Sewer Use and Drainage permits (or SUDP) are required on nearly every project you do in Denver Colorado so it's quite important to understand the process/requirements prior to getting involved in any project. While the checklists found online can be helpful, they don't explicitly breakdown what consultants you need to do which part of the SUDP process. This post will focus on just that!
What type of SUDP are you doing?
Knowing what type of SUDP your project needs is the first important step for your SUDP permit. It will drive which consultants you need to hire and what deliverables you'll need.
I'll really quickly run through the most commons types of SUDP here and generally what consultants need to be on board prior to moving forward with it:
Single Family & Duplex (2 unit)
Consultants Required: Architect and Geotechnical Engineer
Possible Consultant: Civil Engineer
If you are doing a product that has 2 residential units or less, you will fall into this category. You will need to bring on an architect and Geotechnical Engineer to meet the requirements for this process since the requirements are pretty straight-forward. Specifically, you'll need to provide the following deliverables to receive this approval:
Application for EACH building
Soils Report dated within the last two years and stamped by a licensed Geotechnical Engineer
Utility Site Plan prepared by your Architect
NOTE: You can hire a civil engineer to do this plan but that's typically overkill for these projects unless it is a particular challenging lot)
Plumbing/Floor Plan prepared by your Architect
Groundwater Dewatering Plan (only if your foundation is located within 3' of the groundwater table) prepared by a Geotechnical Engineer
Grading Plan stamped by a Civil Engineer is only required if your project is located within the floodplain
Erosion Control Plan stamped by a Civil Engineer is only required if your project is larger than 1 acre
Commercial or Multi-Residential projects
Consultants Required: Architect, Civil Engineer and Geotechnical Engineer
Possible Consultant: Mechanical Engineer
If you are doing a commercial or mutli-family (3+ Units) projects, you are required to follow the requirements of the SUDP checklist for Commercial or Multi-Residential Projects. You will need an Architect, Civil Engineer and Geotechnical Engineer at a minimum. This is more difficult than the requirements for a single family/duplex project but still straight-forward. Here's what you'll need to deliver for this approval:
Application for EACH building
Utility Site Plan showing all utiltiies on NAVD88 Datum, Parking areas, all utility pipes on-site and adjacent (location, size, material, and slope), downspout locations and all proposed improvements prepared by a Civil Engineer
Grading Plan showing all on-site grading and drainage on NAVD88 Datum prepared by a Civil Engineer
Excavation and Shoring Plans prepared by your Geotechnical engineer
NOTE: This is always required now. We recommend reaching out to Geotechnical engineer as soon as possible on this.
Soils Report dated within 2 years prepared by your Geotechnical engineer
Groundwater Dewatering Plan (only if your foundation is located within 3' of the groundwater table) prepared by a Geotechnical Engineer
Architectural Floor Plans prepared by your Architect
Plumbing Floor Plans prepared by your Architect if its an IRC building. If it is an IBC building, you will need a mechanical engineer to prepare these plans
Domestic Water Tap Approval by Denver Water - This is prepared and submitted by your Civil Engineer with the help of your Architect
Food Area Detail (ONLY APPLICABLE IF DOING FOOD SERVICE) prepared by your Architect with the help of Ownership
Food and/or Beverage Use Questionnaire
Copy of the Menu
Kitchen Equipment
Erosion Control Plan stamped by a Civil Engineer is only required if your project is larger than 1 acre
Other potential items are specifications of any grease interceptor/sand-oil interceptor/elevator prepared by a mechanical engineer if your project has them.
All of these requirements listed above can be found at this link: https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denver-development-services/help-me-find-/sewer-use-and-drainage-permits.html
There are several other more specific SUDP types that require slight variations of these requirements and those can be found on the same website above.
I hope you found the breakdown of consultant responsibilities in the SUDP process helpful for your project. Remember that if you ever need a Civil Engineer for an SUDP that Raptor Civil Engineering has the expertise to help you through the City's process.
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