Douglas County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code

To provide areas for retail business uses in balance with residential development as an integral part of the community, providing essential services and employment opportunities that are conveniently and efficiently located to reduce unnecessary commuting, protect air quality and facilitate the cost-effective provision of services. Adequate facilities, such as roads, water and sanitation, fire protection, emergency services, and public utilities shall be available to serve the development. Growth should occur in a phased and contiguous manner to save on the costly, premature extension of basic infrastructure.

Development within this district is encouraged in compact centers rather than in extended strips of development along roadways so as to provide for orderly development, minimized traffic congestion, and safe pedestrian movement. Business centers shall be located so as to minimize conflicts with residential and agricultural uses, wildlife habitats/corridors, and environmentally and visually sensitive areas in accordance with the intent of the Douglas County Comprehensive Master Plan, as amended. Offices may serve as a transition between urban residential and major commercial or industrial areas.

The B zone district is characterized by retail business buildings situated in a landscaped setting with landscaped off-street parking areas. Site improvements including landscaping shall be provided and designed to minimize the impact on adjacent residential uses and maintain the appearance and visual quality of the County. A Site Improvement Plan is required prior to the use of the lot for any purpose. Typical uses include drug stores, flower shops, book stores and other general merchandise stores, offices, banks, private clubs, and public recreational areas. Development or use of land in this district is permitted only in accordance with the provisions herein. Land disturbance activities may require permit(s).

Automobile service station with gasoline pumps.

Bank/financial institution (including drive-up facility).

Bar/lounge.

Club/country club.

Community uses:

Day-care center (outdoor play area shall be enclosed by a six-foot fence).

Event center.

Firing range – indoor.

Hospital (helipad permitted as an accessory use).

Hotel/motel, including conference or convention facilities located within the principal building.

Nursing or convalescent home and other extended-care facilities.

Office.

Parking lot – public or private.

Restaurant/fast-food establishment.

Retail/service business – indoor.

Retirement home.

Seasonal use (refer to Part 22A).

Theater – indoor.

Utility service facility.

Veterinary clinic or hospital – animals shall be confined in an enclosed building which is part of the principal structure.

Accessory uses and buildings.

Satellite dish.

Single or multifamily residence for management or employees (provided unit is incorporated into principal structure).

Heliport.

Natural medicine business: Healing center, as defined in Colorado Regulated Natural Medicine Rules 1 CCR 213-1 and Colorado Revised Statutes. Natural medicine businesses are not a permitted use in the PD – Planned Development District.

Residence.

Utility – major facility.

A cornice, canopy, eave, fireplace, wing wall or similar architectural feature may extend three feet into a required setback. Fire escapes may extend six feet into a required setback.

A building permit shall not be issued for any structure which is to be located within an easement unless written approval by the easement holder(s) is provided.

Utility distribution lines and related equipment commonly located along property lines may be located within a required setback. A neighborhood substation or gas regulator/meter station shall meet the required setbacks.

The maximum building height shall not apply to belfries, cupolas, penthouses or domes not used for human occupancy, roof-mounted church spires, chimneys, skylights, ventilators, water tanks, silos, parapet walls, cornices, antennas, utility poles and necessary mechanical appurtenances usually carried above the roof level.

The maximum height of a roof-mounted church spire shall not exceed 1.62 times the height of the church. The church height shall be measured from the main level finished floor (walk-out level excluded) to the highest roof peak. The height of the roof-mounted spire shall be measured from the top of the spire to the finished floor of the lowest walkout level of the church (refer to Part 36, § 1-3602, "building height" definition, spire height calculation).

The maximum height of a parapet wall shall be established on the approved USR plan exhibit or Site Improvement Plan based on overall mass and bulk and its compatibility with the surrounding area.

The height of a ham radio antenna shall be no greater than the distance to the nearest lot line, except engineered structures which shall be in compliance with the minimum setbacks (refer to Part 27A for cell sites and Part 21 for telecommunication facilities).

All roof-mounted equipment (mechanical, ventilating, antennas) shall be properly screened, with the exception of solar collectors/heaters.

Fences, walls, or hedges shall not be erected in the public right-of-way, but shall be allowed within a setback. A building permit is required for any retaining wall greater than four feet in height or for any fence or wall greater than six feet in height, or as required by the Building Code, as amended and adopted by Douglas County.

Solid fences, walls, or hedges shall not exceed four feet in height when located in the required setback from a street.

Fences, walls, or hedges shall be erected and maintained in a manner which does not obstruct the vision of automobile traffic on streets, rights-of-way, or driveways in accordance with the Douglas County Roadway Design and Construction Standards manual.

Fences, walls, or hedges shall be maintained in good structural or living condition. The landowner is responsible for the repair or removal of a fence, wall, or hedge, which constitutes a public safety hazard by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, or abandonment.

Fences constructed of woven wire or ornamental iron which are a minimum of 80% open may be constructed with no height limitation; however, a building permit may be required by the Building Code, as amended and adopted by Douglas County.

Barbed, electrically charged, concertina, or razor wire or other hazardous materials used for fencing shall be prohibited.

Swimming pools shall be enclosed by a fence or wall that meets or exceeds the requirements of the Building Code, as amended and adopted by Douglas County.