Environmental Rules in Centennial, CO (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Centennial, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Centennial bans discharging pollutants into the storm drain system or watercourses, with limited exemptions for clean water sources like irrigation runoff and air conditioning condensation.
Centennial Stormwater Discharge Prohibition
Some RestrictionsCentennial Municipal Code § 13-1-210(a)
It shall be unlawful to discharge, cause to be discharged or permit to be discharged into the MS4 or watercourses any direct or indirect release of pollutants to the storm drainage system, except as specifically exempted in Subsection 13-1-210(b) below. Discharges may not result in a noncompliance with the Permit.
Erosion Control
Any land-disturbing activity in Centennial needs a Grading, Erosion, and Sediment Control permit issued by SEMSWA before disturbance begins, under standards in the regional GESC Manual.
Centennial Grading and Drainage Permit
Some RestrictionsCentennial Municipal Code § 12-14-502
GESC permits are required for all land disturbing activities, prior to the disturbance. The permits are issued by SEMSWA according to the criteria of the GESC Manual. See Section 12-11-403, Grading, Erosion, and Sediment Control Manual.
Flood Zones
Centennial bans new residential and non-residential construction in mapped floodplains outright, and allows any other floodplain development only if it won't restrict channel or drainage capacity.
Centennial Floodplain Development Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsCentennial Municipal Code § 12-7-304(B)
B.Proposed Structures in the Floodplain.1.New Construction. New construction or installation of residential or non-residential structures shall be prohibited.2.Other Development. All other development in floodplains shall be prohibited unless shown to the satisfaction of the Floodplain Administrator through a floodplain development permit that the proposed development (as defined in Article 16)...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Substantially improved structures in a Centennial floodplain must elevate their lowest floor at least two feet above the 100-year base flood elevation, certified by a licensed professional.
Centennial Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsCentennial Municipal Code § 12-7-304(E)
E.Freeboard. A minimum clearance, or freeboard shall, be provided between the floodplain or adjacent to the floodplain or shallow flooding area and structures and other applicable facilities which may be impacted by the base flood. Freeboard is required to allow for uncertainty in the floodplain modeling, changes to drainageway (i.e., increased invert due to sedimentation), upstream development...
Looking for Arapahoe County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Centennial city rules.
Environmental Rules in Arapahoe County →