5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Denver County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
Denver stormwater is managed by DOTI Wastewater Management under DRMC §56. New development and redevelopment must control runoff per the Denver Storm Drainage Design Criteria Manual, meet MS4 NPDES permit rules, and pay stormwater fees based on impervious area. The Platte to Park Hill Drainage Project addresses longstanding NE Denver flooding.
Denver requires an Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) plan for any land disturbance over 1 acre (CDPS Construction Stormwater permit trigger) and under DRMC §56 for smaller sites. BMPs include silt fencing, wattles, inlet protection, stabilized construction entrances, and prompt stabilization of disturbed areas. DOTI inspectors enforce.
Denver has no ocean coastline but regulates development along the South Platte River, Cherry Creek, Bear Creek, Clear Creek, and Sand Creek through floodplain zoning and riparian buffer rules. FEMA-mapped 100-year floodplain, DRMC §57 floodplain code, and the Denver Waterway Protection Ordinance govern these corridors.
Denver has FEMA-mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas along the South Platte River and Cherry Creek. Development in the 1% floodplain requires a floodplain permit and elevation at least 1 foot above BFE.
Denver requires a grading permit for earth-moving over 50 cubic yards or land disturbance over 5,000 sq ft under DRMC Chapter 10. Drainage must follow the Denver Storm Drainage Design Criteria Manual and must not redirect flow onto neighboring properties. Retaining walls over 4 feet need separate engineering permits.
1 cities in Denver County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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Denver County Ordinance Hub →