Site Development Permit
All projects that disturb 10,000 square feet or more of land must obtain an Arvada Site Development Permit. Please download the documents provided on this page for more detailed information on the Permit requirements.
The City of Arvada is required by law to oversee construction sites within their jurisdication in order to minimize the potential for pollutants, which includes sediment, from leaving those sites. To satify this legal requirement, the Site Development Permit is issued to owners/developers/contractors/builders who must install and maintain adequate best management practices (BMPs) on their job site to control all potential pollutant sources.
Sediment and erosion control plans must be submitted for review and approval and include the standard notes as codified in the Engineering Standards and Specifications. A narrative Stormwater Management Plan that follows the City’s template must also be submitted for review and approval. The complexity of the plans submitted should be in accordance with the complexity of the proposed project.
Fees for the Site Development Permit vary from $50 to a maximum of $125. A cash escrow or letter of credit of $2,000 plus $200 per acre must be on file with the City (if an escrow has been posted already, additional escrow is not required).
Specific articles of interest with the Site development Permit inlcude:
· Disturbed earth must be stabilized after 60 acres opened before grading additional acreage.
· An individual lot, if that lot is part of a larger common development, must obtain a permit. If the lot is less than 10,000 square feet in area, then a Permit will be awarded at no cost.
· The Ordinance requires that approved sediment and erosion control plans be followed.
Important: To enforce the Site Development Permit, the City is authorized to withhold building permits or certificates of occupancy, deny building inspections, issue a summons with potential fines, and/or require the developers to stop work until the site is back in compliance.
Remember that if your site will disturb an acre or more, then a State Stormwater Discharges Associate With Construction Activity General Permit (http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/wq/PermitsUnit/stormwater/construction.html) must be obtained. The requirements of the State and City permits are very similar.
If you have problems downloading the documents on this page, there are packets available at City Hall. Call the Stormwater Program at 720-898-7800 if you have any questions.