City & County of Broomfield

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ'S)

Frequently Asked Questions for the Planning Division

On November 15, 2001 the City of Broomfield became the City and County of Broomfield. The land that makes up the City and County was annexed from Adams, Boulder, Jefferson, and Weld counties. Some of the parcels that were annexed retained the the county zoning that existed prior to annexation. These properties follow the zoning regulations of Broomfield, as well as the four legacy counties (Adams, Boulder, Jefferson and Weld). In order to determine the zoning of your property, enter your address into the Parcel Search found here (Link). If you scroll down the left side, you will find the zoning designation for your property. This will be R-1, A-1, I-2, PUD, etc.

If there is an (A) after the zoning code, go to the Adams County Zoning Regulations.

If there is a (B) after the zoning code, go to the Boulder County Zoning Regulations.

If there is a (J) after the zoning code, go to the Jefferson County Zoning Regulations.

If there is a (W) after the zoning code, go to the Weld County Zoning Regulations.

If there is no ( ) designation after the zoning code, then go to the Broomfield Municipal Code.

To find these codes, go to the link below and scroll down until you find to correct zoning code listed on the left side of the page. Click on the appropriate zoning code and start your search.

http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/planning/

BUSINESS SIGNS

1. What are the requirements for a commercial or industrial sign?

A business owners guide to commercial and industrial signs

TEMPORARY COMMERCIAL SIGNS

1. How do I obtain approval for a temporary commercial sign?

Temporary Commercial Sign Handout

ZONING

1. How do I find out the zoning on my property?

Follow the link below and click on the address search. Enter the address of the property and click: submit. Then click on the Parcel ID which will display information about the property. Scroll down until you find the Zoning.
http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/maps/ims.shtml

2. What does the zoning of my property mean?

OS – Open Space District

A-1 – Agricultural District

RR – Rural Residential District

E-1 – Estate District

E-2 – Estate District

E-3 – Estate District

R-1 – Low Density Residential District

R-3 – Medium Density Residential District

R-5 – High-Density Residential District

B-1 – Limited Business District

B-2 – General Business District

I-1 – Limited Industrial District

I-2 – General Industrial District

GA – General Aviation District

PUD – Planned Unit Development District

§ A PUD plan on file specifies the allowable uses on a property

R(PUD) – PUD District with only Residential uses

B(PUD) – PUD District with only Business uses

I(PUD) – PUD District with only Industrial uses

3. Can I run a business out of my home?

For information on a home based family child care business, follow the link below.

Family child care business handout.

If your property is zoned under the Broomfield Zoning Code, follow the link below.

Home based business handout.

If your property is zoned under the Adams, Boulder, Jefferson or Weld Legacy County zoning, then follow the link below and scroll down until you find the link to the appropriate zoning regulations found on the left side of the page. Then go to the permitted uses section for your zone district.

http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/planning/

4. How many farm animals can I have on my property?

This depends on your zone district. Follow the link below to find your zone district (ex. R-1) and then go to the appropriate Zoning Code (Broomfield, Adams, Boulder, Jefferson, and Weld), where you can find thee allowed number of farm animals for your property.

http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/planning/

5. What kinds of household pets are allowed, and how many can I keep on my property?

This depends on your zone district. Follow the link below in order to find your zone district (ex. R-1) and then go to the appropriate Zoning Code (Broomfield, Adams, Boulder, Jefferson, and Weld), where you can find the allowed number of farm animals for your property.

http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/planning/

6. How many unrelated people can live in a household?

http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/planning/

7. Can I keep a trash dumpster on my residential property?

Currently there is no permit process in place for keeping a trash dumpster on a residential property. We feel that if a resident has a need for a trash dumpster and can maintain it in a way such that no neighbors or other Broomfield resident finds it to be a nuisance, then there should be no reason for a dumpster to be unallowable. We encourage residents to keep their dumpsters towards the back of there lots and only bring them out on the day of trash collection (which should minimize the visibility from the street). If a dumpster becomes a nuisance the City and County will then step in to help eliminate the nuisance.

8. Can I subdivide my property?

This depends on the size of your property and the zone district. To find your zone district follow the link found in number 1. Then contact the planning division.

9. Do I need a permit if I am just changing the lettering on an existing sign?

You do not need a permit to change the lettering on an existing sign.

To answer any other sign questions follow the link below:

http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/code/_data/title17/Chapter_17_44_Sign_Code/index.html

10. What is a Variance, and how do I get one?

Variance means a grant of relief from the requirements of your zone district which permits construction in a manner that would otherwise be prohibited by your zone district.

To apply for a variance you must contact the building department at 303-438-6370.

11. What is a legal non-conforming use?

A legal non-conforming use is an existing use that has been accepted even though it does not conform to the zoning regulations for the district that it is a part of.

GENERAL

12. What are your hours, and who is on your staff?

HOURS:

Monday – Friday

8am – 5pm

STAFF:

Anna Bertanzetti	abertanzetti@ci.broomfield.co.us
Arne Carlson	acarlson@ci.broomfield.co.us
Lynn Merwin	lmerwin@ci.broomfield.co.us
Michael Sutherland	msutherland@ci.broomfield.co.us
Tony Atencio	tatencio@ci.broomfield.co.us
Diana Tangsrud	dtangsrud@ci.broomfield.co.us

13. Where is the Broomfield Planning Division located?

The planning division is located in the Community Development Department at:

One DesCombes Drive

Broomfield, CO 80020

Follow the link below to see a map:

http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/maps/directionsdiamap.shtml

14. How do I find out the legal description, size and parcel identification number on my property?

Information about properties located within Broomfield can be found by entering the property address into the parcel search. Use the link below:

http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/maps/ims.shtml

15. Can I find out who owns a particular property?

Information about properties located within Broomfield can be found by entering the property address into the parcel search. Use the link below:

http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/maps/ims.shtml

16. I want to develop/build on my lot, what is required?

To find out the uses that are allowed on your property by right, you will have to first figure out the zoning for your property. This can be done by following the link found in number 1.

Once you know the zoning on your property you can follow the link below and scroll down until you find to correct zoning code listed on the left side of the page. Click on the appropriate zoning code and look for the section labeled Permitted uses; by right.

If your project is listed in the permitted uses; by right, then you can proceed by filling out an Application for Development Review and bringing it into the Planning Division. A printable copy of this application is available by following the link below:

http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/planning/development/application.pdf

17. What is planned for the area around my house?

The following link will take you to the Master Plan page where there is a link to view the Master Plan map. On this map you can see the planned uses for the land in Broomfield.

http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/planning/masterplan/index.shtml

The link below will take you to the map of current development projects. Here you can click on the red and purple dots to read a summary of the project in that area.

http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/planning/Current_Projects/index.shtml

18. Who enforces the building, zoning, and sign codes?

Broomfield Police Department – Community Resources Division – Code Compliance Unit / Municipal Ordinances with the assistance of the Planning Division

19. How and to whom do I report a code violation to?

Contact the Code Compliance Unit (Police) - 303-438-6400 (or Code Complaint Line - 303-438-6478)

20. Do I need a building permit for my project?

The answer is most likely yes, but if you follow the link below and click on the “Do I need a building permit for my project?” you can look at a chart of common projects that need permits.

http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/building/faqs&ans.shtml#building%20permit

21. How does the planning/development review process work?

http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/planning/FAQ/development_process.pdf

22. How long is the planning/development process, or how long does it take to get this project approved?

The following link will take you an estimated development timeline:

http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/planning/development/Timeline.pdf

23. What is an Urban Renewal Plan and a Sub-Area Plan?

Urban Renewal Plan: A plan that updates and revitalizes a property from its current state.

Sub-Area Plan: A plan that sets up parameters on a particular property so that it can be redeveloped.

24. What is the population of the City/County of Broomfield? September 2004 Population (Broomfield Planning)>46,500

25. What are Broomfield’s boundaries?

The following link will take you to a map of the Broomfield boundaries:

http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/maps/boundary.shtml

26. How big is Broomfield? Square Miles of City and County (2004)>33.6

27. What are the school districts in Broomfield?

The following link will take you to a map of the different school districts within Broomfield:

http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/maps/schooldistricts.shtml

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

28. How tall can I make my fence, and does it have to be a particular style?

Fences are regulated by the zoning on a particular property as well as the Site Development Plan for a particular subdivision. Follow the link found in number 1. to find the zoning on your property as well as the name of your subdivision. Then call the Planning Division at (303) 438-6284 and one of the planners can tell you the requirements for your particular subdivision.

29. Can I put a fence in my front yard?

You must first be approved for a permit. Please contact the Building Division at 303-438-6370 or the Planning Division at (303) 438-6284 for questions about fence permits.

30. What are setbacks, and how do I find out what the setbacks are on my property?

Setbacks depend on the zoning for a particular property. A setback is the distance between a structure and the property line. Setbacks vary depending upon how the property is zoned. Please check the zoning map to find the zoning for your property at:

http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/maps/boundary.shtml

Then find the requirements for that zone district at:

http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/code/data/title17/index.html

For PUD Zone Districts, the setbacks for your property can be found on the Site Development Plan for your subdivision. Site Development Plans are kept in the Planning Division and if you come in to the Planning Division you can look at the Site Development Plan with one of the planners to find the setback requirements for your property.

For Legacy zoning codes:

Look up the zoning for your house on the parcel search by using the link found in number 1. and then go to your Zone District (ex. R-1) in the appropriate code found at http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/planning/ to find your setback requirements.

31. The landscaping in my neighborhood is not being kept up, what do I do?

· For private or HOA owned properties, contact the HOA or if the property is in a PUD zone district contact the Planning Division to find out the Site Development Plan requirements.

· For smaller landscaping requests, less than $2500, on public property, right of ways, etc., link to our Neighborhood Grant page:

http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/cip/NGP.shtml

These requests require neighborhood participation in the actual labor. However, the way this program is budgeted, we can usually fund projects very quickly.

· For larger requests, link to:

http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/cip/request.shtml

This is usually used for large scale requests. By submitting an application, the citizen (or whoever) is submitting a request to be reviewed by the responsible committee (i.e. CIP, OSTAC, TAC…depending on the nature of the request) Once approved by the committee, these requests will be placed in the 5-year budget for possible future funding.

32. Can I build a deck on my house?

In order to build a deck on your house you must first get a permit. Approval of a permit will depend on if your zone district and your Site Development Plan will allow for a deck on your property.

33. Can I convert my garage into a living space?

The answer is most likely no. This is because of off-street parking requirements within the zoning districts. Refer to the zoning code for your property. You can find the zoning for your property by following the directions in number 1.

34. How can I find out about adding an addition onto my house?

Contact the Building Division at 303-438-6370. For general information please follow the link below to the Building Division website:

http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/building/index.shtml

35. What is the Land Use Review Commission?

The Land Use Review Commission serves as an advisory board on land use matters. Land Use Review Commissioners are appointed by the City Council to review development applications, and research land use issues. The Commission bases their recommendations on the goals and standards set out in the master plan and the subdivision and zoning codes.

Contact the Planning Division at: (303) 438-6284 with any other questions.