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In observation of the Juneteenth Day holiday, all County offices will be closed on Friday, June 19, 2026. Offices will reopen for regular hours on Monday, June 22. Many County services are available 24/7 on our Online Services webpage.

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Planning

Planning Information

Community Development manages various processes that may affect how you use property, apply to do something with a property, or to get involved in the public process. Below are links to information on many of those processes and how to engage with the County. If you do not see what you need or have any questions, then please contact us at 303-660-7460, or [email protected].

NOTICE: Douglas County Planning does not charge “Approval” fees. Douglas County communicates through our official email accounts ending in @douglasco.gov; beware of phishing scams using similar addresses. If you have questions or concerns about the validity of an email or invoice, please call our Public Outreach and Assistance team at 303-660-7460 or email [email protected].

Helpful Information

Planning Services Project Records Online Comprehensive Master Plan

General Information

Development Review Fees

A schedule of the fees associated with submitting and processing a land use application.

Land Use Application

Form required with most property use and subdivision applications.

Presubmittal Request

A pre-submittal review meeting is required before submitting most land use applications.

Public Meetings and Hearings

A guide to participating in Planning Commission public hearings.

Water Resources

Information on aquifers, domestic wells, rural water, flood plains, rainwater collection, and the Water Alternatives Program.

Helpful Information

Douglas County Zoning Resolution Planned Development Guides Rural Living Outdoor Lighting

Property Use

Animals

Learn about the numbers and types of animals allowed on a property based on zoning and acreage.

Daycare

Guidance on establishing a home day care or commercial day care center.

Location & Extent

The site development process for public utilities and other public facilities.

Planned Development

A zone district intended to facilitate innovative design and a mix of uses on a property.

Rezoning

The process for changing the zone district designation of a property.

Seasonal Use

Checklist and application form to apply for a Seasonal Use Permit.

Short-Term Rental (“STR”) Licenses

An STR license is required to lease a residence for less than 30 consecutive days.

Sign Code

A permit is required prior to installing of most signs to ensure adherence to the Zoning Resolution.

Site Improvement Plan

Required for new, or changes to, many business, industrial, non-profit, or multi-family uses.

Use by Special Review

The site development process for uses that require special conditions, management, or operations.

Variance

Request relief from certain site-specific requirements of the Zoning Resolution

Helpful Information

Douglas County Subdivision Resolution Addressing and Street Naming

Subdivision Information

Preliminary Plan

The first step in the standard two-step process to subdivide land into more than ten lots.

Final Plat

The final step in the standard two-step subdivision process.

Minor Development

A streamlined process to subdivide nonresidential, multi-family, or ten or fewer single-family lots.

Replat

A process for adding lots or tracts to, or otherwise modifying, a subdivision.

Lot Line or Easement Adjustment

A process for changing the boundaries of lots or easements without creating additional lots.

Lot Line or Easement Vacation

A process to remove a property line or easement from a lot.

Building Envelope Adjustment

A process to adjust the boundary of a building envelope located on a lot.