Community Development Department

Building Office/Permits

Fixer Upper

Photo courtesy of Lori Brininger

• Building Permit Packet: Application and Guide for Property Owners and General Contractors (pdf).
• Utility Building Permit Packet: Application and Guide for Construction of Unheated Structures (pdf).
• The Building Office function is to administer building codes in the unincorporated areas of Gunnison County.

Plumbers and electricians are required by the State of Colorado to be licensed, but building contractors are not required to have a contractor's license.

How do I know if I need a Building Permit?

Building permits are mandatory. As a general rule, any construction work that is regulated by adopted building codes and fire and public safety regulations requires a permit before work can begin. The best way to find out if you need a permit is to call the Building Office. Discuss your plans with Building Office staff before you begin construction to determine whether you need a permit. The staff member will answer your construction questions and may provide valuable advice.

Some common construction projects that require a permit from the Building Office are:

• To erect a new building or structure, agricultural buildings that are not part of an agricultural operation, additions, decks, swimming pools, manufactured/mobile homes, dwellings, garages, detached storage sheds (over 120 square feet), carports, pole barns, commercial buildings.
• Renovations (garage conversions, basement finishes, kitchen expansions, etc.)
• Commercial floor plan alterations and changes of use
• To demolish, repair, alter, add to, or move an existing building or structure
• Fireplace/wood stove installations
• For any repairs which change or affect the structure of a building or structure. Examples include but are not limited to: converting a garage to a family room,insulating, and finishing a basement.
• Electrical work (permit required from State of Colorado Electrical Board)
• Signs

How do I get a Building Permit? Click here to download the Building Permit Packet: Application and Guide for Property Owners and General Contractors or the Utility Building Permit Packet: Application and Guide for Construction of Unheated Structures.

How long is the permit active?

Issued permits are valid indefinitely provided work is begun within 180 days of issuance and is not suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days.

If my property is within the city or town limits, do I get a Building Permit from Gunnison County?

Gunnison County does not have jurisdiction over any city or towns in Gunnison County. Though if your construction project is to be located in any city or town, contact the city or town directly. Gunnison County has an agreement with the Town of Marble to review its Building Permit and ISDS Permit applications, you will need to contact the Town to obtain an application.

• City of Gunnison, Eric Jansen, Building Inspector, (970) 641-8151.
• Town of Crested Butte, John Fitzgerald, Building Inspector, (970) 349-5338.
• Town of Mt. Crested Butte, (970) 349-6632.
• Town of Marble, Karen Mulhall at (970) 384-0761 or via email: karen.mulhall@gmail.com.
• Town of Pitkin, James Sharpton, Building Inspector; Garry Winget, Assistant Building Inspector Building Inspector, (970) 641-2807.

If your property is located within the Crested Butte Fire Protection District, you will also need to contact the District office for a building packet, permit application, fees and general information, (970) 349-5333.

Building Codes

Gunnison County has adopted the International Building Code, the International Fuel Gas Code, the International Mechanical Code, the International Residential Code, the International Energy Conservation Code, and amended each, as follows. A copy of each of the Codes is available for review but not for sale in the Community Development Department. Individual copies may be ordered from: International Code Council, Product Orders, 1-800-786-4452, or the International Code Council website.

The International Code Council (ICC) was established in 1994 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing a single set of comprehensive and coordinated national model construction codes. The founders of the ICC are Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc. (BOCA), International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO), and Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc. (SBCCI). Counties or municipalities who adopt the codes may amend sections of them to adapt to individual communities.

• Click HERE for a .pdf copy of the Gunnison County resolution adopting the 2009 Editions of the International Building Code, the International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings, the International Energy Conservation Code, the Fuel Gas Code, and the International Mechanical Code, with amendments.

Building Permit Reports

The monthly building report is available in .pdf format below. Contact the Community Development Department for previous monthly reports at (970)641-0360 or contact Michelle Spain,mspain@gunnisoncounty.org.

Driveways

Driveways Accessing a County Road:

A Gunnison County Access Permit is required if you want to provide vehicular access to or from a County road, or to property adjoining a County road. Permits can be obtained from the Gunnison County Public Works Department.

Driveways Accessing a State or Federal Road:

If you want to locate and construct a driveway onto any state or federal road, you'll need to obtain a Highway Access Permit from the Colorado Department of Transportation.

Electrical Permits

Gunnison County does not perform inspections for electric installations. Inspections are conducted by a State Electrical Inspector. A state issued electrical permit is required when installing, remodeling or making additions to existing electrical wiring, installation or repairing electrical apparatus and equipment for light, heat and power. Information about contacting the state, and securing permits online is available from the Colorado Electrical Board, including the following:

• Homeowner Installation Guide. Instructions provided by the Colorado Electrical Board for homeowners who are performing their own electrical installations.
• Instructions for mobile homes and manufactured homes.
• The Board will require this information before you can obtain a permit online:
  Address of the job site.
  Directions to the job site.
  The cost of materials and labor for the work to be completed.
  Credit card information.
  The square footage of the living space to be wired.
  Name of the power supplier.

The Colorado Electrical Inspector serving the Gunnison area is:

Paul Shelley

525 N. Main St. #203 Gunnison, CO 81230

Phone: (970) 641-5655

e-mail: paul.shelley@dora.state.co.us

Energy Conservation

Section 13-106 of the Gunnison County Land Use Resolution requires that applications for residential construction, including manufactured homes, must earn points according to requirements of the Energy Resource Conservation Worksheet, which is adopted by the Board of Commissioners and changed from time to time.

Click HERE for a.pdf copy of the Energy Resource Conservation Worksheet or you can obtain a hard copy at the Community Development Department by email or postal mail. Complete and submit it with the applicable residential Building Permit application; no residential Building Permit application will be processed without the completed form.

Essential Housing

• Click HERE for a .pdf copy of the Workforce Housing Fee amendment to the Gunnison County Land Use Resolution, approved June 13, 2006.
• Click HERE for a .pdf copy of the Board's resolution approving the amendment.
• Essential Housing Fee Information Sheet (currently being revised - please check back soon).
• You may contact the Gunnison County Housing Authority for questions about qualifying for exemption from the fee, or for general information about affordable housing resources.

Floodplain Permits

Gunnison County requires that you secure a Floodplain Development Permit if your development is proposed within the 100-year floodplain. These regulations are required as a part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) standards, and that agency has reviewed and approved Gunnison County's regulations.

• Click HERE for a .pdf copy of the Floodplain Development Permit/Application, or visit the Community Development Department, or request a copy by postal mail or e-mail.
• Click HERE for a .pdf copy of the Floodplain Development Information Sheet that includes the applicable requirements from the Gunnison County Land Use Resolution.
• Floodplain Information Report: Crystal River. Click HERE for the Technical Appendix.

Grading & Reclamation

The Gunnison County Land Use Resolution requires that you obtain a Reclamation Permit from the Gunnison County Public Works Department before you do any grading, digging, road and driveway cutting and construction, berm construction, or clearing of land. (Reclamation related to mining operations is subject to the requirements of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Division.)

Exemptions:

The following uses are exempt from having to obtain a Reclamation Permit:

• AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS. Agricultural operations, as defined within this Resolution.
• AREAS OF DISTURBANCE SMALLER THAN 2,000 SQ. FT. Areas of disturbance that are smaller than 2,000 sq. ft.
• POLE BARNS 2,000 SQ. FT. OR LESS. Construction of pole barns of 2,000 sq. ft. or less.
• RECORDED SUBDIVISIONS WITH APPLICABLE PROTECTIVE COVENANTS. In platted, recorded subdivisions approved by the County for which there are recorded protective covenants that require reclamation that meets or exceeds the standards of this Section. Determination of that compliance shall be made by the Gunnison County Public Works Department.
• AREAS RECOMMENDED BY WEED SPECIALIST. Areas that are defined and recommended by the Gunnison Weed Specialist, as may be designated from time to time by the Board.

Uses that require a Reclamation Permit. A Reclamation Permit is required for development that requires a Land Use Change Permit,including the following:

• BUILDING A STRUCTURE. Construction of a structure that is required to obtain a Building Permit.
• INSTALLATION OF AN ISDS. Installation of a new or replacement individual sewage disposal system that is required to obtain an Individual Sewage Disposal System Permit.
• DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION. Any driveway construction that requires a Gunnison County Access Permit, or a Colorado Division of Highways Access Permit.
• CUTS AND FILLS GREATER THAN EIGHT FEET. If cuts and fills that measure eight feet or greater from the finished grade are to be used as part of a construction project that is not otherwise required by the Land Use Resolution to obtain a permit, a Reclamation Permit shall be required.

As part of the reclamation process, an applicant is required to comply with the grading and erosion control requirements in the Gunnison County Land Use Resolution.

• Click HERE for a .pdf copy of the grading and erosion control requirements.

Legal Lot

You must have a "legal" or valid" lot or parcel before a Land Use Change Permit, Building Permit, ISDS Permit or Access Permit can be issued.

A "valid" or "legal" building lot refers to lots which were created in compliance with Colorado statutes and the County's subdivision regulations that were in effect at the time the parcel was created. A determination whether a parcel is considered a valid building lot must be made before an Individual Sewage Disposal System Permit or Building Permit can be approved for the property.

In 1972. Colorado's Senate Bill 35 became state law, requiring counties to pass regulations to regulate subdivision of land which created any parcel smaller than 35 acres. The result of this bill is that since May 1972 any parcel created that is less than 35 acres must have been approved by the Board of County Commissioners to be considered "valid".

Many building lots in Gunnison County are in platted subdivisions, which meet this "valid" or "legal" lot requirement. There are, however, many parcels in the County which are not in platted subdivisions. Documents must be submitted that demonstrate that these parcels met state statutory and subdivision regulations in effect at the time they were created. This can most often be demonstrated by providing the history of deeds back to the recorded date when the parcel was created, and deeds to adjacent parcels when necessary.

You can find this history of deeds to your property by going first to the County Assessor's Office in the Blackstocks Government Center. They can provide basic information on the past few changes in ownership and size of the property. The Clerk and Recorder's Office (also located in the Blackstocks Government Center) keeps tract indexes which maintain the history of transactions which have occurred on your property, and can make copies of the deeds. They have more resources (such as the grantor/grantee indexes) for finding older deeds.<

If you need assistance with searching for these documents you may want to hire a title company, which will have personnel trained in doing this type of research, or your attorney can also help you. Once your research is complete, submit the documentation with your application for an ISDS or building permit to the Community Development Department. Once we can confirm that your parcel is a valid, legal building lot, we can complete the ISDS and Building Permit processes.

Lighting

Gunnison County residents and visitors enjoy the dark skies of our mostly-rural landscape. Regulations for the unincorporated areas of Gunnison County are included within a section of the Gunnison County Land Use Resolution and are intended to protect those dark skies while ensuring that property owners are able to have lighting systems that provide adequate security.

• Click HERE for a .pdf copy of the Exterior Lighting Information Sheet.
• Click HERE for a .pdf copy of Is Gunnison's Night Sky Worth Saving?, which provides additional information about protecting Gunnison's dark skies and about types of lighting fixtures that help accomplish that.

Manufactured Homes

The Gunnison County Land Use Resolution allows a landowner to place a mobile home or manufactured home on an individual parcel in Gunnison County. The section of the Resolution that regulates those homes is included below. The Manufactured Housing Institute has reviewed these regulations and determined that they are in compliance with federal requirements, and do not place unreasonable or unfair restrictions on these kinds of homes.

Permit applications are available at the Community Development Department, by e-mail or postal mail.

A “manufactured home” is defined as “a single family residence that:

• Is partially or entirely manufactured in a factory; and
• Is not less than 24 feet in width and 36 feet in length; and
• Is installed on an engineered permanent foundation; and
• Has brick, wood, or cosmetically equivalent exterior siding and a pitched roof, and,
• Is certified pursuant to the “National Manufactured Standards Act of 1974,” 42 U.S.C. 5401 et seq: as amended.

A “mobile home” is defined as “a detached, single-family residence that has all the following characteristics: It is designed for long-term occupancy and has sleeping accommodations, a flush toilet, a tub or shower bath and kitchen facilities, and that has plumbing and electrical connections provided for attachments to outside systems. It is designed to be transported after fabrication, on its own wheels, or on a flatbed or other trailer, or on detachable wheels. It arrives at the site where it is to be occupied as a complete unit and is ready for occupancy except for minor and incidental unpacking and assembly operations, location on foundation support or jacks, underpinned and connections to utilities. It exceeds eight feet in width and 32 feet in length, excluding towing gear and bumpers. It is without motive power. It is also referred to as a “single-section” manufactured home, and is designed to be used year-round.”

Click HERE for a .pdf copy of the Individual Manufactured and Mobile Home Information Sheet.

Mobile Homes

Moving Permits, to move mobile homes over public roads, and Certificates of Authenticity for the transfer of ownership of mobile homes are available in the Gunnison County Treasurer's Office. MOBILE HOME PERMITS. Each mobile home in Gunnison County must obtain a mobile home permit from the Gunnison County Building Officer before it is located on a lot or parcel. Hard copies of a Mobile Home Permit application can be obtained at the Community Development Department, by e-mail or postal mail.The following conditions must be met before the Building Office can issue a Mobile Home Permit:

• The mobile home must have been constructed after May, 1972, and must bear the Colorado Division of Housing seal. Units not bearing the CDH seal must be inspected for compliance with Gunnison County plumbing and electrical codes.
• Plumbing and electrical permits and inspections, if required, are additional and must be secured from the appropriate agency. Plumbing inspections: Colorado State Plumbing Inspector.
• Electrical inspections: Colorado State Electrical Inspector.
• The unit must meet applicable county snowload requirements.
• The foundation for the unit must be designed and constructed according to manufacturer’s recommendations or must be designed according to the recommendations of a licensed Colorado engineer, and approved by the Gunnison County Building Inspector.
• Where potential conflicts with the Gunnison County Land Use Resolutions exist, the Building Inspector may require that the owner secure a land use change permit.
• In many subdivisions, architectural control boards must review and approve the placement of mobile homes.

Click HERE for a .pdf copy of the Individual Manufactured and Mobile Home Information Sheet. Click HERE to download the Mobile Home Permit Application.

Plumbing Permits

Gunnison County does not perform plumbing inspections. Plumbing Permits are issued, and inspections are conducted by a State Plumbing Inspector.

Plumbing contractors are required to take out permits on jobs performed by their companies. The master plumber's signature is required on all permit applications. A contractor may not do work on a "home owner" issued permit.

Homeowners may do their own plumbing installation on their residence if the following is true: the work is personally performed by the homeowner and the property is not for sale, resale, is not rental property which is occupied or is to be occupied by tenants for lodging, either transient or permanent; and is not generally open to the public.

According to Colorado statutes, "Plumbing" includes:

• All potable water supplies and distribution piping.
• All plumbing fixtures and traps.
• All drainage and vent pipes.
• All building drains, and in health care facilities, all medical gas and vacuum systems.
• Manufactured / Modular / Mobile homes require a permit and inspections for the water / sewer and gas connections. In addition, new gas piping installation and gas piping conversions require permitting and inspections.

Information about contacting the state and securing permits online is available from the Colorado Examining Board of Plumbers, including the following:

• General information and installation guidelines for residential properties.
• Homeowners instructions: Sample plumbing for a two-story, two-bathroom home.
• Modular home guidelines, 2000 Uniform Plumbing Code.

The State Plumbing Inspector serving the Gunnison/Crested Butte area is:

Alan Trickey

Telephone: (970) 641-0423

525 N Main St. # 204

Gunnison, Colorado 81230

Available by telephone 8:00-9:00 AM

Mon, Wed, Fri

FAX: (970) 641-4892

E-mail: Alan.Trickey@dora.state.co.us

Setbacks

In the unincorporated areas of Gunnison County, a "setback" means the required minimum horizontal distance between the location of structures or uses and the related front, side, or rear lot line as measured perpendicular to that lot line.

• Click HERE for a .pdf copy of setback requirements within the county.

Signs

Signs in Gunnison County are regulated by the Gunnison County Land Use Resolution, Section 13-109: Signs.

• Click HERE for a .pdf copy of the Sign Permit application.

Signs allowed without a permit:The following signs do not require a Sign Permit:

• PUBLIC DIRECTIONAL SIGNS. Signs required or authorized for a public purpose by law or statute, including traffic control signs, and excluding those defined by Gunnison County Resolution Series 1989 No. 42: Concerning Placement of Tourist-Oriented Directional Signs, pursuant to C.R.S. 43-1-420 (3).
• PUBLIC UTILITY LOCATION SIGNS. Signs placed by a public utility showing the location of underground facilities.
• SIGNS LOCATED WITHIN A BUILDING. So long as such signs are not oriented to and are not viewed from a public right-of-way, private road, parking area or public space outside the building.
• TEMPORARYSIGNS. Pennants or banners advertising a special event. Notice of such signs shall be required to be filed by the sponsoring organization with the Community Development Department before display. Such signs may be erected no sooner than two weeks before the event, and shall be removed in one week after the event; but in no event shall a banner be erected more than 30 days.
• LIVESTOCK DRIVES. Signs necessary for the safe movement of livestock on public roads.
• OCCUPANT AND HOME OCCUPATIONSIGNS. One residential identification sign per residence, containing the name(s) of occupant(s), address of the premises, and/or identifying any home occupation as defined and regulated in this Resolution. These signs shall be limited to wall and ground signs that are no more than six sq. ft. in area, and may be illuminated by a concealed, non-flashing light source. Wall signs may be attached to any structure and/or fence.
• REAL ESTATE SIGN. A temporary wall or ground sign not more than six sq. ft. advertising the sale, rental, or lease of a designated structure or land area for a permitted use on which the sign is located. One sign shall be allowed per lot, shall not be illuminated, except that when the subject property abuts two public roadways, there may be one sign facing each roadway. The sign(s) shall be removed immediately after the property is sold, rented or leased.
• CONSTRUCTION SIGN. A temporary wall or ground sign not more than 32 sq. ft. advertising the construction, remodeling or rebuilding of a certain structure for a permitted use on which the signs are located. One sign shall be allowed per project, shall not be illuminated and shall be removed immediately on completion of construction.
• MEMORIAL AND HISTORICAL SIGNS. Cornerstones, monuments, commemorative tablets and historical signs of not more than ten sq. ft.
• HOLIDAY AND SEASONAL DECORATIONS. Decorative, customary signs commonly associated with designated national, local or religious holidays or season.
• ADVISORY SIGNS. Signs warning of prohibited activities including trespassing, hunting, fishing, or swimming may be posted without limitation as to numbers, but are limited to two sq. ft. or less per sign.
• BUSINESS HOURS SIGNS. “Open/closed” and related hours-of-operation signs that do not exceed two sq. ft.
• POLITICAL CAMPAIGN SIGNS. Political signs that do not exceed 32 sq. ft. in area are permitted. The signs shall be removed no later than one week following the date of the subject election.

Signs that are part of Land Use Change Permits:

When a sign design is included in the plans for a use that is being reviewed for a Land Use Change Permit, the design can be approved as part of the Land Use Change Permit, so no additional Sign Permit is required.

Commercial, industrial and business "cluster signs":

Multiple businesses, commercial, or industrial establishments that are part of an industrial or business park may construct one cluster sign at each approved access to the development that includes the name of the development and/or listings of individual businesses in the development. Within the development, one sign per establishment is allowed that complies with the sign requirements of the Land Use Resolution.

Nonconforming signs:

All signs that existed as of the effective date of the and were in compliance with the Gunnison County Sign Code can be retained so long as they are kept in a state of good repair, and so long as they are not relocated, replaced, structurally altered, or damaged by wind, fire or other cause to the extent that 50 percent or more of their replacement value has been destroyed. General standards for signs:

• ON-SITE LOCATION. All signs shall identify or advertise only the business or establishment upon which the sign is located.
• ONE SIGN PER USE. There shall be one sign per primary use, except that when the subject property abuts two public roadways, there may be one sign facing each roadway.
• NO SIGN IN ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY. No signs shall be allowed on any County or development road right-of-way, and existing signs in either of these rights-of-way shall be removed immediately upon request of the governing body.
• EXTERNAL LIGHT SHALL BE MINIMIZED. Externally lit signs shall be designed, installed and maintained to eliminate or minimize upward directed light and glare and so that lights illuminate only the sign and not property that adjoins or is nearby. Such light shall not interfere with the vision of motorists.
• INTERNALLY LIT SIGNS PROHIBITED. There shall be no internally lit signs.
• NO MISLEADING INFORMATION. Information presented on a sign shall not be misleading, erroneous or patently untrue.
• NO SETBACK LIMITATION SPECIFIC TO SIGNAGE. There shall be no setback limitation except that sign placement shall not interfere with snow removal, or vision of motorists, and shall not significantly detract from the environmental or aesthetic character of the County.

Construction and maintenance of signs:

• STURDY CONSTRUCTION. All signs and sign structures shall be constructed of materials of sufficient strength and quality to withstand weathering or deterioration by wind, moisture and other natural elements, and shall be maintained in a state of good repair with all braces, bolts, supporting framework, fastenings, lettering and design work free from deterioration.
• WIND LOAD. Wind load requirements shall be equal to, or greater than 26 pounds per sq. ft. of sign area.
• REPAIR OR REMOVAL. The County Building Inspector shall have the authority to order the repair, alteration or removal of any sign or structure that constitutes a hazard to public health and safety, or which is otherwise not pursuant to this Section. In the event that such a sign has not been removed, altered or repaired within 60 days after written notification by the Inspector, the Board may, after due public notice and hearing, require that sign or structure to be removed at the expense of the owner of the sign.

Sign area measurement:

• MAXIMUM INDIVIDUAL SIGN AREA. The maximum permitted area of individual signs shall be 50 sq. ft.
• MAXIMUM AGGREGATE SIGN AREA. The maximum permitted aggregate area for cluster signs shall be 70 sq. ft.
• MAXIMUM HEIGHT. The maximum height of a sign shall be no greater than 16 feet above the natural grade of the ground on which it is placed, except that a sign located over a property’s entranceway or exit way may be 20 feet above the road over which it is placed.
• MEASUREMENT OF SINGLE SURFACE. To determine the surface area of a sign, the County Building Inspector shall measure the perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the display surface(s) of the sign, including all graphic elements, borders and riders, but excluding the sign's structure or bracing unless those elements are part of the message or face of the sign. Where there are two faces back to back, the total area of the largest face shall determine the area of the sign.
• MEASUREMENT OF MULTI-FACETED SIGN. Where two faces are placed at greater than 45-degree angles to one another, the sign area shall mean the total area of both faces.

Signs allowed only by variance of the Board of Commissioners:

The Board may authorize a variance from Section 13-109 of the Land Use Resolution. The following signs are not permitted, except by variance issued by the Board:

• NON-COMPLIANT SIGNS. Any sign not in compliance with the Land Use Resolution.
• OFF-PREMISE SIGNS. Off-premise signs except public directional signs, and those signs permitted pursuant to Gunnison County Resolution Series 1989 No. 42: Concerning Placement of Tourist-Oriented Directional Signs, which are allowed without a variance.
• PROJECTING ROOF-MOUNTED SIGNS. Roof-mounted signs that project above the highest point of a roofline or fascia of a building.
• SIGNS ADVERTISING LOTS IN PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS. Signs promoting lots or units for sale in a proposed development after approval of Preliminary Plan, but before approval of the Final Plan. A variance for this type of sign may be granted for up to one year. The sign shall include language that the development is pending approval.
• SIGNS ADVERTISING CONDOMINIUM AND TOWNHOMES. Signs advertising condominium and townhouse construction may be posted after approval of Preliminary Plan, but before approval of the Final Plan. A variance for this type of sign may be granted for up to one year.
• OVERSIZE HOME OCCUPATION SIGNS. Signs of more than six sq. ft. identifying a home occupation.

Click HERE for a .pdf copy of the Sign Variance Request Application; you can also pick one up at the Community Development Department, or request a copy by e-mail or postal mail.

Snowload Requirements

Gunnison County requires that structures meet snowload requirements based upon the elevation at which a structure will be located.

• Please contact the Building Office at 970-641-1011 for snowload information.

Well Permits

Gunnison County does not issue well permits. A licensed well driller should be contacted to obtain a permit to drill a well through the Colorado Division of Water Resources located at 1313 Sherman St. Room 818, Denver, CO 80203, Phone: (303) 866-3581. The Division's website has a wealth of information online for individual property owners who have wells or will need to be applying for well permits, including:

• The Beginner's Guide to Augmentation Plans for Wells
• Determining Your Well Location
• New Well Permits
• Guide to Well Permits, Water Rights, and Water Administration.
• The Non-Lawyers' Guide to Hearings before the Colorado Ground Water Commission
• The Non-Lawyers' Guide to Hearings before the State Engineer
• Water Well Testers -A list of approved water well testers, identifying contractors willing to do contract work within their geographic area.
• Well Permitting Forms

Woodstoves/Gas Appliances

Click HERE for a .pdf copy of the current regulations for woodstoves, gas appliance sand fireplaces.

Click HERE for a .pdf copy of the Woodstove Registration Form.

Click HERE for a .pdf copy of the Environmental Protection Agency's List of Approved Wood Stoves.

MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR FREESTANDING SOLID-FUEL-BURNING APPLIANCES (WOODBURNING STOVES), courtesy of the Fire Marshall, City of Gunnison:

• Check the stove for cracks or damage.
• Assure proper clearances from combustibles have been observed. Use your manufacturers specifications to assure this if your appliance is either U.L. or I.C.B.O. listed. If not listed, maintain a 36" clearance from combustibles.
• Keep paper, wood, curtains, furniture, or other combustible materials 36" away from your stove.
• Check all connections in your metal chimney and flue pipe to assure they are all connected properly and not loose.
• Check your chimney and flue pipe for creosote build-up (a by-product of combustion). If there is more than a 1/4" build-up you are running the risk of a chimney fire, therefore, you must clean your chimney from top to bottom.
• Check your fire box for creosote build-up also, if there is any, brush it out.
• Check your rain cap to assure it isn't plugged which causes smoke to enter the house.
• Make sure you haven't gone from a listed metal double or triple wall chimney pipe back to a single wall pipe above the roof, this will cause greater amounts of creosote build-up.
• Make sure your listed double or triple wall chimney pipe maintains its 2" clearance from combustibles, this goes for any type of insulation also.
• If the appliance is vented into an existing chimney, inspect chimney for missing mortar, loose mortar joints and cracked bricks. Also assure connection into the masonry chimney is secure and free of leaks. Repair any defects.
• Assure proper clearance of single wall pipe is maintained. In many cases it is required that you have a minimum of 18" clearance from combustibles. Do not penetrate a combustible ceiling or wall with only a single wall pipe.
• Make sure no other appliance is vented into your existing chimney.
• Make sure your smoke alarm is working, most of these have a test button. If you don't have one you should get one. Smoke alarms save lives.
• You should obtain a 2A-10B-C fire extinguisher and place it in a readily accessible place. This extinguisher will work on electrical, flammable liquid, or solid combustible type fires.
• Many of the preceding steps should be done a minimum of once a month.
• Precautions when burning your solid fuel appliance:
• Do not overload or overfire your appliance, this increases the chance of a chimney fire.
• Do not burn trash, paper or cardboard in your appliance, this also increases the chance of a chimney fire.
• Store ashes in a closed metal container outside at least 36" away from your residence and assure dry grass or weeds are cut back 36".
• There is no woodburning installation which is 100% fire safe, so if a problem does occur, such as a chimney fire, notify the fire department immediately. there is no cost to you when you notify the department and they respond.
• Never light your stove using gasoline, paint thinner, fuel oil, or any other type of accelerant. Many of these will cause an explosion and result in severe burns.

Office Staff