DC-26-0001: Text Amendments to the Land Use Code related to Agricultural Worker Housing

Agricultural Worker Housing Surveys

Boulder County is conducting two surveys: one for agricultural operators and one for agricultural workers to better understand housing needs, preferences, and experiences across our local agricultural community.

This information will help inform potential Land Use Code changes related to agricultural worker housing and may also help guide broader efforts to fund and develop agricultural worker housing initiatives.

Both surveys are available with language translation services and will remain open through Oct. 30, 2026. Additional outreach for these surveys is also being conducted to make participation more accessible and meet the agricultural workforce where they are, including opportunities for workers to be compensated for their time when participating in facilitated outreach.

For more information about the surveys or opportunities to participate, contact agplanner@bouldercounty.gov.

View the Agricultural Operator Survey.

View the Agricultural Worker Survey.

Public Meetings and Hearings

Agricultural Worker Housing Virtual Meeting, July 14, 2026

The meeting provides an overview of the project’s background, scope, authorization, and community outreach process. Participants also responded to live poll questions that helped staff better understand community preferred outcomes of the project and ways to stay informed and involved throughout the project.

The recording of the Agricultural Worker Housing Land Use Code Update Kickoff Meeting is available below. Translation services are available through the video’s language settings.

Also included is a one-page summary highlighting key themes from participants’ questions and discussion.

As the project progresses, staff will continue to share updates at key milestones to demonstrate how community input is informing the potential land use code update. If you have questions, would like to provide public comment, or would like to learn more about opportunities to participate, please contact the project planners listed at the bottom of this webpage.

Authorization

On March 3, 2026, the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) authorized Community Planning & Permitting staff to explore whether updates to the Boulder County Land Use Code (the Code) could better support safe, practical, and appropriately scaled housing opportunities for agricultural workers.

As part of that authorization, the BOCC directed staff to return for a public work session to further discuss the project scope, outreach approach, and timeline. Staff presented this information during a public work session on May 5, 2026, and received feedback from the Commissioners on questions and considerations they want incorporated into the project’s scope of work and public engagement process. As part of this potential update, staff will focus on adjusting uses in existing zoning districts pertaining to agricultural worker housing.

Background

Agricultural workers play an essential role in supporting Boulder County’s local food system. However, agricultural employers have consistently identified housing availability, affordability, and regulatory limitations as challenges to recruiting and retaining the workforce needed to sustain local agricultural operations.

While housing availability and affordability are influenced by many factors beyond the scope of land use regulations, Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting has a unique role in evaluating whether existing Land Use Code provisions adequately support the range of housing needs associated with agricultural operations in unincorporated Boulder County. Through this project, staff will explore whether targeted Code updates could help reduce regulatory barriers to agricultural worker housing while continuing to balance considerations related to public health and safety, infrastructure, environmental resources, and rural character.

Through research, review of existing regulations, and public outreach, the project will evaluate potential options for supporting agricultural worker housing. Information gathered throughout the process will help inform implementation considerations and any future recommendations brought forward by staff.

The anticipated timeline for this code update is as follows:

• BOCC Authorization Memo – March 3, 2026
• BOCC Work Session – May 5, 2026
• Code development and outreach: May – September 2026
• Finalize draft and publish staff report – October 2026
• Planning Commission Public Hearing – November 2026
• Board of County Commissioners Public Hearing – December 2026

Contact

Sabrina Torres
Sustainable Agriculture Community Outreach Planner II
720-564-2254
storres@bouldercounty.gov

Jack Sheehan
Long Range Planner I
720-564-2692
jsheehan@bouldercounty.gov