Land Use Code

View Or Download The Boulder County Land Use Code (updated May 11, 2023)

The Boulder County Land Use Code is enacted to protect and promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the present and future inhabitants of Boulder County, and to guide future growth, development, and distribution of land uses within Boulder County. The Land Use Code plays a large role in determining how unincorporated Boulder County will look in the future by the way it guides new construction and development today. The Land Use Code applies to all land within the unincorporated areas of Boulder County, not in cities or towns.

The Land Use Code is a “living” document, and updates and amendments are made as needed.
Land Use Code Updates

You may order and purchase printed copies of the Boulder County Land Use Code at the Community Planning & Permitting Department. The cost is $12.00. Please submit a request to purchase a printed copy by calling 303-441-3930 or contacting our office via the Ask a Planner form.

Land Use Code Individual Articles

Article 1 – Title, Authority, and Interpretation
Article 2 – Administrative and Decision Making Bodies
Article 3 – Processes
Article 4 – Zoning
Article 5 – Subdivision Regulations
Article 6 – Planned Development Districts
Article 7 – Development Standards
Article 8 – Location and Extent Review and Areas and Activities of State Interest
Article 9 – Building Lots, Mergers, Subdivision Exemptions & Exemption Plats
Article 10 – Vacation of Public Roads, Alleys, and Easements
Article 11 – Special District Review
Article 12 – Oil and Gas Development, Facilities and Operations
Article 13 – Signs
Article 14 – Rubbish, Weeds, and Brush, and Unsafe Structures
Article 15 – Historic Preservation
Article 16 – Text Amendments
Article 17 – Enforcement
Article 18 – Definitions
Article 19 – Procedures Following Disasters
Land Use Code Text Amendments and Resolutions

Maps Referenced in the Land Use Code

Allenspark Townsite Map
Boulder County Transferable Development Rights (TDR) Sending Site Areas
Eldora Study of the Platted Roads, Alleys, and Rights-of-Way – For Illustrative Purposes Only
Eldora Townsite Map
Eldorado Springs Townsite Map
Niwot Rural Community District (Commercial) Map
Niwot Rural Community District II (Residential) Map
Niwot Transferable Development Rights (TDR) Sending and Receiving Sites
Peak to Peak Scenic Corridor Area Map (North)
Peak to Peak Scenic Corridor Area Map (Central)
Peak to Peak Scenic Corridor Area Map (South)
Raymond Townsite Map
Riverside Townsite Map