Colorado Springs City Code Section 7.4.601 and the Drainage Criteria Manual govern all grading and drainage activities. A Grading and Erosion Control permit is required before any land disturbance. The Drainage Criteria Manual specifies design standards for open channels, underground conveyance, permanent control measures for water quality treatment and detention. All development must ensure downstream stormwater infrastructure can safely pass 2-year, 25-year, and 100-year storm events, with analysis extending at minimum to the next two downstream structures.
Colorado Springs regulates grading and drainage through building and engineering codes. Grading permits required for excavation or fill over specified thresholds, typically 50 to 100 cubic yards. Site grading must direct drainage away from structures and not adversely affect neighboring properties. Drainage swales, French drains, and catch basins may be required. Retaining walls over 4 feet need engineering and separate permits. Compaction testing required for structural fill. Final grade must match approved plans. Property owners responsible for maintaining drainage facilities on their land.
Unpermitted grading: stop-work order and fines $250 to $2,500. Redirecting drainage to neighbors: corrective action required. Slope failure from improper grading: liability and remediation costs.
Colorado Springs, CO
Continuously barking or howling dogs that create unreasonable disturbances are prohibited under Colorado Springs City Code §9.9.302 and the general noise ord...
Colorado Springs, CO
Construction noise in Colorado Springs is subject to the general noise ordinance (§9.8.101). Construction activities that exceed permissible decibel limits o...
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs prohibits excessive noise under City Code Title 9, Chapter 9.8. Residential decibel limits are more restrictive between 7 PM and 7 AM, with ...
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs bans RVs from parking on any public street citywide except for brief loading/unloading. On private property, RVs must be stored in side/rear...
Colorado Springs, CO
Commercial vehicles with a GVWR of 10,001 lbs or more cannot be stored on private property in residential zoning districts. Trucks cannot park on residential...
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado follows the Good Neighbor Fence Law (C.R.S. §35-46-112), which does not prescribe statewide height limits but requires shared fence costs if both ne...
See how Colorado Springs's grading & drainage rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.