Bolthole Index

Mesa County, Colorado

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in the Town of Collbran, Colorado

The Town of Collbran, Colorado in Mesa County has its own zoning, with uses permitted by right, by special use, or not at all by district1. Building work inside town limits needs permits from the Town2. Septic tanks and cesspools are barred in town except where the code expressly allows them3; for septic questions, Mesa County's OWTS department issues septic permits4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for building work inside town limits, with exemptions such as small detached sheds and re-roofing2
Zoning
Yes. The Town zones by district (R-1, R-2, DTC, GC, MHP, LI, P)5
Building code
2018 International Residential Code with local amendments6
Septic
Septic tanks and cesspools generally barred in town; sewer connection required when a sewer is within 400 feet37
RV living
Not on ordinary lots; occupancy only in an approved mobile home park or trailer camp8
Tiny homes
IRC Appendix Q (tiny homes) is adopted; no separate zoning rule found9
Minimum lot (R-1)
6,250 sq ft for a single-family dwelling10
Maximum height
35 feet in every district11

Who to call

Building permits

Town of Collbran, Town Hall

Town building permits, land use permits and zoning questions inside Collbran town limits

970-487-3751

admin@townofcollbran.us

1010 High Street

Septic permits

Mesa County Community Development - Septic Systems (OWTS)

On-site wastewater treatment system (septic) permits across Mesa County

970-255-7169

mccomdev@mesacounty.us

200 South Spruce Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501

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

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Does Collbran have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs and tiny homes?

Yes. The Town of Collbran adopts its own zoning, and its schedule of uses marks each use as permitted by right, special use, or not permitted in each district1. The town is divided into R-1 and R-2 residential, DTC downtown commercial, GC general commercial, MHP mobile home park, LI light industrial and P public districts5.

On RVs, Collbran's code does not let anyone park or occupy a mobile home or trailer outside an approved mobile home park or trailer camp, so living in an RV on an ordinary Collbran lot is not allowed8. A campground or RV park with limited stays is a special use in the GC and MHP districts8.

Tiny homes are not defined in the zoning code, but the town has adopted IRC Appendix Q for tiny homes, so a tiny home would be treated as a dwelling in a residential district9. Colorado also lets Division of Housing-approved tiny homes be used for long-term living if they meet local zoning12.

What are Collbran's lot size, setback and height rules?

In the R-1 district, a single-family dwelling needs a lot of at least 6,250 square feet, plus 2,500 square feet for each attached unit10. In R-2 the figure is 3,750 square feet per single-family dwelling, plus 1,250 square feet for each attached unit13.

In R-1 and R-2, the front yard is 15 feet from the right-of-way or 20 feet from the sidewalk, whichever is greater, and structures must stay 25 feet from the normal high water line of streams and rivers14. Maximum lot coverage is 50 percent in both districts15, and buildings are capped at 35 feet in every district11. We could not confirm a minimum dwelling size; ask Town Hall.

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

Yes. Collbran's code says no one may start or continue work on a building, structure, manufactured home or mobile home without first getting the required permits from the Town2. Exemptions under the town's amended code include one-story detached accessory structures up to 200 square feet that are not garages, decks no more than 30 inches above grade, re-siding and re-roofing2.

The Town has adopted the 2018 International Residential Code with local amendments for one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses6. Mesa County's building permit process applies to unincorporated land, not to land inside town limits16. We could not confirm the town's fee schedule or inspection process, so call Town Hall before you apply17.

How do septic permits work inside Collbran?

Inside Collbran, the town code bars septic tanks, privies and cesspools except where it expressly provides otherwise3. Once a public sewer runs within 400 feet of a property that has private sewage disposal, the owner must connect, the existing septic tank must be abandoned and filled, and the owner pays the connection costs7.

For any septic system that is allowed, Mesa County's Septic (OWTS) Department issues all septic permits and clearances4, and Colorado requires a permit before anyone installs or alters a system18. Mesa County also notes that sewer-service limits can affect whether a septic permit may issue19. We could not confirm how the Town and the county coordinate septic approvals inside town limits, so ask both offices2017.

Building a home in Collbran: the steps, in order

  1. Call Town Hall to confirm your lot's zoning district and whether a sewer line is within 400 feet177.
  2. Check the schedule of uses for your district; the Town allows each use by right, as a special use, or not at all1.
  3. Apply for the Town's building permit before any work starts2.
  4. Build to the Town's adopted 2018 IRC with its local amendments6.
  5. If no sewer is available and a septic system is allowed, apply to Mesa County's OWTS department4.
  6. Get the Town's written approval of domestic water and sewage disposal before anyone occupies the building21.

What stays with Mesa County, and what to check before you buy in Collbran

Mesa County's rules cover unincorporated land only; the county's building department handles building permits there16. For land outside town limits, see the Mesa County page. Septic permits come from the county even for town addresses4.

Before buying, confirm whether a sewer is within 400 feet7, check the zoning district, and ask about floodplain rules, since we could not confirm Collbran's floodplain chapter. A well anywhere in Colorado needs a state permit from the Division of Water Resources22. These county-wide figures describe Mesa County, not the town: the effective property tax rate is 0.4%23 and a typical home value is $438,44924.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm Collbran's building permit fees, permit process, inspection requirements or owner-builder rules; call Town Hall before you start17.
  • A driveway onto a state highway needs a Colorado access permit, and the Level 1 fee for a single-family residence is $5025.

Sources

  1. Collbran Code 18.12.180 Schedule of Uses (Town of Collbran), quoted and re-checked
  2. Collbran Code 6.08.060 Prohibitions (Town of Collbran), quoted and re-checked
  3. Collbran Code 34.20.020 Privies and Septic Tanks (Town of Collbran), quoted and re-checked
  4. About the Septic (OWTS) Department, quoted and re-checked
  5. Collbran Code 18.12.190 Schedule of Dimensional Requirements (Town of Collbran), quoted and re-checked
  6. Collbran Code 6.32.010 IRC Adopted by Reference (Town of Collbran), quoted and re-checked
  7. Collbran Code 34.20.110 Connection to Sewer Required (Town of Collbran), quoted and re-checked
  8. Collbran Code 18.44.030 Parking Outside Trailer Camps (Town of Collbran), quoted and re-checked
  9. Collbran Code 6.32.010 IRC Adopted by Reference (Town of Collbran), quoted and re-checked
  10. Collbran Code 18.12.190 Schedule of Dimensional Requirements (Town of Collbran), quoted and re-checked
  11. Collbran Code 18.12.190 Schedule of Dimensional Requirements (Town of Collbran), quoted and re-checked
  12. Consumers of Manufactured Homes and Tiny Homes - HUD (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Collbran Code 18.12.190 Schedule of Dimensional Requirements (Town of Collbran), quoted and re-checked
  14. Collbran Code 18.12.190 Schedule of Dimensional Requirements (Town of Collbran), quoted and re-checked
  15. library.municode.com (Town of Collbran), quoted and re-checked
  16. Permit Requirements for Building Department, quoted and re-checked
  17. Town of Collbran, Town Hall (townofcollbran.colorado.gov)
  18. Title 25 - Public Health and Environment - Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Resources for the Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  20. Mesa County Community Development - Septic Systems (OWTS) (mesacounty.us)
  21. Collbran Code 6.08.060 Prohibitions (Town of Collbran), quoted and re-checked
  22. Water Administration (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  25. Access Permits | Frequently Asked Questions (Colorado statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

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 Collbran

Town of Collbran’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Building work inside Collbran town

    • Exemptions under amended IRC R105.2, e.g. one-story detached accessory structures up to 200 sq ft not a garage, decks not more than 30 inches above grade, re-siding, re-roofing
    “No person shall commence or continue any work in respect to any building, structure, factory-built housing unit, manufactured home, mobile home or equipment without first obtaining required permits from the Town”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    One- and two-family dwellings and townhouses inside Collbran town

    • 2018 IRC with local amendments
    • Appendices A, B, C, D, H, Q and J adopted; no other appendix chapters

    IRC edition: 2018

    “the International Residential Code, 2018 edition, published by the International Code Council, together with amendments set forth below”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Occupancy of new buildings inside Collbran town

    • Written Town approval of sewage disposal and domestic water facilities required before occupancy
    • A formal certificate of occupancy was not found in the sections provided
    “No person shall occupy any building, factory-built housing unit, manufactured home, or mobile home unless domestic water facilities have been installed and have been approved, in writing, by the Town.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Collbran town limits

    • Uses are permitted by right (P), special use (S) or not permitted by district
    “P = Permitted as a use by right S = Special use ■ = Not permitted”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Collbran town: R-1, R-2, DTC, GC, MHP, LI, P

    • Zoning map not opened
    “the town is divided into the following districts: r-1 low—medium density residential district r-2 medium—high density residential district dtc downtown commercial district gc general commercial district mhp mobile home park p public zone district li light industrial”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    R-1 district

    • Plus 2,500 sq ft per attached dwelling unit

    minimum lot size: >= 6250 sq ft (plus 2,500 sq ft per attached unit)

    “6,250 square feet for a single-family dwelling, plus 2,500 square feet for each attached dwelling unit”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-1 and R-2 residential districts

    • R-1 rear yard 10 feet; R-2 rear yard 10 feet except corner lots where rear yard adjoins side yard of adjacent lot
    • 25 feet from normal high water line of streams and rivers
    • Also subject to CTC 18.12.130

    front yard: 15 feet from right-of-way or 20 feet from sidewalk, whichever is greater · side yard: 5 feet or 1/2 building height, whichever is greater · stream setback: >= 25 feet

    “15 feet from the right-of-way or 20 feet from the sidewalk whichever is greater”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    R-1 and R-2 districts (50% each)

    • Maximum floor area ratio 1:1 in both districts

    maximum lot coverage: <= 50 percent

    “maximum lot coverage (percent) 50% 50% 80% 65% 65% 50% 50%”
  • Building heightSpecified

    R-1 and R-2 districts (35 feet in every district)

    • Height measured per the adopted Building Code from average existing grade to highest point

    maximum building height: <= 35 feet

    “maximum building height 35 feet 35 feet 35 feet 35 feet 35 feet 35 feet 35 feet”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    RV/trailer occupancy on private land inside Collbran town

    • Occupancy only in approved mobile home park or trailer camp
    • One unoccupied trailer may be stored in an accessory garage or rear yard with no living quarters
    • Temporary construction office trailer allowed if approved by Town Administrator, not for sleeping or cooking
    • Campground and RV park (limited stay) is a special use in GC and MHP districts
    “No person shall park or occupy any mobile home or trailer on the premises of any occupied dwelling, or on any lot which is not part of the premises of any occupied dwelling, either of which is situated outside of an approved mobile home park or trailer camp”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping inside Collbran town

    • Public places: sleeping/camping banned except in designated areas, maximum ten days
    • Parks: overnight camping needs prior Town Administrator approval
    • Private land: trailers may not be used for sleeping or cooking outside approved parks

    designated area stay limit: <= 10 days

    “Overnight camping, except upon the prior approval of the Town Administrator.”
  • Tiny homesLimited

    Tiny homes inside Collbran town

    • IRC Appendix Q (Tiny homes) is adopted for building code purposes
    • No zoning definition or district rule for tiny homes located; they would be treated as dwellings in residential districts
    “(6) Appendix Q, Tiny homes. (7) Appendix J, Existing buildings and structures.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Mobile and manufactured homes inside Collbran town

    • Occupancy outside an approved mobile home park or trailer camp is barred by 18.44.030
    • MHP district: mobile home parks permitted, mobile homes special use per the schedule of uses
    • Units meeting state and federal HUD standards are exempt from parts of the building chapter
    “No person shall park or occupy any mobile home or trailer on the premises of any occupied dwelling, or on any lot which is not part of the premises of any occupied dwelling, either of which is situated outside of an approved mobile home park or trailer camp”
  • Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

    Sewage disposal inside Collbran town

    • Town bars septic tanks and cesspools except as otherwise expressly provided
    • Public sewer connection is required once a sewer is within 400 feet
    “Except as otherwise expressly provided, no person shall maintain within the Town any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool or other facility intended for use for the disposal of sewage.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private septic/privy sanitation inside Collbran town

    • Generally barred except as otherwise expressly provided
    • Must be abandoned when public sewer is within 400 feet
    “Except as otherwise expressly provided, no person shall maintain within the Town any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool or other facility intended for use for the disposal of sewage.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Properties with private sewage disposal inside Collbran town

    • Sewer connection required when public sewer runs within 400 feet of the property boundary
    • Existing septic tank must be abandoned and filled
    • Owners of buildings used for human occupancy must connect to public sewer; 30 days after certified-mail notice if notice is given
    • Owner bears connection costs
    • Water connection requirement not located

    sewer distance: <= 400 feet

    “At such time as a public sewer runs within 400 feet of the boundary line of any property served by a private sewage disposal system”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Collbran town
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside Collbran town
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Collbran town
  • Septic permit — Septic permits inside Collbran town
  • Septic inspection — Septic inspections inside Collbran town
8 more unanswered
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • 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 Collbran publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Mesa County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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