Environmental Rules in Arvada, CO (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Arvada, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Arvada regulates its municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) under Chapter 50, Article II, making it unlawful to discharge or spill anything but naturally occurring stormwater runoff into the MS4. Fourteen listed exceptions cover things like uncontaminated groundwater and CDPS-permitted discharges, and the public works director enforces the article with inspections, compliance orders, and criminal penalties under Section 50-72.
Arvada Stormwater Discharge and MS4 Rules
Some RestrictionsArvada City Code §§ 50-21, 50-72(a)
The city owns and operates a municipal separate storm sewer system ("MS4") to promote the safe, efficient, and effective drainage of stormwater and other runoff or discharges. ... Unlawful discharges. It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge or cause to be discharged or spilled any substance other than naturally occurring stormwater runoff, including naturally occurring stormwater runof...
Erosion Control
Any land disturbance of 0.5 acres or more in Arvada needs a site disturbance permit under Section 50-51, backed by an erosion and sediment control (ESC) plan and cash escrow or letter of credit. Permittees must inspect BMP and erosion controls at least every 14 days, and within 24 hours after any storm, wind, or snowmelt event that causes surface erosion, under Section 50-57.
Arvada Site Disturbance and Erosion Control Permit
Some RestrictionsArvada City Code §§ 50-51, 50-57(c)
(a) Generally. All land disturbance activity must comply with the city's Land Development Code, the Engineering Standards, this article, and any other applicable guidelines and standards adopted by the city. No land disturbance activity may exceed 60 acres on any one site unless authorized by the director. (b) Permit required. ... a site disturbance permit is required for each site or subdivisi...
Flood Zones
Arvada requires a Floodplain Development Permit before any construction, fill, or storage of materials in a Special Flood Hazard Area, and new residential structures must set their lowest floor at least two feet above the base flood elevation. Division 4-1-2 of the Land Development Code implements this under authority the state legislature delegated in C.R.S. Title 29, Article 20.
Arvada Floodplain Development Rules
Significant RestrictionsArvada Land Development Code Sections 4-1-2-7.B.3 and 8-3-5-6.A, Floodplain Regulations
A.Generally. Floodplain Development Permits are required prior to any construction, development, or storage of materials within any Special Flood Hazard Area as established in the Flood Insurance Study (FIS). ... 3.Residential Construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure within or moved into the Regulatory Floodplain shall have the lowest floor (includ...
Vehicle Idling Restrictions
Arvada bars idling any vehicle over 10,000 pounds gross weight, or its attached auxiliary equipment such as a refrigeration unit, for more than ten consecutive minutes while standing in a residential district, whether on a public street or on private property outside a fully enclosed structure.
Arvada Heavy Truck Idling Time Limit
Some RestrictionsArvada City Code § 38-62(11)
(11)Vehicles, standing. Operating, or permitting the operation of any motor vehicle in excess of 10,000 pounds, manufacturers gross vehicle weight, or any attached auxiliary equipment, for a consecutive period longer than ten minutes while such a vehicle is standing on a public right-of-way in a residential district or is on private property in a residential zone and is not within a completely ...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New homes and substantial improvements in Arvada's Regulatory Floodplain must set the lowest floor, including the basement and mechanical equipment, at least two feet above the base flood elevation. Nonresidential buildings can meet a lower one-foot freeboard or flood-proof instead, both requiring a Floodplain Development Permit.
Arvada Freeboard: 2 Feet Above Base Flood
Significant RestrictionsArvada Land Development Code § 4-1-2-7(B)(3)
Residential Construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure within or moved into the Regulatory Floodplain shall have the lowest floor (including the basement and any mechanical equipment or attendant utilities) constructed at or above the flood protection elevation of two feet above the base flood elevation. If such new construction or substantial improv...
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