Environmental Rules in Manitou Springs, CO (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Manitou Springs, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Manitou Springs operates under an MS4 stormwater discharge permit that Colorado issued the city in 2003, and Title 14 of the Municipal Code translates that permit into local rules. Anyone disturbing an acre or more of ground, or redeveloping a site with permanent water-quality controls, needs a Grading and Erosion Control Permit before breaking ground.
Manitou Springs Stormwater Discharge Rules
Significant RestrictionsManitou Springs Municipal Code §§ 14.01.020, 14.02.010
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued the first Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permits to small municipalities, including the City of Manitou Springs in 2003. ... This chapter establishes the regulatory mechanisms required by the MS4 permit to reduce or prevent the discharge of pollutants to the MS4 from applicable construction activities and applicable de...
Erosion Control
Manitou Springs requires a Grading and Erosion Control Permit before any land disturbance tied to applicable construction activity or development, City Code section 14.02.010. Applicants file a Stormwater Management Plan built by a Qualified Stormwater Manager, and no dirt moves until the Planning Director issues a Notice to Proceed. Skipping the permit draws an immediate Stop Work Order.
Manitou Springs Erosion and Sediment Control Permit
Significant RestrictionsManitou Springs Municipal Code § 14.02.010
It is unlawful to initiate any land disturbing activities that meet the definition of applicable construction activities or applicable development site without first obtaining a Grading and Erosion Control Permit pursuant to the requirements of this Chapter and Title 18.
Flood Zones
Any development proposed within a Manitou Springs floodplain must avoid or mitigate flood risk and pass review by the Regional Floodplain Administrator before it can proceed. Section 18.03.10.6 folds the city's flood-hazard rules into the Regional Floodplain Regulations, the multi-jurisdiction standard covering the Fountain Creek watershed below the Waldo Canyon burn scar.
Manitou Springs Floodplain Development Review
Some RestrictionsManitou Springs Municipal Code § 18.03.10.6
18.03.10.6Development in Flood Hazard Areas.A.Purpose and Intent. The purpose of this section is to promote the public health, safety, and welfare and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions to specific areas. ... B.Applicability of Flood Hazard Standards.1.Adequate floodplain avoidance and/or mitigation is required for all development proposed in the floodplain and shall ...
Defensible Space
Manitou Springs requires structures flagged at rapid wildfire risk to keep three defensible space rings: a five-foot non-combustible mulch zone against the building, a ten-foot primary zone with fire-carrying vegetation treated or removed, and a thirty-foot secondary zone with specific tree-spacing and pruning rules under the Wildfire Mitigation Standards.
Manitou Springs Defensible Space Zones
Some RestrictionsManitou Springs Municipal Code § 18.03.10.8(D)
D.Wildfire Mitigation Standards. The applicant shall mitigate wildfire hazards to applicable structures through landscaping and maintenance to the maximum extent practicable by:1.Maintaining a five (5)-foot perimeter zone that contains only non-organic mulch around structures;2.Providing and maintaining a ten (10)-foot primary defensible space area, where vegetation capable of carrying fire has...
Looking for El Paso County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Manitou Springs city rules.
Environmental Rules in El Paso County →