Environmental Rules in Colorado Springs, CO (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Colorado Springs, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Colorado Springs bans any non-stormwater discharge into the City's municipal storm sewer system (MS4) under its Stormwater Quality Management and Discharge Control Code. The City Engineer administers the program, with violations charged as misdemeanors carrying mandatory minimum fines.
Colorado Springs Stormwater Discharge Control Code
Some RestrictionsColorado Springs City Code § 3.8.201 (Prohibition of Illegal Discharges)
It shall be unlawful to discharge or cause to be discharged into the MS4 any materials, including, but not limited to, pollutants or waters containing any pollutants that cause or contribute to a violation of applicable water quality standards or that could cause the City to be in violation of its MSDP, other than stormwater. It shall be unlawful to store, handle or apply any pollutant in a man...
Erosion Control
Private grading that disturbs one acre or more, is part of a larger project disturbing an acre or more, touches an open drainage channel, or builds or modifies a permanent control measure needs a Grading and Erosion Control (GEC) Permit under City Code § 7.4.601C, reviewed by the Stormwater Enterprise Manager under § 7.5.506.
Colorado Springs Grading & Erosion Control Permit
Significant RestrictionsColorado Springs City Code § 7.4.601
C. Grading and Erosion Control (GEC) Permit: 1. No person shall undertake any grading on private property that will result in any of the following without first complying with the requirements of Subsection 2 below: a. Construction activities disturbing one (1) or more acres; ... c. Any grading or construction within an open drainage channel as determined by the review engineer... An erosion ...
Flood Zones
Colorado Springs participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and regulates development in all FEMA-designated floodplains and floodways. Fountain Creek and Monument Creek corridors present the highest flood risk, along with tributaries including Sand Creek and Cheyenne Creek. A Floodplain Development Permit is required for any construction in the 100-year floodplain. The Drainage Criteria Manual requires developers to determine floodplain elevations and perform downstream hydrologic analysis. The 2013 flooding events caused significant damage and prompted stricter floodplain management.
Colorado Springs Flood Zone Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsColorado Springs Drainage Criteria Manual (DCM) Vol. I–II
Stormwater Criteria. The City of Colorado Springs stormwater criteria is written to fulfill the City's regulatory requirements, including the City of Colorado Springs Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit (COS000004), the stormwater Consent Decree (ECF #181, Case 1:16-cv-02745-JLK USA et al v. City of Colorado Springs), and the 2016 Intergovernmental Agreement with Pueblo County. T...
Defensible Space
In Colorado Springs' wildland urban interface risk areas, Appendix K to the fire code splits every parcel into a 0-5 foot Immediate Zone requiring non-combustible surfaces and no new planting, and a 5-30 foot Intermediate Zone with tree, retaining-wall and fencing clearance rules enforced through fire-department plan review and inspection.
Colorado Springs Defensible Space Zone Rules
Some RestrictionsColorado Springs City Code § 8.4.105, Appendix K, Sections K108.1.1-K108.1.2.3
Section K108.1.1 Structure Ignition Zone 1 (0-5 feet): Immediate Zone Section K108.1.1.2 Materials. Use non-combustible, hard surface materials in this zone, such as rock, gravel, sand, concrete, bare earth or stone/concrete pavers. Areas under deck and immediately surrounding a deck shall comply with this section. Section K108.1.1.3 Plantings and Vegetation. Remove all vegetation including shr...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Colorado Springs applies Regional Building Code Section 313's floodplain rules through UDC § 7.4.802, requiring every subdivision plat to show FEMA-approved base flood elevation data and 100-year floodplain boundaries. Parcels within 300 feet of a mapped Zone A floodplain need a licensed engineer's floodplain certification, or plat-shown elevations, before the City approves the plat.
Colorado Springs Base Flood Elevation Subdivision Rules
Some RestrictionsColorado Springs City Code § 7.4.802.D (amending RBC 313.18.5)
"RBC 313.18.5, Subdivision Proposals. 1. All proposed subdivisions shall be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage; 2. All proposed subdivisions shall have public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems located and constructed to minimize flood damage; 3. All proposed subdivisions shall have adequate drainage provided to reduce exposure to flood dam...
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