Regulations
Eagle County SWPPP Checklist: Concrete Washout & Mountain Runoff
Eagle County
Jurisdiction: Eagle County (Unincorporated areas, Vail Valley, Avon)
Permit / authority: Governing Permits: Eagle County Grading Permit / Eagle County Land Use Regulations
(Article 4) Operating in Eagle County requires navigating strict alpine stormwater regulations, driven by the proximity to the Eagle River watershed and extreme seasonal snowmelt. The county enforces rigorous site development and engineering criteria for all construction materials and BMPs.
1. The P.E. Stamped Stormwater Control Plan (SCP)
The Rule: Any development subject to site development standards must submit a comprehensive Stormwater Control Plan (SCP). The Eagle County Nuance: Eagle County explicitly dictates that this SCP must be prepared and stamped by a qualified Professional Engineer (P.E.) registered in the State of Colorado. The plan must include exact hydrologic and hydraulic calculations used to size structural BMPs (like washout containment limits) and explicitly designate the responsible party, schedule, and costs for maintenance. Improvised, non-engineered washout solutions risk failing this engineering review.
2. The "High Water" Stream Bank Prohibition
The Rule: Hazardous materials and liquid wastes cannot be discharged into waterways, and no vehicle maintenance or fueling is allowed in staging areas. The Eagle County Nuance: Due to aggressive spring snowmelt and unpredictable mountain weather, Eagle County strictly prohibits the stockpiling or depositing of construction materials (including washout structures) near or on stream banks or water courses where they could be washed away by high water or storm runoff. Containment must be placed on high, stable ground, entirely out of the seasonal flood or snowmelt path.
3. IBC Appendix J Grading Permit Triggers
The Rule: No person shall do any grading or excavation without first having obtained a grading permit or an official exemption from the Eagle County Engineer. The Eagle County Nuance: Eagle County strictly enforces the Excavation and Grading Standards contained in Appendix J of the 2021 International Building Code (IBC). Digging an in-ground temporary concrete washout pit constitutes soil disturbance and excavation, meaning the pit itself is subject to these IBC standards and requires a formal grading permit application prior to earthwork.
4. Right-of-Way (ROW) Manual & MUTCD Traffic Control
The Rule: Placing temporary construction features in the public street requires local authorization and insurance. The Eagle County Nuance: Any work or feature placed within the Right-of-Way (ROW) of Eagle County requires a permit governed by Chapter 11 of the county's Engineering Criteria Manual. If a site footprint is too tight and a washout container must be placed in the ROW, the permit requires collateralization of the work (so the county can correct deficient repairs) and mandatory temporary traffic control implemented strictly in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
