Alamosa City Zoning Code

DIVISION 8-2

PERMITS AND APPROVALS

Sec. 21-8-201. - Approvals or permits required.

Approvals or permits are required for development in the city unless specifically exempted by this UDC. Most of the required approvals and permits are described in this division. Planned unit development approvals are detailed in division 3, planned unit development and campus master plans. Annexations are detailed in division 4, annexation and disconnection.

(Ord. No. 33-2017, § 1, 12-6-17)

Sec. 21-8-202. - Administrative approvals and permits.

(a)

Generally. Administrative approvals and permits are issued by the administrator or city engineer upon a finding of compliance with the requirements of this UDC. No public hearing is required.

(b)

Administrative approvals and permits established. The administrative approvals and permits that are required by this UDC are set out in Table 21-8-202(b), Administrative Approvals and Permits. These approvals and permits are in addition to other reviews, approvals, and permits that may be required for compliance with other laws, statutes, or regulations, such as:

(1)

State or federal law, including, but not limited to, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, or the Endangered Species Act;

(2)

Adopted building and safety codes;

(3)

Ordinances that require permits for activities on public land or within public rights-of-way; or

(4)

Business licensing ordinances.

Table 21-8-202(b) ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVALS AND PERMITS
Approval or Permit	Required For	Timing	Exceptions	Decision-Maker	Reference ¹
Land Use Approvals and Permits
Temporary Use Permit	Operation of temporary use	Prior to establishment of temporary use	None	Administrator	Div. 2-4
Use Permit or Change in Use Permit	Check for zoning compliance as condition of issuance of building permit	Simultaneously with issuance of building permit	Building permits that are not related to the establishment of or change to a land use	Administrator	Div. 2-2
Limited Use Permit	Establishment of Limited Use	Prior to establishment of Limited Use	None	Administrator	Div. 2-2 and 3
Site or Design Related Permits and Approvals
Infrastructure Construction Plans	Construction of public improvements such as streets, utilities, and stormwater management systems	Processed with final plat or site plan; approved prior to commencement of construction of specified improvements	N/A	Administrator	Engineering Standards Manual
UDC Compliance Approval	Check for UDC compliance as condition of issuance of building permit	Simultaneously with issuance of building permit	Plumbing, electrical, or other permits that do not implicate UDC standards	Administrator	passim
Grading, Erosion and Sediment Control	Authorization for site grading	Prior to site grading, generally simultaneously with building permit or approval of infrastructure construction plans	Traditional agricultural practices; routine landscape maintenance; ditch maintenance	City Engineer	Engineering Standards Manual
Final Plat (major or minor subdivision)	Conveying lots by reference to plat; obtaining building permits within a subdivision	If infrastructure is provided, approval of infrastructure construction plans is prerequisite to approval of final plat; final plat required prior to sale of or construction upon individual lots	N/A	Administrator	passim
Site Plan	All development	Prior to issuance of building permit and grading, erosion, and sediment control permit	Single-family detached or duplex buildings on individual lots; changes in the use of a building that do not involve exterior modifications or site work	Administrator	passim
Development Agreement; Improvements Agreement; Public Improvements Agreement (however titled)	Providing timing and security for implementation of infrastructure construction plans or landscape plans	Prior to issuance of infrastructure construction permits, or as set out in the development agreement	Development agreements that establish vested rights or materially depart from City-approved form	City Manager	Sec. 21-6-301
Modifications and Other Relief
Administrative (Minor) Modification	Minor modifications to standards within this UDC or to approved final development plans	Prior to the issuance of permits or approvals to which the modifications apply	N/A	Administrator	Sec. 21-8-701
TABLE NOTE: ¹ References are provided for convenience only and are not intended to limit the application of this UDC

(Ord. No. 33-2017, § 1, 12-6-17)

Sec. 21-8-203. - Discretionary approvals.

(a)

Generally. Discretionary approvals and permits are issued by the city after compliance with all applicable requirements of this UDC is demonstrated to the respective decision-maker(s) at a hearing.

(b)

Discretionary permits established. The discretionary approvals and permits that are required by this UDC are set out in Table 21-8-203(b), Discretionary Approvals and Permits. These approvals and permits are in addition to other reviews, approvals, and permits that may be required for compliance with other laws, statutes, or regulations, such as:

(1)

State or federal law, including, but not limited to, the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and the Endangered Species Act;

(2)

Further administrative permits (e.g., site plans or final plats);

(3)

Adopted building codes;

(4)

Ordinances that require permits for activities in public the rights-of-way; or

(5)

Business licensing ordinances.

Table 21-8-203(b) DISCRETIONARY APPROVALS AND PERMITS
Approval or Permit	Required For	Timing	Exceptions	Recommendation By	Decision Issued By	Reference ¹
Land Use/Zoning
Conditional Use Permit	Establishment of a conditional use	Prior to the establishment of a conditional use	N/A	Administrator	PC, ratified by City Council ^{4 5}	Div. 2-2 and 2-3
Rezoning	Changing the zone that applies to a subject property	Prior to the application of standards from the requested zone	N/A	PC	City Council ³	Sec. 21-2-106
Certificate of Designation	Development of solid waste disposal sites and facilities	Prior to issuance of any permits for solid waste disposal sites and facilities	N/A	PC	City Council ^{2 5}	C.R.S. § 25-15-201 or Title 30, Article 20, C.R.S., as applicable
Zone of Benefit Designation	Establishment of a Zone of Benefit	Within 6 months of City acceptance of improvements	N/A	Administrator	City Council ^{2, 5}	Sec. 21-6-304
Site Development/Subdivision/Planned Unit Development
Preliminary Plat	Approval of a proposed major subdivision (not required for minor subdivisions)	Prior to final plat or issuance of permits that authorize construction or site work	N/A	Administrator	PC, ratified by City Council ⁴	passim
Preliminary Development Plan ("PDP")	First step of Planned Unit Development process; if applicable, filed with preliminary plat	Prior to approval of Final Development Plan	N/A	PC	City Council ²	Div. 8-3
Final Development Plan ("FDP")	Second step of Planned Unit Development process; may be filed with final plats or site plans	Prior to approval of final plat or site plan	N/A	Administrator	PC, ratified by City Council ^{2 4 5}	Div. 8-3, Art. VI
Campus Master Plan	Approval of the general layout of development and arrangement of uses within a campus in the CA Zone	Prior to final plat, or if no final plat is required, prior to approval of site plans or building permits that authorize site work or building construction	N/A	PC	City Council ^{2 5}	Div. 8-3, Art. II, Art. III, Art. V, Art. VI
Development Agreement; Improvements Agreement; Public Improvements Agreement (however titled)	Providing timing and security for implementation of infrastructure construction plans or landscape plans; vesting development rights	Prior to issuance of construction permits, or as set out in the development agreement	Agreements that may be approved administratively	Administrator	City Council ^{2 5}	Div. 6-3 and authority under City Charter
Vacation/Abandonment
Planned Unit Development Amendment, Major	Major changes to approved Preliminary Development Plan	Prior to implementation of major changes	N/A	PC	City Council ^{2 5}	Div. 8-7
Vacation of Plat or Abandonment of Easement or Right-of-Way	Vacation of plats or abandonment of easements or rights-of-way	N/A	N/A	PC	City Council ^{3 5}	Sec. 21-8-520
Amendments
UDC Text Amendment	Amending the text of this UDC	N/A	N/A	PC	City Council ³	N/A
Comprehensive Plan Amendment	Amending the text or maps of the Comprehensive Plan	N/A	N/A	Administrator	PC ⁴	N/A
Relief
Variance	Authorizing development which does not strictly comply with the requirements of this UDC	Prior to issuance of permits that authorize the construction or site work	Variances shall not authorize uses which are otherwise prohibited in the zone, nor authorize development that does not comply with the Floodplain Management Regulations	N/A	ZBOA ^{4 5}	Sec. 21-8-702
Administrative Appeals	SeeSec. 21-8-703, Administrative Appeals
TABLE NOTE: ¹ References are provided for convenience only and are not intended to limit the application of this UDC ² Documented by resolution of City Council ³ Documented by ordinance enacted by City Council ⁴ Documented by resolution of Planning Commission ⁵ Recorded in real property records of County Clerk and Recorder

(Ord. No. 33-2017, § 1, 12-6-17; Ord. No. 12-2018, § 7, 5-2-18; Ord. No. 5-2020, §§ 22, 29, 3-4-20; Ord. No. 15-2022, § 18, 7-20-22)

Alamosa City Zoning Code

DIVISION 8-2

PERMITS AND APPROVALS

Sec. 21-8-201. - Approvals or permits required.

(Ord. No. 33-2017, § 1, 12-6-17)

Sec. 21-8-202. - Administrative approvals and permits.

(a)

Generally. Administrative approvals and permits are issued by the administrator or city engineer upon a finding of compliance with the requirements of this UDC. No public hearing is required.

(b)

(1)

State or federal law, including, but not limited to, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, or the Endangered Species Act;

(2)

Adopted building and safety codes;

(3)

Ordinances that require permits for activities on public land or within public rights-of-way; or

(4)

Business licensing ordinances.

Table 21-8-202(b) ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVALS AND PERMITS
Approval or Permit	Required For	Timing	Exceptions	Decision-Maker	Reference ¹
Land Use Approvals and Permits
Temporary Use Permit	Operation of temporary use	Prior to establishment of temporary use	None	Administrator	Div. 2-4
Use Permit or Change in Use Permit	Check for zoning compliance as condition of issuance of building permit	Simultaneously with issuance of building permit	Building permits that are not related to the establishment of or change to a land use	Administrator	Div. 2-2
Limited Use Permit	Establishment of Limited Use	Prior to establishment of Limited Use	None	Administrator	Div. 2-2 and 3
Site or Design Related Permits and Approvals
Infrastructure Construction Plans	Construction of public improvements such as streets, utilities, and stormwater management systems	Processed with final plat or site plan; approved prior to commencement of construction of specified improvements	N/A	Administrator	Engineering Standards Manual
UDC Compliance Approval	Check for UDC compliance as condition of issuance of building permit	Simultaneously with issuance of building permit	Plumbing, electrical, or other permits that do not implicate UDC standards	Administrator	passim
Grading, Erosion and Sediment Control	Authorization for site grading	Prior to site grading, generally simultaneously with building permit or approval of infrastructure construction plans	Traditional agricultural practices; routine landscape maintenance; ditch maintenance	City Engineer	Engineering Standards Manual
Final Plat (major or minor subdivision)	Conveying lots by reference to plat; obtaining building permits within a subdivision	If infrastructure is provided, approval of infrastructure construction plans is prerequisite to approval of final plat; final plat required prior to sale of or construction upon individual lots	N/A	Administrator	passim
Site Plan	All development	Prior to issuance of building permit and grading, erosion, and sediment control permit	Single-family detached or duplex buildings on individual lots; changes in the use of a building that do not involve exterior modifications or site work	Administrator	passim
Development Agreement; Improvements Agreement; Public Improvements Agreement (however titled)	Providing timing and security for implementation of infrastructure construction plans or landscape plans	Prior to issuance of infrastructure construction permits, or as set out in the development agreement	Development agreements that establish vested rights or materially depart from City-approved form	City Manager	Sec. 21-6-301
Modifications and Other Relief
Administrative (Minor) Modification	Minor modifications to standards within this UDC or to approved final development plans	Prior to the issuance of permits or approvals to which the modifications apply	N/A	Administrator	Sec. 21-8-701
TABLE NOTE: ¹ References are provided for convenience only and are not intended to limit the application of this UDC

(Ord. No. 33-2017, § 1, 12-6-17)

Sec. 21-8-203. - Discretionary approvals.

(a)

Generally. Discretionary approvals and permits are issued by the city after compliance with all applicable requirements of this UDC is demonstrated to the respective decision-maker(s) at a hearing.

(b)

(1)

State or federal law, including, but not limited to, the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and the Endangered Species Act;

(2)

Further administrative permits (e.g., site plans or final plats);

(3)

Adopted building codes;

(4)

Ordinances that require permits for activities in public the rights-of-way; or

(5)

Business licensing ordinances.

Table 21-8-203(b) DISCRETIONARY APPROVALS AND PERMITS
Approval or Permit	Required For	Timing	Exceptions	Recommendation By	Decision Issued By	Reference ¹
Land Use/Zoning
Conditional Use Permit	Establishment of a conditional use	Prior to the establishment of a conditional use	N/A	Administrator	PC, ratified by City Council ^{4 5}	Div. 2-2 and 2-3
Rezoning	Changing the zone that applies to a subject property	Prior to the application of standards from the requested zone	N/A	PC	City Council ³	Sec. 21-2-106
Certificate of Designation	Development of solid waste disposal sites and facilities	Prior to issuance of any permits for solid waste disposal sites and facilities	N/A	PC	City Council ^{2 5}	C.R.S. § 25-15-201 or Title 30, Article 20, C.R.S., as applicable
Zone of Benefit Designation	Establishment of a Zone of Benefit	Within 6 months of City acceptance of improvements	N/A	Administrator	City Council ^{2, 5}	Sec. 21-6-304
Site Development/Subdivision/Planned Unit Development
Preliminary Plat	Approval of a proposed major subdivision (not required for minor subdivisions)	Prior to final plat or issuance of permits that authorize construction or site work	N/A	Administrator	PC, ratified by City Council ⁴	passim
Preliminary Development Plan ("PDP")	First step of Planned Unit Development process; if applicable, filed with preliminary plat	Prior to approval of Final Development Plan	N/A	PC	City Council ²	Div. 8-3
Final Development Plan ("FDP")	Second step of Planned Unit Development process; may be filed with final plats or site plans	Prior to approval of final plat or site plan	N/A	Administrator	PC, ratified by City Council ^{2 4 5}	Div. 8-3, Art. VI
Campus Master Plan	Approval of the general layout of development and arrangement of uses within a campus in the CA Zone	Prior to final plat, or if no final plat is required, prior to approval of site plans or building permits that authorize site work or building construction	N/A	PC	City Council ^{2 5}	Div. 8-3, Art. II, Art. III, Art. V, Art. VI
Development Agreement; Improvements Agreement; Public Improvements Agreement (however titled)	Providing timing and security for implementation of infrastructure construction plans or landscape plans; vesting development rights	Prior to issuance of construction permits, or as set out in the development agreement	Agreements that may be approved administratively	Administrator	City Council ^{2 5}	Div. 6-3 and authority under City Charter
Vacation/Abandonment
Planned Unit Development Amendment, Major	Major changes to approved Preliminary Development Plan	Prior to implementation of major changes	N/A	PC	City Council ^{2 5}	Div. 8-7
Vacation of Plat or Abandonment of Easement or Right-of-Way	Vacation of plats or abandonment of easements or rights-of-way	N/A	N/A	PC	City Council ^{3 5}	Sec. 21-8-520
Amendments
UDC Text Amendment	Amending the text of this UDC	N/A	N/A	PC	City Council ³	N/A
Comprehensive Plan Amendment	Amending the text or maps of the Comprehensive Plan	N/A	N/A	Administrator	PC ⁴	N/A
Relief
Variance	Authorizing development which does not strictly comply with the requirements of this UDC	Prior to issuance of permits that authorize the construction or site work	Variances shall not authorize uses which are otherwise prohibited in the zone, nor authorize development that does not comply with the Floodplain Management Regulations	N/A	ZBOA ^{4 5}	Sec. 21-8-702
Administrative Appeals	SeeSec. 21-8-703, Administrative Appeals
TABLE NOTE: ¹ References are provided for convenience only and are not intended to limit the application of this UDC ² Documented by resolution of City Council ³ Documented by ordinance enacted by City Council ⁴ Documented by resolution of Planning Commission ⁵ Recorded in real property records of County Clerk and Recorder

(Ord. No. 33-2017, § 1, 12-6-17; Ord. No. 12-2018, § 7, 5-2-18; Ord. No. 5-2020, §§ 22, 29, 3-4-20; Ord. No. 15-2022, § 18, 7-20-22)

Alamosa City Zoning Code

DIVISION 8-2

PERMITS AND APPROVALS

Sec. 21-8-201. - Approvals or permits required.

(Ord. No. 33-2017, § 1, 12-6-17)

Sec. 21-8-202. - Administrative approvals and permits.

(a)

Generally. Administrative approvals and permits are issued by the administrator or city engineer upon a finding of compliance with the requirements of this UDC. No public hearing is required.

(b)

(1)

State or federal law, including, but not limited to, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, or the Endangered Species Act;

(2)

Adopted building and safety codes;

(3)

Ordinances that require permits for activities on public land or within public rights-of-way; or

(4)

Business licensing ordinances.

Table 21-8-202(b) ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVALS AND PERMITS
Approval or Permit	Required For	Timing	Exceptions	Decision-Maker	Reference ¹
Land Use Approvals and Permits
Temporary Use Permit	Operation of temporary use	Prior to establishment of temporary use	None	Administrator	Div. 2-4
Use Permit or Change in Use Permit	Check for zoning compliance as condition of issuance of building permit	Simultaneously with issuance of building permit	Building permits that are not related to the establishment of or change to a land use	Administrator	Div. 2-2
Limited Use Permit	Establishment of Limited Use	Prior to establishment of Limited Use	None	Administrator	Div. 2-2 and 3
Site or Design Related Permits and Approvals
Infrastructure Construction Plans	Construction of public improvements such as streets, utilities, and stormwater management systems	Processed with final plat or site plan; approved prior to commencement of construction of specified improvements	N/A	Administrator	Engineering Standards Manual
UDC Compliance Approval	Check for UDC compliance as condition of issuance of building permit	Simultaneously with issuance of building permit	Plumbing, electrical, or other permits that do not implicate UDC standards	Administrator	passim
Grading, Erosion and Sediment Control	Authorization for site grading	Prior to site grading, generally simultaneously with building permit or approval of infrastructure construction plans	Traditional agricultural practices; routine landscape maintenance; ditch maintenance	City Engineer	Engineering Standards Manual
Final Plat (major or minor subdivision)	Conveying lots by reference to plat; obtaining building permits within a subdivision	If infrastructure is provided, approval of infrastructure construction plans is prerequisite to approval of final plat; final plat required prior to sale of or construction upon individual lots	N/A	Administrator	passim
Site Plan	All development	Prior to issuance of building permit and grading, erosion, and sediment control permit	Single-family detached or duplex buildings on individual lots; changes in the use of a building that do not involve exterior modifications or site work	Administrator	passim
Development Agreement; Improvements Agreement; Public Improvements Agreement (however titled)	Providing timing and security for implementation of infrastructure construction plans or landscape plans	Prior to issuance of infrastructure construction permits, or as set out in the development agreement	Development agreements that establish vested rights or materially depart from City-approved form	City Manager	Sec. 21-6-301
Modifications and Other Relief
Administrative (Minor) Modification	Minor modifications to standards within this UDC or to approved final development plans	Prior to the issuance of permits or approvals to which the modifications apply	N/A	Administrator	Sec. 21-8-701
TABLE NOTE: ¹ References are provided for convenience only and are not intended to limit the application of this UDC

(Ord. No. 33-2017, § 1, 12-6-17)

Sec. 21-8-203. - Discretionary approvals.

(a)

Generally. Discretionary approvals and permits are issued by the city after compliance with all applicable requirements of this UDC is demonstrated to the respective decision-maker(s) at a hearing.

(b)

(1)

State or federal law, including, but not limited to, the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and the Endangered Species Act;

(2)

Further administrative permits (e.g., site plans or final plats);

(3)

Adopted building codes;

(4)

Ordinances that require permits for activities in public the rights-of-way; or

(5)

Business licensing ordinances.

Table 21-8-203(b) DISCRETIONARY APPROVALS AND PERMITS
Approval or Permit	Required For	Timing	Exceptions	Recommendation By	Decision Issued By	Reference ¹
Land Use/Zoning
Conditional Use Permit	Establishment of a conditional use	Prior to the establishment of a conditional use	N/A	Administrator	PC, ratified by City Council ^{4 5}	Div. 2-2 and 2-3
Rezoning	Changing the zone that applies to a subject property	Prior to the application of standards from the requested zone	N/A	PC	City Council ³	Sec. 21-2-106
Certificate of Designation	Development of solid waste disposal sites and facilities	Prior to issuance of any permits for solid waste disposal sites and facilities	N/A	PC	City Council ^{2 5}	C.R.S. § 25-15-201 or Title 30, Article 20, C.R.S., as applicable
Zone of Benefit Designation	Establishment of a Zone of Benefit	Within 6 months of City acceptance of improvements	N/A	Administrator	City Council ^{2, 5}	Sec. 21-6-304
Site Development/Subdivision/Planned Unit Development
Preliminary Plat	Approval of a proposed major subdivision (not required for minor subdivisions)	Prior to final plat or issuance of permits that authorize construction or site work	N/A	Administrator	PC, ratified by City Council ⁴	passim
Preliminary Development Plan ("PDP")	First step of Planned Unit Development process; if applicable, filed with preliminary plat	Prior to approval of Final Development Plan	N/A	PC	City Council ²	Div. 8-3
Final Development Plan ("FDP")	Second step of Planned Unit Development process; may be filed with final plats or site plans	Prior to approval of final plat or site plan	N/A	Administrator	PC, ratified by City Council ^{2 4 5}	Div. 8-3, Art. VI
Campus Master Plan	Approval of the general layout of development and arrangement of uses within a campus in the CA Zone	Prior to final plat, or if no final plat is required, prior to approval of site plans or building permits that authorize site work or building construction	N/A	PC	City Council ^{2 5}	Div. 8-3, Art. II, Art. III, Art. V, Art. VI
Development Agreement; Improvements Agreement; Public Improvements Agreement (however titled)	Providing timing and security for implementation of infrastructure construction plans or landscape plans; vesting development rights	Prior to issuance of construction permits, or as set out in the development agreement	Agreements that may be approved administratively	Administrator	City Council ^{2 5}	Div. 6-3 and authority under City Charter
Vacation/Abandonment
Planned Unit Development Amendment, Major	Major changes to approved Preliminary Development Plan	Prior to implementation of major changes	N/A	PC	City Council ^{2 5}	Div. 8-7
Vacation of Plat or Abandonment of Easement or Right-of-Way	Vacation of plats or abandonment of easements or rights-of-way	N/A	N/A	PC	City Council ^{3 5}	Sec. 21-8-520
Amendments
UDC Text Amendment	Amending the text of this UDC	N/A	N/A	PC	City Council ³	N/A
Comprehensive Plan Amendment	Amending the text or maps of the Comprehensive Plan	N/A	N/A	Administrator	PC ⁴	N/A
Relief
Variance	Authorizing development which does not strictly comply with the requirements of this UDC	Prior to issuance of permits that authorize the construction or site work	Variances shall not authorize uses which are otherwise prohibited in the zone, nor authorize development that does not comply with the Floodplain Management Regulations	N/A	ZBOA ^{4 5}	Sec. 21-8-702
Administrative Appeals	SeeSec. 21-8-703, Administrative Appeals
TABLE NOTE: ¹ References are provided for convenience only and are not intended to limit the application of this UDC ² Documented by resolution of City Council ³ Documented by ordinance enacted by City Council ⁴ Documented by resolution of Planning Commission ⁵ Recorded in real property records of County Clerk and Recorder

(Ord. No. 33-2017, § 1, 12-6-17; Ord. No. 12-2018, § 7, 5-2-18; Ord. No. 5-2020, §§ 22, 29, 3-4-20; Ord. No. 15-2022, § 18, 7-20-22)