Hinsdale County Building Department Construction Planning Guidelines as of 1-1-2017

• Zoning:  What zoning district are you in?  How does it affect your project?  Will you be required to obtain a special or conditional use permit?  What subdivision covenants must you consider?

• Historical District:  Is your building site within the Historical District?  Review by the Town Historical Preservation Commission is required.  Applications are available at the Town Hall, 230 North Bluff Street.

• Setbacks:  What is required within the specific zoning area or subdivision for distances from property lines, wells, OWTS, propane tanks, etc.?

• Floodplain:  Is the proposed building site within a floodplain?  Do you need to apply for a floodplain development permit?  Will you need an engineered foundation, building plan or sewage disposal system? Applications are available at the County Administration offices, 311 North Henson Street.

• Water & Sanitation District:  Is your property within the water and sanitation district or is it within 400 feet of district water or sewer lines?  Have you paid your tap fees and installed a water meter?  If you are in a subdivision, does it have its own water system or sewage disposal system?  If you are outside the water and sanitation district, how will you obtain potable water and treat wastewater?

• Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS):  Do you need to apply for an OWTS permit?  Will the soil at the proposed building site support an OWTS?  If you have a commercial operation, will you have to meet state OWTS requirements?  Will you need to have an engineered system because of being located in a floodplain, wetland, high water table, highly compacted or rocky soil, etc.?  Applications are available at the County Administration Office, 311 North Henson Street.

• Water System:  If you are not in the water and sanitation district or a subdivision with such systems, how will you obtain potable water?  Obtain well permit information from the State of Colorado.  Will a community water system under state regulations be required?

• Drainage:  Does building site allow proper drainage away from structures?  Are there any possible flash flood washes that may affect the building?

• Geologic Hazards, Avalanche Zones, Steep Slopes, etc.:  Are there natural hazards associated with your building site?  Specially engineered buildings may be required.

• Soil Conditions:  Will conditions at the proposed site support a structure?  Is the site on bedrock, wetlands, mine tailings or waste rock?  Will you have to blast or bring in structural fill?

• Subdivision Regulations (if applicable):  Does the HOA require architectural review?  Are there covenants that must be considered?

• Road Cut Permit:  Does your driveway access a County Road?  Does utility installation require excavation along or across a County Road?  Obtain a Road Cut Permit.  Applications are available at the County Administration Office, 311 North Henson Street.

• Building Permit Application:  Applications are available online or from the County Administration Office, 311 North Henson Street.  Please see Hinsdale County document ‘Building Permit Guidelines’.  Plan review may take up to 30 days.  Please plan accordingly.

• Use Tax:  Use Tax Declaration is available online or from the County Administration Office, 311 North Henson Street.  Please see Hinsdale County document ‘Building Permit Guidelines’.

• Additional Considerations:  Please see ‘Building Permit Guidelines’.
  • 2012 IRC/IBC
  • 2009 IFC
  • Foundation frost protection
  • Snowload
  • Insulation requirements
  • State demolition permit
  • See Building Official for additional design criteria

• State Plumbing Permits:  All plumbing installations must meet state code requirements and be inspected and approved by a State of Colorado plumbing inspector.  All permitting is coordinated through the Colorado State Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).

• State Electrical Permits:  All electrical installations must meet state code requirements and be inspected and approved by a State of Colorado electrical inspector.  All permitting is coordinated through the Colorado State Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).

• Minimum Required Inspections:  Please see ‘Building Permit Guidelines’.
  • Preliminary/Site
  • Foundation
  • Framing
  • Roof
  • Mechanical
  • Plumbing & Electrical (by State of Colorado)
  • Insulation
  • Drywall/Fire Separation
  • Drainage
  • Final Inspection

• Certificate of Occupancy (CO):  You cannot utilize your structure or move into your residence until all necessary inspections have been completed and you have been issued a CO.

Hinsdale County Building Department
311 North Henson Street
P.O. Box 277
Lake City, CO  81235
970-944-2225
www.hinsdalecountycolorado.us