Douglas County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code

To provide areas for a variety of housing types, designed in a manner to create livable space in the urban setting, that is protected from incompatible land uses and hazardous conditions, and buffered from commercial/industrial uses. The density shall not exceed 4.36 dwellings per acre. Adequate facilities, such as roads, water and sanitation, fire protection, emergency service, and public utilities shall be available to serve these areas. Growth should occur in a phased and contiguous manner to save on the costly, premature extension of basic infrastructure.

Development within this district should be designed to create neighborhoods in terms of scale and identity and as service units with adequate schools, parks, and convenience retail; pedestrian, bicycle, and automobile circulation that includes connections between neighborhoods and community facilities; and preserve open space and promote a design that is sensitive to the natural land features in accordance with the intent of the Douglas County Comprehensive Master Plan, as amended.

The SR zone district is characterized by a variety of housing types within a range of affordability, including housing for the elderly, handicapped and other special populations, and other accessory uses which enhance the basic elements of a balanced residential area such as schools, parks, playgrounds, and neighborhood recreational facilities. Development or use of land in this district is permitted only in accordance with the provisions herein. Land disturbance activities may require permit(s).

Community Uses:

Construction office – temporary (refer to Part 22).

Residence.

Sales office – temporary (refer to Part 22).

Utility service facility (Site Improvement Plan required per Part 27).

Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) – one per lot, except as restricted by a rural site plan, subdivision plat, or other similar land use approval. ADUs are not permitted in the PD – Planned Development District.

Accessory uses and buildings.

Animals (refer to Part 24).

Day-care home – small.

Garage – private:

Home occupation – Class 1 (refer to Part 23).

In-home elder care.

Satellite receiving dish.

Church – greater than 350 seating capacity in main worship area.

Day-care center/preschool, or day-care home – large.

Golf course legally established as a use by special review prior to June 22, 2005.

Recreation facility – community.

Utility – major facility.

Calculation of the minimum lot area is exclusive of open space, County-dedicated land or rights-of-way.

A minimum lot area of greater than 0.5 acres is required for a detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU).

Refer to Part 28 for non-residential parking standards.

The minimum off-street parking spaces required: two spaces per dwelling.

Unlicensed, operable vehicles parked outside shall be concealed by a solid fence, berm, vegetative barrier, or a combination thereof. Inoperable vehicles are prohibited.

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

A covered or uncovered deck or porch may extend six feet into a required setback, except for a side setback.

Foundation anchoring and foundation repair systems may be located within 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.

Structures that do not require building permits may encroach into a rear setback. Any encroachment into an easement requires permission from the easement holder.

A garage directly accessed from an alley may encroach into a rear setback. Any encroachment into an easement requires permission from the easement holder.

Maximum building height:

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.

Fences, walls, or hedges shall not be erected in the public right-of-way, but shall be allowed within the setbacks, on private land. A building permit is required for any retaining wall greater than four feet in height or 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 six feet in height and shall not exceed four feet in height when located in the required setback from a street.

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 is required for any fence greater than six feet in height, or as required by the Building Code, as amended and adopted by Douglas County.

Fences, walls, or hedges shall be erected and maintained in a manner which does not obstruct the vision of automobile traffic on the adjacent 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 safety hazard, by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence or abandonment, or which constitutes a zoning violation.

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.

Sound barrier walls, when constructed by a landowner other than the Colorado Department of Transportation adjacent to a street, shall be designed in accordance with the State Department of Transportation criteria and approved by the Site Improvement Plan Referral Board.

Barbed, electrically charged, concertina, or razor wire is prohibited.