Title
Ordinance No. 16-83 creating a new Appendix P (Indoor Flora Grow Operations in Residential Occupancies) to Chapter 8, Article 4, Part 1, Section 105 of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended.
Presenter:
Ted Collas, Interim Fire Chief, CSFD
Brett Lacey, Fire Marshal, CSFD
Body
Summary:
The City of Colorado Springs' Fire Department requests City Council's approval to the proposed ordinance to add a new Appendix P to the City's Fire Prevention Code.
The new Appendix P will regulate the aggregate areas in residential occupancies that contain excessive lighting and chemicals for indoor plant growth, production, consumption and/or sales to 150 square feet per premises.
This proposed ordinance supports the public health, safety, and welfare of residents and our community, as well as provides necessary protection for our emergency first responders. The standards help provide a reasonable level of safety from fire and other hazards.
Previous Council Action:
Several City of Colorado Springs' ordinances mandate the number of marijuana plants that may lawfully be grown in a residential dwelling. However, members of City Council have not reviewed regulations or restrictions that inhibit vegetation or flora from being grown, cultivated, and sold in a residence that functions primarily as a greenhouse.
Background:
As concerns relating to illegal marijuana home grows became more prevalent, Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) and Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) recognized that the improper use of residential structures to grow any variety of excessive flora may pose significant safety risks. These risks come from the potential to use grow lights, excessive electrical service loads, mold, chemical contamination, illegal and improper construction, etc.
Irrespective of the variety of plants that may be propagated and cultivated, representatives of regulatory agencies, additional public safety officials, and CSFD staff ...
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