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Board adopts updated on-site wastewater rules addressing bedroom conversions, tiny homes and inspection protocols
Summary
The Board of Health adopted substantially revised on-site wastewater treatment system (OWTS) regulations to clarify sizing for added/unfinished bedrooms, incorporate state updates, define tiny-home treatments, require certain performance tests on pressurized systems, and retain local restrictions on pit/outhouse systems.
The Clear Creek County Board of Health adopted amended on-site wastewater treatment system (OWTS) regulations after a staff presentation and commissioner discussion. Environmental Health Manager Gary Hake told the board the update aligns the county's rules with state guidance while adding local clarifications tailored to Clear Creek County's geology and parcel sizes. The regulations address several recurring issues: conversion of unfinished space to bedrooms, the treatment needs of tiny homes, and stronger protocols for pressurized wastewater systems.
A notable new clarification requires that when unfinished space in a dwelling could be readily converted to a bedroom, OWTS sizing must account for that potential occupancy (assumes 150 sq ft adult-occupancy heuristic); the change aims to reduce post-conversion overloads on septic systems and to anticipate short-term rental conversions. Staff explained fees and inspection practices in the background memo; the county retains authority to set inspection fees (fees are listed in the staff memo).
Commissioners asked about "experimental" or incinerating/composting toilets and whether those approaches can replace a system: staff said such devices do not eliminate the need to treat residual wastewater under county rules because handwashing and shower water remain wastewater requiring an approved OWTS. Commissioners also discussed floodplain and high-mountain suitability standards, surface-activity protections and whether to retain local discretion for "unsuitable areas." Staff said rules permit local judgment to prohibit OWTS in specified unsuitable locations (for example, highly permeable fractured-rock alpine settings and mapped floodplains), and commissioners asked staff to return with implementation guidance where appropriate.
After discussion the board approved the updated regulations and asked staff to continue outreach to contractors and residents about new testing, inspection and sizing requirements.
