Mesa County, CO Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

C of the 2020 Land Development Code (amended April 23, 2024) bars new development or redevelopment that disturbs one acre or more, or disturbs less than an acre but is part of a larger common plan of development or sale, from proceeding without full compliance with the stormwater regulations, the Mesa County Stormwater Management Manual, and other applicable LDC standards. "Disturbance" is defined broadly to include grading, clearing, excavation, stockpile areas, demolition areas, and equipment or vehicle traffic that removes vegetative cover. The regulations apply to lands designated as an urbanized area by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

1 of the Stormwater Management Manual, covering inspections, reporting, and required changes to a project's Construction Stormwater Management Plan. Permanent stormwater quality runoff controls must be installed with development to prevent water quality deterioration, and long-term maintenance responsibility for those structural and nonstructural controls is established under the same section. A property with a lawful nonconforming use that predates the stormwater rules may continue, but any redevelopment that disturbs an acre (or less as part of a larger plan) must bring the site into conformance. The section explicitly disclaims county liability for water quality damages arising from reliance on the regulations or on administrative decisions made under them.