Land Use Code

Boulder County Land Use Code

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.

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.

• Document (view or download): Boulder County Land Use Code (Updated August 22, 2024)
• Webpage: Land Use Code Updates

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