2025 Denver Building Code - Adopted Codes and Key Provisions for Garage Doors

Denver updated its building code in 2025. The 2025 Denver Building Code, effective June 13, 2025, is based on the 2024 International Building Code (IBC) and 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) with Denver-specific amendments. For garage doors, the most important change is the ground snow load.

What this source says

Denver Community Planning and Development (CPD) publishes the adopted building codes on its Building Codes, Policies and Guides page. The 2025 Denver Building Code document states:

The 2025 Denver Building and Fire Codes are effective June 13, 2025. Projects for which a permit application is complete and submitted after December 31, 2025 must comply with the 2025 codes.

The 2025 Denver Residential Code (DRC) is based on the 2024 IRC. The 2025 Denver Building Code (DBC) is based on the 2024 IBC. Denver's amendments modify specific sections to reflect local climate, soil, and zoning conditions.

Key garage-door-relevant values under the 2025 DRC:

• Ground snow load: 43 psf (increased from 35 psf under the 2022 DBC)
• Ultimate design wind speed (Vult): 115 mph
• Wind exposure category: C
• Frost depth: 36 inches
• Seismic Design Category: B

The ground snow load increase from 35 to 43 psf is significant for structural design. Headers above garage door openings sized under the old snow load may need recalculation for projects using the new code.

Effective dates: The 2025 codes became effective June 13, 2025. Projects with complete permit applications submitted before December 31, 2025 could use the 2022 DBC. After December 31, 2025, all new permits must use the 2025 codes.

When it applies

The 2025 Denver Building Code applies to all building permits issued by the City and County of Denver after December 31, 2025.

Garage door replacement with a permit. If your project requires a building permit, the permit will be reviewed against the 2025 DBC. A structural design submitted with 35 psf snow load will need revision to 43 psf if the permit is submitted after the effective date.

New construction. Any new attached or detached garage built in Denver under a permit issued after December 31, 2025 must use the 2025 code values for structural design. This affects header sizing, beam spans, and footing depths.

Window and glazed sections in garage doors. The 2025 DBC incorporates 2024 IBC Section 1609.1.2 provisions on windborne debris. Glazed sections in garage doors must meet IRC R609.4 and any applicable windborne debris requirements.

Denver city limits only. The 2025 Denver Building Code applies within the city and county of Denver. Suburbs including Lakewood, Englewood, Arvada, Aurora, and Wheat Ridge adopt their own codes on their own schedules. Confirm the applicable code with each city's building department.

What this means for you

If you are planning a permit for a garage project in Denver in 2026 or later: use 43 psf ground snow load and 115 mph Vult Exposure C for all structural calculations. Do not use 35 psf even if your engineer has older Denver tables.

For a like-for-like door replacement without a permit: the design values are not directly tested at the door level, but the door's wind rating label (IRC R609.4.1) must show a rating consistent with the Denver design requirements.

If you have a structural plan from 2024 or earlier: confirm with your engineer that the design was based on 43 psf before submitting a permit after December 31, 2025.

G Brothers is familiar with the 2025 Denver code requirements and installs doors rated to meet them.

Full text and source

The 2025 Denver Building and Fire Codes are available from Denver Community Planning and Development at https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Community-Planning-and-Development/Building-Codes-Policies-and-Guides.

The 2025 Denver Building Code applies only within the City and County of Denver. Other Front Range jurisdictions use their own code adoption schedules. Confirm the applicable code with the building department for any project outside Denver city limits.

Want to put numbers to this? Use the interactive roof snow load calculator below, or open the full roof snow load calculator with examples and notes.