The following permits must be obtained from the Site Development Department, if applicable, prior to earth disturbance taking place, the construction of improvements, and/or the acceptance a Building Permit application by the Building Department (Please see the Site Development Department's permit webpage at www.clearcreekcounty.us/1141/Site-Development-Permits for more information and submittal requirements):
Grading & Excavation/Driveway Permits
Grading & Excavation/Driveway Permits (GE Permit) must be obtained whenever a property owner, developer, contractor, or other individual proposes to conduct earth-disturbing activity of more than 800 square feet of surface area or construct a driveway. All garage additions require a Major Grading & Excavation Permit and compliance with current driveway standards.
The following criteria are used to determine if a GE Permit is required:
Driveway Permit - Driveway permits must be obtained whenever an individual proposes to construct, modify and/or connect a driveway to an existing public or private roadway in unincorporated Clear Creek County.
Minor Grading & Excavation Permit - Minor grading permits are required for projects with proposed earth disturbance of more than 800 square feet of surface area or 10 cubic yards of cut/fill volume, and are intended for use on developed single-family or duplex residential lots for building additions and accessory structures (excluding garages) with a footprint of more than 400 square feet and less than 800 square feet and minor grading projects that do not involve structures.
Major Grading & Excavation Permit - Major grading permits are intended for use on projects involving the construction of single-family and duplex residences, garage additions of any size; and building additions with a footprint of more than 800 square feet. All projects that require a major grading permit shall have a driveway that is compliant with current driveway standards or shall be required to obtain a Driveway Permit to construct or improve access in order to meet current driveway standards.
Multi Family, Commercial, Industrial Grading & Excavation Permits
All earth-disturbing activities involving earth disturbance of more than 800 square feet of surface area and/or creating or modifying a connection to a public or private roadway in unincorporated Clear Creek County for multi-family, commercial, recreational, institutional, and/or industrial land uses require a Grading & Excavation Permit.
Retaining Wall Permit
All retaining walls over 4 feet in total height, whether in a single line or multiple tiers, require a Retaining Wall Permit and shall be engineered and certified by an engineer prior to final approval. Total retaining wall height is measured from the ground surface at the toe of the lowest tier of the retaining wall system to the top of the highest tier of the retaining wall system. In order for retaining walls to be considered separate and act independently of each other, the retaining walls shall be separated by a horizontal distance of more than twice the height of the taller of either retaining wall.
Floodplain Development Permits
A Floodplain Development Permit shall be obtained before any site plan is approved, any grading, excavation or driveway permit is issued, or any development commences within a Special Flood Hazard Area.

New Application