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The Town of Morrison adopted the 2024 International Residential Code through Ordinance 563, approved on July 7, 2026, so a basement bedroom needs an egress window under Section R319. That means at least 5.7 sq ft of net clear opening, at least 24 in. high and 20 in. wide, with a sill no higher than 44 in. The well must be at least 9 sq ft with 36 in. of projection, and it needs a ladder if it is deeper than 44 in. We set up the project, and our local installer cuts the opening, sets the window and finishes the well. Check with the Town's Building Department before work starts.
The Town of Morrison adopted the 2024 International Residential Code through Ordinance 563, approved on July 7, 2026, so a basement bedroom needs an egress window under Section R319. That means at least 5.7 sq ft of net clear opening, at least 24 in. high and 20 in. wide, with a sill no higher than 44 in. The well must be at least 9 sq ft with 36 in. of projection, and it needs a ladder if it is deeper than 44 in. We set up the project, and our local installer cuts the opening, sets the window and finishes the well. Check with the Town's Building Department before work starts.
Egress code in Morrison
- Authority: Town of Morrison Building Department, run under contract by Charles Abbott Associates, Inc. Email: building@morrisonco.us (https://www.morrisonco.us/140/Building-Department). Town Hall: 321 Highway 8, Morrison, CO 80465; phone 303-697-8749 (Town Hall line shown on the official page).
- Edition: 2024 IRC, adopted by Ordinance 563 (approved by the Board of Trustees 7/7/2026), which repealed and reenacted Title 9, Chapter 1 of the Morrison Municipal Code. Sources: https://www.morrisonco.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07072026-1140 and https://morrisonco.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07072026-1138
- Section: Section R319 (Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings) of the 2024 IRC
- Local amendments: the Town adopted local amendments with the code. Check with the Building Department on how they apply to your basement and well.
Egress windows in Morrison
Morrison is a small town in Jefferson County at the foot of the foothills, along Bear Creek and near Red Rocks. Owners who finish a basement into a bedroom, office or guest room need a code-sized way out of the lower level. An egress window is often the simplest way to get there.
What the code asks for. Morrison now builds to the 2024 IRC. Every basement sleeping room needs an emergency escape and rescue opening under Section R319. Our local installer builds to the same numbers on every job:
- a net clear opening of at least 5.7 sq ft
- at least 24 in. high and 20 in. wide
- a sill no more than 44 in. above the finished floor
Outside, the window well must be at least 9 sq ft, with at least 36 in. of projection and width. Any well deeper than 44 in. gets a permanent ladder or steps.
How a project runs. We set up the job with you and confirm the room, the wall and what the window needs to do. Then our local installer measures, cuts the foundation, sets the window and buck, digs and installs the well, and handles drainage and finish work. In Morrison, permits go through the Town's Building Department, which is run under contract by Charles Abbott Associates. Applications use the Town's Building Permit Application, and the permit paperwork is part of the job. If your lot slopes, the dig for the well can take more planning, so we look at grade and drainage early.
Not sure your current window qualifies? Try our free egress window check to compare your opening against the code numbers.
What it costs. The price depends on the wall, the depth of the cut, the window style and the well. See our Denver egress window cost guide for what drives the price.
Nearby. We also cover Lakewood, Ken Caryl, Evergreen and Golden. See all of Morrison, Edgewater & unincorporated Jefferson County, or the Jefferson County page.
Before work starts, check with your building department. It has the final say on your address, its code edition and any local amendments.
Services in Morrison
Egress windows · Window wells · Covers · Basement egress
Ready to add egress to your Morrison basement?
We set up the project, and our local installer measures the room, cuts the opening, sets the window and well, and handles the permit paperwork with the Town's Building Department.
Frequently asked questions
Which code covers egress windows in Morrison?
The Town adopted the 2024 IRC through Ordinance 563, approved by the Board of Trustees on July 7, 2026. Egress windows are covered in Section R319. Confirm with the Building Department before you build.
How big must a Morrison egress window be?
It needs at least 5.7 sq ft of net clear opening, at least 24 in. of height and 20 in. of width, and a sill no more than 44 in. above the finished floor.
When does a window well need a ladder?
When it is deeper than 44 in. The well itself must be at least 9 sq ft, with 36 in. of projection and width.
Who handles building permits in Morrison?
The Town of Morrison Building Department, run under contract by Charles Abbott Associates. You can reach it at building@morrisonco.us or through Town Hall at 321 Highway 8. The permit paperwork is handled as part of the job.
How much does an egress window cost in Morrison?
It depends on the wall, the window and the well. Our cost guide explains what drives the price, and the quote is free.