Helpful Hints Archive
August - December 2008
Bark Beetle Infestation
Foresters across the Front Range agree that most of the Front Range is at risk for epidemic bark beetle infestation. This includes all the forested property located in Douglas County. The only long term solution for reducing risk of bark beetle infestation is thinning.
Current stocking levels, the number of trees per acre, are at a much higher level than ground conditions can support. The current stocking levels are not natural. The number of trees per acre must be significantly reduced for the sustainability of existing forests, and to provide a viable seed source for future forests.
Additional information is provided about beetle infestations and mitigation practices or you can contact the foresters at the Douglas County Building Division at 303.660.7497.
Colorado State Forest Service »
You can review the Colorado State Forest Service publications in the library section of the site, look for no. 5.528, Mountain Pine Beetle and no. 5.558 Ips Beetle or you can contact the Franktown District of the Colorado State Forest Service at 303.660.9625.
May - July 2008
Call Before You Dig
Utility Notification Center of Colorado »
CALL 1.800.922.1987 before you dig - Whether you are planning for a construction site or a garden site. Know what's below, call 1.800.922.1987 to schedule utility locates of the area before you dig.
March - April 2008
E-mail Required Documents
The Douglas County Building Division will be accepting Surveys, Engineered Letters and Drainage Certificates via E-mail. Please include all the following information with your request:
- Building Permit Number
- Project Address
- PDF attachment of the document(s)
- Contact Name and Phone Number
email to DCBuilding@douglas.co.us
NOTE: Engineer's Reports and Survey must be submitted to the Building Division at least 24 hours prior to the inspection request. Improvement Location Certificates are not acceptable.
February 2008
Smoke Alarms
Information taken from Section R313 from the International Residential Code
Smoke alarms shall be installed in the following locations:
- In each sleeping room
- Outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms
- On each additional story of the dwelling, including basements but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics. In dwellings or dwelling units with split levels and without an intervening door between the adjacent levels.
Alarm devices shall be interconnected in such a manner that the actuation of one alarm will activate all of the alarms in the individual unit.
January 2008
Ice Damming / Ice Protection
If and when Ice Dams occur, they will generally do so on the northern eaves of the roof where the freeze and thaw cycles are more prevalent. As a rule, the climate in our area is not conducive to Ice Dams but to help prevent this problem from occurring make sure gutters are cleaned out on a regular basis.
The installation of Ice Protection is not required in Douglas County due to the average daily temperature in January being above 25°F (as noted in section R905.2.7.1 of the 2003 International Residential Code).
2007 Helpful Hints
December 2007
Unincorporated or Incorporated?
Who Should I Talk To For My Building Questions?
Douglas County Building Division handles only unincorporated areas of the County for permitting. Some examples of these areas and/or subdivisions are, but are not limited to; Highlands Ranch, Cherokee Ridge, Pinery, Stonegate, Roxborough Park and Village.
If the project address is within the Town of Castle Rock, Town of Parker or City of Lone Tree please call or visit their websites for your permitting or zoning questions.
For a listing of surrounding area Building Department links.
November 2007
Final Grade Preparation
With winter fast approaching, it is a good idea to start preparing your final grade before the ground freezes. The DESC staff realizes that during inclement weather it can be very difficult to achieve final grades on frozen or muddy lots. That is why we suggest that builders plan ahead and start grading now wile the soil is dry. Plus, if you can get your lot graded when it is dry, you will have less of a chance to track mud onto the streets and sidewalks, saving you time and money on clean-up.
September - October 2007
Winterizing Your Sprinkler System
Weather you winterize your sprinkler system yourself or hire a professional, a simple installation of copper unions on each side of the vacuum breaker will allow you to remove the vacuum breaker and store it inside. This process requires a couple of wrenches and will alleviate the possibility of damaging the most expensive item on your irrigation system due to freeze. A good time to do this is after your system has been blown out and shut down for the winter months.
When Do I Need An Electrical Permit?
In most cases, things such as replacing existing light fixtures, hanging a ceiling fan (on an existing fan box), and minor repairs to existing circuits do not require a permit. Rule of thumb: If you are adding new circuits, new wiring, or replacing electrical equipment (not listed above) an Electrical Permit is required. If you are unsure about your project please contact the Building Division at 303.660.7497.
Why Do I Need A Electrical Permit Anyway?
An Electrical Permit ensures that all work meets applicable codes, which are based on minimum safety standards for prevention of electric shock and fire hazards. A Electrical Permit also ensures that any contractor you hire is licensed in the State of Colorado and has liability and worker's compensation insurance. An approved electrical installation will be covered by your homeowner's insurance policy in the event of an accident. Best of all, it will make your house much easier to sell, since many savvy buyers will not buy homes with illegal electrical installations.
May - August 2007
Wildfire Mitigation/Slash Mulch
Starting to plan your outdoor construction projects for Spring & Summer? Here are some tips to help you with your planning.
Wildfire Mitigation »
Wildfire Mitigation staff performs two tasks within the Building Division
- The first is to inspect and regulate new construction projects for conformance with the adopted wildfire regulations. When you construct a new building, or accessory structure, within the Wildfire Hazard Overlay District the Wildfire Mitigation staff reviews the existing conditions at your property and the location of the proposed structure. If required, the staff writes a site-specific prescription describing what alterations to the native vegetation must be done to ensure a reduction of risks from wildfire.
- The second major role is to act as an extension service to the residents in Douglas County. The Wildfire Mitigation Specialists are professional foresters who provide free consultation and advice to County residents. The Wildfire Mitigation Specialists, at your request, will visit and assess your property. These site visits are informative and do not obligate you to implement our suggestions. The goals of these on-site consultations include: reduce risks from wildfire and to improve the health of the native vegetation. Concerns such as insect and disease problems, reducing stocking levels of trees and oak brush to more natural levels, and generally improving forest health, can also be addressed.You can arrange an appointment with the Wildfire Mitigation staff by calling the Building Division at 303.660.7497.
Utility Notification Center of Colorado »
CALL 1.800.922.1987 before you dig - Whether you are planning for a construction site or a garden site. Know what's below, call 1.800.922.1987 to schedule utility locates of the area before you dig.
Douglas County Slash/Mulch
Wildfire Mitigation Programs Working within the Community
Every Saturday from May 26 through Sept. 1, residents can drop off their slash between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. This service is provided to reduce, reuse and recycle slash/mulch materials to lessen the fire hazards within Douglas County.
April 2007
Residential Decks
New pressure treatment methods use chemicals that will prematurely corrode standard fasteners, hardware, and flashing when in contact with pressure treated lumber, and, as a result, fastener and hardware requirements have changed; see below.
- All screws and nails shall be hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel.
- All hardware (joist hangers, cast-in-lace post anchors, etc.) shall be galvanized with 1.85 oz/sf of zinc (G-185 coating) or shall be stainless steel. Look for products such as “Zmax” from Simpson Strong-Tie or “Triple Zinc” from US
Deck Caisson inspection is required PRIOR to the placement of concrete
Looking for more information about deck projects? Check out Decks for additional permitting details and instructions. You will also find listed on this page additional links to great reference materials like Typical Deck Details.
March 2007
Residential Interior Wiring
- Arc Fault Protection (breakers) are required on branch circuits feeding receptacles, lighting and smoke detectors in bedrooms.
- Receptacles in wall spaces shall be placed so that no point measured horizontally along the floor line in any wall space is more than 6 feet. Wall spaces of 2 feet or greater require a receptacle.
February 2007
Basement Finishes
To start off on the right foot with your basement remodel:
- Start the stud layout of your wall at 15 1/4" and then go 16" layout after that. This will ensure that your first piece of drywall will break at the center of the stud and leave you with enough nailer for the next piece of drywall.
- Staple the electrical wire 8 inches from your single gang plastic electrical box. If the electrical box has "tabs" that bend in and hold the wire tightly in place, as in double gang and remodel boxes, then your first staple can be 12 inches away from the box.