Environmental Rules in La Plata County, CO (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
In unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado, development needing a land use permit must show it will not adversely affect surface waters by meeting the Chapter 70 Technical Appendix drainage criteria. Land Use Code § 70-9 requires on-site detention, a storm drain design for the ten year storm, and a drainage report signed and sealed by a professional engineer.
La Plata County Stormwater and Drainage Requirements
Some RestrictionsLa Plata County Code § 70-9
I. Purpose and applicability. A. Purpose. ... The purpose of this section is to minimize the potential adverse impacts of development on stormwater quality and quantity for both construction and post-construction runoff. These standards protect the community’s water resources, streams, creeks, rivers, and their availability for existing and future use. ... II. ... Standards. The applicant shall...
Erosion Control
In unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado, an applicant under Land Use Code § 70-9 must submit an erosion control plan showing construction measures, their schedule, revegetation specifications and the extent of disturbance. Improvements, revegetation and soil stabilization must be finished before plat recording or land use permit, with a professional engineer's certification.
La Plata County Construction Erosion Control Plan Rules
Some RestrictionsLa Plata County Code § 70-9
E. Project Completion. ... 1. The applicant must complete improvements, revegetation measures, and soil stabilization prior to plat recording or land use permit. Additionally, a professional engineer shall submit a certification that the improvements have been constructed in accordance with the approved plans. ... ... C. Erosion control plan. ... The applicant shall submit an erosion control pl...
Flood Zones
In unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado, anyone building or developing inside a FEMA special flood hazard area needs a floodplain development permit before work begins. Chapter 78 adopts the FEMA study effective April 25, 2024, bars building sites in a determined floodway, and treats each day of violation as a separate offense.
La Plata County Floodplain Development Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsLa Plata County Code §§ 78-21, 78-23, 78-33
This chapter shall apply to all special flood hazard areas and areas removed from the floodplain by the issuance of a FEMA letter of map revision based on fill (LOMR-F) within the jurisdiction of the county. ... The special flood hazard areas identified by FEMA in the Flood Insurance Study, La Plata County, Colorado, and Incorporated Areas, Effective April 25, 2024 along with accompanying Flood...
Defensible Space
In unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado, applicants for subdivisions, PUDs and utility scale battery storage in high or greater wildfire burn probability areas must submit a wildfire risk assessment. Defensible space guidelines are encouraged for all development, and battery storage enclosures carry a mandatory 30-foot clearance.
La Plata County Defensible Space in Development Review
Some RestrictionsLa Plata County Code § 70-8
A. Wildfire standards. To the maximum extent feasible, all applicants for new utility scale BESS, subdivisions, or PUDs located in areas having high or greater wildfire burn probability based upon the Colorado State Forest Service – Colorado Wildfire Risk Assessment mapping shall submit an assessment identifying the level of risk of wildfire and incorporate wildfire mitigation efforts in the pr...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado, new and substantially improved homes in a special flood hazard area must have the lowest floor, including the basement and all mechanical equipment and ductwork, elevated one foot above the base flood elevation. A Colorado registered engineer, architect or land surveyor certifies the elevation to the floodplain administrator.
La Plata County Flood Elevation Requirements
Some RestrictionsLa Plata County Code § 78-73
In all special flood hazard areas, except those areas governed by section 78-75 below, the following provisions are required. In determining compliance with this section, available base flood elevation data shall be utilized. I. Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including the basement, electrical, hea...
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