Environmental Rules in El Paso County, CO (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in El Paso County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
El Paso County requires every land division's drainage facilities to preserve historical flow patterns, avoid flooding neighbors, and grade lots for positive drainage before the county approves a subdivision plat.
El Paso County Subdivision Drainage Standards
Some RestrictionsEl Paso County (CO) Land Development Code § 8.4.5(A), (B)(1)
The design and operation of the drainage facilities serving a division of land shall ensure that: Historical flow patterns are maintained in a manner that will reasonably preserve the natural character of the area and prevent property damage of the type generally attributed to runoff peak flow and velocity increases, diversions, concentration and unplanned ponding of storm runoff... Lots and tr...
Erosion Control
El Paso County bars clearing, grading, excavation, or filling on land disturbances over one acre until the county approves a grading plan and an erosion and sediment control plan, and issues an ESQCP.
El Paso County Grading Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsEl Paso County Land Development Code § 6.3.5(A)(3)
No clearing, grading, excavation, filling, or other land-disturbing activities covered under this Section and Chapter 3 of the ECM shall be allowed until approval of the grading plan and erosion and sediment control plan is received, and an ESQCP is approved. CD6:66 GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS 6.3.5 (4) ...
Flood Zones
El Paso County requires a permit before any development in designated floodplain natural hazard areas in the unincorporated county, under its Areas and Activities of State Interest regulations.
El Paso County Floodplain Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsEl Paso County Land Development Code, Appendix B § 6.101
No person may conduct development, as defined in Section 6.104, within such area without first obtaining a permit pursuant to these Regulations. No person may engage in development, as hereinafter defined, within the floodplain natural hazard areas of El Paso County described on Exhibit D without first obtaining a permit pursuant to these Regulations.
Defensible Space
El Paso County requires landowners in Wildland Fire Areas to clear and maintain defensible space around structures under Table 6.8, with maintenance standards set by Colorado State University's Cooperative Extension and noncompliance enforced as a zoning violation.
El Paso County Defensible Space Standards
Some RestrictionsEl Paso County Land Development Code § 6.3.3(C)(5)(a),(b)
The Defensible Space Requirements in Table 6.8 shall be implemented as minimum requirements in association with development in any Wildland Fire Area. ... Defensible space and fuel break thinning work shall be completed and maintained to the standards described in the Colorado State University's Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet 6.302. ... Noncompliance with defensible space maintenance standard...
Flood Elevation Requirements
El Paso County subdivision plats must show approved base flood elevation data and 100-year floodplain boundaries, with FEMA-approved elevations required near any Zone A floodplain.
El Paso County Base Flood Elevation Rule
Some RestrictionsEl Paso County Land Development Code § 8.4.2(B)(1)(e)
Base flood elevation data approved by the jurisdictional floodplain authority and 100 year floodplain boundaries shall be shown on the plat. ... If any portion of a division of land is located within 300 feet of a Zone A Floodplain, FEMA-approved base flood elevations and boundaries are required to be determined and shown on the plat, or the applicant may provide a Floodplain Certification Lett...
Environmental Rules by City in El Paso County
1 cities in El Paso County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All El Paso County ordinances
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