The Community Development Engineering Division reviews plans associated with development projects to ensure compliance with the city’s construction standards and specifications in order to safeguard health, property, and public welfare in the city. Included in this process are Narratives, Plats, Sketch Plats, Annexation Maps, Lot Line Adjustments, PUDs, Traffic Reports, Preliminary and Final Drainage reports, Construction Plans, Landscaping Plans and Development Agreements.

View the city's Engineering Construction Standards & Specifications on the Code Central page

For projects filed with the City prior to May 8, 2023, civil construction documents and their associated self-audited checklists should be submitted directly to the Public Works Department for review and approval via email at pwsubmittals@c3gov.com. 

For projects filed with the City on or after May 8 2023, civil construction documents and their associated self-audited checklists should be submitted via c3gov.com/eTRAKiT.

The required checklist forms can be found within the following tabs within the checklist spreadsheet:

AN, DA, NAR, SketchPlat, Plat, Lot Line, PUD, CDs, TR, PAV_DES, Prelim DR, Final DR, LNDSCP residential, LNDSCP non-residential tabs.
Download the checklist spreadsheet

Drainage

Drainage impact fees are collected by way of building permits for five drainage basins in the city and are applied to all new development inside these basins: First Creek, Second Creek, Third Creek, Henderson Creek, and Irondale Gulch. The fee amount is based on square feet of new impervious area and is used to pay for regional drainage infrastructure that includes channel improvements, detention facilities, and major road crossings.

Stormwater Drainage Design

The city's storm drainage design and technical criteria provide minimum standards for new development and redevelopment within the city.

Storm Drainage Design and Technical Criteria Manual

Variances

Variances are considered an extraordinary form of relief and are highly disfavored. Nevertheless, the City recognizes that in certain limited instances it may be exceptionally difficult to both conform to the standards and maintain the special  character and environmental values of Commerce City. In such situations, a variance may be sought. Variances will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The procedures of this of this process shall apply to requests for variances from the latest Engineering Construction Standards and Specification and the Storm Drainage Criteria Manual.

Engineering Variance Process
Variance Checklist

Development Infrastructure Permits

An approved Development Infrastructure Permit (DIP) allows for construction of infrastructure elements such as roadways, curb and gutter, sidewalk, regional drainage facilities, and storm sewer that will require acceptance by the City.  Historically, these elements could be installed after the approval of a Grading Permit.  However, not all grading permits require the acceptance of infrastructure that will ultimately be maintained by the City.  A DIP, issued by Community Development, will be used to permit construction associated with infrastructure elements that require formal acceptance by the City and define the process by which this infrastructure is accepted by the city.  Examples of projects requiring a DIP include subdivisions requiring both private and public roadways (including turn lanes, acceleration, and deceleration lanes), frontage improvements to existing public roadways, building of regional drainage facilities, etc.

A Grading Permit, issued by Public Works, will be used when grading work needs to be done for construction that does not require acceptance by the city.  Examples include moving or stockpiling earthen fill, installation of linear utilities that will disturb > 5,000 s.f. of ground, and vertical construction not associated with infrastructure accepted by the city.  Early grading permits are still an option should a developer want to start clearing, grubbing, and rough grading activities for either a DIP or grading permit.

Additional information can be found in the DIP Facts to Know

Initial and Final Acceptance

For new public improvement construction, the contractor needs to notify the Public Works Inspector that all work has been completed and request Public Works acceptance inspections and reviews be performed.  The Public Works Inspectors and Development Review Engineers will perform all necessary inspections and notify the contractor of any noted defects. 

Please apply for either a new Initial Acceptance or Final Acceptance project within our eTRAKiT system at c3gov.com/eTRAKiT.

The criteria by which these inspections and reviews will be completed are within the following tabs within the checklist spreadsheet:
IA, AB, FA, PAV_EVAL. 
Download the checklist spreadsheet

Grading Permits

A grading permit is required under the city’s Land Development Code for any activities disturbing at least 5,000 square feet of earth on a property that would alter drainage, surface treatment, or elevation (including filling and excavation). This process ensures that Colorado Discharge Permit System (CDPS) Phase II regulations are upheld.

Grading permit documents (SWMP and Erosion Control Plans) and their associated self-audited checklists should be submitted via c3gov.com/eTRAKiT.

Find the Stormwater Management Plan Template here.  

The required checklist forms can be found within the following tabs within the checklist spreadsheet:
Grading, ESC, and SWMP. 
Download the checklist spreadsheet

Additional information on and the application for Grading Permits and be found in the links below.
Grading Permits Information Sheet

Early Grading Permits

If an applicant for development desires to proceed with overall grading of the property prior to final approval of the applicable development plan, PUD development permit, or plat by the city, or prior to final construction document approval(s), an applicant may apply for an early grading permit.  An early grading permit allows for clearing, grubbing and grading only. No infrastructure or building construction is allowed with an early grading permit. A final grading permit will be required prior to infrastructure or building construction. Early grading permits are optional and not required and are done at the risk of the developer/owner.

Approval Criteria

• Erosion and sediment control plans have been submitted and comply with the city’s Engineering and Construction Standards and Specifications (ECSS) and Storm Drainage Design and Technical Criteria Manual; 
• The subject property is not part of any active public hearing application (zoning, conditional use permit, variance, etc.); 
• A preliminary drainage report, if applicable, has been approved by the city engineer; 
• The subject property is not located in any floodplain; 
• A grading surety, in a form acceptable to the city has been provided to and accepted by the city in accordance with the city’s laws and regulations; 
• No waivers or alternative standards/requirements or variances related to grading requirements are being requested or are necessary in conjunction with the Final Subdivision application; 
• Applicable State stormwater permit has been acquired; and 
• Existing healthy trees greater than eight inches caliper are identified and preserved where possible.

Contractor Licensing

Contractors must be licensed with the city before any grading or right of way permits will be issued. Submit a completed contractor’s license application and current certificate of general liability insurance (the City of Commerce City is required to be shown as the certificate holder) to the Public Works Department. Fees are due at the time of application.

Apply for a contractor license through c3gov.com/eTRAKiT.

Erosion and Sediment Control

Erosion and sediment control is used during and after the construction process to prevent excess soil from entering local waterways. Soil is highly vulnerable to erosion by wind and water and provides an unhealthy environment for fish and other aquatic life when it enters nearby waterways.

Requirements include: 

• Silt fences
• Erosion blankets / logs
• Stormwater inlet protection

Erosion and Sediment Control Details

It is essential that new homeowners leave all forms of erosion and sediment control in place to both avoid fines and promote a healthy environment. You can remove these once landscaping is installed. Until then, don't remove it - you could receive a $1,000 fine!

Stormwater Permits

The Colorado Water Quality Control Division issues and administers discharge permits and other control mechanisms as provided by the Colorado Water Quality Control Act. The state also administers the industrial pretreatment program, biosolids program, and reuse programs. Grading projects also require permits to ensure minimal stormwater impact 

Learn more from the Colorado Water Quality Control Division

Commerce City does not currently charge recurring stormwater fees to residents or businesses within the city limits. Homes or businesses in unincorporated Adams County may be subject to a fee from the county.

Report Stormwater Violations

You can help reduce the negative effects of stormwater runoff by reporting stormwater violations:

• Call the Stormwater Quality Hotline at 303-227-8801
• Submit an illicit discharge notification or drainage issues through Access C3 or email the Stormwater Coordinator. 

Right of Way Permits

Right of Way is land used to maintain or construct public facilities such as utilities, public infrastructure, streets, sidewalks and alleys. A right of way permit is required when any planned construction or activity will cross right of way areas owned by the city. Right of way permits are processed by the Public Works Department.

Right of Way Permit Applications are accepted via c3gov.com/eTRAKiT, or in person at Commerce City Public Works Department - 8602 Rosemary Street, Commerce City, CO 80022. Permit fee is $50 plus additional fees based on work being completed. For an advance estimate of these fees, please email pwpermits@c3gov.com.

Right of Way Permit Information Sheet

When a Right of Way Permit is Needed: 

• Development – construction of new infrastructure including storm sewer, curb, gutter, sidewalk and asphalt
• Grading
• Street Occupancy/Road Closure – consists of a need to close any part of the city’s right of way; please refer to the special events fact sheet 
• Street Cut/Right of Way – when the roadway surface is disturbed for repair or installation of a facility or public improvement, including shoulders and sidewalks
• Oversized/Overweight and Longer Vehicle Combination – the use of a vehicle which exceeds legal size and/or weight limits as described below:

• Exceeds 8 feet in overall width
• Exceeds 13.5 feet in overall height
• Exceeds 65 feet in overall length
• Exceeds 36,000 pounds for a two-axle / single-axle unit truck
• Exceeds 54,000 pounds for three or more axles / single-unit truck
• Exceeds 85,000 pounds for a non-interstate hauler
• Exceeds 80,000 pounds for an interstate hauler