Regulation Updates

Regulation Amendments

Short-Term Rental Regulation Update Community Meeting

There is a Virtual Community Meeting to discuss the Short-Term Rental Regulation Updates scheduled for Thursday, June 30, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.

A Short-Term Rental is currently defined in the Jefferson County Zoning Resolution as: a single family detached dwelling or portion thereof that contains not more than 5 bedrooms, that is used for, or advertised and available for use for, accommodations or lodging of guests paying a fee or other compensation, for a period of fewer than 30 consecutive days.

Agenda for the June 30th meeting:

  • An overview of current regulations
  • A discussion of the aspects of a poorly run Short-Term Rental
  • A discussion of the aspects of a well run Short-Term Rental
  • Regulations that could be implemented to ensure a well run Short-Term Rental

Please come to the meeting with constructive ideas that will help us with the regulation update.

Questions? Contact us here.

Join the meeting on our Community Meetings web page.

Proposed Land Disturbance Revisions to the Zoning Resolution and the Land Development Regulation

Case Number: 21-109265AM
Case Manager: Nathan Seymour

The following summarizes the proposed changes to Section 16 of the Zoning Resolution and Section 17 of the Land Development Regulation. 

Changes to Section 16 of the Zoning Resolution:

  • Incorporation of Section 17 of the Land Development Regulation
  • General housekeeping including reorganization of sections and minor changes for clarity
  • Removal of K Factor evaluation when determining what type of Land Disturbance Permit is required
  • Addition of the requirement for a permit when stockpiling material. 
  • Addition of the process steps and processing timeframes for the Notice of Intent
  • The addition of infiltration testing requirements to be included within the Soil/Geologic Investigation Report
  • Clarification on what would be required when an engineer would like to grade or is proposing activities within 7 feet of the property

Changes to Section 17 of the Land Development Regulation:

  • Removal of Section 17 in its entirety. The applicable regulations have been incorporated into Section 16 of the Zoning Resolution. 

The proposed regulation changes with red-marks are below:

Please email us with any questions by Thursday, July 21, 2022.

Proposed Wildfire Regulation Updates

Case Number: 22-104558AM

Jefferson County Planning & Zoning is proposing a Regulation Amendment pertaining to:

  • Zoning Resolution Section 15 - Landscaping
  • Zoning Resolution Section 39 - Wildfire Hazard Overlay District
  • Transportation Design and Construction Manual - Chapter 3 Design and Technical Criteria

This regulation update includes a change to the title of Section 39, a time limit on Defensible Space permits, additional language regarding drought resistant plantings and maintenance, and modifications to the driveway and private street/road standards.

Red-marked PDF drafts can be found linked below and in the online case folder (22-104558AM).

These updates are part of a multi-phased process of changes to County regulations regarding Wildfire. Additional changes will be proposed with future phases as the County updates its Community Wildfire Protection Plan and works with subject matter experts on Defensible Space standards. 

We are very interested in any comments that you or your agency may have with these proposed changes. Please email comments to us by Thursday, June 30, 2022.

If you have any questions, please contact us here.

Approved Fence and Shed Regulation Revisions

Case No. 22-102291AM

In an effort to increase efficiencies for residents and staff, Planning and Zoning has changed how fences and mini-structures/sheds are reviewed in unincorporated Jefferson County. There have also been changes to the side setback requirement for the Residential-One (R-1) zone district. These changes were approved by the Board of County Commissioners on May 10, 2022.

  1. There is no longer a requirement for a Fence Permit in unincorporated Jefferson County.
  2. There is no longer a requirement for a Miscellaneous Permit for mini-structures/sheds up to 200 square feet in unincorporated Jefferson County.
  3. The new side setback requirement in the Residential-One (R-1) zone district has changed from 15 feet to a 5-foot minimum on each side, but a combined setback of 15 feet. 

The regulation changes with red-marks are below:
Section 2 – General Provisions and Regulations
Section 19 – Accessory Uses
Section 30 – Residential District

Proposed Revisions to the Zoning Resolution Section 37 – Floodplain Overlay District

Case No. 21-104859AM
Case Managers: Patrick O’Connell and Lindsey Wire

The following summarizes the proposed changes to the Zoning Resolution  Section 37 – Floodplain Overlay District.

  • Update the Flood Insurance Study date for Jefferson County to August 2, 2022.
  • General Housekeeping including reorganization of sections and minor changes for clarity
  • Clarify that new Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) shall be located outside of the SFHA or Jefferson County Designated Floodplain and requirements for replacement or repair of existing OWTS located within the SFHA or Jefferson County Designated Floodplain.
  • Addition of a No-Impact Certification – Standardized Form
  • Addition of a No-Rise Certification for development in Floodway – Standardized Form
  • Addition of a Manufactured Home Certification – Standardized Form
  • Clarify that at grade or below grade utility work requires a Minor Floodplain Development Permit.
  • Removal of the revision to allow the Board of County Commissioners to make changes to the Overlay District boundaries through a rezoning.  This process does not get used and can be done at a Staff level.

The proposed regulation changes with red-marks are linked here: Section 37 – Floodplain Overlay District Regulation Changes

Hearings 

The Floodplain Overlay District Regulation updates were presented at the following hearings:

  • Planning Commission
    • Wednesday, June 8, 2022
    • The Commission voted to support the regulation update.
  • Board of County Commissioners
    • Tuesday, June 28, 2022
    • The Board voted to support the regulation update, minus the changes to section O, which will be revised and discussed at a later hearing.

Please  contact us with any questions.

Notification

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Previous Changes to the Regulations