:03:30.719Um, you know, homeowner coming in doing a basement finish doesn't, we're not expecting you to be an expert.
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00:03:31.919Uh, we are the experts.
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00:03:34.479We are the code experts that are here to help you with that.
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00:03:40.159We don't need, like, if you're just a regular homeowner, you might not need to know like all of the code updates.
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00:03:46.080You're, you know, hiring somebody with some level of expertise in this stuff that helps get permits and do that sort of thing.
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00:03:52.479And what are some examples of things that are getting updated that that someone might want to know about?
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00:03:55.439So there's a lot of a lot that I could speak to this.
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00:04:04.319I will first say, because I'm not going to be able to say every single thing, that our website is a really great resource and it does have a list of significant changes if anyone wants to look at that.
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00:04:11.759Um, there's some extremely cool changes in this uh code cycle that I'm really excited about because it gives a lot of flexibility and options.
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00:04:15.680We have adopted some new appendices, appendices, appendices.
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00:04:16.560Appendices, right?
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00:04:17.040Appendices.
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00:04:17.920Yeah, sure.
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00:04:19.199I always struggle with that one.
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00:04:24.720So we have adopted some of those that address things like 3D printed homes, um, hay-built homes.
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00:04:28.399Um, uh accessory dwelling units have their new code requirements now.
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00:04:32.560So some of those are really cool and helpful in the future, uh, tiny homes.
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00:04:38.480Um, there's also a lot of uh change in the code that gets rid of old requirements that didn't work or outdated provisions.
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00:04:45.120And there's some new requirements that bring in new changes in our code and in our construction industry that are really innovative and really, really cool.
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00:04:52.399Some great examples, sleeping lofts are now allowed within the residential code, and so are habitable attics that have different requirements.
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00:05:01.600A lot of that is intentionally building in more spaces into an existing single-family home for you to have more spaces for your family to live and to sleep.
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00:05:06.879Um so kind of building denser and helping with affordability and um just homes, having places to be.
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00:05:22.959And so is it fair to say like 3D printer is probably a good example, but like as new technology or innovative thinking comes along of ways to like build differently or we're thinking about these things in innovative ways, essentially we need to make sure our codes are keeping up with that.
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00:05:23.759Absolutely.
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00:05:29.040We do have a uh shipping container home that's currently being built right now in the city of Arvada.
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00:05:31.680So we need provisions now to address how to handle that.
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00:05:34.639We have had proposals as well for 3D printed homes.
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00:05:35.439So those are coming.
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00:05:38.560They are here, um, they're happening in other communities around us.
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00:05:42.560We need those requirements to be able to tell us how to accomplish that in an appropriate way.
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00:05:49.040And now a big part of the you know, updating the billing codes is the new Arvada wildfire resiliency code.
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00:05:52.800And so that's something that's gonna have an impact on a lot of our community members.
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00:05:54.800Can you help us understand breakdown?
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00:05:57.360What is this uh wildfire resiliency code?
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00:05:58.319Who does it impact?
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00:05:59.680How can we learn more about it?
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00:06:03.839So uh this new code, first, it's a state mandatory code.
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00:06:08.800So you'll see up and down the front range other communities also adopting this that are within a wildfire zone.
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00:06:11.519But ultimately the goal of this code is very straightforward.
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00:06:16.560We're protecting homes from ignition and spreading that ignition during a wildfire event.
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00:06:23.680Um and actually, Arvada has a spot in Arvada has the highest risk of wildfire in the state of Colorado.
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00:06:29.680And so this is something we need to address and have been working actively to address through our CWPP for some time as well.
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00:06:32.000So this kind of plays right into that CWPP.
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00:06:37.120If you take anything away from this code, it's going to be structural hardening and defensible space, which are the two main components.
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00:06:40.240And actually, this code is really tiny, really straightforward.
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00:06:42.000Those are the two main concepts.
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00:06:49.920And these two concepts, when you apply them together in practice, they protect significantly uh from this wildfire ignition spread.
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00:06:57.680Um, and so essentially structural hardening is just like it sounds, you're hardening your structure, you're protecting protecting it from that ignition.
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00:07:02.800Um, so making it have its almost a shield or um armor around it so that you're protecting it.
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00:07:14.560And then defensible space looks at what combustibles are around your structure, removing landscaping and certain things like that to prevent that ignition spread between structures or from that landscaping or tree to the structure.
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00:07:22.800So I remember this like example of a house in Maui in the Hawaii fire that like it had like a metal roof or something.
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00:07:30.560And I feel like all everything around it kind of burned, but it had like defensible space and then it had like the structural hardening, which I think can probably look different.
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00:07:35.439It's not necessarily a metal roof, I imagine, but like maybe it's a certain type of roofing materials.
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00:07:37.360Is that that's kind of the concept there?
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00:07:39.600In fact, that's exactly what how I would describe it.
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00:07:53.040If you're looking at the benefits of this, these wildfire provisions and structural hardening and defensible space, I would say look back at the Palisade fires and look back at Maui, and both of them had images that I think were striking with single structures, single homes that lower left standing.
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00:07:54.800And that that is from newer building codes.
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00:07:57.120That's from that defensible space and from structural hardening.
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00:08:04.720And I've heard even just like in the mountains in particular, a lot of those kind of more um rural properties are um pretty with it on this.
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00:08:06.319Folks who kind of maybe live on their own.
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00:08:07.519They don't live in an urban setting.
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00:08:09.680So they've been doing this sort of behavior maybe longer.
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00:08:15.439Aaron Powell There's plenty of communities that have been doing this for a long time.
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00:08:17.920Colorado Springs is a driving force.
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00:08:24.879Um if you take a look at their material on their website and and just examples of some of this, you'll see that they've done been doing this for a long time.
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00:08:27.439And there's many communities that have been doing that in Colorado for a while.
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00:08:28.000Aaron Powell All right.
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00:08:31.600So let's talk about who um needs to be aware of these new rules.
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00:08:33.919It's not everyone and within city limits.
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00:08:42.240There's a couple different zones, zone one and zone two that have different requirements, and then there's even a part of Eastern Narvada, I believe, that isn't included at all.
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00:08:44.639So help us understand who the new code impact.
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00:08:59.120Trying to describe on a map would be hard, but we do have a search function on our website where you can put your address in and figure out if you are within a zone or if you're not within a zone, because to your point, there's that portion of East Nervada that's not within any of these zones, and these these requirements won't be applicable.
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00:09:01.120Um, but there is that zone one and zone two.
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00:09:07.360Zone one is the low to moderate risk, and then zone two is that higher risk classification.
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00:09:11.679Um, and you'll be able to clearly see that if you put your um address within that search.
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00:09:19.600The basic way to think about that is zone one, obviously, with the less risk of ignition and wildfire prone areas, you're gonna have less requirements.
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00:09:27.279Whereas you get into that uh higher classification, there are further requirements that you have to um you'll have to take care of and make sure that you're familiar with.
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00:09:27.679Yeah.
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00:09:52.960And so just to give folks, if you're just listening and you're not able to look up the map right now, like zone one is about what, like from Carr Street, maybe going to the west, about like Indiana-ish, and then Indiana West up into across 93 is zone two, which is, as you mentioned, along the wildland urban interface, some of the most highly yeah, um, like susceptible areas in the whole state, susceptible to wildfire damage.
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00:09:58.799So go on the map and and check, and you can enter your address if you're not sure if you're right on the line, it'll tell you exactly where you're at.
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00:10:08.559My kind of like perception of our our Vada community is like folks who are kind of in zone two on that western side of town are maybe a little bit more aware of their risk.
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00:10:15.919And so I think what is also important to draw people's attention to here is this is the zone one exists.
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00:10:20.320Because when you say like 80th and car, I'm not thinking wildfire risk, you know?
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00:10:20.960No, yeah.
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00:10:24.399Um, and so I think that's really helpful to help folks know.
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00:10:27.840And I looked at what the requirements were, they are pretty straightforward.
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00:10:31.519Um, and it's like landscaping type things, if I remember correctly.
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00:10:34.080So yeah, and just a few structural hardening elements.
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00:10:38.399And the other piece is this key, or I'm sorry, this code is actually really vague.
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00:10:54.159And I think it's left intentionally vague with what proper materials or proper way of doing some of this is, because with then that allows the city some freedom to figure out what works for our community the best and to look at how other communities are doing it and to also have some flexibility to adjust as we need as this code rolls out.
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00:10:59.039So there is some flexibility there that I think we'll see um starting to be kind of more ironed out in the future.
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00:11:02.080But um I'm excited to find out what works best for the community.
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00:11:12.720And to your point, there are communities, you know, out west that are much more in tune with this already and are already doing some of these provisions um proactively, um, trying to work on this to protect our communities.
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00:11:19.120Yeah, I think we've talked about it a lot on the show with wildfire and just how um how prevalent it can feel, particularly on the west side of town.
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00:11:22.159So that's kind of wildfire code updates.
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00:11:24.159What, but there's also lots of other updates in here.
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00:11:31.279What are some of maybe the highlights that maybe as a homeowner you'd want to know or somebody who's maybe doing a remodel or something like that?
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00:11:32.960So there are 13 books.
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00:11:35.519So um, you know, there's changes in all of them.
00:11:35.759 -->
00:11:38.960Just a little bit about a little bit, quite a few thousands of pages.
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00:11:41.759But you know, most of the code books, the changes are pretty minimal.
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00:11:50.639So the top three we've really tried to present are, you know, obviously the AWRC, Orvada Wildfire Resiliency Code, but then also the low energy carbon code.
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00:11:53.200This code is a state mandate.
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00:11:59.919Um, and so you'll be seeing other communities as well adopting this and being required to adopt it in the future.
00:12:00.080 -->
00:12:04.240And so Arvada's um stepped up and we are um going down that route.
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00:12:09.039Um, and there are some significant changes in this um energy code.
00:12:09.440 -->
00:12:13.600The first part is that the requirements to comply with it and to demonstrate compliance are new.
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00:12:16.159So there's a new point system for Arvada that we're not used to.
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00:12:26.799So that's going to take um some time for for everyone to get used to, and we're developing resources and guides and website updates and all kinds of things to support staff and to support the community through that change.
00:12:26.960 -->
00:12:32.240But additionally, the big piece in this code is electric ready, solar ready, and EV ready provisions.
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00:12:35.600And when I say that, people often get confused about what the heck is that?
00:12:35.759 -->
00:12:37.759And I think it's actually really straightforward also.
00:12:37.919 -->
00:12:45.120So another some other good terms to remember, but electric ready is just having enough space in your electrical panel for future electrical appliances.
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00:12:49.679EV ready, being ready to install an electric vehicle charging station.
00:12:49.840 -->
00:12:58.559And so having conduit put in and enough space in your panel, and then Sing with solar uh ready, just having enough space on your roof that's dedicated for that future solar system.
00:12:58.799 -->
00:13:05.600And these are actually really important changes because the reality is the they are preparing our properties for the future.
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00:13:12.960And in the future, some of the appliances we currently use or or those types of things aren't going to be available anymore on the market.
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00:13:14.879So we actually have to prepare for this.
00:13:14.960 -->
00:13:16.320And so this code does get you there.
00:13:16.480 -->
00:13:19.919It's the first step in that direction of getting us to that point of what we're gonna see in the future.
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00:13:24.879Those types of codes, particularly thinking of like the space on your roof, like you can't really change that once it's built.
00:13:25.039 -->
00:13:35.919But so, like some of that is like now all new development would be if you demolish the thing and rebuild, or if it's brand new development in some way, it'll be built to meet this.
00:13:36.080 -->
00:13:37.519It'll be designed and built that way.
00:13:37.759 -->
00:13:43.360If you're kind of retroactively doing work, the application might look a little different.
00:13:43.519 -->
00:13:46.159Does that feel that's actually exactly accurate?
00:13:46.240 -->
00:13:46.399Yeah.
00:13:46.559 -->
00:13:46.720Okay.
00:13:46.879 -->
00:13:52.080There's a whole, you know, section in this code book for commu commercial and residential existing construction.
00:13:52.240 -->
00:13:55.840These requirements don't always apply in those situations.
00:13:56.000 -->
00:14:04.799And it depends on really the scope of work you're doing, kind of the level of alteration that you have that points you in the direction of what requirements are do I have to follow or not.
00:14:04.960 -->
00:14:08.960Um, and so those are things too that we'll be here and ready to answer questions if they come up.
00:14:09.120 -->
00:14:09.919But that's exactly right.
00:14:10.080 -->
00:14:13.519Mostly new construction is going to be required to comply with this.
00:14:13.600 -->
00:14:16.720And in fact, we also have an implementation plan for these code changes.
00:14:16.799 -->
00:14:23.120And a lot of the development right now that's ongoing or that's within a development application stage is not going to be impacted by these codes.
00:14:23.279 -->
00:14:26.320It'll start being more in the future that we'll start seeing this.
00:14:26.480 -->
00:14:29.919Uh, the third um one is residential sprinkler systems.
00:14:30.080 -->
00:14:34.399This has been actually a code requirement in the residential code since 2009.
00:14:34.559 -->
00:14:36.559For almost 20 years, we've amended it out.
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00:14:41.679Sprinklers are documented, known to save lives all over the nation.
00:14:41.840 -->
00:14:44.240We did end up keeping it in the code this time.
00:14:44.399 -->
00:14:46.559And so this will impact new single family.
00:14:46.799 -->
00:14:50.639Um, and I think there's a misconception sometimes that that's only single family homes.
00:14:50.799 -->
00:14:52.240It also includes duplexes.
00:14:52.320 -->
00:14:55.759It affects town homes as well and ADUs that are detached.
00:14:56.000 -->
00:15:01.200So these are things in the future, if a single family home comes in to be built, that they would have to have a sprinkler system.
00:15:01.519 -->
00:15:07.600And I can't remember exactly when it is, but our votifier does a demo of this like sprinkler system thing work.
00:15:07.679 -->
00:15:09.759I think a third day.
00:15:09.919 -->
00:15:10.960Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:15:11.279 -->
00:15:14.080So I was like, I don't know, a future plug for that down the road.
00:15:14.320 -->
00:15:14.480Yeah.
00:15:14.639 -->
00:15:19.679Um, I've seen a video of it and it's like it does show you how effective the sprinkler systems are.
00:15:19.759 -->
00:15:20.399So that's pretty cool.
00:15:20.720 -->
00:15:20.799Yeah.
00:15:20.879 -->
00:15:24.240I mean you have two minutes to get out of your out of your house before flashover.
00:15:24.399 -->
00:15:25.840So that speaks volumes.
00:15:26.000 -->
00:15:27.840You want to get your kids out, your pets.
00:15:28.000 -->
00:15:29.440You can't do that in two minutes.
00:15:29.519 -->
00:15:29.679Yeah.
00:15:29.840 -->
00:15:32.080So this is this is life-changing and life-saving.
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00:15:32.320Yeah.
00:15:32.799 -->
00:15:32.960All right.
00:15:33.039 -->
00:15:41.679So I'm sure there's a ton of uh answers you couldn't have for this question about misconceptions, clarifications, common questions that you get about the work you do.
00:15:41.840 -->
00:15:51.600Um, but what are some of those things that you want to clear up, reiterate that uh we haven't touched on yet about the work that you do, about these new building codes, about wildfire prevention, all those sorts of things?
00:15:51.679 -->
00:15:59.840Aaron Powell I would say first, just since we just talked about sprinklers and it's on my mind, I have to reiterate because we get this question a lot, it is only for new construction.
00:16:00.080 -->
00:16:03.759You'd have to completely demolish a structure and rebuild it for this to be applicable.
00:16:03.919 -->
00:16:08.159We're not going to ask you to add a sprinkler system if you are finishing a basement or doing an addition.
00:16:08.399 -->
00:16:09.919So that one comes up often.
00:16:10.080 -->
00:16:11.200That's not the re the case.
00:16:11.759 -->
00:16:14.720Um, so that is probably the first thing I would say.
00:16:14.879 -->
00:16:19.360And I'd also say there's a lot of uh misconception um surrounding building codes.
00:16:19.519 -->
00:16:30.000I think sometimes there's a misconception that they make things harder, more costly, or that we're putting these requirements out there to make things more difficult for people, and that's just not the case.
00:16:30.240 -->
00:16:37.279These codes are minimum standards, they're not maximum, it's not top products that you could possibly put out in your or build your home to.
00:16:37.440 -->
00:16:41.600It's minimum standards, very, very base level of what these requirements are.
00:16:41.759 -->
00:16:47.120The other thing is that these are code requirements that are happening all over the nation and required all over the nation and have been for years.
00:16:47.279 -->
00:16:49.519Building codes have been around since ancient Egypt.
00:16:49.600 -->
00:16:55.360Um, they take lessons learned from disasters and then they build that into these codes so that we avoid that in the future.
00:16:55.440 -->
00:16:56.720They're all about protecting lives.
00:16:56.879 -->
00:17:05.920Um Yeah, I think that's like a good one to reiterate because sometimes it's like, well, what why are we like we talked about it at the beginning a little bit of like these are here to like protect safety, to protect your home value, like all those things.
00:17:06.000 -->
00:17:12.400But like it's easy to forget that like we learn constantly because bad things happen.
00:17:12.720 -->
00:17:15.279And then like we learn how we can build better.
00:17:15.519 -->
00:17:15.839Yeah.
00:17:16.000 -->
00:17:16.400Yeah.
00:17:16.720 -->
00:17:16.960Yeah.
00:17:17.119 -->
00:17:35.279We have a saying, I almost, you know, it's it's kind of a um, it sounds dramatic, but building codes are are written in blood and it's a it's an actual thing because from years of experience of disasters that occur, those are what eventually get developed into tools in these code books that combat that so that we avoid that loss of life in the future.
00:17:35.599 -->
00:17:38.960And you and your team really want to make it work with our community, right?
00:17:39.039 -->
00:17:48.480You're not there just to be the bad guy and tell people exactly how they need to do things, but you really want to work with home builders and be flexible and and make sure they just are being safe, right?
00:17:48.559 -->
00:17:53.279Like you're not here to just be an authoritarian figure and tell people exactly what to do.
00:17:53.440 -->
00:17:56.960You really want to work with these builders and these people that are affected by these codes.
00:17:57.279 -->
00:17:58.000That's exactly right.
00:17:58.240 -->
00:18:03.440I think the the primary role that we have is not just in enforcement, really.
00:18:03.599 -->
00:18:07.279What it comes down to is we want to be your partner through this.
00:18:07.440 -->
00:18:10.640We're the code experts that are here to help guide you through these codes.
00:18:10.799 -->
00:18:12.400We know them like the back of our hands.
00:18:12.480 -->
00:18:18.160And we want to show you, hey, did you know there's this really cool way that you can get through this code provision or in this situation that you're in?
00:18:18.319 -->
00:18:22.640I also think building codes, a misconception there is that they that there's only one way to do it.
00:18:22.720 -->
00:18:23.279And there's not.
00:18:23.440 -->
00:18:25.759There's multiple ways that you can comply with these codes.
00:18:25.839 -->
00:18:27.119There's multiple different things you can do.
00:18:27.200 -->
00:18:36.319And so I think you'll find with our team, we try to give options for different ways to get through things, or maybe someone wants to scale back on the scope so that they don't trigger certain things.
00:18:36.480 -->
00:18:37.839We work with you to figure that out.
00:18:37.920 -->
00:18:41.039And we're here every day, eight to five, come see us.
00:18:41.119 -->
00:18:47.119Uh, we'll have smiles on our faces and we'll be uh your friends and and people that you can reach out to in the future with any questions.
00:18:47.279 -->
00:18:50.079We often get questions too about other communities and their codes.
00:18:50.240 -->
00:18:54.640The fun thing about building codes in the building industry is that we actually do know each other from different communities.
00:18:54.799 -->
00:19:00.799And so we can usually generally answer that or say, go call this building official over in in Laramore County or wherever.
00:19:00.960 -->
00:19:03.279So we are here, we're a really great resource.
00:19:03.359 -->
00:19:04.559Um, we want to help.
00:19:04.720 -->
00:19:07.279We look for any possible way we can to save you money.
00:19:07.440 -->
00:19:09.599We look for different ways for you to get through the code.
00:19:09.759 -->
00:19:17.039And we're also constantly adjusting processes and procedures so that we're reducing time frames and making things simpler and making them more clear.
00:19:17.200 -->
00:19:19.039So those are all pieces that we love.
00:19:19.200 -->
00:19:20.160We love customer service.
00:19:20.319 -->
00:19:20.880We want to work with you.
00:19:21.039 -->
00:19:22.640Um, you touched on money a little bit.
00:19:22.720 -->
00:19:28.640And I think it would be a disservice not to talk about the folks generally housing is expensive.
00:19:28.799 -->
00:19:36.400And I think there's this perception out there that more codes, more requirements means more expensive to build.
00:19:36.559 -->
00:19:39.519And how is that true, not true?
00:19:39.680 -->
00:19:42.799Like, how do we approach that when we think about building code?
00:19:43.039 -->
00:19:44.559It could be true, but it could not.
00:19:44.720 -->
00:19:52.160I mean, it depends on the situation, it depends on what you're building, it depends on how you're complying with it, depends on what material you're using, depends on the lot, the price of the lot.
00:19:52.240 -->
00:19:52.400Yeah.
00:19:52.559 -->
00:19:55.359So this is really um a question, you know, we get often.
00:19:55.440 -->
00:20:07.359And it comes down to, you know, first a suggestion for anyone is reach out to us early, plan accordingly, and let's look for options to get you on the path of least resistance with the least amount of cost.
00:20:07.759 -->
00:20:21.200But there's also, I will say, as far as just the overall topic on do building codes cost more money or new provisions cost more money, there's times that they can, but there's also a significant amount of code provisions that were put into the code to help save money.
00:20:21.440 -->
00:20:29.599So if you build a certain way and you use those tools and these tool chests, that's what I call these building codes, then um you can actually save yourself money.
00:20:29.839 -->
00:20:30.960So there's a way to do it.
00:20:31.039 -->
00:20:36.240It's all about planning accordingly and being familiar and asking questions and using those resources.
00:20:36.400 -->
00:20:37.039We're a resource.
00:20:37.119 -->
00:20:40.400We're here for experts for people to ask questions of.
00:20:40.640 -->
00:20:43.279So I think there's certainly a way to do that to combat that a little bit.
00:20:43.680 -->
00:20:49.599Speaking of asking questions, if you've hired a contractor to do some work on your house, make sure you ask them early on, right?
00:20:49.759 -->
00:20:50.960Hey, have you pulled permits?
00:20:51.119 -->
00:20:52.559Are you following code for this project?
00:20:52.720 -->
00:20:52.960Correct?
00:20:53.359 -->
00:20:54.000That's correct.
00:20:54.160 -->
00:20:59.119That little conversation can save you a lot of time and money and headache and delays.
00:20:59.200 -->
00:21:03.599Um, make sure you ask that question at first, am I required to pull a permit?
00:21:03.759 -->
00:21:06.319Contractors are experts as well, and they should know that.
00:21:06.480 -->
00:21:09.680Um, but also, are you going to pull the permit or am I going to pull the permit?
00:21:09.839 -->
00:21:13.359Sometimes that's something you'll have to work out with the contractor and your agreement that you have with them.
00:21:13.599 -->
00:21:18.319Ultimately, though, the responsibility for a permit relies on both parties, the contractor and the owner.
00:21:18.480 -->
00:21:20.559And then the other thing, too, is trust but verify.
00:21:20.720 -->
00:21:24.000If you have a contractor saying you don't require a permit, call and ask us.
00:21:24.079 -->
00:21:26.319We can help you too and make sure that you don't need a permit.
00:21:26.480 -->
00:21:32.880There's so many different scenarios where one might be required or may or may not be required, depending on the full scope of work that you're doing.
00:21:33.039 -->
00:21:36.559So I think it's a really good question, a valid question to ask in any situation.
00:21:36.720 -->
00:21:40.240And the other thing I'll say to that too is contractors also need permits.
00:21:40.400 -->
00:21:44.319They want permits very much so, just as much as a homeowner does, and they're very beneficial.
00:21:44.480 -->
00:21:51.200They protect your business, they protect your insurance, and they also highlight really clearly your excellent, cool work that you are doing.
00:21:51.359 -->
00:21:53.200And you can't really do that without the proper permits.
00:21:53.519 -->
00:21:57.200Yeah, like an electrician or a plumber that's certified, like they know what they're doing.
00:21:57.359 -->
00:21:59.759They should know that they need the permits, like they do the stuff.
00:22:00.079 -->
00:22:00.960stuff day in and day out.
00:22:01.119 -->
00:22:02.480But yeah, uh you want to check.
00:22:02.559 -->
00:22:04.160You don't need sketchy work in your house.
00:22:04.240 -->
00:22:13.200Cause like you said earlier, if you go to sell your place and people are having to kind of retroactively do that um work, it can really uh be difficult for the seller.
00:22:13.440 -->
00:22:20.240It's one of my uh the hardest parts of my job is having to watch that happen and deal with that and um try to help someone through a really hard situation.
00:22:20.319 -->
00:22:28.720Uh and I'd rather help answer questions up front and guide you in that process to avoid those delays and costly mistakes and even down to materials being purchased that don't meet code.
00:22:28.880 -->
00:22:30.799So just come and ask beforehand.
00:22:31.119 -->
00:22:37.039Yeah I was gonna tie it back to uh when we're talking to Steven about the climate and sustainability action plan.
00:22:37.200 -->
00:22:43.279Like sometimes sustainability actions maybe are like more costly up front, but then they pay like dividends over time.
00:22:43.519 -->
00:23:04.880And while this is like slightly different, it's not apples to apples, it does feel similar in the sense that like one, if you go to sell your home if you've done that work up front it saves you time and money, hopefully and then like two in like the case of something like maybe the roofing material is a little bit more expensive up front, but you can feel secure that your home is better protected from wildfire.
00:23:05.039 -->
00:23:12.240Like that is a you know there's just like it's a different type of benefit that isn't maybe monetary in the dollar to dollar sense.
00:23:12.480 -->
00:23:14.720But yeah like that value is there in other ways.
00:23:14.799 -->
00:23:15.039Yeah.
00:23:15.119 -->
00:23:15.279Yeah.
00:23:15.519 -->
00:23:21.519Protects you with insurance protects your home when you go to sell these are all amazing benefits long term.
00:23:21.839 -->
00:23:24.720I mean energy some of these energy changes will save you money long term as well.
00:23:24.799 -->
00:23:57.440So that it does have a monetary value totally yeah should we do some trivia okay okay so I have three trivia questions and I think you might know them more than I asked you I don't know maybe because we kind of just touched on some of this you mentioned this explicitly the oldest known building code dates back nearly 4,000 years to the 1700s BC who wrote it was it A Julius Caesar B Cleopatra of Egypt C Emperor Nero of Rome or D King Hammurabi of Babylon.
00:23:57.680 -->
00:23:58.000D.
00:23:58.400 -->
00:24:06.960I actually almost yelled it out I mean how can I uh go against it it's one of my favorite codes it's kind of like a crazy code if you actually look it up the rules are pretty hilarious.
00:24:07.119 -->
00:25:30.400Yeah so I look or I did slightly look this up so it was in the Code of Hammurabi which was like a legal text with lots of laws at that time and some of them dealt with the built environment if the builder built a house and it wasn't properly constructed and it fell and killed the owner the builder would be put to death yeah for eye I guess yes and it goes on it's like if your son is building and it kills the owner's son then your son is put to death like really kind of crazy this is like very yes um ancient times esque um great job so um what major event in 1666 prompted England to completely overhaul its building regulations was it an A an earthquake B a flood C a fire or D a structural collapse C a fire two you forgot to mention if you know the answer don't say it right away so the other person can guess I'm two for two fire yeah yeah we're supposed to give Sean a chance how to give him a chance on the third one um so it was the Great Fire of London in 1966 which burned two thirds of the city to the ground many of the destroyed buildings were wood framed and some of the warehouses had highly flammable products like animal fats, oils and alcohol one fire just burned down like two thirds of the whole I mean like wood was cheap, right?
00:25:30.480 -->
00:25:31.599So everything was built of wood.
00:25:31.680 -->
00:25:35.359Like it was accessible so we didn't think about building in the way we do today.
00:25:35.599 -->
00:25:42.480Yeah um they're all masonry buildings now I love the context of like we've truly been learning about this for 4,000 years.
00:25:43.039 -->
00:25:43.519It's crazy.
00:25:43.599 -->
00:25:52.079That's why these are there yeah yeah and so then the first building codes in the US were established in 1925 just before that fire in England.
00:25:52.319 -->
00:26:04.880What uh were they focused on fire safety and roof material staircase width basement waterproofing or window size shop staircase width I think what was the first one fire safety and that's what I would say.
00:26:05.039 -->
00:26:24.319Yeah come on up of England burned well I didn't think you'd repeat the same thing that you're a trick question apparently yeah so early 1600s colonial cities like Boston had building acts with rules that included things like building with non-combustible materials like brick and stone over wood to prevent fire.
00:26:24.559 -->
00:26:30.319So and there was something specifically in there when I was reading it up on this about like wood chimneys.
00:26:30.640 -->
00:26:33.680I was like no why would anyone think that was a good idea?
00:26:34.319 -->
00:26:43.359And it was really just it was cheap and accessible wood compared to some of these other materials is a lot easier to build with you know log cabins you think about all that stuff so it's so funny.
00:26:43.839 -->
00:26:49.200Well great job you knew all of my answers thanks for coming on.
00:26:49.359 -->
00:27:02.160Yeah thanks for having me as a reminder we love hearing from our listeners you can stay in touch by texting us using the link at the top of the show notes or by emailing us at podcast at Arvada.org.
00:27:02.240 -->
00:27:06.559We love hearing feedback about what you enjoy, what you'd like to see differently episode ideas and more.
00:27:06.720 -->
00:27:12.480The city is planning to host its annual 4th of July fireworks show on Saturday July 4th at Stenger Sports Complex.
00:27:12.640 -->
00:27:17.200Gates for parking will open at 6 30 and parking is free and first come first serve.
00:27:17.279 -->
00:27:30.400The fireworks will start at approximately 915 and it'll take about 15 to 20 minutes after the fireworks are over for the parking lots to open back up so please be patient after the show is over and you can learn more at our radico.gov slash fireworks.
00:27:30.559 -->
00:27:38.480And the Parks Nurban design department is hosting a community open house on Thursday June 25th as part of the Robbie Farrafino Park Playground renovation project.
00:27:38.640 -->
00:27:52.160The open house will be from 530 to 630 and you can stop anytime in between that hour to come talk to the project team and speak about and learn about the playground designs that were designed based on the first community engagement meeting that we held back in April at War Elementary School.
00:27:52.319 -->
00:27:56.640For more information you can visit that project page at arvataco.gov slash Robbie.
00:27:56.960 -->
00:28:10.960And City Council has also approved drought surcharges that'll be effective July 1 as an additional tool for encouraging water conservation and to help signal the additional value of water during the drought that we're in.
00:28:11.119 -->
00:28:21.599And so the surcharges will apply only to single family residential and irrigation only customer accounts as those are our highest water users for outdoor watering in Arvada.
00:28:21.759 -->
00:28:29.519And single family customers will also have a base amount of 12000 gallons bi monthly that's not surcharged to account for indoor use.
00:28:29.680 -->
00:28:37.759And so more information about those surcharges are um is all available on the water restrictions webpage at orvataco.gov slash drought.
00:28:38.079 -->
00:28:47.359Resource Central's late summer garden in a box program is available for pre-order now to provide folks with low water plants for your landscape.
00:28:47.519 -->
00:28:58.720And then those will be picked up in August and September and as always resource central really does sell out quickly and so we encourage folks to get on the interest lists and get pre-ordering their plants now.
00:28:58.799 -->
00:29:01.359So that's resourcecentral.org slash gardens.
00:29:01.519 -->
00:29:10.480Thank you again to our guest today Kylie Flynn be sure to listen to our next episode with the city's homelessness program manager Lynette Baudessarian.
00:29:10.799 -->
00:29:21.440Today's podcast was recorded and edited by Arvada Creative Services and today's fun fact is that the city performed 2646 building inspections in 2025.
00:29:21.680 -->
00:29:22.400Whoa
