Stormwater Quality Permits
Stormwater Program Details
Adams County’s stormwater standards, permit requirements, and fee structure include the following:
- Chapter 9 Revisions: Updates to Chapter 9 of the Adams County Development Standards and Regulations were adopted on December 8, 2020. An earlier round of revisions was adopted on August 15, 2017, which included an expanded MS4 boundary based on 2010 Census data and the adoption of minimum water quality treatment standards under Section 9-04-05.
- Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) Template: The Adams County SWMP template conforms with the latest Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Stormwater Discharge Permit requirements.
- Stormwater Quality Permit Fees: Fees for the Stormwater Quality Permit were adopted by the Board of County Commissioners and took effect on January 1, 2018. The current fee structure is as follows:
- Permit issuance: $300
- Renewal or transfer: $100
- Note: Fees double for projects that begin without active permit coverage.
Construction within unincorporated Adams County MS4 permitted area
Construction activities disturbing 1 or more acres within the 2024 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.
SWQ Permit Application:
To request any of the following documents, please click here.
- Stormwater Quality (SWQ) Permit Application & Requirements*
- Erosion and Sediment Control Plan – required template (known as SWMP)
- BMP Cost Opinion Worksheet (SWQ permit surety calculation)
- Erosion Control Standard Notes
- Surety – Letter of Credit for Site Improvement
- Surety – Letter of Credit for Subdivision Improvement
- Surety – Bond
SWQ Permit Close-Out:
To request any of the following documents, please click here.
- Stormwater Quality Permit Close-Out Process Checklist
- Request for Release of Surety Form
- Construction Site Stabilization Certification
Other Related Documents:
To request any of the following documents, please click here.
- Do I need Adams County Stormwater Quality Permit, State Permit or both?
- Development Standards and Regulations – Chapter 9 (See 9-02 for Stormwater Quality Regs.)
- CDPHE Stormwater Discharge Permit for Construction Activities
- Brochure for Small Construction Sites
- Urban Lot – Construction BMP Poster
- Rural Lot – Construction BMP Poster
- Utility – Erosion Control Plan Example
- Erosion Control Details (MHFD Criteria Vol13)
Contact us at 720.523.6400 or to submit your application electronically, send to swq@adamscountyco.gov.
*Adams County Government is committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience and advancing technology accessibility in all our county information and communication technology (“ICT”). We are actively working to increase the accessibility and usability of our ICT in accordance with Colorado Laws For Persons With Disabilities, HB 21-1110, as amended, and the rules promulgated by the Office of Information Technology of the State of Colorado. To view our accessibility statement, please click here.