El Paso County, CO Environmental Rules: Grading & Drainage (2026)

Grading and drainage in El Paso County regulated by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD) and the Colorado Springs Drainage Criteria Manual. Grading permits required for excavation or fill over 50 cubic yards, slopes over 10%, or work in floodplains/wetlands. Site grading must direct drainage away from structures (minimum 6-inch drop in first 10 feet) and must not adversely affect neighboring properties (Colorado modified-civil-law rule — can't concentrate drainage onto neighbor). Drainage swales, French drains, catch basins, and drywells may be required. Retaining walls over 4 ft need engineered design per IRC Section R404 — structural calculations, soils report, PE stamp. Compaction testing required for structural fill — 95% Standard Proctor typical. Final grade must match approved plans and pass PPRBD inspection. Colorado Springs Hillside Overlay (CSCC §7.3.603) limits slopes over 10% — maximum cuts/fills, stepped terracing, and slope-stability analysis. Pikes Peak granite and decomposed granite soils are relatively stable but expansive clay soils (Pierre Shale, Fountain Formation) common in valleys require special design. Expansive soils drive widespread structural damage — Colorado Springs is in one of the nation's highest-risk expansive soil zones. Black Forest and Cedar Heights foothill grading involves specialized hillside engineering. Waldo Canyon and Black Forest burn scar sites require post-fire hydrology analysis.