Zoning is the most common tool used by local governments to prescribe the allowable development on parcels of land. Generally when a community adopts a zoning ordinance, they are dividing a geographic area into zones or districts, which each have a unique set of standards for land uses and development regulations balancing the general health, safety, and welfare of the public with private property owners rights to use their land to their best interest. For example, a parcel of land lies within a Neighborhood Commercial zone district where both residential and commercial uses are allowed. Because it is a Neighborhood Commercial zone, and the primary use is single-family residential, the zoning code further defines limitations for any commercial development as to the maximum building height, and setback from the public right-of-way in order to protect the existing character of this particular community.
Types of common zoning practices in Colorado include:
- Form-based zoning, which focuses on the form of the built environment rather than the permitted land uses within a particular district.
- Planned Unit Developments, or PUDs, which prescribe the development standards and land uses on a specific development property (or subdivision) rather than an entire district.
- Hybrid zoning, where communities are using a mix of traditional zoning and form-based zoning practices.
Colorado Zoning Laws by County
Adams County Zoning Laws
Adams County Official Website
Alamosa County Zoning Laws
Alamosa County Official Website
Arapahoe County Zoning Laws
Arapahoe County Official Website
Archuleta County Zoning Laws
Archuleta County Official Website
Baca County Zoning Laws
Baca County Official Website
Bent County Zoning Laws
Bent County Official Website
Boulder County Zoning Laws
Boulder County Official Website
Broomfield County Zoning Laws
Broomfield County Official Website
Chaffee County Zoning Laws
Chaffee County Official Website
Cheyenne County Zoning Laws
Cheyenne County Official Website
Clear Creek County Zoning Laws
Clear Creek County Official Website
Conejos County Zoning Laws
Conejos County Official Website
Costilla County Zoning Laws
Costilla County Official Website
Crowley County Zoning Laws
Crowley County Official Website
Custer County Zoning Laws
Custer County Official Website
Delta County Zoning Laws
Delta County Official Website
Denver County Zoning Laws
Denver County Official Website
Dolores County Zoning Laws
Dolores County Official Website
Douglas County Zoning Laws
Douglas County Official Website
Eagle County Zoning Laws
Eagle County Official Website
El Paso County Zoning Laws
El Paso County Official Website
Elbert County Zoning Laws
Elbert County Official Website
Fremont County Zoning Laws
Fremont County Official Website
Garfield County Zoning Laws
Garfield County Official Website
Gilpin County Zoning Laws
Gilpin County Official Website
Grand County Zoning Laws
Grand County Official Website
Gunnison County Zoning Laws
Gunnison County Official Website
Hinsdale County Zoning Laws
Hinsdale County Official Website
Huerfano County Zoning Laws
Huerfano County Official Website
Jackson County Zoning Laws
Jackson County Official Website
Jefferson County Zoning Laws
Jefferson County Official Website
Kiowa County Zoning Laws
Kiowa County Official Website
Kit Carson County Zoning Laws
Kit Carson County Official Website
La Plata County Zoning Laws
La Plata County Official Website
Lake County Zoning Laws
Lake County Official Website
Larimer County Zoning Laws
Larimer County Official Website
Las Animas County Zoning Laws
Las Animas County Official Website
Lincoln County Zoning Laws
Lincoln County Official Website
Logan County Zoning Laws
Logan County Official Website
Mesa County Zoning Laws
Mesa County Official Website
Mineral County Zoning Laws
Mineral County Official Website
Moffat County Zoning Laws
Moffat County Official Website
Montezuma County Zoning Laws
Montezuma County Official Website
Montrose County Zoning Laws
Montrose County Official Website
Morgan County Zoning Laws
Morgan County Official Website
Otero County Zoning Laws
Otero County Official Website
Ouray County Zoning Laws
Ouray County Official Website
Park County Zoning Laws
Park County Official Website
Phillips County Zoning Laws
Phillips County Official Website
Pitkin County Zoning Laws
Pitkin County Official Website
Prowers County Zoning Laws
Prowers County Official Website
Pueblo County Zoning Laws
Pueblo County Official Website
Rio Blanco County Zoning Laws
Rio Blanco County Official Website
Rio Grande County Zoning Laws
Rio Grande County Official Website
Routt County Zoning Laws
Routt County Official Website
Saguache County Zoning Laws
Saguache County Official Website
San Juan County Zoning Laws
San Juan County Official Website
San Miguel County Zoning Laws
San Miguel County Official Website
Sedgwick County Zoning Laws
Sedgwick County Official Website
Summit County Zoning Laws
Summit County Official Website
Teller County Zoning Laws
Teller County Official Website
Washington County Zoning Laws
Washington County Official Website