El Paso County requires defensible space under the El Paso County Wildland-Urban Interface Ordinance. After the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire (346 homes) and 2013 Black Forest Fire (509 homes — the most destructive in CO history at the time), the county adopted WUI Code mandating 100-foot defensible space and ignition-resistant construction in designated hazard zones.
El Paso County adopted the 2018 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) through the Land Development Code, enforced by the El Paso County Wildland Fire Crew and Regional Building Department. Defensible space requirements: Zone 1 (0-5 feet) — non-combustible surface against structures; Zone 2 (5-30 feet) — lean, clean, and green; Zone 3 (30-100 feet) — thinned vegetation with 10-foot spacing between tree crowns. Black Forest, Cedar Heights, Crystal Park, and the Pikes Peak foothills are designated Very High or Extreme hazard zones. Colorado Springs Fire Department enforces within city limits via CSFD Wildfire Mitigation Program. The county offers free Home Ignition Zone assessments through the El Paso County Sheriff's Office Wildland Fire Crew. Slash-mulch sites (Black Forest, Falcon) accept chipped material seasonally. Unlike California (PRC §4291), Colorado has no statewide mandate — El Paso's WUI ordinance is locally adopted. Post-Black Forest enforcement dramatically increased, with annual compliance inspections in Firewise-USA communities.
Notice of violation with 30-day correction window. County abatement at owner's expense ($500-$5,000+ for wooded lots). Administrative fee and property lien for non-payment. Repeat violations may block building permits.
El Paso County, CO
Unincorporated El Paso County has no countywide noise ordinance establishing specific quiet hours. Noise complaints in unincorporated areas are handled under...
El Paso County, CO
Unincorporated El Paso County does not have a countywide ordinance limiting construction hours. Construction noise must comply with Colorado state noise stan...
El Paso County, CO
El Paso County Animal Services enforces nuisance animal provisions including chronic barking dogs in unincorporated areas under the El Paso County Animal Ser...
El Paso County, CO
El Paso County Land Development Code governs driveway construction and access to county roads for unincorporated properties. Driveway permits from the county...
El Paso County, CO
El Paso County Land Development Code restricts long-term RV and recreational vehicle parking and storage in residential zones of unincorporated areas. RVs ma...
El Paso County, CO
El Paso County Land Development Code limits the storage of commercial vehicles and equipment on residential-zoned properties in unincorporated areas to preve...
See how El Paso County's brush clearance rules stack up against other locations.
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