Colorado Springs Site Plan Requirements | Permits & Zoning Guide

By Site Plan Creator Team •

Everything you need to know about creating a site plan for building permits in Colorado Springs, CO. Covers zoning requirements, setbacks, stormwater management, and submission procedures.

Colorado Springs Site Plan Requirements: Complete Guide for Building Permits

Creating a site plan for a building permit in Colorado Springs, Colorado requires meeting specific requirements set by the Regional Building Department (Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, PPRBD). Colorado Springs' development is governed by the City Code Title 7 (Zoning) and the Engineering Criteria Manual, with unique considerations for high-altitude construction, wildfire risk in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), drainage and erosion control on the Front Range, and military compatibility zones near Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, and the U.S. Air Force Academy.

What Is a Site Plan and Why Does Colorado Springs Require One?

A site plan is a scaled drawing showing your property boundaries, existing structures, proposed construction, setbacks, and site features. The PPRBD requires a site plan for all building permit applications to verify compliance with Title 7 (Zoning) and the International Building Code as adopted by the Pikes Peak region. Look up your property's zoning through the city's GIS portal at coloradosprings.gov/maps.

Required Site Plan Elements

  • Property boundaries with dimensions and total lot area
  • Setbacks per Title 7
  • Existing and proposed structures with dimensions, height, and use
  • Lot coverage and impervious surface calculations
  • Parking per City Code
  • Drainage and grading per Engineering Criteria Manual
  • Wildfire mitigation if in WUI zone
  • Military compatibility overlay if applicable
  • North arrow, scale, and vicinity map
  • El Paso County parcel number

Colorado Springs Zoning and Setback Requirements

  • R1-6000 (Single-Family, 6,000 sq ft lot): Front 25 feet, side 5 feet, rear 15 feet. Lot coverage max 40%. Height max 30 feet.
  • R1-9000 (Single-Family, 9,000 sq ft lot): Front 25 feet, side 5 feet, rear 25 feet. Lot coverage max 35%.
  • R-2 (Two-Family): Front 25 feet, side 5 feet, rear 15 feet. Lot coverage max 45%.
  • R-4 (Multi-Family, low): Front 25 feet, side 10 feet, rear 15 feet.
  • R-5 (Multi-Family, high): Front 25 feet, side 15 feet, rear 20 feet.
  • PUD (Planned Unit Development): Custom standards through development plan.
  • FBZ (Form-Based Zone): Build-to lines, design standards for infill and transit corridors.

Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Requirements

Properties on the western edge of Colorado Springs near the foothills are in WUI zones:

  • Wildfire hazard assessment: Required for properties in mapped WUI areas including areas near Garden of the Gods, Cheyenne Mountain, and the Black Forest
  • Defensible space: Zone 1 (0-15 feet) — non-combustible; Zone 2 (15-100 feet) — thinned vegetation; Zone 3 (100-200 feet) — natural fuel reduction
  • Fire-resistant construction: Class A roofing, non-combustible exterior materials, screened vents, and enclosed eaves required in high-risk areas
  • Emergency access: Fire apparatus access roads with minimum width and turnaround standards
  • Lessons from Waldo Canyon (2012) and Black Forest (2013) fires: Enhanced requirements adopted after devastating wildfires destroyed hundreds of homes

Military Compatibility Zones

  • Fort Carson: Noise and safety zones limit residential density and heights near the installation
  • Peterson SFB / Schriever SFB: Height restrictions near runways and radar facilities
  • Air Force Academy: Visual and height restrictions to protect the Academy's viewshed
  • Notification requirements: Development within military influence areas requires notification to the applicable military installation

Drainage and Erosion

  • Engineering Criteria Manual: Governs all drainage, grading, and erosion control design
  • Drainage report: Required for commercial and larger residential projects
  • Erosion control: Critical on Colorado Springs' sandy soils — erosion control plan required for disturbed sites
  • Fountain Creek watershed: Enhanced sediment and erosion control for properties draining to Fountain Creek
  • Detention: Post-development runoff must not exceed pre-development rates

How to Submit

PPRBD Online Portal

Submit through the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department at pprbd.org for electronic plan review.

In-Person

Walk-in at 2880 International Circle.

Permit Fees and Timeline

  • Fees: Per PPRBD fee schedule; separate city fees for drainage, parks, and traffic impact
  • Timeline: Residential 2-4 weeks. Commercial 4-8 weeks. WUI review concurrent.

Creating Your Colorado Springs Site Plan with Site Plan Creator

Site Plan Creator makes it easy to generate a professional, permit-ready site plan for your Colorado Springs property. Simply enter your address, and the tool automatically loads your property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. You can then add setback lines, label structures, draw proposed construction, and export a scaled PDF ready for PPRBD submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical residential setbacks in Colorado Springs?
In R1-6000 zones, front setbacks are 25 feet, side 5 feet, rear 15 feet with 40% lot coverage and 30-foot height. R1-9000 zones have 35% coverage and 25-foot rear setbacks. R-2 two-family zones allow 45% coverage. Form-Based Zones use build-to lines. Check coloradosprings.gov/maps.
What are the WUI wildfire requirements?
Properties in the Wildland-Urban Interface require wildfire hazard assessment, 3-zone defensible space (0-15 feet non-combustible, 15-100 feet thinned, 100-200 feet fuel reduction), fire-resistant construction (Class A roofing, non-combustible exteriors, screened vents), and emergency access roads. Enhanced after Waldo Canyon and Black Forest fires.
Do military compatibility zones affect my project?
Yes — development near Fort Carson faces noise and density limits. Peterson/Schriever SFB areas have height restrictions. Air Force Academy zones protect viewsheds. Development in military influence areas requires installation notification.
What drainage requirements apply?
The Engineering Criteria Manual governs drainage. Drainage reports required for commercial and larger projects. Erosion control critical on sandy soils. Detention required so post-development runoff doesn't exceed pre-development rates. Enhanced for Fountain Creek watershed.
What high-altitude construction considerations exist?
Colorado Springs' 6,035-foot elevation affects snow loads, UV exposure on materials, and concrete curing. The adopted building code accounts for local snow load and wind conditions. Foundation depth may be deeper due to frost line.
Can I build an ADU?
Colorado Springs has adopted ADU-friendly regulations. Check current ordinance for size limits, setback requirements, and parking standards. ADUs help address housing affordability in the growing Pikes Peak region.
How do I submit plans?
Submit through PPRBD at pprbd.org. Walk-in at 2880 International Circle. Note: PPRBD is a separate regional entity from the city. Residential permits take 2-4 weeks.
How long does plan review take?
Residential 2-4 weeks. Commercial 4-8 weeks. WUI wildfire review is concurrent. Military compatibility review is concurrent. Drainage review concurrent for projects requiring drainage reports.

How to Create a Site Plan in Colorado Springs

  1. Look Up Your Property Information: Use Colorado Springs GIS at coloradosprings.gov/maps to find zoning, WUI status, military compatibility zone, flood zone, and lot dimensions. Note your El Paso County parcel number.
  2. Assess Environmental and Military Constraints: Determine WUI wildfire zone, military compatibility overlay, drainage watershed (Fountain Creek), flood zone, and erosion control requirements.
  3. Create Your Site Plan: Enter your Colorado Springs address in Site Plan Creator to load property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. Add setback lines per Title 7.
  4. Include All Required Elements: Include boundaries, setbacks, lot coverage, impervious surface, parking, WUI defensible space zones, military overlay notation, drainage, and north arrow with scale.
  5. Prepare Supporting Documents: Prepare WUI wildfire mitigation plan if applicable. Drainage report for commercial projects. Erosion control plan. Military notification if in influence area.
  6. Submit Through PPRBD: Upload plans through pprbd.org. Pay PPRBD fees plus city impact fees for drainage, parks, and traffic.
  7. Manage Review and Obtain Permit: Respond to reviewer comments. Complete WUI compliance. Once approved, pay remaining fees, receive permit, and schedule inspections through PPRBD.