Bolthole Index

Clear Creek County, Colorado

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Silver Plume, Colorado

The Town of Silver Plume, in Clear Creek County, Colorado, has its own Land Use Code with Residential, Business and Industrial zoning districts1. Its Licenses & Permits page lists a town building permit application2. Septic rules come from Clear Creek County, which regulates onsite wastewater systems even inside incorporated areas3.

At a glance

Zoning
Yes, the town's Land Use Code sets Residential, Business and Industrial districts1
Building permit
The town publishes a building permit application; confirm the review process with the Town Clerk2
Septic
Clear Creek County onsite wastewater rules apply inside town limits3
Sewer and water
New lots must be served by municipal water and sewer4
Minimum lot size
4,750 sq ft in the Residential district5
Minimum dwelling size
500 sq ft of usable floor space6
Maximum height
28 ft in the Residential district7
Manufactured homes
Allowed in the Residential district with conditions8

Who to call

Building permits

Town of Silver Plume (Town Clerk)

Town building permit, excavation permit, utility permit and subdivision applications

303-569-2363

[email protected]

710 Main Street Silver Plume, Colorado 80476

Zoning

Town of Silver Plume Licenses & Permits

Town permit and land development application forms

Septic permits

Clear Creek County Environmental Health

Septic construction, repair and use permits for Clear Creek County, including incorporated towns

(303) 679-2428

[email protected]

1111 Rose Street PO Box 2000 Georgetown, CO 80444

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 16, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Town of Silver Plume means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Does Silver Plume, CO have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and setbacks?

Yes. The Town of Silver Plume adopts its own zoning in its Land Use Code, with Residential, Business and Industrial districts plus floodplain and watershed protection overlays9. Clear Creek County's zoning regulations cover only unincorporated land, so the county planning counter is the wrong office for a lot inside town limits10.

In the Residential district, the minimum lot size is 4,750 square feet5 and a dwelling needs at least 500 square feet of usable floor space6. Height tops out at 28 feet above grade7. The front setback is 20 feet when neighboring dwellings do not set a different line, the principal-structure side setback is 10 feet, and the rear setback is 5 feet11. Lot coverage is capped at 1500 square feet or 30 percent of the lot, whichever is greater12.

Do you need a building permit in Silver Plume, and who issues it?

The Town of Silver Plume publishes its own building permit application, a re-roof permit application and a flow chart for its building permit review process on its Licenses & Permits page13. Building permits inside town limits go through the town, not the Clear Creek County Building Department, whose services cover unincorporated areas14. We could not confirm which building code the town applies or who performs inspections, so ask the Town Clerk before you plan a design.

The same page lists excavation permit and utility permit applications, so a project that disturbs ground may need more than one town approval13.

How do septic permits work inside Silver Plume?

Septic is the one area where the county, not the town, sets the rules. Clear Creek County's onsite wastewater regulations are effective in all areas of the county, including incorporated areas3. Permits for building or repairing a septic system come from Clear Creek County Environmental Health15.

In practice, the town's Land Use Code expects municipal service: manufactured homes in the Residential district must be connected to municipal water and sewer before occupancy16, and every lot created by subdivision must be served by municipal water and sewer4. A buyer on an existing lot should confirm with the Town Clerk whether the lot has a sewer tap before assuming a septic system is needed or allowed. The county notes that when a sanitation district connection is possible, an onsite septic permit may not be needed17.

Can you put a manufactured home, RV or tiny home on a lot in Silver Plume?

Manufactured homes are permitted as single-family dwellings in the Residential district, with conditions8. The conditions include HUD certification, a minimum size of 24 by 36 feet, a permanent engineered foundation approved by the Building Inspector, and connection to municipal water and sewer before occupancy8.

We could not confirm a town rule on living in an RV or on tiny homes. The Land Use Code addresses RVs only inside the floodplain, where an RV in the Special Flood Hazard Area must stay fewer than 180 consecutive days and be ready for highway use18. Ask the Town Clerk before you plan to live in either one. The county's camping and tiny-home limits apply to unincorporated land only19.

Building a home in Silver Plume: the steps, in order

  1. Call the Town Clerk to confirm the lot's zoning district, utility taps and building review process2.
  2. Check the lot against the district standards: a lot of at least 4,750 square feet5 and a dwelling of at least 500 square feet6.
  3. Check whether the lot lies in the Floodplain Overlay District; new residential construction there needs the lowest floor elevated 1 foot above base flood elevation18.
  4. File the town's building permit application and any excavation or utility permit application13.
  5. Arrange sewer service through the town, or a septic permit from Clear Creek County Environmental Health if the county confirms one applies15.
  6. If you divide a lot, expect a final plat to the Town Clerk and a Board of Trustees decision after a posted notice20.

What stays with Clear Creek County, and what to check before you buy

Septic permits and inspections stay with Clear Creek County for every address, town or not3. Land outside town limits falls under the county's rules instead; see the Clear Creek County page for those.

For county context, Clear Creek County's median property tax bill is $2,160 a year21 and its typical home value is about $564,70522. Floodplain, lot size and the sewer question are the three items most likely to change what you can build on a given lot.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm the town's building code, inspection process or fee amounts; the Town Clerk is the office to ask before you buy2.
  • Rules in the county's published guidance for camping, tiny homes and short-term rentals apply to unincorporated Clear Creek County, not to lots inside Silver Plume19.
  • Lots in the Floodplain Overlay District face elevation and certification requirements18.

Sources

  1. Silver Plume Land Use Code Sec. 3.3 Business District (B) (Town of Silver Plume), quoted and re-checked
  2. Town of Silver Plume (Town Clerk) (silverplumetown.com)
  3. Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, quoted and re-checked
  4. Silver Plume Land Use Code Sec. 9.1 Subdivision (Town of Silver Plume), quoted and re-checked
  5. Silver Plume Land Use Code Sec. 3.2 Residential District (R) (Town of Silver Plume), quoted and re-checked
  6. Silver Plume Land Use Code Sec. 3.2 Residential District (R) (Town of Silver Plume), quoted and re-checked
  7. Silver Plume Land Use Code Sec. 3.2 Residential District (R) (Town of Silver Plume), quoted and re-checked
  8. Silver Plume Land Use Code Sec. 3.2 Residential District (R) (Town of Silver Plume), quoted and re-checked
  9. Silver Plume Land Use Code Sec. 3.3 Business District (B) (Town of Silver Plume), quoted and re-checked
  10. Permits, quoted and re-checked
  11. Silver Plume Land Use Code Sec. 3.2 Residential District (R) (Town of Silver Plume), quoted and re-checked
  12. Silver Plume Land Use Code Sec. 3.2 Residential District (R) (Town of Silver Plume), quoted and re-checked
  13. Town of Silver Plume Licenses & Permits (silverplumetown.com)
  14. Permits, quoted and re-checked
  15. Clear Creek County Environmental Health (clearcreekcounty.us)
  16. Silver Plume Land Use Code Sec. 3.2 Residential District (R) (Town of Silver Plume), quoted and re-checked
  17. Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, quoted and re-checked
  18. Silver Plume Land Use Code Sec. 6.6 Floodplain Overlay District standards (Town of Silver Plume), quoted and re-checked
  19. Tiny Homes, quoted and re-checked
  20. Silver Plume Land Use Code Sec. 9.1 Subdivision (Town of Silver Plume), quoted and re-checked
  21. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data

Written October 16, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Town of Silver Plume

Town of Silver Plume’s own rules

  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Silver Plume town limits

    • Land Use Code Division 3 establishes Residential (R), Business (B) and Industrial (I) districts, plus floodplain overlay and watershed protection districts.
    “Allowed Uses in Residential District, pursuant to Section 3.2.A.1.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Silver Plume town

    • Residential (3.2), Business (3.3), Industrial (3.4) districts in Land Use Code Division 3.
    “Special Review Uses allowed in Residential District under Section 3.2.B.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Residential District (R) inside Silver Plume town

    • Same 500 sq ft minimum applies in Business and Industrial districts.

    minimum usable floor space: >= 500 sq ft

    “Dwelling units shall contain a minimum five hundred (500) square feet of usable floor space.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Residential District (R) inside Silver Plume town

    • Same 4,750 sq ft minimum in Business and Industrial districts.

    minimum lot size: >= 4750 sq ft

    “Minimum Lot Size. Four thousand seven hundred fifty (4750) square feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Residential District (R) inside Silver Plume town

    • Front: not less than existing dwellings' setback on block or adjacent property, else 20 ft.
    • Side: 10 ft for principal structure; no side setback for detached accessory structures in rear one-third of lot unless it interferes with fire access.
    • Applies to principal and accessory structures.

    front setback (no neighbors): >= 20 ft · rear setback: >= 5 ft · side setback principal: >= 10 ft

    “Rear Setback. Minimum five (5) feet from rear lot line of the property.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Residential District (R) inside Silver Plume town

    • Includes principal and accessory structures; excludes uncovered porches, patios, walkways and paths.

    max lot coverage: 1500 sq ft or 30% of lot, whichever is greater

    “Maximum one thousand five hundred (1500) square feet or thirty (30) percent of the total lot area, whichever is greater.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building heightSpecified

    Business District (B) inside Silver Plume town

    • Residential use 28 ft; nonresidential use 35 ft.

    max height residential use: <= 28 ft · max height nonresidential use: <= 35 ft

    “Residential Use. Maximum twenty-eight (28) feet above grade.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes as single-family dwellings in the Residential District inside Silver Plume town

    • HUD certification
    • At least 24 ft by 36 ft
    • Brick, wood or equivalent siding and pitched roof
    • Permanent engineered foundation approved by Building Inspector
    • Complete and ready for occupancy on delivery; installation within 14 days of delivery
    • Connected to municipal water and sewer before occupancy

    minimum dimensions: >= 24 x 36 feet

    “Manufactured homes are permitted for residential use as a single family dwelling.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

    Manufactured homes in the Residential District inside Silver Plume town

    • Connection to public utilities and municipal water and sewer required before occupancy.
    • General connection rule for site-built homes not located.
    “The manufactured home shall be connected to public utilities and to the municipal water and sewer systems prior to occupancy.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land inside Silver Plume town

    • Final plat submitted to Town Clerk; Board of Trustees decides by resolution after 10-day posted notice.
    • Each lot minimum 4,750 sq ft, legal and adequate access, municipal water and sewer service.
    • Land uninhabitable due to flooding, drainage or grades may not be subdivided for uses increasing danger.
    • Plat to Board for signature within 120 days of approval; recorded within 30 days of signature.

    minimum lot size: >= 4750 sq ft

    “Each lot shall be a minimum of four thousand seven hundred fifty (4750) square feet.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in the Floodplain Overlay District inside Silver Plume town

    • No significant adverse effect on floodplain and no increased flood hazard to others.
    • New residential construction: lowest floor and service equipment elevated one foot above base flood elevation, certified by a Colorado PE, architect or surveyor.
    • RVs in the Special Flood Hazard Area: fewer than 180 consecutive days and ready for highway use.

    freeboard above base flood elevation (residential): >= 1 ft

    “have the lowest floor (including basement) and electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, and air conditioning equipment and other service facilities (including ductwork) elevated to one (1) foot above the base flood elevation.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Silver Plume or Clear Creek County directly.

  • Building permit — Building permits inside Silver Plume town
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Silver Plume town
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside Silver Plume town
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside Silver Plume town
  • Living in an RV — RV occupancy inside Silver Plume town
13 more unanswered
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees
  • Permit process

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Town of Silver Plume publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Clear Creek County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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