Regulations & Guidelines

Gunnison County regulates development in unincorporated Gunnison County. The Community Development staff is available to help you with your plans and questions. Email Planning or call 970-641-0360

We have complied a list of regulations and guidelines that may be helpful when developing in unincorporated Gunnison County.

Gunnison County Land Use Regulations

Land Use Resolution ( LUR ) (PDF) - regulations which are applicable to development in unincorporated Gunnison County

GUNNISON COUNTY CODE OF THE WEST (PDF)- this publication is distributed by several counties in the Western United States explaining to new residents and visitors the differences in levels of services between urban and rural areas, and activities that take place in ranching communities that may be different from those in urban areas. Gunnison County has written and printed its own version, available above.

Building Codes

Resolution 17-23adopting the 2015 editions of the International Building Code, the International Residential Code, the International Mechanical Code, the Fuel gas Code, the International Energy Conservation Code with Amendments.

Gunnison County has adopted the ICC codes, currently the 2015 edition, for use in the unincorporated areas of the County. The Ground Snow load varies and shall be equal to the "recommended basic snow load" as defined in the "2016 Colorado Design Snow Loads", prepared by the "Structural Engineers Association of Colorado." ASCE 7 procedures shall be used to convert to roof snow loads. The Wind Design is 115 mph ultimate design wind speed. The frost line depth is 36 inches. Please call the Community Development Department at 970-641-0360 for additional Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria.

Fire Codes

Crested Butte Fire Protection District has adopted the 2003 International Fire Code with amendments -970-349-5333

Gunnison Fire Protection District may be contacted 970-641-8153

On-Site Wastewater Regulations

On-Site Wastewater Regulations ( OWTS ) (PDF) -regulations regarding the installation and maintenance of septic systems

Well Permits

Gunnison County does not issue well permits. Well permits are issued by the Colorado Division of Water Resources.
A licensed will driller should be contacted to obtain a permit to drill a well through the Colorado Division of Water Resources.

Contact

Denver office 303-866-3581 or Montrose office 970-249-6622

State of Colorado Website for information on well permits

Colorado Division of Water Resources

Water Referee- 970-252-4304
Water Commissioners: Crested Butte-Tommy Rozeman-970-209-2747
Tomichi Area-Jack Bryzinski-970-964-7947
Irwin Area-Steve Tuck-970-234-4922
Marble Area - Glenwood Springs Office

Gunnison Sage-grouse Regulations

Gunnison Sage-grouse Regulations- development in Gunnison Sage-grouse "occupied habitat"

Marijuana Cultivation, Manufacturing and Testing Facilities Regulations

Gunnison County requires a license, and a land Use approval, for the cultivation, manufacturing, and testing of marijuana, and marijuana products.
Licensing Regulations
Land Use Regulations

Oil and Gas Development Regulations

The Gunnison County, Colorado Regulations for oil and gas operations were adopted by the Gunnison County Board of County Commissioners on August 28, 2012 via Resolution Number 2012-25.

Geo-Thermal Development Regulations

November, 2014, Gunnison County adopted the Geo-Thermal Regulations (PDF)

Ranchland Process

The Ranchland Process - for landowners who are considering subdividing their ranch into 35 acre lots. It provides an alternative to the standard subdivision process, whereby County staff significantly assist the landowner in the subdivision design and shepherd it through a shortened approval process. This allows the landowner to sell lots at higher prices than "raw" land prices. It also creates a subdivision design that incorporates the landowners knowledge of the land into a conservation minded design. This is a flexible and low risk option worth checking out!

Full documentation (PDF), email the Ranchland Process coordinator: Mike Pelletier, GIS Manager, or call Gunnison County-(970) 641-7645.

Special Development Project Resolution

Special Development Projects Regulations 2009 (PDF): for projects of significant impact, and those that involve matter of state interest.
Special Development Project Resolution (PDF)- 2010 amendment

Gunnison Public Works ( Road and Bridge)

Gunnison County Public Works may be contacted at 970-641-0044.

Special Area Regulations

Land use regulations specific to these individual geographic areas

Crested Butte South Regulations (PDF)- Governing land use in the Crested Butte South subdivision, approved as a Special Area by the Board of County Commission and administered by the subdivision's property owner's association.

Crested Butte South Commercial Area Master Plan and Special Area Regulations Amendments (PDF)

North Fork Valley Regulations (PDF)-Governing the development of coal mining operations in the North Fork Valley of Gunnison County.

Gunnison/ Crested Butte Industrial Special Area Regulations and Maps (PDF)- Includes Signal Peak Industrial Park, and Riverland Industrial Park.

Gold Basin Industrial Park Regulations (PDF)- Governs lots in Gold Basin Industrial Park

Permit Application Forms

Permit Application forms can be found on our website

Permit Data Base

You may view the Gunnison County issued Land Use, Building and On-Site Wastewater Permits using the Permit Data Base

Other Plans and Guidelines

Municipalities with their own regulations in Gunnison County

The City of Gunnison, Town of Crested Butte, Town of Mt. Crested Butte, Town of Pitkin, and Town Marble all have their own regulations and administer their own regulations.