Fort Collins, CO Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Stockpiling Permit or Development Construction Permit
- Reviewing official
- City Engineer
- Erosion standard source
- Stormwater Criteria Manual
- Stockpiling permit term
- 30 days, one 30-day extension
- DCP start deadline
- 60 days or permit expires
- Applies to
- Applications filed before May 17, 2024
Summary
Fort Collins requires a Stockpiling Permit before fill dirt is placed on property that isn't already covered by an approved development plan, and the City Engineer reviews every application against the erosion control standards written into the City's Stormwater Criteria Manual. The rule comes from the Transitional Land Use Code and governs applications filed before May 17, 2024.
2.6.1 - Purpose (A)A stockpiling permit is required in order to regulate the placement of fill dirt on properties not covered by a site specific development plan, to protect against adverse impacts to floodplains, drainage systems, natural areas, wildlife habitat, wetlands or other areas of public interest, and to assure that public nuisances will not be created by the stockpiling activities. ... an application for a Stockpiling Permit shall be reviewed for compliance with the City Code and all regulations related to such permit adopted by the city by reference or otherwise, as amended, including, without limitation, the erosion control standards as contained in the Stormwater Criteria Manual and the dust control measures contained in the Dust Control Manual to the extent required therein.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 155 | Transitional Land Use Code (for project before May 17, 2024): Supplement 61 | Traffic Code: Supplement 27).
Full Breakdown
6 of Fort Collins' Transitional Land Use Code (governing development applications submitted before May 17, 2024) sets up two related permits. A Stockpiling Permit is required to place fill dirt or similar inorganic material on property not already covered by a valid Development Construction Permit; a Development Construction Permit (DCP) coordinates the shift from City approval to actual site construction. 3, the City Engineer reviews and approves, conditions, or denies a Stockpiling Permit application against the City Code and all adopted regulations, 'including, without limitation, the erosion control standards as contained in the Stormwater Criteria Manual' and the dust control measures in the City's Dust Control Manual, to the extent required.
The same erosion-control cross-reference applies to DCP review. Permit timing is strict: a Stockpiling Permit's work must start and finish within 30 days of issuance unless the City Engineer sets a longer term, and an extension request (also capped at 30 additional days) must be filed at least two working days before expiration. A DCP expires if construction hasn't started within 60 days of issuance, or one year after issuance once started; extensions run up to six months and must be requested two weeks ahead of expiration, and the City Engineer may deny any extension found detrimental to public health, safety or welfare. 11 procedures, but only a person holding a legal or equitable interest in the specific property may file one.
Violations & Fines
Because Division 2.6 doesn't set its own fine schedule, an erosion-control violation under a stockpiling or construction permit falls back on the Land Use Code's general enforcement chapter (Division 2.14), which treats a violation as a misdemeanor subject to City Code Section 1-15 penalties, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense; unclassified misdemeanors carry fines up to $2,650. The City Engineer can also deny an extension or let a lapsed permit expire, halting work until a new application is filed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Fort Collins require a permit before stockpiling fill dirt?
What erosion control standard does the City Engineer apply?
How long does a Stockpiling Permit last?
Sources & Official References
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How other cities in Larimer County handle erosion control.