Douglas County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
PART 1
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS AND PROCEDURES
§ 1-101 Intent.
A resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Douglas County, Colorado, which establishes land use classifications, divides the County into districts, imposes regulations, prohibitions, procedures and restrictions for the promotion of the health, safety, convenience, aesthetics, and welfare of the present and future residents of Douglas County. This chapter shall govern the use of land for residential and nonresidential purposes, regulate and limit the height and bulk of buildings and other structures, limit lot occupancy, determine the setbacks and provide for open spaces, by establishing standards of performance and design, adopting an official zone district map, creating boards/commissions and defining their powers and duties, prescribing procedures for changes and modifications of districts, uses by special review, variances, and other permits, allowing for nonconforming uses and buildings, providing regulations for accessory uses and buildings, providing for the amendment and enforcement thereof, defining certain terms, providing a means of appeal, prescribing penalties for violation of its provisions, and repealing existing County zoning resolutions, as amended.
§ 1-102 Authority.
The Douglas County Zoning Resolution, this chapter, is authorized by Article 28 of Title 30 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, 1973, as amended, and is hereby declared to be in accordance with all provisions of these statutes.
§ 1-103 Short Title.
For the purpose of brevity, the Douglas County Zoning Resolution shall hereafter be referred to as "this chapter."
§ 1-104 Overlapping Regulations.
[2/24/2009]
1.
Except with respect to approved and recorded development guides within Planned Development (PD) districts, whenever both a provision of this chapter and any other law, ordinance, resolution, rule, or regulation of any kind contain any restrictions covering any of the same subject matter, whichever restrictions are more restrictive or impose higher standards or requirements shall govern.
2.
Unless otherwise specified, references within this chapter to Douglas County agreements, plans, codes, and manuals shall refer to the version most recently approved or amended by the County.
§ 1-105 Existing Permits, Easements, Development Guides, or Other Approvals.
This chapter is not intended to abrogate, annul, govern, or prevail over any permits, easements, or development guides issued prior to the effective date of this chapter.
This chapter shall apply to all land within the unincorporated area of Douglas County, Colorado, except as provided below.
1.
This chapter shall not apply to buildings, facilities or uses owned or operated by Douglas County, provided that:
A.
Such building, facility or use provides or fulfills an authorized governmental function;
B.
A state/federal law or regulation does not require such building, facility or use to comply with local zoning regulations;
C.
Such building, facility or use has been reviewed pursuant to the provisions of Part 32, Location and Extent, of this chapter; and
D.
If such building, facility or use is located in the Open Space Conservation district, it is allowed as a principal or accessory use. (Land acquired through the open space sales and use tax is restricted to passive recreational purposes, parks, trails and open space, by the enabling resolution.)
2.
Definition:
FACILITY/USE
Shall not include:
A.
Mining, quarry, sand/gravel operation or similar extractive use;
B.
Airport; or
C.
Landfill.
3.
Such uses shall be processed in accordance with the Use By Special Review , Part 21, of this chapter.
§ 1-106 Jurisdiction.
This chapter shall apply to all land within the unincorporated area of Douglas County, Colorado, except as provided below.
1.
This chapter shall not apply to buildings, facilities or uses owned or operated by Douglas County, provided that:
A.
Such building, facility or use provides or fulfills an authorized governmental function;
B.
A state/federal law or regulation does not require such building, facility or use to comply with local zoning regulations;
C.
Such building, facility or use has been reviewed pursuant to the provisions of Part 32, Location and Extent, of this chapter; and
D.
If such building, facility or use is located in the Open Space Conservation district, it is allowed as a principal or accessory use. (Land acquired through the open space sales and use tax is restricted to passive recreational purposes, parks, trails and open space, by the enabling resolution.)
2.
Definition:
FACILITY/USE
Shall not include:
A.
Mining, quarry, sand/gravel operation or similar extractive use;
B.
Airport; or
C.
Landfill.
3.
Such uses shall be processed in accordance with Part 21, Use By Special Review, of this chapter.
§ 1-107 Fees.
The Board of County Commissioners shall establish and adopt a schedule of fees to be paid by the applicant/developer to defray the expenses of the County in the review and hearing of the proposed rezoning, development, amendment or adjustment to recorded plans.
§ 1-108 Calculation of Time Period for Public Notice.
When calculating the time period for publishing or posting a public notice or notifying abutting landowners of a public hearing, the day of publishing, posting, or mailing will be counted in the total number of days required. The day of the hearing shall not be counted toward the total number of days required for the notification period.
§ 1-109 Amendment of The Zoning Resolution - Procedure.
[3/28/2001; 3/15/2011; 1/10/2012]
Amendment requests may be initiated in writing by the Board, Planning Commission or Planning Services. In addition, Planning Services shall review this chapter once a year to determine necessary amendments.
1.
Planning Services shall review the amendment requests, prepare a staff report with the amended regulatory language, and notify referral agencies, business community contacts, and the general public regarding the proposed changes.
2.
The staff planner shall schedule public hearings before the Planning Commission and thereafter before the Board and shall publish a notice in the newspaper in compliance with § 1-111, Public Notice Requirements for Zoning Resolution Amendments.
3.
The staff planner will review all comments and suggestions and prepare a staff report for the Planning Commission.
4.
The Planning Commission shall evaluate the proposed amendment, referral comments, staff report, and public testimony, and make a recommendation to the Board to approve, approve with modifications, table for further study, or deny the proposed amendment.
5.
The Board shall evaluate the amendment proposal, referral agency comments, staff report, the Planning Commission recommendation, and public testimony, and shall approve, approve with modifications, table for further study, remand to the Planning Commission or deny the amendment proposal.
6.
If approved, a copy of the amendment shall be filed for recording with the Office of the Clerk and Recorder.
§ 1-110 Effective Date of Zoning Resolution Amendments.
Amendments approved by the Board shall become effective immediately, unless otherwise stated in the resolution of approval.
§ 1-111 Public Notice Requirements for Zoning Resolution Amendments.
[3/28/2001]
1.
At least 14 days prior to the Planning Commission hearing and 14 days prior to the Board hearing, notice shall be published in at least one publication of a daily or weekly legal newspaper of general circulation, printed or published in whole or in part in Douglas County. Such notice shall read:
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING |
A public hearing will be held on (date), at (time), before the Douglas County Planning Commission and on (date), at (time), before the Board of County Commissioners in the Commissioner's Hearing Room, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, CO, for a proposed amendment to the Douglas County Zoning Resolution. Generally, (brief description of proposed change(s), to text or maps). For more information call Douglas County Planning, 303-660-7460. File No._______________________ |
2.
The degree of accuracy required for the information contained in this public notice shall be that of substantial compliance with the provisions of this section. Substantial compliance for this public notice shall be determined by the Planning Commission or the Board of County Commissioners for their respective public hearings.
§ 1-112 Zoning Map Changes - Procedure.
[3/28/2001; 3/15/2011; 7/14/2015]
1.
The procedure specified below shall be utilized for the following:
A.
Zoning of land disconnected from an incorporated area.
B.
Rezoning of land purchased with open space funds or dedicated to the County for open space.
C.
Correction of zoning map errors.
D.
Rezoning of land to Open Space Conservation district.
E.
Rezoning of land, when requested by the landowner, to bring it into compliance with the Master Plan.
2.
Planning Services or the landowner shall prepare the amendment request. Planning Services shall meet with referral agencies regarding the proposed zoning map changes.
3.
The staff planner shall schedule a public hearing before the Planning Commission and publish a notice in the newspaper in accordance with § 1-111, Public Notice Requirements for Zoning Resolution Amendments.
4.
The staff planner will review all comments and suggestions and prepare a staff report for the Planning Commission.
5.
The Planning Commission shall evaluate the proposed map amendment, staff report, referral agency comments, and public testimony and make a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners to approve, approve with modifications, table for further study, or deny the proposed map amendment.
6.
Following the recommendation by the Planning Commission, the staff planner shall schedule a public hearing with the Board, and publish a notice in the newspaper in accordance with § 1-111, Public Notice Requirements for Zoning Resolution Amendments.
7.
The Board shall evaluate the proposed amendment, staff report, referral agency comments, public testimony, and the Planning Commission recommendation, and shall approve, approve with modifications, table for further study, remand to the Planning Commission or deny the map amendment.
8.
If approved, a copy of the map amendment shall be recorded in the Office of the Clerk and Recorder.
§ 1-113 Violations.
[3/15/2011]
No land in Douglas County shall be used, nor any building or structure erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, maintained, moved or used, in violation of this chapter, as amended.
§ 1-114 Penalties.
[7/14/2015; 5/16/2022]
1.
Any person, firm, or corporation, whether as principal, agent, employee, or otherwise, who violates any of the provisions of this chapter or any landowner who allows the use of his land by another in violation of this chapter and who does not remedy the violation upon notice that such violation exists, shall be subject to the following penalties:
A.
A civil infraction in the amount of $100 for each violation pursuant to §§ 30-28-124(1) and 18-1.3-503(1.6), C.R.S. The county may elect to apply the penalty assessment procedure set forth in § 16-23-101 et seq., C.R.S.
B.
A civil penalty in an amount not less than $500 nor more than $1,000, and a continuing penalty not to exceed $100 per day pursuant to § 30-28-124.5, C.R.S.
C.
An injunction, mandamus, abatement, or other appropriate action or proceeding to prevent, enjoin, abate, or remove such unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, or use pursuant to § 30-28-124(2), C.R.S.
2.
Each day during which such illegal erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, maintenance, or use continues shall be deemed a separate offense.
§ 1-115 Enforcement of the Zoning Resolution.
[3/15/2011; 11/12/2013]
This chapter shall be enforced by the Director or any representative authorized by the Director on all matters involving this chapter, pursuant to § 30-28-114, C.R.S., as amended. The Director may consult with the County Attorney and Chief Building Official and other affected County offices, concerned with, but not limited to, the lawful erection, construction, alteration, occupation or use of any building or structure, or land in the unincorporated area of Douglas County. The Director may also consult with the Tri-County Health Department on matters involving public and environmental health.
1.
The Board authorizes the Director or any representative authorized by the Director to perform the following duties:
A.
To enter and inspect, when authorized by law or with permission of the property owner, tenant, or both, any building, structure, or tract of land in the unincorporated area of Douglas County to determine compliance with this chapter.
B.
To contact property owners, tenants, or both, either verbally or in writing, to attempt to gain voluntary compliance to remedy violations of this chapter and avoid the need to resort to more formal notice or formal legal proceedings.
C.
To issue written notices to alleged zoning violators that they are alleged to be in violation of this chapter and that the alleged violators have no less than 10 days, or such other period of time required by statute, in which to correct the alleged violation, after which time the alleged violators may be subject to the penalties listed herein.
D.
To perform other such duties as may be necessary and appropriate to permit such agents to detect zoning violations, to give alleged violators statutory notice, and to enforce compliance with this chapter.
2.
The Director or any representative authorized by the Director shall respond to zoning complaints and make regular inspections of properties in the County. The zoning compliance procedure shall be developed by Planning Services and reviewed by the County Attorney.
3.
Enforcement related to violations of the Grading, Erosion and Sediment Control (GESC) and Drainage, Erosion and Sediment Control (DESC) Permit Programs will follow the procedures outlined in this chapter, the GESC Manual, or in accordance with any ordinance adopted pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes.
§ 1-116 Nonliability of Officials.
Any County official or employee, charged with the enforcement of this chapter, acting in good faith and without malice on behalf of the County in the discharge of official duties, shall not thereby be rendered personally liable for any damages which may accrue to persons or property resulting from any such act or omission committed in the discharge of such duties.
§ 1-117 Nonliability for Injury.
This chapter shall not be construed to hold Douglas County in any manner responsible for any injury to persons or property resulting from any inspection as herein authorized or resulting from any failure to so inspect, or resulting from the issuance or denial of a building permit as herein provided, or resulting from the institution of court action as hereinabove set forth or the forbearance by Douglas County to so proceed.
§ 1-118 Any Provision Declared Invalid.
If any provision of this chapter is declared to be invalid by a decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, it is hereby declared to be the legislative intent that:
1.
The effect of such decision shall be limited to that lot or provisions which are expressly stated in the decision to be invalid; and
2.
Such decision shall not affect, impair, or nullify this chapter as a whole or any other part thereof, but the rest of this chapter shall continue in full force and effect.
§ 1-119 Application of Any Provision Declared Invalid.
If the application of any provision of this chapter to any lot, building, other structure, or tract of land is declared to be invalid by a decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, it is hereby declared to be the legislative intent that:
1.
The effect of such decision shall be limited to that lot, building, other structure, or tract of land immediately involved in the controversy, action, or proceeding in which the judgment or decree of invalidity was rendered; and
2.
Such decision shall not affect, impair, or nullify this chapter as a whole or the application of any provision thereof, to any other lot, building, other structure, or tract of land.
§ 1-120 Repeals.
This chapter shall repeal the Zoning Resolution of Douglas County, Colorado, adopted February 1, 1994, and amendments made prior to March 1999. Repeal of the above-mentioned resolution does not revive any other resolution or portion thereof. Such repeal shall not affect or prevent the prosecution or punishment of any person for the violation of any resolution repealed hereby, for any offense committed prior to the repeal.
§ 1-121 Effective Date.
This chapter was adopted March 10, 1999, by the Board of County Commissioners of Douglas County, Colorado. This chapter and any future amendment thereof shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the Board, unless otherwise set forth in the Board's motion to approve.
§ 1-122 Waivers.
[3/28/2001]
The Board, at a public hearing on a specific application, may hear the request for a waiver from the standards and decide to accept or reject the request, or make modifications to the waiver request.
1.
The applicant shall provide a written waiver request that explains in detail the extent of the waiver and the grounds for the requested waiver.
2.
The Planning Commission, as part of the hearing on a specific application, will hear the request for a waiver from the standards and make recommendations to the Board.
3.
Such waiver shall be approved only upon the finding, based upon the evidence presented in each specific case, that:
A.
The waiver does not have the effect of nullifying the intent and purpose of this chapter;
B.
The granting of the waiver will not be detrimental to the public safety, health, or welfare or injurious to other property;
C.
The conditions upon which the request for a waiver is based are unique to the property for which the waiver is sought and are not applicable to other property;
D.
A particular non-economical hardship to the owner would result from a strict application of this chapter;
E.
The waiver will not in any manner vary the provisions of this chapter or County Building Code; and
F.
The proposed development will be in conformance with the Douglas County Master Plan.
4.
The Board may impose conditions of approval that in their judgment substantially secure the objectives of this chapter. The conditions shall be stated in the Board minutes with the justification set forth.
§ 1-123 Disaster Emergency Waiver.
[3/15/2011; 4/10/2012]
The Board of County Commissioners may temporarily waive certain provisions of this chapter in areas of Douglas County impacted by wildfire, a major flood event, chemical spill, or other disaster. The waivers are intended to reduce the hardship faced by impacted landowners, particularly those that lost dwellings, as follows:
1.
Waivers shall only be considered following adoption of a resolution by the Board, formally declaring a specific area as a disaster area.
A.
Time limits for which the waivers are to be in effect may be specified in the resolution.
B.
Only those landowners with property located within the boundaries of the designated disaster area may request waivers in accordance with the provisions contained in this section.
2.
Waivers are limited to those provisions affecting the ability of a landowner to reconstruct destroyed property in an efficient and timely manner.
3.
Waivers may be permitted, provided no substantial detriment to the public good is created and the intent and purpose of this chapter is not impaired.
4.
Waivers to the following Zoning Resolution provisions may be considered:
A.
Development standards for reconstruction of destroyed dwellings.
B.
Access standards.
C.
Time limitations and bonding requirements for temporary residence permits.
D.
Reconstruction of accessory structures prior to the principal use, provided a time frame is specified for reconstructing the principal use.
E.
Other provisions may be waived at the discretion of the Board.
5.
Procedure for Waiver.
A.
The applicant shall discuss the waiver request informally with the staff.
B.
The applicant shall provide a written waiver request that explains the extent of, and grounds for, the requested waiver. The request may be referred to entities such as the Building Division, Engineering Division, and Fire District for comment.
C.
The waiver request shall be reviewed by the Director for compliance with the provisions contained herein. The Director may approve the request only upon the finding that:
(1)
The waiver does not have the effect of nullifying the intent and purpose of this chapter;
(2)
The granting of the waiver will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare, or injurious to other property; and
(3)
The conditions upon which the request for a waiver are based are unique to the property for which the waiver is sought, and/or to other properties located within the designated disaster area.
D.
The Director may impose conditions of approval that substantially secure the objectives of this chapter.
6.
An appeal of the Director's decision regarding a waiver request may be submitted to the Board of Adjustment pursuant to Part 26A of this chapter.
§ 1-124 Interpretation.
[5/26/2015; 5/10/2016]
The following shall be used to interpret this chapter:
1.
While the approval criteria for many land use applications defined herein require "compliance with," "consistency with," or "general conformance with" the Comprehensive Master Plan (CMP) or the goals, objectives, and policies of the CMP, the individual goals, objectives, and policies are not, themselves, approval criteria. The Board will consider the diversity of community values, applicable laws and regulations, private property rights, and unique characteristics of each application when balancing the goals, objectives, and policies set forth in the CMP. A property's designation on the CMP Land Use Map is the primary basis for establishing future use and density.
2.
To the extent any provision of this chapter or any provision of a Planned Development is inconsistent with any federal or state legal requirement (a "controlling legal requirement"), then this chapter, and any provision of any Planned Development, are intended to be and shall be interpreted to be consistent with such controlling legal requirement. To the extent any controlling legal requirement, when properly interpreted, would create additional requirements (e.g., reasonable accommodations or waiver of otherwise valid provisions), then this chapter, and any provision of any Planned Development, are intended to be and shall be interpreted to be consistent with such controlling legal requirement. Such controlling legal requirements may include but are not limited to the Fair Housing Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, Telecommunications Act, and any amendments or regulations related thereto.
3.
The Director has the authority to interpret provisions of this chapter and Planned Developments to be consistent with all controlling legal requirements by administrative decision. The Director also has the authority to determine and grant reasonable accommodation requests.
