Jeffco’s Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners will review the county’s zoning and development regulations, called the Unified Land Use Code, at two upcoming public hearings. One of the proposed changes that would most affect Applewood is a move to allow duplexes on lots in unincorporated Jeffco that are zoned R-1.
From Jeffco’s ULUC website:
Current (Zoning Resolution and Land Development Regulation)
Under current rules, most neighborhoods have limited housing options.
Most residential zones (R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, RR zones, SR zones) only allow single-family homes.
Duplexes (two homes in one building) are only allowed in a few zones — R-2, R-3, MR-2, and MR-3.
Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) — small secondary homes like an apartment above a garage — require a minimum lot size of 7,500 square feet.
Proposed (New ULUC)
The ULUC opens the door to more housing types in more places.
Creation of new R-1D zone district with a smaller minimum lot size of 1,200 square feet.
Duplexes allowed in more residential zones that previously only allowed single-family homes, including R-1, R-1A, R-1B, and R-1C.
Triplexes allowed on lots of at least 12,500 square feet in the R-2 zone district and continue to be allowed in the R-3 zone district.
ADUs continue to be allowed in all residential and agricultural zone districts but the minimum 7,500 square feet lot size restriction is removed.
The property owner must live in either the main house or the ADU.
ADU size is limited — for example, a detached ADU on a lot under 12,500 sq ft can be up to 600 sq ft or 40% of the main house (whichever is less).
Only one ADU is allowed per property.
The ADU must use the same driveway as the main house and have one additional parking space.
You can see West Applewood on the county’s ULUC Residential Increases map.
Other proposed changes to the ULUC include altering the approval process for smaller subdivisions of 12 or fewer lots. The proposal suggests staff reviews the application and notifies the public, but the decision is made administratively and may not require a public hearing. Additionally, the ULUC maintains the county’s new wildfire defensible space requirements for applicable new construction such as new buildings, building additions, new decks, and deck replacements.
Upcoming Hearings
Unified Land Use Code Planning Commission Hearing: Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 6:15 pm. Materials, meeting link and more info are available here. Public comment can be delivered in person or virtually.
Board of County Commissioners Hearing: Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 9:00 am. Same link for materials, info and meeting link.
