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Land Use Codes

A land use code is a planning implementation tool of the community’s comprehensive plan. The land use code can include zoning regulations, subdivision regulations, annexation policy, impact fees, public hearing processes, fence and sign permitting, and more. For example, a land use code may prescribe how tall a single-family home can be, the density of a planned community, the minimum parking requirements for a retail complex, or the allowed uses within a commercial building.

DOLA Template Land Development Code 

The Division of Local Government’s Community Development Office has released an updated Template Land Development Code (formerly known as the Model Land Use Code) to ensure local governments and consultants can access a modernized code that is representative of current best practices and in support of compliance with the 2024 land use laws that impact land use and zoning.

This code is intended to be usable as:

  • A unified development code that integrates all of the basic land use regulatory tools available to Colorado towns/cities and counties; or
  • A source of recommended best practice approaches to specific topics – such as accessory dwelling units, telecommunications facilities, or parking requirements.

Key changes from the previous code include:

  • There are now four versions of the code, which include two annotated versions for counties and municipalities and, by request, two streamlined versions that are easier to implement by smaller counties and municipalities.
  • The CDO has also developed a best practices companion guidebook to enable users to learn more about key topics and access best practice examples and links to valuable resources when developing or updating a code. This was not available with the previous version of the code.
  • There is a Word user guide available to guide you through the process to update the Word file.

Template Code and Materials

 

Looking for Your Local Land Use Code?

Local government land use authority depends on the government's classification (e.g., statutory vs. home rule municipalities). One way municipalities and counties regulate land use is through zoning (with notable limitations, e.g., federal limitations on telecommunications, group homes, signs). Questions regarding zoning as it applies to a specific parcel in a Colorado jurisdiction, such as allowed uses, should be directed to the local planning department.

Planning for Hazards: Land Use Solutions for Colorado

The Planning for Hazards: Land Use Solutions for Colorado guide and website enables Colorado communities to prepare for and mitigate multiple hazards by integrating resilience and hazard mitigation into plans, codes, and standards related to land use and the built environment. The guide includes model code language for integrating hazards into 11 planning strategies including development agreements, 1041 regulations, cluster subdivisions, stream buffers and setbacks, and stormwater ordinances. For more information visit Planning for Hazards.

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