Cody’s historical downtown district dates back to the founding of the City in 1896, when William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody and his partners recognized the potential for a new and successful town, with its natural beauty and its proximity to Yellowstone National Park, the Shoshone River and the Absaroka Mountains. Today’s downtown Cody retains its connections to its history and to its natural surroundings, making it an attractive and vibrant place for residents, visitors and businesses.

The governing body recognizes the importance of downtown’s contributions to Cody’s history and western culture, and finds that Cody’s downtown is a core of economic and visitor activity in Cody worthy of protection and recognition. The governing body wishes to encourage and support downtown businesses and property owners to design and build buildings that meet or exceed the standards in this code.

The governing body therefore enacts and adopts this Downtown Overlay District for the purpose of preserving and protecting the historic western character and heritage of Cody’s downtown business district. (Ord. 2025-01, 2-18-2025)

There is established a Downtown Overlay District, the boundaries of which shall be the same as described in Section 9-2-2 of the Cody City Code. (Ord. 2025-02, 2-18-2025)

Any redevelopment or new development within the Downtown Overlay District shall be subject to the requirements of this chapter, subject to the following exceptions:

   A.   Replacement of a building, or portion thereof, due to its destruction from fire, explosion or other casualty, act of God, the public enemy or intentional acts other than those caused directly or indirectly by the owner shall be exempt from the requirements of this chapter; provided that a building permit for such replacement is issued within three hundred sixty-five (365) days of the destructive event. This exception applies only to the extent and size of the previously existing building.

   B.   Redevelopment of less than ten percent (10%) of a building, and new development that increases building size by less than ten percent (10%) are exempt from the requirements of this chapter.

   C.   For purposes of this chapter, the term “redevelopment” shall have the same meaning as defined in 10-17-4. (Ord. 2025-03, 2-18-2025)

All development or redevelopment of any buildings in the Downtown Overlay District shall comply with the following requirements:

   A.   At least fifty percent (50%) of the portion of the building facing the street shall include the following:

      1.   Stone, as natural rock or cut with rough/matte finish;

      2.   Brick;

      3.   Wood siding;

      4.   Sandstone; or

      5.   Alternative materials, provided they have a similar profile, texture and finish as the above materials.

   B.   Building materials, except for glass, shall be of low reflectance and finished in subtle, muted, neutral earth tone colors (brown, tan, grey, green) characteristic of the soil types and vegetation around Cody. Glossy surfaces, bright or glaring colors shall not be permitted. Examples of acceptable colors in the Pantone Color System include 146-147, 153-157, 160-161, 403-405, 410-412, 417-419, 424-426, 444-447, 455, 462-464 and 476-478.

   C.   No building subject to the requirements of this chapter shall be developed or redeveloped unless the plans for architectural and landscaping have been submitted as required by section 10-10B-4 of the City Code, and those plans include and show how the building will comply with this section 10-18-3, and such plans have been approved by a majority of the members of the Planning and Zoning Board. (Ord. 2025-04, 2-18-2025)