Stormwater Quality (SWQ) Permit for Construction Activities

Recent Information

Minor revisions to Chapter 9 of the Adams County Development Standards and Regulations were adopted on Dec. 8, 2020
Adams County SWMP template has been updated to incorporate the latest CDPHE Stormwater Discharge Permit requirements to meet the 4/1/2019 deadline.
Stormwater Quality Permit fees have been adopted by the Board of County Commissioners and they are effective as of Jan. 1, 2018. Permit issuance: $300, Renewal/Transfer:$100. Permit fees double for projects starting without permit coverage.
Revisions to Chapter 9 of the Adams County Development Standards and Regulations were adopted on Aug. 15, 2017. The MS4 boundary has been expanded based on the 2010 Census data, and minimum water quality treatment standards were adopted under Section 9-04-05.

Construction within unincorporated Adams County MS4 permitted area

Construction activities disturbing 1 or more acres within the 2023 MS4 Permitted Area require an Adams County’s Stormwater Quality (SWQ) Permit. This permit also applies for projects disturbing less than 1 acre which belong to a larger construction development per Adams County Development Standards and Regulations.

SWQ Permit

The intent of the SWQ permit is to ensure that developers and builders are in compliance with state and federal stormwater regulations for construction activities. The county's goal is to provide compliance assistance and aid in preventing the potential for State and EPA enforcement fines due to violations of stormwater regulations governing construction site operators.

Failure to obtain a SWQ permit for applicable projects will result in delays in the issuance of grading, right of way and/or building permit. Developers and builders should therefore plan ahead when preparing to apply for construction permits that may require an associated SWQ permit.