FAQs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Do I need a grading permit?
A: Although a permit is only required when disturbing over 500 square feet, any earth-disturbing activity is subject to the Grading and Excavation Regulations with the Summit County Land Use and Development Code. Submit a site plan to Engineering for review. At a minimum, a plan review fee may be assessed.
Q: How do I get a grading permit?
A: There are a couple of ways to apply for a grading permit. For projects involving structural changes, additions or renovations, submit for a building permit with a completed site plan and technical documents. The plans are routed through the departments where Engineering will review the plans for compliance with Chapters 5, 6 and 7 of the Summit County Land Use and Development Code. For those projects with existing structures on the lot and proposing only earth work, submit an application for site work only with a site plan to the Engineering Department.
Q: I want to build my house. What does Engineering need to know?
A: The Summit County Land Use and Development Code empowers the Engineering Department to review projects proposing grading and excavation for any construction involving soil disturbance and to issue grading permits when necessary. See the comprehensive list of requirements, click here.
Q: What are the County driveway standards?
A: Driveway standards are in Section 5107.03 of the Summit Coundy Land use and Development Code and can vary on the density proposed for development.
Q: What do I need to know about steep slopes and slope stability?
A: Slopes of 30% or greater add a layer of requirements for obtaining a grading and excavation permit. First determine if there are any 30% or greater slopes on the lot or in the right-of-way to access the lot. To determine slopes from a topographic survey that can be scaled, use the equation rise over run. For instance a two foot contour rise set 6 feet apart equals a 33.333% slope When the lot or the right-of-way has 30% or greater slopes, a calculation is required to determine the percentage of those slopes disturbed. If 15% or more of these slopes is disturbed, a Geotechnical report for slope stability by a Colorado Licensed Professional Engineer is required at submittal for a grading permit.
Q: What do I need to know about wetlands?
A: Wetlands are required to be shown on site plans. For any subdivision that was created prior to 1996, wetlands were not necessarily identified in the subdivision process. Therefore, they are unknown and my exist on any lot near or within that subdivision. To know you must determine if wetlands exist on your site. Wetlands must have all three characteristics of wetland vegetation, hydric soils and hydrology as identified in the Wetland Delineation 1987 Corps of Engineers Manual. If wetlands are identified on or in the vicinity of your site, they must be shown on the site plan by first acquiring a wetland delineation and report by wetland consultant recognized by the Army Corps of Engineers.
Q: Can I disturb wetlands?
A: Wetlands are protected by the local, state and federal governments. A permit must be issued for wetlands disturbance from the appropriate jurisdiction or you may incur penalties. To determine which jurisdiction is in charge of a wetland it must be identified by a qualified professional and then verification is made by the appropriate governing body.