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WHEAT RIDGE SERVICES

Excavation in Wheat Ridge

Concrete Flatwork Visit, $99 visit fee — credited toward the work

Licensed excavation services for Wheat Ridge and Jefferson County. Groundwork done right.

What Wheat Ridge requires

Use tax: Per City Code Section 22-68, use tax is charged at 3.5% of 60% of the project valuation (60% of valuation is assumed to be materials subject to tax). §22-68

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Excavation

Groundwork done right

Book online

Pick your job and choose a time.

Pay when you book. We confirm within 24 hours or refund you in full.

  • Concrete Flatwork Visit

    $99 visit fee — credited toward the work

    We evaluate cracked or settled driveways, walks, patios, and steps and quote repair, mudjacking referral, or replacement.

    Pay when you book · morning (8–12) or afternoon (12–4)

    What's included

    We evaluate cracked or settled driveways, walks, patios, and steps and quote repair, mudjacking referral, or replacement. The $99 trip fee applies toward approved work.

FREE PLANNING TOOLS

Both tools are free and take a couple of minutes — start in either one.

Local Service

Excavation Services in Wheat Ridge, Colorado

Autotelic provides professional excavation services throughout Wheat Ridge and the surrounding Jefferson County area. Foundation excavation, utility trenching, grading, and backfill services for residential and commercial construction. Whether you're in Wheat Ridge (central Jefferson County) or nearby communities, our team delivers quality workmanship, licensed and insured.

The build sequence for a Excavation project

Every project starts with a feasibility study; this trade is priced from the same assemblies.

  1. Excavation feasibility in Wheat Ridge
  2. How a Excavation project is estimated

Start a Excavation feasibility study

Permit Thresholds

Wheat Ridge permit thresholds

Code reference
Retaining walls over 4' high (or supporting a surcharge) and other structural elements like decks or room additions explicitly require permits; any structural work in a remodel would qualify as an alteration requiring a permit.
Code reference
These requirements are enforced under the City of Wheat Ridge Municipal Code, Chapter 5, Article II, Division 2 (Building Permits).
Use tax
Per City Code Section 22-68, use tax is charged at 3.5% of 60% of the project valuation (60% of valuation is assumed to be materials subject to tax).§22-68
Code reference
Permit fees are based on the higher of the applicant’s valuation or the building official’s minimum (using ICC Building Valuation Data); a separate plan review fee (65% of the permit fee) applies where required.

Codes are amended regularly — verify current requirements with **City of Wheat Ridge Building Division (City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado) issues residential building permits.

Energy Code

Wheat Ridge energy code quick facts

Code reference
2024 IECC (with Colorado Model Low Energy and Carbon Code, 2025 edition, and Colorado Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready Code), adopted by reference with primarily administrative/local amendments (no technical energy amendments noted).
Code reference
This replaces the prior 2018 I-Codes.
Code reference
City Council approved on October 27, 2025 (Ordinance 1883); the 2024 codes (including 2024 IECC, excluding Chapter 1 but retaining Sections C102, R102, C107, and R107) apply to all new permit applications beginning January 1, 2026.Ord. 1883
Code reference
Wheat Ridge is in Climate Zone 5B.
Code reference
Requirements for remodels/additions generally follow the 2024 IECC (and Colorado model code) provisions applicable to existing buildings (often via IEBC cross-references or specific existing-building sections), with no local technical amendments identified that alter prescriptive values.
Code reference
Specific numeric prescriptive requirements (e.g., R-values, U-factors, air-sealing thresholds) are those in the base 2024 IECC/Colorado model code for CZ 5B; local adoption does not modify them.
Permit-related tax/fee (construction use tax)
Use tax of 3.5% applied to 60% of the project valuation (separate from and in addition to the building permit fee, which is calculated via a tiered schedule based on valuation).
Code reference
Adopting references include Chapter 5 of the Wheat Ridge Municipal Code (incorporating the listed codes by reference) and Ordinance 1883.Ord. 1883

Codes are amended regularly — verify current requirements with **City of Wheat Ridge Building Division (City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado) issues residential building permits.

Zoning & Dimensional Standards

Setback & dimensional standards in Wheat Ridge

Zone-district dimensional standards for Wheat Ridge, quoted verbatim from the Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances (Ch.26 Zoning). Knowing your lot's district — and its setbacks, height, and coverage limits — is where every feasibility conversation starts.

A-1setback & dimensional standards
StandardRequirement
Front Setback (min)30' (c)
Side Setback (min)15'
Rear Setback (min)15' (g)
Building Coverage (max)25%
Building Height (max)35'
Lot Area (min)1 acre
Lot Width (min)140'

Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances (Ch.26 Zoning) A-1 setback standards (Ch.26 Art.II district standards tables) — effective 2025-01-27 · View the code

A-2setback & dimensional standards
StandardRequirement
Front Setback (min)30' (c)
Side Setback (min)15'
Rear Setback (min)15' (g)
Building Coverage (max)25%
Building Height (max)35'
Lot Area (min)1 acre
Lot Width (min)140'

Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances (Ch.26 Zoning) A-2 setback standards (Ch.26 Art.II district standards tables) — effective 2025-01-27 · View the code

R-1setback & dimensional standards
StandardRequirement
Front Setback (min)30' (c)
Side Setback (min)15'
Rear Setback (min)15'
Building Coverage (max)25%
Building Height (max)35'
Lot Area (min)12,500 sf
Lot Width (min)100'

Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances (Ch.26 Zoning) R-1 setback standards (Ch.26 Art.II district standards tables) — effective 2025-01-27 · View the code

R-1Asetback & dimensional standards
StandardRequirement
Front Setback (min)25' (c)
Side Setback (min)10'
Rear Setback (min)15' (h)
Building Coverage (max)30%
Building Height (max)35'
Lot Area (min)9,000 sf
Lot Width (min)75'

Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances (Ch.26 Zoning) R-1A setback standards (Ch.26 Art.II district standards tables) — effective 2025-01-27 · View the code

R-1Bsetback & dimensional standards
StandardRequirement
Front Setback (min)25' (d)
Side Setback (min)5' (e)
Rear Setback (min)10'
Building Coverage (max)40%
Building Height (max)35'
Lot Area (min)7,500 sf
Lot Width (min)60'

Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances (Ch.26 Zoning) R-1B setback standards (Ch.26 Art.II district standards tables) — effective 2025-01-27 · View the code

R-1Csetback & dimensional standards
StandardRequirement
Front Setback (min)20' (d)
Side Setback (min)5'
Rear Setback (min)5'
Building Coverage (max)40%
Building Height (max)35'
Lot Area (min)5,000 sf
Lot Width (min)50'

Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances (Ch.26 Zoning) R-1C setback standards (Ch.26 Art.II district standards tables) — effective 2025-01-27 · View the code

R-2setback & dimensional standards
StandardRequirement
Front Setback (min)25' (d)
Side Setback (min)5' (e)
Rear Setback (min)10'
Building Coverage (max)40%
Building Height (max)35'
Lot Area (min)9,000 sf
Lot Width (min)75'

Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances (Ch.26 Zoning) R-2 setback standards (Ch.26 Art.II district standards tables) — effective 2025-01-27 · View the code

R-2Asetback & dimensional standards
StandardRequirement
Front Setback (min)25' (d)
Side Setback (min)5' (d)
Rear Setback (min)10'
Building Coverage (max)40%
Building Height (max)35'
Lot Area (min)7,500 sf
Lot Width (min)60'

Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances (Ch.26 Zoning) R-2A setback standards (Ch.26 Art.II district standards tables) — effective 2025-01-27 · View the code

R-3setback & dimensional standards
StandardRequirement
Front Setback (min)25' (e)
Side Setback (min)5'
Rear Setback (min)10'
Building Coverage (max)40%
Building Height (max)35'
Lot Area (min)7,500 sf
Lot Width (min)60'

Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances (Ch.26 Zoning) R-3 setback standards (Ch.26 Art.II district standards tables) — effective 2025-01-27 · View the code

R-3Asetback & dimensional standards
StandardRequirement
Front Setback (min)25' (e)
Side Setback (min)5'
Rear Setback (min)10'
Building Coverage (max)40%
Building Height (max)35'
Lot Area (min)7,500 sf
Lot Width (min)60'

Wheat Ridge Code of Ordinances (Ch.26 Zoning) R-3A setback standards (Ch.26 Art.II district standards tables) — effective 2025-01-27 · View the code

Verify current requirements with the jurisdiction — informational reference only. Standards vary by overlay, lot, and use; we confirm the exact rules for your property during feasibility.

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What excavation work covers

Excavation in the Denver metro includes foundation cut, site grading, utility trenches, benching, sloping, and shoring when soils or lot-line conditions require it. Neighboring structures, utilities, and the public right-of-way often drive method. A municipally licensed Denver general contractor coordinates earthwork and licensed specialty trades. Cost is project-specific and depends on depth, soils, and protection of adjacent property.

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What buyers should prepare

Proposed depth, distance to lot lines, any soils report, photos of neighboring structures, and whether the dig will touch the alley or street.

FAQ

Common questions

How much does Concrete Flatwork Visit cost in Wheat Ridge?

$99 visit fee — credited toward the work.

How do I book?

Press Book next to the job, pick a date and a morning (8–12) or afternoon (12–4) window, and pay in full. We confirm within 24 hours or refund you in full.

Do I need a separate excavation permit in Denver?

Often yes when the cut is over 4 feet deep, close to a lot line, or steeper than 1.5 to 1. Houses may include excavation details with the building permit, with excavation issued before construction.

Who handles excavation permits and licensing?

A municipally licensed Denver general contractor coordinates the project and licensed specialty trades. Colorado has no statewide general contractor license.

What is SUDP doing on a dig?

DOTI reviews sewer, storm grading, floodplain, groundwater, and ROW impacts for excavations. It is a separate review that typically runs with the building package.

When is shoring required?

When slopes cannot be laid back to the allowed ratio, when the cut is near a lot line or structure, or when the soils report requires it. Design professionals seal those packages.

What information helps define scope?

Depth, lot-line clearance, floodplain status, existing utilities, and city or county.

Service Area

Serving Wheat Ridge and Jefferson County

We serve Wheat Ridge, CO and all surrounding Denver metro communities. Our team is based in Denver and operates throughout the Front Range, from Castle Rock to Longmont and everywhere in between. Contact us for a free estimate on your Wheat Ridge project.

How It Runs

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Survey

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Design

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Build

04

Verify

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