Show All Answers

1. How can I find out how a property is zoned?

Property zoning maps may be viewed on line on ClearMap; or, please send an email to planning@clearcreekcounty.us or by calling (303) 679-2436. When searching you should have an address, parcel number or tax schedule number. The last name of the property owner for the property in questions to verify zone district.

2. What are the required building setbacks and allowed uses in my zoning district?

A property's zoning district determines its setback requirements and permitted uses.

Property zoning maps may be viewed on line on ClearMap; or, please send an email to planning@clearcreekcounty.us or by calling (303) 679-2436. When searching you should have an address, parcel number or tax schedule number. The last name of the property owner for the property in questions to verify zone district. Once you find your designation of the subject property, you can then find setback information under the appropriately designated zoning district. Zoning Regulations can be online on the Zoning website.

3. Can I subdivide my property?

Please contact the Clear Creek Planning Department for more information on subdivision rules.

(303) 679-2436
planning@clearcreekcounty.us 

4. How do I know if my neighborhood has covenants?

Clear Creek County does not enforce private covenants. Covenants are typically administered and enforced by Homeowners Associations. Please contact the Home or Property Owners Association to find out if covenants exist in your neighborhood.  It should be noted that some neighborhoods do not have Home or Property Owner Associations.

5. How do I determine where my property boundaries are?

Hiring a professional surveyor is the best way to accurately locate your property boundaries.  The surveyor can stake out your property boundaries or locate the corners of the property for you.  Additionally, for more general information regarding your property boundaries you can refer to the subdivision plat of your property if one exists. If your property is part of a platted subdivision, there should be a plat on file with the Clerk and Recorders Office.  Please call (303)679-2340 or visit the Clerk & Recorder web page. These plats may be viewed by the public during regular business hours and will show the location of the surveyor’s monuments on the plat which mark the property boundaries. It should be noted that some properties have not been surveyed and therefore, no survey information would be on file.

6. Can I camp on my property?

You may camp on your property for a period of up to two (2) weeks per year, and up to one (1) month per year with a Temporary Camping Permit.  Permits are available in the Community Development Office located at 1111 Rose Street, Georgetown, CO., please go to the County’s Camping Web Page;  or contact the Planning Department at (303) 679-2436.

7. Can I leave my recreational vehicle on my property year around?

No, vacant land in Clear Creek County must remain vacant until a principal permitted use is established or a special use is obtained. The storage of one (1) unoccupied recreational vehicle is allowed as an accessory use to an existing legal Permitted Principal Use such as a residence.

8. The house has a outhouse, is that okay?

Outhouses are not an approved form of wastewater disposal. Since the early 1970's outhouses have been outlawed and must be replaced with a permitted wastewater treatment system. Even if your residence does not have running water, because it is was built prior to permitting requirements (prior to 1960), you are still required to upgrade your wastewater treatment system to something that is approved. Outhouses that are existing must be decommissioned per the requirements in the Clear Creek County OWTS Regulations.


 To know what would be approved please contact the Environmental Health Department at (303) 679-2420 or EH@clearcreekcounty.us.

9. Can I put a mobile home on my property?

Mobile homes are permitted only in Mobile Home zoning districts.  Please contact the Planning Department to locate these zoning districts.

10. Can I have animals, small livestock and large livestock including horses?

Non-commercial keeping of pets is allowed in all zoning districts.  Pets shall be contained and controlled.  If there is a pet problem, please contact Animal Control. Large animals and livestock are allowed under special circumstances and the number of which are controlled by zoning.  Large animals such as horses, mules, cattle, and buffalo are allowed on parcels of land over 3-acres in size.  And then, only one (1) animal per acre in density is allowed.  Manure must be managed in order to prevent unsanitary conditions and excessive breeding of flies.  Please see the Zoning Regulations on Animals in Section 1008.

11. Can I have a Tiny Home in Clear Creek County?

Tiny homes are still required to meet all Zoning, Building, Driveway and Environmental Health requirements. 

For more information, please look through our Tiny Home Guide.

12. Do I need a permit to run my house as a short term rental (vacation rental) on websites like AirBNB or VRBO?

Yes a permit is required if your property is outside of town/city limits. 

Email support@lodgingrevs.com and provide them with your property information so they can create an account for your property. 

After activation of your account, follow the steps in the permit portal to apply and obtain a short term rental permit.  For more information, go to the STR webpage. An annual permit is $250 and requires a house inspection by the County’s Building Official as a final step.  An inspection fee is required and the inspection will be scheduled only after a complete application has been accepted.

13. The house I am interested in is on a septic system, what does that mean?

A septic system, or Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS), is a type of wastewater treatment system that is individual to a home or property. Theses systems are paid for and maintained entirely by the property that is utilizing the system.  All septic systems are required to be permitted in Clear Creek County and must meet criteria that protect water quality. If you are purchasing a home that has an existing OWTS, there needs to be an approved Use Permit issued prior to the close of the sale.  You can find more information on OWTS and Use Permits on the Environmental Health web pages.

14. What is a septic Use Permit?

A Use Permit is required to be issued by the Environmental Health Department prior to the transfer of property where the property is serviced by an onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS).  To obtain a Use Permit the property must receive a third party inspection ensuring the system is functioning as designed, the MLS or publication must not exceed the number of bedrooms permitted through the OWTS, and any applicable forms and fees must be remitted. 

For more information on the Use Permit process, or specific criteria for approval or exemptions, visit the Use Permit web page.

15. Why do the number of bedrooms matter for my septic system?

Septic systems are designed based on the number of bedrooms in your home. Per State and Local regulations, there is a set gallons of wastewater per day that you are permitted to discharge that is calculated using occupancy of bedrooms. When you add unpermitted bedrooms to your residence you are no longer compliance with your septic permit, and could cause your septic system to fail and result in a costly repair or full replacement.

For more information on bedrooms and how many bedrooms your residence, or a residence you are interested in is permitted to have, please contact (303) 679-2428 or EH@clearcreekcounty.us. 

16. My septic system has "higher level treatment", what does that mean?

Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) that utilize higher level treatment are typically required to do so because of setback reductions to wells or watercourses, to shrink the size of system footprint, or because it is a requirement of an property owners association. Higher level treatment systems may not be changed or removed unless they receive permitted approval to do so. Systems that utilize higher level treatment must maintain an operation and maintenance contract for the life of the system and an Operating Permit for the life of the system. 

For more information on Operating Permits and higher level treatment systems you can visit the Operating Permit web page or contact EH@clearcreekcounty.us.