Regulations
Grand County SWPPP Checklist: Concrete Washout & Alpine Site Staging
Grand County
Jurisdiction: Grand County (Winter Park, Fraser, Granby, and unincorporated areas)
Permit / authority: Governing authority: Towns of Winter Park, Fraser, and Granby Building Division / Grand County grading permits
Operating in Grand County and the Fraser Valley means adhering to strict alpine environmental protections, specifically regarding the Fraser River and Colorado River headwaters. Winter Park, Fraser, and Granby use a consolidated Building Division, so concrete washout requirements are standardized across these resort municipalities.
1. The Tri-Town "Pre-Disturbance" Staking Rule
The Rule: No site disturbance, including tree stump removal or mass grading, is permitted until the Building Division has approved a Pre-Disturbance Inspection. The Grand County Nuance: The Building Division enforces a unique staging rule: even if the washout is not yet built, the exact future location of the Concrete Washout Area must be physically identified on the raw lot with a wooden stake and distinctly labeled prior to the Pre-Disturbance Inspection. The actual physical washout containment must then be fully constructed, inspected, and operational prior to the Footing Inspection.
2. The 20 Cubic Yard Excavation Trigger
The Rule: Any major grading or excavation requires a formal county grading permit. The Grand County Nuance: In unincorporated Grand County, an application for a grading permit is explicitly required for any grading in excess of 20 cubic yards. If a site super decides to dig a large, in-ground temporary concrete washout pit to accommodate a high-volume foundation pour, the excavated dirt directly subtracts from this minimal 20-yard threshold, frequently triggering the need for a full county grading application just for the washout footprint.
3. Engineered Disposal & Agency Approval
The Rule: Concrete washout pits must be installed according to the approved construction drawings and maintained throughout the pour. The Grand County Nuance: Winter Park Engineering and Construction Standards dictate that the disposal of the concrete washout pit itself is heavily scrutinized. Superintendents must dispose of the pit's contents and the structural materials through a Town, District, or other local agency having jurisdiction for approving the plan. You cannot simply break down a dried pit and bury it as on-site backfill; the disposal chain-of-custody must satisfy municipal engineers.
4. Stabilized Staging & Weekly Rutting Maintenance
The Rule: Construction access must be stabilized to prevent sediment tracking onto paved mountain roads. The Grand County Nuance: Because mixer trucks are heavy and mountain subgrades are soft during the spring melt, the towns dictate that the contractor must inspect the stabilized access/staging area (where trucks queue for the washout) weekly, and immediately after any storm event. If any rutting occurs or the underlying subgrade becomes exposed, the contractor is mandated to immediately provide additional thickness of granular material (rock). Any mud accumulated on the surface of this staging area must be physically removed to prevent it from washing into the municipal storm system.
