Environmental Rules in Denver, CO (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Denver, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Before Denver issues a building permit, developers must submit a detailed storm drainage plan to the manager of transportation and infrastructure showing how stormwater and groundwater will be drained, stored, or controlled on the site.
Denver Storm Drainage Plan Before Permits
Some RestrictionsDenver Revised Municipal Code § 56-111(c)
Prior to the issuance by the city of a building permit for any building or structure, the owner, or building permit applicant on his/her behalf, shall submit a detailed storm drainage plan to the manager unless a variance from such required submission is requested in writing and approved. The requested building permit shall not be issued until and unless such storm drainage plan has been approved.
Erosion Control
Denver caps how much you can re-grade a lot near the street or side yard: no more than a 1-foot difference between original and finished grade within 10 feet of the primary street lot line.
Denver Site Grading Limits Near Setbacks
Some RestrictionsDenver Zoning Code § 10.6.3.1
Re-grading of the Zone Lot within the minimum Primary Street Setback shall not result in a difference between Original Grade and Finished Grade of more than 1 foot at any point that is within 10 feet of the Primary Street Zone Lot Line.
Flood Zones
Denver requires new construction and substantial improvements inside its regulatory floodplain to elevate the lowest floor at least 1.5 feet above the base flood elevation, and bars any building meant for human occupancy from the floodway entirely.
Denver Flood Zone Building and Freeboard Rules
Significant RestrictionsDenver Revised Municipal Code § 56-203(e)(1)a
New construction, lateral addition, and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall meet the following requirements: Have the lowest floor (including basement) and all associated machinery and equipment, elevated with a minimum of one and one-half (1½) feet of freeboard.
Flood Elevation Requirements
Denver requires new and substantially improved residential structures in the flood storage area to elevate their lowest floor, including any basement, at least one and one-half feet above the base flood elevation.
Denver Flood Storage Area Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsDenver Revised Municipal Code § 56-203(e)(1)a
Have the lowest floor (including basement) and all associated machinery and equipment, elevated with a minimum of one and one-half (1½) feet of freeboard.