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City of Golden Zoning Code Update

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General Zoning & Subdivision Code Update - Phase 3

After approving different types of buildings (such as homes, shops, and mixed-use spaces) in Chapter 18.29, City Council wants to review how land is used, parking rules, and the steps you take to get things approved.

Office Hours: Have questions for Staff? Drop in for office hours, virtually or in-person.

  • Pending

Goal of Phase 3:

  • Streamlining Processes: We're putting all the steps you need to follow into one easy-to-find chapter.
  • Improving Approvals: We're changing some of the steps for getting big projects approved, like Planned Unit Developments (PUDs).
  • Making Things Clear: We're tuning the rules about how land can be used into a simple table, so it's easier to understand.
  • Listening to You: We're adding or changing rules based on what the community wants and needs, this includes expanding the mailed notice area.
  • Align the use table with parking standards.

Phase 3: Process, Procedures, and Notice

The Draft Chapter 18.10 for Process, Procedures, and Notice is heading to City Council for 1st Reading on November 19 and 2nd Reading tentatively scheduled for December 3 with a recommendation of approval from Planning Commission.

Staff has prepared a change matrix to help identify what is changing for process and notice as things move to Chapter 18.10.

The COG Modifications Post Procedures Public Input Draft 2024-09-20.pdf version reflects Staff's updated recommendation based on public feedback and guidance provided by DOLA regarding the 123 Affordable Housing Go! process. The revised chapter has a change log to help track how and why the draft has changed. Staff has also added a process map to depict how a complete application follows the process to receive a final decision within 90 days.

Contact konsager@cityofgolden.net with questions, comments, or concerns regarding the draft regulations or the project or to schedule a meeting.

Phase 3: Land Use Definitions Matrix

The Draft Chapter 18.28 with tables, standards, and accessory standards along with the Land-Use Definitions Matrix and Draft Parking Standards is ready for public review.

The matrix lists the land-use, land-use definition, proposed zone-districts where the use is allowed. The matrix is being reformatted to be organized by land-use category for better comparative review. The matrix is the primary document for public feedback on definitions and the Draft Chapter 18.28 should be the primary document for feedback on land-uses and standards.

Contact konsager@cityofgolden.net with questions, comments, or concerns regarding the draft regulations or the project or to schedule a meeting.

Project Timeline:

  • Drafting - April through July 2024: We're working with experts to organize the new rules, and plan to have a first draft ready.
  • Draft Feedback – July through August 2024: Residents will have a chance to give your thoughts on the first drafts posted here.
  • Targeted Feedback – Beginning July 2024: We'll talk with different groups and organizations to make sure we're making the right changes. We'll still be listening to you too. This will happen from July 2024 until we finish the public hearing process.
  • State Legislation - The Colorado legislature is considering a number of bills that may impact various components of Phase 3. Topics include ADUs, parking, housing around transit, and land-use approval processes. Staff is prepared to pivot and incorporate any new state law as they are potentially passed over the summer.
  • Public Hearing Process – October 2024: Public hearings will be held where Planning Commission will give their suggestions to the City Council for approval.

Group Homes:

Questions have come up regarding proposed changes regarding Group Homes in Phase 3.

Group Homes are licensed through the State and allow up to 8 persons. You can see Staff’s proposed definition in the Land Use Definition Matrix.

Group Homes are considered a residential use per C.R.S. 31-23-303 and must be allowed anywhere residential is allowed. Group Homes are generally a single-household residence that has been modified on the inside to accommodate the group living of certain individuals.

Group homes still have to meet all applicable zoning lot and development standards, building, and fire codes. Golden can regulate licensed Group Homes as long as those regulations do not result in a “tantamount prohibition of group homes.”

Group homes can be restricted by limiting the distance from another licensed group home. Locations can be further refined to located group homes with the availability of such services and facilities as convenience stores, commercial services, transportation, and public recreation facilities.

Groups homes are currently allowed “by-right” in some places and with a special use permit in others. There currently aren’t any additional standards for a group home. The City has not received an application for a group home in over 10 years. Staff is recommending Group Homes be allowed as a limited use which can be approved by the director administratively if they meet the following standards:

(a) No group home shall be located within 750 feet of another such Group Home as provided by C.R.S. 31-23-303.

(b) The Director may consider additional criteria allowed by C.R.S. 31-23-303 on an individual application basis.

(c) The Director may refer an application for final decision to the Planning Commission for consideration of any additional requirements permitted by C.R.S. 31-23-303. Such referral shall include evidence or findings with respect to such additional requirements and the public health, safety or welfare.

You can find some additional information regarding group home from AARP, Lakewood, and Arvada.



Image detailing mailed notices as detailed in text below.

Mailed Notice:

Golden is expanding mailed notices for public hearings.

500 feet to 750 feet

  • Notifying more people in Golden for public hearing items that may impact them, like rezonings, site development plans, and Special Use Permits.
  • Extending the notice by 250 feet can include over 140% or more addresses

100 feet to 250 feet for variances and adjustments.

  • Sometimes a public hearing item's impact is limited to more immediate neighbors. We are including more of those neighbors.

Track project status and comment here on Guiding Golden.

  • We are exploring ways to notify people of projects in their neighborhood through Guiding Golden

Email: Planning@CityofGolden.net

Check agendas and watch meetings at Cityofgolden.gov

Phase 2.5 Nonconformities

Phase 1 Residential Zoning Code-Approved May 24, 2022

Find all application materials on our Development Application Page. Want to check out projects in action? See the Planning Projects page for form zone site plans in process and approved.

Phase 2 Zoning Code drafts (March 2023)

The focus of this Phase 2 update was adding the Commercial and Mixed Use Form Zones to Chapter 18.29. However, there are also updates to the Residential Form Zones in 18.29 based on staff and Planning Commission’s use of this new zoning code over the past year.

In addition, there were a number of other updates to the code that were needed in other Chapters of the code that are impacted by the changes made to Chapter 18.29. A significant update to Title 17 (Subdivisions) was made to modernize the language and allow for form zone subdivisions. There were also significant updates to Chapters 18.40 and 18.28 to both incorporate the new form zone regulations and to delineate the legacy use zones that were not included in the form zone approach (AG, CO, RE, M1, M2 and PUD). Additional Chapters were updated to align procedures, add or update definitions, and add applicability statements. The Parking and Loading Requirements (Chapter 18.36) were updated to house nearly all of the parking regulations in one place in order to improve usability.

Commercial Form Type Case Studies

Since zoning codes are best described as reference books, and do not offer gripping narratives for cover to cover reading, Planning staff advises readers to first look at the Form Zone Map to determine which area of town you are interested in researching in order to find the corresponding “form zone” that applies to a given property or block. Once the form zone is noted, just click on Chapter 18.29 and go to the form zone table, found near the beginning of the chapter in 18.29.01.004 (page 4). With this table, you can use the form zone column to find all of the different “form types” available to be used there and where they are located within the code. Think of the form zone table as an index for what is found in the rest of this Chapter regarding development options. The form types are the types of buildings that can be constructed, and each form type has its own specific zoning restrictions for factors such as height, design requirements and even square footage allowances.

In order to see how zoning works, illustrating how a form zone might play out in a real scenario is often the best way to assess how development or redevelopment might come to life in Golden. Staff has chosen three form types in three form zones to test these outcomes:

Main Street B-Main Street Urban Wide Form Type

See how the code could potentially redevelop the northwestern corner of Ford and 13th Streets:

Main Street A-Main Street Wide Form Type

See how the code could potentially redevelop the southwestern corner of Arapahoe and 12th Streets:

Neighborhood Corridor-Mixed Use Building

See how the code could potentially redevelop the southeastern corner of Ford and 22nd Streets:

Phase 2 Planning Commission Hearing: April 5, 2023 6:30 p.m.

Recommendation of Approval to City Council.

City Council approved Phase 2 (Commercial Zoning) on June 6, 2023
1st Reading, May 9 | 2nd Reading, June 6

Don't Zone Out, Zone In!

Still can’t find what you need? Contact Karl Onsager at konsager@cityofgolden.net

General Zoning & Subdivision Code Update - Phase 3

After approving different types of buildings (such as homes, shops, and mixed-use spaces) in Chapter 18.29, City Council wants to review how land is used, parking rules, and the steps you take to get things approved.

Office Hours: Have questions for Staff? Drop in for office hours, virtually or in-person.

  • Pending

Goal of Phase 3:

  • Streamlining Processes: We're putting all the steps you need to follow into one easy-to-find chapter.
  • Improving Approvals: We're changing some of the steps for getting big projects approved, like Planned Unit Developments (PUDs).
  • Making Things Clear: We're tuning the rules about how land can be used into a simple table, so it's easier to understand.
  • Listening to You: We're adding or changing rules based on what the community wants and needs, this includes expanding the mailed notice area.
  • Align the use table with parking standards.

Phase 3: Process, Procedures, and Notice

The Draft Chapter 18.10 for Process, Procedures, and Notice is heading to City Council for 1st Reading on November 19 and 2nd Reading tentatively scheduled for December 3 with a recommendation of approval from Planning Commission.

Staff has prepared a change matrix to help identify what is changing for process and notice as things move to Chapter 18.10.

The COG Modifications Post Procedures Public Input Draft 2024-09-20.pdf version reflects Staff's updated recommendation based on public feedback and guidance provided by DOLA regarding the 123 Affordable Housing Go! process. The revised chapter has a change log to help track how and why the draft has changed. Staff has also added a process map to depict how a complete application follows the process to receive a final decision within 90 days.

Contact konsager@cityofgolden.net with questions, comments, or concerns regarding the draft regulations or the project or to schedule a meeting.

Phase 3: Land Use Definitions Matrix

The Draft Chapter 18.28 with tables, standards, and accessory standards along with the Land-Use Definitions Matrix and Draft Parking Standards is ready for public review.

The matrix lists the land-use, land-use definition, proposed zone-districts where the use is allowed. The matrix is being reformatted to be organized by land-use category for better comparative review. The matrix is the primary document for public feedback on definitions and the Draft Chapter 18.28 should be the primary document for feedback on land-uses and standards.

Contact konsager@cityofgolden.net with questions, comments, or concerns regarding the draft regulations or the project or to schedule a meeting.

Project Timeline:

  • Drafting - April through July 2024: We're working with experts to organize the new rules, and plan to have a first draft ready.
  • Draft Feedback – July through August 2024: Residents will have a chance to give your thoughts on the first drafts posted here.
  • Targeted Feedback – Beginning July 2024: We'll talk with different groups and organizations to make sure we're making the right changes. We'll still be listening to you too. This will happen from July 2024 until we finish the public hearing process.
  • State Legislation - The Colorado legislature is considering a number of bills that may impact various components of Phase 3. Topics include ADUs, parking, housing around transit, and land-use approval processes. Staff is prepared to pivot and incorporate any new state law as they are potentially passed over the summer.
  • Public Hearing Process – October 2024: Public hearings will be held where Planning Commission will give their suggestions to the City Council for approval.

Group Homes:

Questions have come up regarding proposed changes regarding Group Homes in Phase 3.

Group Homes are licensed through the State and allow up to 8 persons. You can see Staff’s proposed definition in the Land Use Definition Matrix.

Group Homes are considered a residential use per C.R.S. 31-23-303 and must be allowed anywhere residential is allowed. Group Homes are generally a single-household residence that has been modified on the inside to accommodate the group living of certain individuals.

Group homes still have to meet all applicable zoning lot and development standards, building, and fire codes. Golden can regulate licensed Group Homes as long as those regulations do not result in a “tantamount prohibition of group homes.”

Group homes can be restricted by limiting the distance from another licensed group home. Locations can be further refined to located group homes with the availability of such services and facilities as convenience stores, commercial services, transportation, and public recreation facilities.

Groups homes are currently allowed “by-right” in some places and with a special use permit in others. There currently aren’t any additional standards for a group home. The City has not received an application for a group home in over 10 years. Staff is recommending Group Homes be allowed as a limited use which can be approved by the director administratively if they meet the following standards:

(a) No group home shall be located within 750 feet of another such Group Home as provided by C.R.S. 31-23-303.

(b) The Director may consider additional criteria allowed by C.R.S. 31-23-303 on an individual application basis.

(c) The Director may refer an application for final decision to the Planning Commission for consideration of any additional requirements permitted by C.R.S. 31-23-303. Such referral shall include evidence or findings with respect to such additional requirements and the public health, safety or welfare.

You can find some additional information regarding group home from AARP, Lakewood, and Arvada.



Image detailing mailed notices as detailed in text below.

Mailed Notice:

Golden is expanding mailed notices for public hearings.

500 feet to 750 feet

  • Notifying more people in Golden for public hearing items that may impact them, like rezonings, site development plans, and Special Use Permits.
  • Extending the notice by 250 feet can include over 140% or more addresses

100 feet to 250 feet for variances and adjustments.

  • Sometimes a public hearing item's impact is limited to more immediate neighbors. We are including more of those neighbors.

Track project status and comment here on Guiding Golden.

  • We are exploring ways to notify people of projects in their neighborhood through Guiding Golden

Email: Planning@CityofGolden.net

Check agendas and watch meetings at Cityofgolden.gov

Phase 2.5 Nonconformities

Phase 1 Residential Zoning Code-Approved May 24, 2022

Find all application materials on our Development Application Page. Want to check out projects in action? See the Planning Projects page for form zone site plans in process and approved.

Phase 2 Zoning Code drafts (March 2023)

The focus of this Phase 2 update was adding the Commercial and Mixed Use Form Zones to Chapter 18.29. However, there are also updates to the Residential Form Zones in 18.29 based on staff and Planning Commission’s use of this new zoning code over the past year.

In addition, there were a number of other updates to the code that were needed in other Chapters of the code that are impacted by the changes made to Chapter 18.29. A significant update to Title 17 (Subdivisions) was made to modernize the language and allow for form zone subdivisions. There were also significant updates to Chapters 18.40 and 18.28 to both incorporate the new form zone regulations and to delineate the legacy use zones that were not included in the form zone approach (AG, CO, RE, M1, M2 and PUD). Additional Chapters were updated to align procedures, add or update definitions, and add applicability statements. The Parking and Loading Requirements (Chapter 18.36) were updated to house nearly all of the parking regulations in one place in order to improve usability.

Commercial Form Type Case Studies

Since zoning codes are best described as reference books, and do not offer gripping narratives for cover to cover reading, Planning staff advises readers to first look at the Form Zone Map to determine which area of town you are interested in researching in order to find the corresponding “form zone” that applies to a given property or block. Once the form zone is noted, just click on Chapter 18.29 and go to the form zone table, found near the beginning of the chapter in 18.29.01.004 (page 4). With this table, you can use the form zone column to find all of the different “form types” available to be used there and where they are located within the code. Think of the form zone table as an index for what is found in the rest of this Chapter regarding development options. The form types are the types of buildings that can be constructed, and each form type has its own specific zoning restrictions for factors such as height, design requirements and even square footage allowances.

In order to see how zoning works, illustrating how a form zone might play out in a real scenario is often the best way to assess how development or redevelopment might come to life in Golden. Staff has chosen three form types in three form zones to test these outcomes:

Main Street B-Main Street Urban Wide Form Type

See how the code could potentially redevelop the northwestern corner of Ford and 13th Streets:

Main Street A-Main Street Wide Form Type

See how the code could potentially redevelop the southwestern corner of Arapahoe and 12th Streets:

Neighborhood Corridor-Mixed Use Building

See how the code could potentially redevelop the southeastern corner of Ford and 22nd Streets:

Phase 2 Planning Commission Hearing: April 5, 2023 6:30 p.m.

Recommendation of Approval to City Council.

City Council approved Phase 2 (Commercial Zoning) on June 6, 2023
1st Reading, May 9 | 2nd Reading, June 6

Don't Zone Out, Zone In!

Still can’t find what you need? Contact Karl Onsager at konsager@cityofgolden.net

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