Revision Date: April 2020

WHERE DO I START?

Contact the Community Development Department to discuss your idea with a planner. This document will help you understand what zoning is and how to request a zoning change. From there, a pre-application meeting will be scheduled.

WHAT IS ZONING?

Zoning separates different land uses, such as residential and commercial, into different areas. These areas are designated as zone districts on a map adopted by the Town.

Each zone district has different rules to provide orderly community land use patterns and development.  

Chapter 4 of the Estes Park Development Code (EPDC) outlines the zone districts and the uses permitted in each zone.

WHY IS MY PROPERTY ZONED THE WAY IT IS?

In February 2000, the Town and County adopted the Estes Valley Development Code. This code established the zoning for all parcels in the Estes Valley, including yours. In April 2020, this code was separated from the County and renamed the Estes Park Development Code (EPDC), retaining all zone districts unchanged.

In most instances, property was zoned based on its existing use, such as industrial or residential. If you have questions about the zoning history of your land, please get in touch with the Community Development Department.

WHO APPROVES A CHANGE TO MY ZONING?

To change the zoning of your property, your request will be reviewed by the Estes Park Planning Commission, which will hold a public hearing and make a recommendation to the Town Board of Trustees.

The Town Board will hold a public hearing, review the Planning Commission recommendation, and approve or disapprove your request.  

These meetings are open to the public and include newspaper and neighborhood notices.

Corrective rezonings are the exception. There are instances when the 2000 plan was in error. For example, you might have a single-family dwelling on your property, which was zoned commercial, or perhaps you have several dwellings on your property, and it was zoned for single-family use. In these cases, your property would be considered nonconforming and might be eligible for rezoning.

WHAT ARE THE REVIEW STANDARDS?

Rezonings are reviewed for compliance with the standards listed below and with other applicable provisions of the EPDC:

1. The rezoning is necessary to address changes in conditions in the areas affected.
2. The development plan, which the proposed rezoning would allow, is compatible and consistent with the policies and intent of the Comprehensive Plan and with existing growth and development patterns in the Estes Valley and,
3. The Town or other relevant service providers shall be able to provide adequate services and facilities that might be required if the application were approved.

HOW LONG WILL THIS TAKE?

It depends, but it is usually 4-6 months. This time allows for affected agency review, advertisement in the paper and notification of neighbors, scheduling the Planning Commission meeting, and forwarding to the Town Board. Due process is a vital component in changing the zoning of property.

WHAT IS THE REVIEW PROCESS?

Step 1. Pre-Application Meeting: The first step is called a pre-application meeting. These meetings require submitting a sketch plan prepared by a qualified professional. Staff recommends that you have your representative present at this meeting.

At this meeting, you will meet with staff, who will explain the process in detail. You will also have an opportunity to ask any questions you may have.  

Step 2. Application Submittal and Completeness Review: The next step is to submit your application. This step requires submitting an application form, a filing fee, a development plan (unless waived at the pre-application meeting), and supporting documents such as a statement of intent.

Step 3. Staff Review and Report: Complete applications are routed to the relevant agencies, including the water department, sanitation districts, and the engineering department, for review and comment. Planning division staff will consolidate these comments, review them for compliance with the EPDC, and prepare a report for the Planning Commission's review.

Step 4. Planning Commission:  The Estes Park Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and review for compliance with the Estes Park Comprehensive Plan and the EPDC, and make a recommendation to the Town Board.  

Step 5. Board Decision:  After the Planning Commission's recommendation, requests are forwarded to the Town Board for final review and determination (i.e., approval or disapproval).  

HOW MUCH WILL THIS COST?

Application fees. Please refer to the Estes Park Development Review Fee Schedule for current application fees. There is an application fee for the pre-application meeting and the application submittal. These fees are non-refundable and are intended to help offset staff review time, legal review, and issuance of notices.

Development Plan. Rezoning applications require submitting, at a minimum, a conceptual development plan prepared by a qualified professional such as an architect or engineer. This can cost several thousand dollars.

Adequate Public Facilities. Rezonings also require compliance with adequate public facilities such as utilities and roads (see EPDC Section 7.12). Upgrades to these systems are at the applicant's expense.

Change of use. Rezonings may also require a change of use permit from the Building Department. Please contact the Building Department to discuss any permit requirements for your building project. Changes in use may require building improvements such as the installation of sprinkler systems or compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Note: This information was summarized from EPDC Section 3.3 Code Amendments. These regulations can be accessed online at www.estes.org