Both the Rattlesnake Fire Protection District and Elbert County have adopted and follow the 2018 International Fire Code. The builders guide is available to download in PDF format on the link below. We encourage you to thoroughly read the document and call with any questions prior to applying for your permit with the County. The Residential Sign Off Sheet (below) must be completed and signed PRIOR to receiving a building permit. The most common question for building in Rattlesnake Fires District is on driveway lengths and required turnarounds. That information can be found starting on page 50 with a diagram on pages 54 and 57.

Developers and Builders Guide

Residential Sign Off Sheet

With the adoption of the the 2018 International Fire Code some occupancies including some residential buildings will require sprinkler systems. If your commercial or residential building requires a sprinkler system we require that the plans to be reviewed prior to construction.  

The RFPD identifies through its long-range plan fire station locations and fire and health apparatus that will best serve the needs of businesses and citizens within the District. These station locations and apparatus needs are determined by an analysis of population densities, types of risk and travel time due to distance from stations. RFPD requires developers to pay impact fees to the Fire District to maintain the existing level of services prior to development and call volume increases caused by the additional population and infrastructure of the development by building stations or purchase apparatus for the Fire District. To maintain the ability of the RFPD to provide a high level of service to the district these needs Shall be addressed. The actual cost of building and equipping a fire station is a burden created by all of the developments the station and District are designed to serve. Such developments Shall demonstrate adequate fire protection to receive development approvals.   

Due to the number of developments being established in the RFPD, The Rattlesnake Fire Protection District Board of Directors hired BBC Research & Consulting (BBC) in January of 2004 to assess the situation and devise a methodology to calculate impact fees for the Fire District. This calculation is performed every 7 years per state statue. The last update was in 2024.  

Impact fees are defined as one time assessments used to recover the capital costs imposed on local governmental agencies by new growth.  They are governed by principles established in both State of Colorado and Federal law.  Colorado’s Senate Bill 15, which was passed in 2001, specifically gives Colorado governmental agencies the authority to levy Land Development charges” or impact fees.   
BBC has used two methods for determining the impact fees RFPD can use to determine it fee structure.  Both methods are industry standard and are defensible methods.   

RFPD Board of Directors adopted the use of these fee’s October 23rd, 2024 to go into effect on October 1st, 2024.  RFPD, in the adoption of this Resolution, understands that as additional developments affect the Fire District and its ability to maintain their standard of service, the impacts of these developments will be evaluated no less than annually and may be adjusted without notice.  The Board of Directors continues to monitor the situation and reviews the impact fee’s on a yearly basis.  

 
Structures being developed on existing properties subdivided prior to the adoption of the Impact study and fee structure are subject to the water improvement fee’s previously adopted by RFPD.  This fee also applies to the 1st lot in a newly formed subdivision.   
 

As per the RFPD Resolution the following apply; 

1. Impact Fee payment:
   1. All impact fees imposed Shall be paid by the developer or property owner, upon submission to the Elbert County Planning Department, for approval of a final Plat for any portion of or the entirety of the proposal. 

   2. RFPD, in its sole discretion, may enter into an agreement for alternate payment arrangements. 

       

2. Rattlesnake Fire Protection District's 2024 adopted impact fees are as follows (Cost by unit of development);
   1. Residential (per dwelling unit) lot(s)  $5,475.00 
   2. Non-residential (per building square foot) $2.32