Frequently Asked Questions

Clear Creek County has an extensive collection of current and historic aerial photos dating back to 1938. This collection is available online via our Historic Clear Creek interactive map. Once the map is open you will see a multitude of colored stars. Each star represents the center of a single historic photo from a certain time period. To view a photo, right click on a colored star and select "What's Here". The photo information will be displayed in the results pane on the left hand side of the page. Click on the "View Photo" link to see the image for that year.

Clear Creek County has an interactive mapping application called “ClearMap” to search and view properties within its boundaries. To open ClearMap, click the link below. To search for a property, choose your search method by clicking on the "I want to.." button in the top left hand corner of the map area and select your preferred search method.

Yes, the Mapping Department can create custom maps. Our fees are based on an hourly rate of $60/hour, with a one hour minimum charge. If you are interested please come in and see us or submit an online request form here

To view or download GIS data please visit our Open Data site.

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.

If your property is part of a previously platted subdivision or division, there will be a plat on file with the Clerk and Recorders Office at (303) 679-2339 . These plats may be viewed by the public during business hours and will show the location of the surveyor’s pins which mark the property boundaries. Property owners may also look for these pins on their property to determine existing property boundaries. If not previously recorded plats exist and no pins can be found, property owners may choose to have their property surveyed by a Professional Land Surveyor.

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Please submit our Report A Concern Form here.

Possibly, see Section 1008 of the Zoning Regulations.

Section 1008.1 Junk of the Zoning Regulations states No owner, agent, or occupant of any property shall be allowed to accumulate junk, including any incomplete, extensively damaged, or unlicensed vehicles, within view from adjacent private property or public rights-of-way. The property owner can be fined or can receive jail time depending on the offense. How do I file a complaint?

Yes. Tiny Homes are allowed in Clear Creek County. There are different types of tiny homes, and we have different regulations depending on what type on Tiny Home you are interested in. Please click here to go to our webpage dedicated to Tiny Homes.

Clear Creek County does not currently determine buildability of a lot.  Vacant land must remain vacant until the property has a principal permitted use established.

Various departments within the Community Development Division can help you determine the buildability of a lot by guiding you through the permit process to accomplish your intended principal permitted use. 

First, be sure you have the physical address of the property or the legal description or parcel number or Assessor’s “R” number. The name of the current owner could also facilitate your research. 

The Planning Department planning@clearcreekcounty.us can assist you in determining if the zoning is appropriate for your proposed use. 

The next question you will want to explore is the legal and physical access to the property. Our Site Development Department sitedev@clearcreekcounty.us can assist you in this determination, but you may need to engage a title insurance company for a definitive answer. Site Development personnel can also help you analyze site characteristics that will influence the ease or difficulty of developing the site. 

One more aspect to explore is how you will provide water and sanitation on the site. Our Environmental Health Department eh@clearcreekcounty.us can assist you with analyzing this issue.

Another aspect to explore is how you will provide water on the site. The Colorado Division of Water Resources can assist you with analyzing well permitting or can be reached at 303-866-3581.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment - https://cdphe.colorado.gov/apens-and-air-permits

Clear Creek Fire Authority

Visit their website at https://www.evergreenfirerescue.com/divisions/fire_prevention/burn_permits-zzzz.php

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 question to verify zone 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.

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

(303) 679-2436
planning@clearcreekcounty.us 

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.

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.

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 on the County’s Camping Web Page;  or contact the Planning Department at (303) 679-2436.

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.

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.

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

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.

Yes. Tiny Homes are allowed in Clear Creek County. There are different types of tiny homes, and we have different regulations depending on what type on Tiny Home you are interested in. Please click here to go to our webpage dedicated to Tiny Homes. Tiny homes are still required to meet all Zoning, Building, Driveway and Environmental Health requirements. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.