Grand Junction City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 21
01 General Provisions
§ 21.01.010 Title.
These regulations shall be known and cited as the City of Grand Junction Zoning and Development Code ("Code"). This Code replaces the previous Zoning and Development Code adopted pursuant to Ordinance No. 4419 dated April 5, 2010, and as amended thereto.
(Ord. 5190, 12/20/2023)
§ 21.01.020 Authority.
The City of Grand Junction ("City") is authorized by its home rule powers pursuant to the Colorado Constitution and the Charter of the City of Grand Junction, Colorado. The City Council chooses to exercise broad powers including the regulation of zoning, planning, and subdivision of land. In addition, the City Council intends that all other available powers shall support this Code including those provided by state law, such as but not limited to municipal powers: § 31-15-101 C.R.S., et seq.; planning and zoning § 31-23-101 C.R.S., et seq.; § 30-28-201 C.R.S., et seq.; § 29-20-101 C.R.S., et seq.; the power to designate and administer areas and activities of state interest, § 24-65.1-101 C.R.S., et seq.; and regulation of planned unit development, § 24-67-101 C.R.S., et seq. If other authority is available because of changes in statutory and case law, state and federal, the City Council intends to avail itself of those resources as well.
(Ord. 5190, 12/20/2023)
§ 21.01.030 Effective date.
(a)
This Code shall become effective on January 21, 2024 (Effective Date). The Zoning and Development Code that was effective immediately prior to this Code shall be referred to as the 2010 Code.
(b)
Two copies of the 2010 Code shall be maintained and remain of record in the City Clerk's Office and the Community Development Department, either in hard copy or electronically. An unofficial public copy may also be maintained on the City's website. All copies of the 2010 Code that are publicly available shall be clearly identified as outdated.
(Ord. 5190, 12/20/2023)
§ 21.01.040 Scope.
(a)
This Code shall apply to all activities on public and private land over which the City has jurisdiction under the constitution and laws of the State of Colorado, the United States, or pursuant to the City's powers.
(b)
Not all situations will fall into easily identifiable processes and requirements. This Code provides flexibility in dealing with situations in general, and especially those which do not fit well with typical processes and standard requirements. The elements that make up this Code are interrelated and cannot be taken in isolation; all provisions and regulations must be taken within the context and intent of the entire Code.
(c)
No person shall begin or change a land use or development in the City without first obtaining an appropriate permit or approval.
(Ord. 5190, 12/20/2023)
§ 21.01.050 Purpose.
This Code is intended to:
(a)
Promote the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens and residents of the City;
(b)
Implement the goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan;
(c)
Promote a compact pattern of growth and encourage the efficient use of land;
(d)
Bring about more opportunities for housing choices that meet the needs of people of all ages, abilities, and incomes;
(e)
Balance the safety and needs of all transportation modes to ensure an efficient transportation system for pedestrians, cyclists, transit, and other vehicles;
(f)
Preserve and enhance natural resources and unique assets, such as scenic, riparian, recreation areas, and wildlife habitat through sustainable development practices;
(g)
Protect the City's historic resources including agriculture and industry and support the development and expansion of public spaces that promote a collective identity; and
(h)
Ensure regulations do not disproportionately affect a particular group or geographic location.
(Ord. 5190, 12/20/2023)
§ 21.01.060 Severability.
The provisions of this Code shall be severable. If any provision is declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the effect of the decision shall be limited to that provision or provisions which are expressly stated in the decision to be invalid and may, as determined by the City Attorney, be further limited to the specific persons or parcels that are the subject of the decision. The applicable provision shall be removed from the Code or otherwise identified as severed, and the decision shall not affect, impair, or nullify the remainder of the Code.
(Ord. 5190, 12/20/2023)
§ 21.01.070 Minimum standards.
This Code sets the minimum requirements necessary for the promotion of public health, safety, and welfare. In many instances, the public is best served when such minimums are exceeded. Where the requirements of this Code are at variance with other applicable law, rule, contract, resolution, or regulation of the City, county, state, or federal government contains standards covering the same subject matter, the more restrictive requirement or higher standard shall control.
(Ord. 5190, 12/20/2023)
§ 21.01.080 Private restrictions.
(a)
If any provision of this Code is more restrictive or imposes a higher standard than any such private restriction, the requirements of this Code shall control.
(b)
This Code is not intended to affect any private agreement or condition such as a deed restriction or covenant. Where the provisions of any private restriction are more restrictive or impose higher standards than the provisions of this Code, the City has no duty to enforce such private restrictions, nor is the City obligated to adopt regulations consistent with private restrictions.
(Ord. 5190, 12/20/2023)
§ 21.01.090 Application of regulations during local emergency.
The Director may waive applicable provisions of this Code during a local emergency declared by the Mayor or City Manager. A public health emergency, wildfire, flood, or other catastrophic situations are examples of a local emergency.
(Ord. 5190, 12/20/2023)
§ 21.01.100 Fees, charges, and expenses.
The City Council shall set fees in amounts sufficient to recover all or a portion of the taxpayer costs spent administering this Code, including for processing, giving notice, and reviewing development applications. The City Council may, by resolution, modify any fee at any Council meeting.
(Ord. 5190, 12/20/2023)
§ 21.01.110 Transitional provisions.
(a)
Intent and Applicability.
This Code is not intended to abrogate or annul any building permit, certificate of occupancy, variance, or other lawful permit issued before the Effective Date. Applications and permits that have not achieved final approval as of the Effective Date shall be processed according to the provisions of this section.
(b)
Existing Development Approvals.
(1)
Any development validly approved under any prior regulations, may be carried out under the terms and conditions of the approval provided the approval has not expired and the development complies with any applicable standards of this Code regarding ongoing operations and maintenance.
(2)
Any Planned Development approved prior to the Effective Date shall comply with the requirements of GJMC § 21.02.050(j).
(3)
If a prior approval expires based on an expiration established in the 2010 Code or the project development approval, is revoked, or otherwise becomes invalid, any subsequent development of the site shall be subject to the procedures and standards of this Code.
(4)
The Director may renew or extend the time of a previous approval if the required standards or criteria for approval remain valid. Any extension granted shall not exceed the time specified for the extension of the specific approval specified in GJMC § 21.02.030(j).
(5)
Any re-application for an expired, lapsed, or terminated project approval shall meet the standards in effect at the time of re-application.
(6)
Unless otherwise provided in the initial approval, any proposed revision to an existing application or approval shall be reviewed based on the Code in effect at the time of submission of a complete application for the revision.
(c)
Applications in Progress.
(1)
A complete application for a single-step approval, submitted prior to the Effective Date and pending approval at the time of adoption of this Code may be decided under the regulations in effect when the application was determined to be complete, or may be reviewed and decided under this Code at the request of the applicant. Applications shall not be processed under a combination of prior regulations and this Code. Any reapplication after the Effective Date shall comply with the requirements of this Code.
(2)
Complete applications for the first step of a multiple-step approval process submitted prior to the Effective Date shall continue to be processed pursuant to the 2010 Code. Later step applications shall be processed pursuant to the 2010 Code if the first step approval was design specific, and pursuant to the 2023 Code if the first step approval was conceptual, as follows:
Table 21.01-1: Applications in Progress | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Complete Application, First Step | 2023 Code | 2010 Code | Later Step Application | 2023 Code | 2010 Code |
Conditional Use Permit | |||||
CUP Application | x | Site Plan | x | ||
Planned Development | |||||
Outline Development Plan | x | Final Development Plan(s) | x | ||
Rezoning | |||||
Rezoning Application | x | Site Plan | x | ||
Subdivision | |||||
Preliminary Plan | x | Final Plat | x | ||
(3)
An applicant may elect to have the application(s) reviewed under the 2023 Code.
(4)
Any questions about whether this Code or the 2010 Code is applicable shall be determined by the decision-making body. An applicability decision by either the Planning Commission or the City Council may only be appealed in accordance with Colorado Rule of Civil Procedure 106.
(d)
No Applications Submitted.
Projects for which no application has been submitted and accepted as complete prior to the Effective Date shall be subject to all requirements and standards of this Code.
(e)
Lapsing.
Regardless of whether or not a completed application has been received prior to the Effective Date, any permit or approval issued following the Effective Date shall be subject to the lapsing provisions of GJMC § 21.02.030(j).
(f)
Violations Under Prior Code.
Any violation occurring under the 2010 Code will continue to be a violation under this Code and be subject to penalties and enforcement pursuant to GJMC Chapter 21.13.
(Ord. 5263, 6/18/2025; Ord. 5190, 12/20/2023)
