Denver's new building codes include a change aimed at making it easier for more residents to charge electric vehicles at home. Home builders are opposing the change that says new single-family homes and duplexes built in the city will need to have the right electrical wiring to support electric vehicle plugs in their garages.
The Denver Post reported last week that at the least, the new homes must have conduits leading to the electrical panel. The electric vehicle change was part of a large-scale update of the city's building and fire codes that won approval from the City Council.
The Denver planning department's proposed changes were spurred by the 2015 update to the International Code Council's suggested rules, along with Denver-specific amendments. Those include the new requirement for electric vehicle-supporting conduits and panels in garages for new houses.
The change faced opposition, especially from home builders concerned about the added cost in construction, the Post reported. A senior transportation associate with the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, which advocated for the requirement, said it would add "a negligible amount for some new homes," while costing $200 to $300 for others, depending on whether the garage is attached and how far it is from the electrical panel.
The new building code takes full effect in six months. Until then, contractors and residents seeking building permits will be able to choose whether city reviewers will rely on the city's 2011 code or the new one in evaluating their applications.
