Boulder County

Printable Version

Boulder County

POINT OF SALE SEPTIC COMPLIANCE TO BEGIN OUTREACH

Boulder County Public Health is preparing to launch its public outreach to connect with nearly 15,000 affected property owners with non-compliance septic systems. Public Health officials have created a Website www.BoulderCountyPublicHealth.org/SepticSmart providing information and resources for real estate professionals and property owners. The Department plans to launch its outreach effort first to the real estate community and them will mail information to potentially affected property owners. Adoption of the point of sale compliance regulations will be scheduled this summer with enforcement expected in January 2008.

BOCC APPROVES SEVERAL CODE CHANGES

On April 3, 2007 the Board of County Commissioners approved three changes to the land use code targeted toward code violators. First, a new state law allows the county to issue summons and complaints 10 days after notifying a property owner they are in violation of the code, e.g. trash, abandoned vehicles, etc. Current practice is to give violators 30 days to correct a problem but the 10 days allows quicker action where health and safety issues are at stake. Second, the County can now force property owners to remove weeds and brush from up to 2 ˝ acre lots. The previous rule was 1 acre. Third, adopted language that clarifies that Boulder County’s land use director can refuse to accept or process development applications for properties that violate existing zoning regulations.

COUNTY LIKELY TO MANDATE GREEN BUILDING CODE

The Boulder County Board of Review, a citizen advisory board with responsibility for review and adoption of changes to the Boulder County Building Code, will provide recommendations to the County Commissioners regarding Boulder County's green building program, ”Build Smart” in conjunction with the County’s Comprehensive Code revisions. The Board will consider whether the program should be mandatory for new construction or optional. Some of the possible elements include deconstruction, recycling and reuse, site considerations and site disturbance, use of sustainable materials, foundation and framing, water conservation, energy conservation, use of renewable energy, and indoor air quality.