Littleton, CO Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing ordinance
- Littleton Storm Drainage Ordinance, Title 7 Ch. 7
- Enforcing official
- Director, Dept. of Public Works
- Required bond
- 125% of stormwater infrastructure cost
- Civil penalty
- $500 to $2,500 per violation
- Criminal penalty
- Misdemeanor charge
- Final stabilization standard
- 70% vegetative cover or equivalent
Summary
Littleton will not issue a construction, redevelopment, grading, or occupancy permit until the site meets the Littleton Storm Drainage Ordinance's design standards. Owners must post a bond, letter of credit, or cash escrow covering 125% of estimated stormwater infrastructure costs, and the Director of Public Works holds the bond until final site stabilization is inspected and approved.
A. No permits for new construction activity, redevelopment, grading, nor a certificate of occupancy shall be issued by the City until and unless the owner of the site complies with the storm drainage design and construction requirements outlined in section 7-7-6 of this chapter. ... B. Permit issuance shall include, but not be limited to, the posting of a bond, letter of credit, or cash escrow for one hundred twenty five percent (125%) of the estimated cost of all public improvements, stormwater infrastructure, and temporary Best Management Practices and final vegetation, to ensure that the construction requirements will subsequently be met.
Full Breakdown
Title 7, Chapter 7 of the Littleton City Code, the Littleton Storm Drainage Ordinance, ties every construction, redevelopment, and grading permit, plus every certificate of occupancy, to compliance with the drainage design and construction standards in section 7-7-6. Under section 7-7-9, permit issuance must include posting a bond, letter of credit, or cash escrow equal to 125% of the estimated cost of public improvements, stormwater infrastructure, and temporary Best Management Practices, plus final vegetation establishment. The Director of Public Works will not terminate a permit or release the bond until an inspection confirms final stabilization, meaning at least 70% vegetative cover or equivalent permanent erosion control, and until storm sewers are cleaned and an as-built certification is filed by a registered Colorado professional engineer and land surveyor.
Damaged storm drainage facilities must be replaced by the owner and graded to plans approved by the Director. Section 7-7-11 gives the Director right of entry to inspect installation, maintenance, and compliance of both temporary and permanent stormwater facilities, and the Director can seek a Municipal Court search warrant if entry is refused. Illicit discharges, meaning any discharge to the storm drainage system not composed entirely of stormwater, trigger immediate notification obligations: hazardous material releases go to the Littleton Police Department via emergency dispatch, while non-hazardous releases go to the Department of Public Works.
Violations & Fines
Violating any provision of the Storm Drainage Ordinance is a misdemeanor under section 7-7-12(A). After a first notice and failure to remedy, a second written notice triggers a civil penalty between $500 and $2,500, plus the City's actual abatement costs with a 25% administrative surcharge, payable within 30 days or the whole amount plus 15% incidental costs accrues; unpaid costs become a lien on the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a stormwater permit to build in Littleton?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Littleton
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Stormwater Management in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Arapahoe County handle stormwater management.