El Paso County, CO Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Section
- LDC § 8.4.5
- Governing manuals
- Engineering & Drainage Criteria Manuals
- Applies to
- Land divisions, unincorporated county
- Lot grading
- Must drain away from buildings
Summary
El Paso County requires every land division's drainage facilities to preserve historical flow patterns, avoid flooding neighbors, and grade lots for positive drainage before the county approves a subdivision plat.
The design and operation of the drainage facilities serving a division of land shall ensure that: Historical flow patterns are maintained in a manner that will reasonably preserve the natural character of the area and prevent property damage of the type generally attributed to runoff peak flow and velocity increases, diversions, concentration and unplanned ponding of storm runoff... Lots and tracts shall be laid out to provide positive drainage away from building sites.
Full Breakdown
Under LDC §8.4.5, applicants must design drainage so runoff peaks, diversions and ponding don't damage other property, and lots must be graded to drain away from building sites, consistent with the applicable drainage basin planning study. All drainage and bridge facilities must meet the El Paso County Engineering Criteria Manual and Drainage Criteria Manual, and maintenance provisions for detention basins must be secured through covenants or a Private Detention Basin Maintenance Agreement before plat approval.
Violations & Fines
Plat and construction-drawing approval withheld until the drainage report and facilities meet ECM/Drainage Criteria Manual standards; noncompliant grading is a Land Development Code violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does El Paso County have its own stormwater rules for new subdivisions?
Who maintains detention basins built for a subdivision?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in El Paso County
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