5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in El Paso County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
El Paso County and Colorado Springs operate MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) permits under CDPHE CDPS. The $460M 2016 Pueblo-Colorado Springs Intergovernmental Agreement settled stormwater litigation over Fountain Creek. New development requires Drainage Criteria Manual compliance and LID (Low-Impact Development) features.
Colorado Springs requires erosion and sediment control plans for all land disturbance over 1 acre (CS Drainage Criteria Manual) and El Paso County requires ESC plans for disturbance over 1/2 acre (LDC Chapter 6). Waldo Canyon and Black Forest burn scars add post-fire controls. CDPHE CDPS stormwater permit (COR-400000) required.
El Paso County is landlocked — no coastal development applies. Instead, the county regulates riparian buffers along Fountain Creek, Monument Creek, Bear Creek, and other drainages. Typical 50-100 ft setbacks from designated waterways. 404 wetland permits through US Army Corps (Albuquerque District). FEMA floodplain requirements in 100-year zones.
El Paso County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and enforces FEMA floodplain regulations in unincorporated areas. The Fountain Creek watershed and other drainages pose significant flood risk, and development in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) requires permits.
PPRBD requires grading permits for excavation or fill over 50 cubic yards or slopes over 10%. Drainage must not adversely affect neighboring properties under Colorado common-law rules. Retaining walls over 4 ft need engineering. Black Forest and Cedar Heights foothills face specialized hillside grading requirements.
3 cities in El Paso County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for El Paso County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
El Paso County Ordinance Hub →