Frequently Asked Questions

This is a Planning & Zoning question, in most cases vacant land must remain vacant until a principal permitted use is established. See below for details.

1. Use this link to open a new tab with instructions on how to find your Zoning of the parcel in question
2. Find the Zoning Regulations that match your Zoning 
               Hint: MR-1 and R-1 are Residential, M-1 is Mining. You can build ONE Single Family Residence on parcels with these zoning designations
3. Read through the applicable Zoning Regulations to understand what we allow to be built, setbacks, and use information for Clear Creek County.
 

The Planning Department can be reached at 303-679-2436 if you have questions after you've read through your Zoning Regulations on your own.
There is a process to 're-zone' your parcel if the current zoning designation does not meet your needs. Please call us to discuss if this is an option for your parcel.

All dwellings must meet the minimum code requirements, which include light, heat, ventilation, kitchen, bath facilities, etc. 

These requirements can be found in Chapter 3 of the 2021 International Residential Code.

The Code has minimum requirements for residences, which include minimum room sizes and dimensions. The requirements can be found in Chapter 3 of the 2021 International Residential Code.

Please click here for a list of Work Exempt from a Permit.

The building permits issued by Clear Creek County will include all of the plumbing, mechanical and framing for the construction described in the permit but does not include the electrical work, which is regulated, permitted and inspected by the State Electrical Department, www.dora.state.co.us/electrical or 303-894-2300.

Chapter 9 of the 2021 International Building Code requires Class A rated roofing material or Class A rated assembly for roofing such as wood shakes or shingles, rolled roofing, membrane roofing, etc. that are not Class A rated materials. 

Other requirements are: Complete tear off is required; Drip edge on eave and rake; Ice barrier from eave to minimum 24” up from exterior wall line; Venting must be added where insufficient and when applicable; Mid-roof inspection is required.

The snow load varies depending on the elevation of the property  and this can be researched on ClearMap, the County online mapping service.

Once on ClearMap, follow these 5-steps to find your Snow Load:

1. Click the blue 'I Want To' and type in your address or parcel number or owner name.
2. On the lower left part of the map area, click on "Show Layer Presets",  and choose "Snow Loads"  
3. On the map, right-click on the parcel
4. Select "Identify Features'
5. On the left side, Click Snow Load

ClearMap - Snow Load

Clear Creek County has 2 wind zones and this can be researched on ClearMap, the County online mapping service.

Once on ClearMap, follow these 5-steps to find your Wind Load:

1. Click the blue 'I Want To' and type in your address or parcel number or owner name.
2. On the lower left part of the map area, click on "Show Layer Presets",  and choose "Wind Speeds"
3. On the map, right-click on the parcel
4. Select "Identify Features'
5. On the side, Click Wind Speed

ClearMap - Wind Speed

Clear Creek County has multiple zones and this can be researched on ClearMap, the County online mapping service.

Once on ClearMap, follow these 5-steps to find your Zoning:

1. Click the blue 'I Want To' and type in your address or parcel number or owner name.
2. On the lower left part of the map area, click on "Show Layer Presets", and choose "Zoning Designations"
3. On the map, right-click on the parcel
4. Select "Identify Features'
5. On the side, Click Zoning

For your Zoning Regulations, click the Zoning Regulations link below your zoning and select your section for a list of uses.

ClearMap - Zoning

Clear Creek County does not require a county license for general contractors. Property owners are encouraged to get references and check with agencies such as the Better Business Bureau for background on any contractor they are considering hiring. 

The State requires all Plumbing and Electrical Contractors be licensed through the State.

Find out what your land is zoned for first, to determine what kind of house you are allowed to build, if any. You can call 303-679-2436 to find this out, or use our GIS ClearMap and use the Zoning Layer.  

Once you've established you are able to build a residence in your zoning, hire an engineer to construct Grading, Excavation, and Erosion Control plans for your parcel (we do not make recommendations for engineers). 

Then, submit your plans,  and application documents to the Site Development Department.  

Contact Excel Energy for electric if needed, and the State of Colorado to obtain a Well Permit if needed. 

You will also need a Leach Field if you are not in an area with sanitation (which very few areas are). Contact Environmental Health for information on septic permits if needed.

Clear Creek County does not require a county license for general contractors. Property owners are encouraged to get references and check with agencies such as the Better Business Bureau for background on any contractor they are considering hiring. The State requires all Plumbing and Electrical Contractors be licensed through the State.

Yes, you can be your own contractor. You still must meet all the same requirements outlined in the checklist.  All decks must meet the 2015 or later IRC code. All structural construction plans MUST be wet stamped, regardless of who is performing the work.  

Yes, as long as the ILC has all requirement components of a site plan, outlined in the checklist, we will accept an ILC.

Yes, we will need a complete application to process a permit

Yes, if the roof is not currently recognized as a deck by the building permit obtained to build the residence, then you will need a permit to turn it into a rooftop deck/entertaining area.

You can look up any previous or active permits for your property here. 

First, you need to determine if you would like to keep the deck or demolish it. If you want to keep the deck, simply submit an application with any documentation you can find on the deck plans and an engineer's letter for the deck and we will work with you on next steps to legalize it. You will need a current Site Plan with the existing deck to be submitted if you plan to legalize. This process will require you pay the permit fee and proceed through the permit process for new decks.

Yes, you will need a county official to inspect the deck to finalize the permit. Your deck is not legal until you've passed your inspection. You will receive specific instructions when you are issued your permit with how to schedule these inspections, what inspections are needed, and our inspection process.

Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work do not require a permit. 

Electrical Permits are issued by the State of Colorado. Any strucural work needs a permit from Clear Creek County.