Waldo Fire: Rebuilding or Restoring Your Home

The Waldo fire in Colorado Springs, Colorado was devastating and our hearts go out to all that were affected. Numerous employees at Godden | Sudik were personally affected by this event and we would like to help by providing as much helpful information here on our blog. 

Below you will find the content issued by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department on homeowners' options for rebuilding their homes. Please visit their website for more information http://www.pprbd.org/.

In response to the catastrophic fire in Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Regional Building Department will

use the following scenarios to assist those who lost or suffered damage to their home. Any one of the

following 4 scenarios may be used when applicable. Upon completion of the scope of work defined for

a permit associated with scenario 1; 2 or 3, a Certificate of Occupancy will be issued. No Certificate of

Occupancy will be issued for a permit using scenario 4. Please contact Mindy Stuemke @ 327-2903 or

Bob Croft@ 327-2914 to discuss if these scenarios will not work for your particular situation.

1. Use of existing foundation, same house:

If Regional Building has the original plans, the only document required will be a letter from a

licensed engineer stating that existing foundation is acceptable for rebuild. RBD will issue, at a

minimum fee, a demolition permit for removal of fire debris. This permit is required to monitor

removal activity and be sure fall protection is installed around the open foundation as required

by code(2011 PPRBC). The single family dwelling shell can be constructed according to the plans

on file with the issuance of a new remodel permit (434). The permit cost will be based on the

cost of square footage with attachments for Electrical/Mechanical and Plumbing trades at a

minimum fee. The interior finish portion of the house may not be required to meet all current

structural or design criteria of the 2009 IRC, but will be required to meet all life/ safety

requirements and other design provisions that benefit the owner such as, but not limited to,

State Electrical Code, smoke and CO detectors, energy conservation, etc.

2. Non-use of existing foundation, same house:

If Regional Building has the original plans, the documentation required will be a letter from a

licensed engineer stating that foundation is not safe for rebuild and submittal of a new

foundation plan for review/approval. RBD will issue a wrecking permit at a minimum fee for

total removal of foundation and all fire debris. This permit is required to monitor removal

activity and to be sure the foundation excavation is backfilled or protected according to code

(2011 PPRBC). With this option, a new single family dwelling permit (101) will be issued based

on the cost of square footage and no other trades will need to attach, this will be a universal

permit. The construction of the foundation must comply with all applicable provisions of the

2009 IRC. Inspections may be made by the engineer of record. The remaining portion of the

structure located above the foundation may be constructed as outlined in # 1 above.

3. Building new home (different from original) at existing location:

Process will be the same as any new single family dwelling plan/ permit submittal currently in

place. http://www.pprbd.org/plancheck/PLCK_RESGuide_2012.pdf One set of plans,

including engineered foundation, site plan, all construction docs and duct design components to

comply with 2009 IRC.

4. Repair of existing structure due to fire damage:

Process will be the same as any remodel for an existing residential structure.