Bolthole Index

Clear Creek County, Colorado

Zoning, building permits and land rules in Georgetown, Colorado

The Town of Georgetown, Colorado, in Clear Creek County, adopts its own zoning in Title 17 of its Land Use Code1 and takes building permit applications at Town Hall2. Many projects also need Design Review Commission approval before a permit issues2. Septic permits come from Clear Creek County Environmental Health, including inside town limits3.

At a glance

Zoning
Yes, the town zones under Title 17 of its Land Use Code1
Building permit
Required inside town limits; applications go to Town Hall42
Design review
Many exterior projects need Design Review Commission approval first2
Septic
Clear Creek County Environmental Health, including incorporated areas3
RV living
Not allowed for living or housekeeping except under the town's camping rule5
Temporary camping
Up to 14 days on vacant private land, with conditions6
Accessory dwellings
Special use permit in Meadows, Millsite and Historic Residential districts7
Snow load
Town sets ground snow load at 60 psf in its residential code amendments8

Who to call

Building permits

Town of Georgetown Building Services (Town Hall)

Building permit applications, Design Review Commission applications and inspection scheduling inside Georgetown town limits; plan review and inspections are contracted to SAFEbuilt

303-569-2555

asstadmin@townofgeorgetown.us

404 6th Street, Georgetown, CO 80444

Septic permits

Clear Creek County Environmental Health

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

(303) 679-2428

EH@clearcreekcounty.us

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 Georgetown means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Does Georgetown, Colorado have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, lot size and setbacks?

Yes. The Town of Georgetown adopts district regulations in Title 17 of its Land Use Code, and the town decides zoning for land inside its limits1. Clear Creek County's zoning covers unincorporated land only9.

The rules differ by district. In the Historic Residential District the minimum lot area is 5,000 square feet10, principal buildings top out at 25 feet and accessory buildings at 20 feet11, and buildings may cover 40 percent of a lot12. In the Hillside Residential District the minimum lot area is 15,000 square feet13, setbacks are 20 feet front, side and rear14, and coverage is capped at 15 percent15. The Meadows district allows 30 feet for principal buildings16, and Millsite lots need 5,000 square feet per dwelling unit17.

Accessory dwellings need a special use permit in the Meadows, Millsite and Historic Residential districts7.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Georgetown?

Mostly no. Georgetown's Land Use Code says travel trailers, tent trailers, pickup campers and motorized dwellings may not be used for living or housekeeping, except as Section 12.28.080 allows5. That exception lets an owner, or someone with the owner's written permission, camp temporarily on vacant private land for no more than 14 days, in a self-contained unit or on land with usable water and sanitary sewer6. Living in a tent or RV on any other parcel is unlawful unless the town has designated the area6.

We could not confirm a town rule for tiny homes. Ask Town Hall before buying a lot for one. Colorado's Division of Housing approves tiny homes for long-term living, but the unit must still satisfy local zoning18.

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

Yes. Construction inside Georgetown town limits needs a building permit from the town, and the permit lapses two years after issuance unless extended in writing4. The town contracts building department services through SAFEbuilt, but all building permit applications are submitted through the Town of Georgetown2.

Georgetown sits in a National Historic Landmark District, so many exterior construction, renovation, demolition and alteration projects need Design Review Commission approval before a permit issues2. The town also requires a Certificate of Appropriateness application alongside the permit4. Contractors need a current town business license before applying2.

The town adopts the International Residential Code with its own amendments, including a ground snow load of 60 psf and a design wind speed of 140 mph8. Permit fees are set by resolution of the Board of Selectmen; we did not find the current schedule19. Clear Creek County's Building Department serves unincorporated land only, so a lot inside the town does not go to the county counter.

How do septic permits work inside Georgetown?

Septic permits for Georgetown lots come from Clear Creek County, not the town. The county's onsite wastewater regulations are effective in all areas of Clear Creek County, including incorporated areas3. Clear Creek County Environmental Health issues the permits and inspects the work2021.

A major construction permit costs $1,023 for two or more major components, and a minor permit costs $600 for one component22. The county says an OWTS permit may not be needed if a connection to a sanitation district is possible22. We could not confirm whether Georgetown requires properties to hook into town sewer, so ask Town Hall first. Outhouses are not an approved form of wastewater disposal in Clear Creek County23.

Building a home in Georgetown: the steps, in order

  1. Call Town Hall at2 to learn which zoning district the lot is in and whether Design Review Commission approval applies.
  2. Confirm whether the lot can connect to a sanitation district; otherwise start a septic application with Clear Creek County Environmental Health22.
  3. Apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness and a building permit through the town4.
  4. Make sure each contractor holds a town business license2.
  5. Schedule inspections through the SAFEbuilt inspection line at least 24 hours ahead2.
  6. Check flood zone status: in special flood hazard areas the lowest floor must be one foot above base flood elevation24.

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

The county, not the town, runs septic permitting for every address in Clear Creek County3. For land outside town limits, see the Clear Creek County page: the county's building, zoning and short-term rental rules cover unincorporated land only25.

Short-term rentals inside Georgetown need a business license, a life safety inspection before the initial license and each renewal, and an on-call owner representative who can respond within 60 minutes26. Clear Creek County's effective property tax rate is 0.4 percent27, and the typical home value in the county is $564,70528.

Watch-outs

  • Design Review Commission approval can be required before a building permit issues, so talk to Town Hall before you design or buy2.
  • We could not confirm Georgetown's rules on wells, mandatory sewer connection, owner-builders or certificates of occupancy; ask Town Hall at 303-569-25552.
  • Georgetown's RV rule bars living in an RV except for the 14-day temporary camping allowance on vacant land6.
  • The county's septic permit is required even for lots inside town limits3.

Sources

  1. Georgetown Municipal Code 17.16.041 Historic Residential District (Town of Georgetown), quoted and re-checked
  2. Town of Georgetown Building Services (Town Hall) (townofgeorgetown.us)
  3. Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, quoted and re-checked
  4. Georgetown Municipal Code 15.44.010 Residential Code Amendments - Sections amended (Town of Georgetown), quoted and re-checked
  5. Georgetown Municipal Code 17.20.050 Parking, storage and use of recreational vehicles (Town of Georgetown), quoted and re-checked
  6. Georgetown Municipal Code 12.28.080 Camping regulations; violations (Town of Georgetown), quoted and re-checked
  7. Georgetown Municipal Code 17.16.045 Meadows Residential District (Town of Georgetown), quoted and re-checked
  8. Georgetown Municipal Code 15.44.010 Residential Code Amendments - Sections amended (Town of Georgetown), quoted and re-checked
  9. Permits, quoted and re-checked
  10. Georgetown Municipal Code 17.16.041 Historic Residential District (Town of Georgetown), quoted and re-checked
  11. Georgetown Municipal Code 17.16.041 Historic Residential District (Town of Georgetown), quoted and re-checked
  12. Georgetown Municipal Code 17.16.041 Historic Residential District (Town of Georgetown), quoted and re-checked
  13. Georgetown Municipal Code 17.16.049 Hillside Residential District (Town of Georgetown), quoted and re-checked
  14. Georgetown Municipal Code 17.16.049 Hillside Residential District (Town of Georgetown), quoted and re-checked
  15. Georgetown Municipal Code 17.16.049 Hillside Residential District (Town of Georgetown), quoted and re-checked
  16. Georgetown Municipal Code 17.16.045 Meadows Residential District (Town of Georgetown), quoted and re-checked
  17. Georgetown Municipal Code 17.16.044 Millsite Residential District (Town of Georgetown), quoted and re-checked
  18. Consumers of Manufactured Homes and Tiny Homes - HUD (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Georgetown Municipal Code 15.44.010 Residential Code Amendments - Sections amended (Town of Georgetown), quoted and re-checked
  20. Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, quoted and re-checked
  21. Clear Creek County Environmental Health (clearcreekcounty.us)
  22. Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, quoted and re-checked
  23. clearcreekcounty.us, quoted and re-checked
  24. Georgetown Municipal Code 21.20.020 Specific standards (flood hazard reduction) (Town of Georgetown), quoted and re-checked
  25. Permits, quoted and re-checked
  26. Georgetown Municipal Code 5.28.080 Short-term rental safety and operations (Town of Georgetown), quoted and re-checked
  27. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  28. 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 Georgetown

Town of Georgetown’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction inside Georgetown town

    • Applicant must also apply to the Design Review Commission for a Certificate of Appropriateness
    • Permit becomes invalid two years after issuance unless extended in writing for periods of not more than 180 days
    • Town may require a cleanup and completion bond
    “The Town may require a cleanup and completion bond to ensure completion of construction, landscaping, or other work for which a permit is required.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Residential construction inside Georgetown town (International Residential Code as amended by the town)

    • Town amends the IRC, e.g. Design Review Commission/Certificate of Appropriateness, snow load, height definition, deletion of R313.2 sprinkler requirement for one- and two-family dwellings
    • Building Appeals board is the Board of Selectmen

    ground snow load: 60 psf · wind speed: 140 mph

    “The following sections of the International Residential Code adopted in Section 15.04.010 of this Title are amended as hereinafter provided”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Georgetown town limits; the town adopts district regulations in Title 17 Land Use Code

    “It is the intent of the regulations established in this Section to maintain the primarily single-family, small lot residential character of the district”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Meadows Residential District inside Georgetown town

    • Existing platted lots under 5,000 sq ft governed by Section 17.32.010
    • Nonresidential minimum 7,500 sq ft; residential lot width 50 ft per dwelling unit

    minimum lot area single-family: >= 5000 sq ft · minimum lot area duplex: >= 7500 sq ft

    “Minimum lot area: five thousand (5,000) square feet per single-family dwelling; seven thousand five hundred (7,500) square feet per duplex (two-family) dwelling.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Historic Residential District inside Georgetown town

    • Accessory building front setback 25 ft
    • Rear setback 5 ft

    front setback principal: <= 10 ft (or average of adjacent principal buildings, whichever is less) · side setback: >= 5 ft · rear setback: >= 5 ft

    “Minimum side yard/setback: on an interior or corner lot; five (5) feet (on a corner lot, the shorter street face is considered front).”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Meadows Residential District inside Georgetown town

    • Sliding scale by lot size: 20% for lots 10,000-15,000 sq ft; 15% for lots over 15,000 sq ft
    • Lots with slopes of 30% or more: see Section 17.24.070

    coverage lots under 7,500 sq ft: <= 30 percent · coverage lots 7,500-10,000 sq ft: <= 25 percent

    “Maximum building coverage: thirty percent (30%) of lot for lots under seven thousand five hundred (7,500) square feet; twenty-five percent (25%) for lots from seven thousand five hundred (7,500) to ten thousand (10,000) square feet;”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Building heightSpecified

    Historic Residential District inside Georgetown town

    • Height measured per the town's amended IRC definition (15.44.010(16))

    maximum height principal: <= 25 ft · maximum height accessory: <= 20 ft

    “Maximum height for structures and/or principal buildings: twenty-five (25) feet; for accessory buildings, twenty (20) feet.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Living in an RVLimited

    RV, travel trailer and camper use for living inside Georgetown town, all districts

    • Applies in all districts
    • No business may be conducted within such equipment
    • Temporary residence only in areas specifically designated by the Town (12.28.080)
    “Travel trailers, tent trailers, pickup campers or coaches, motorized dwellings and/or vans shall not be used for living or housekeeping purposes, except as permitted by Section 12.28.080 of this Code, and no business shall be conducted within any such equipment.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary camping/residence on privately owned vacant land inside Georgetown town

    • Requires owner or written permission of owner
    • Limited to self-contained unit with own water and sewer, or land with usable water and sanitary sewer facilities
    • Maximum 14 days
    • Unlawful to reside temporarily in tents/RVs on any parcel except in areas designated by the Town (12.28.080(c))

    maximum stay: <= 14 days

    “No such temporary use of privately owned vacant land shall be for a period longer than fourteen (14) days.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Accessory/secondary dwelling units in Meadows, Millsite and Historic Residential districts inside Georgetown town

    • Special use permit required in these districts
    • Not listed in Hillside Residential permitted or special uses
    • ADUs must have separate water and sewer lines and separate water meters unless a registered professional engineer certifies shared lines (13.20.030)
    “Accessory dwelling units subordinate to the principal structure such as garage apartments or guest houses.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in special flood hazard areas with base flood elevation data inside Georgetown town

    • Elevation certified by a Colorado professional engineer, architect or land surveyor and submitted to the Floodplain Administrator
    • RVs in AE/AH/A1-30 zones must be on site fewer than 180 consecutive days, be fully licensed and highway-ready, or meet permit and elevation requirements
    • Manufactured homes must be elevated and anchored

    lowest floor above base flood elevation: >= 1 ft

    “New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement), elevated to one (1) foot above the base flood elevation.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rentals of residential structures inside Georgetown town

    • Business license required with on-call owner representative within Clear Creek County responding within 60 minutes
    • Life safety inspection before initial license and each annual renewal
    • No on-street parking; trash management plan required
    • Maximum two persons age 18+ per bedroom

    owner representative response time: <= 60 minutes

    “A life safety inspection shall be ordered by the owner, at the owner's expense, and provided to the Town prior to issuance of the initial license, and prior to each annual renewal.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Building permit fees inside Georgetown town

    • Amounts set by resolution of the Board of Selectmen; schedule not retrieved
    • Completion bond per town fee schedule may be required
    “Permit fees and all other fees shall be in the amounts established from time to time by resolution of the Board of Selectman.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Georgetown town
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside Georgetown town
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy inside Georgetown town
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Georgetown town
  • Tiny homes — Tiny homes inside Georgetown town
10 more unanswered
  • Manufactured homes
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access

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 Georgetown publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Clear Creek County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Clear Creek County: county rules, score and offices