Westminster UDC - Public Review Version - Nov 2025

Chapter 2 establishes consistent provisions for numerical measurements and definitions for terms used in the UDC. Chapter 8, Procedures, is organized to reflect the steps in the development process in the chronological order they may occur when developing a site.

Zoning (Chapter 3) contains regulations for conventional zoning districts as well as Planned Unit Development and Specific Plan District. These regulations establish the uses permitted in each district. They also state which uses are allowed in limited situations and which are prohibited. Development standards for each conventional zoning district are also included. These standards may include limits on the maximum height, required setbacks, and lot coverage. Each of the proposed districts has a schedule of these standards. A summary schedule showing the permitted uses, conditional uses and specific use authorizations in all districts is presented in section 11-3-11. This schedule is referred to as the "Use Table."

Chapter 3 also includes regulations for specific uses and development types that apply in all zoning districts. Examples include Accessory Dwellings, Home Occupations, and Telecommunication Facilities. These uses may or may not be permitted in a particular zoning district, depending on how they are listed in the district under the Use Table in 11-3-11. The standards are designed to address issues that are raised by the particular use.

With allowed uses established in Chapter 3, the focus turns to site planning and infrastructure needed to serve a development, which is established in Chapter 4. Section 11-4-2 establishes standards for lot and block layout and works with zoning established in Chapter 3 and provisions in chapter 4 related to site design and infrastructure to understand how to lay out a site for future development. Most development patterns will have multiple formats to choose from, such a retail may take the form of a main street or a retail center. Chapter 4 also formalizes provisions for multimodal infrastructure to include pedestrians, bicycles, and cars through appropriate site design and circulation patterns that minimize travel distances for all users.

Chapter 5 establishes standards and guidelines for the built environment that contribute to the City’s character through building design, materials, colors, roof designs, and transitions in scale. In addition to provisions for residential, mixed-use, and commercial development, this chapter also establishes avenues for adaptive reuse of existing structures in Section 11-5-6.

The standards for land development are consolidated in Development Standards (Chapter 7). Example topics include landscaping, lighting, parking, park/open space, and fences. Landscaping requirements are set forth in 11-7-1 through 11-7-6, including site landscaping, buffering, and planting requirements. Parking including the schedule of minimum vehicle and bicycle parking spaces for each land use, is set forth in sections 11-7-9 through 11-7-15.

Procedures (Chapter 8) tells the reader how to obtain approval including criteria, approving authority and appeal provisions. This chapter provides information on the city's administrative framework and procedures that relate to land use and development standards. Sections 11-8-2 and 11-8-3 provide general information about the application process, public hearings, and notification. 11-8-5 and 11-8-6 describe the Comprehensive Plan adoption and amendment processes. 11-8-13 and 11-8-15 describe the Preliminary Development Plan and Official Development Plan procedures, which are required for most types of new development.

The numbering system is consistent with the system used throughout the City's Code of Ordinances. Each section and subsection are keyed to the title and chapter as follows:

When a reference is to text outside of the same section, the reference number starts with the title number (that is, 11), and continues to the appropriate level for the reference. For example, 11-4-4 (D) refers to subsection (D) of Section 4 in Chapter 4 of Title 11. The names "UDC" and "title" are used if the reference is to the entire ordinance or title.

Within the section. When a reference is to text within the same section, the name of subsection, paragraph, or sub-paragraph, as appropriate, is used, and the reference "number" starts with the appropriate subsection letter. For example, "See subsection (b)(2), below" refers to paragraph 2, of subsection (b), of the same section of the UDC.

Purpose Statements. Some sections include a purpose statement that summarizes the comprehensive plan policies that the section is designed to implement, other relevant public policies, and fact-findings governing the section. These purpose statements provide the basis for the development standards, but are not standards. In other words, an application for approval of a development cannot be denied because of a conflict with the purpose statement. However, an application will be denied where it conflicts with the standards.

The UDC encourages public participation for established neighborhoods. In addition to various zoning and development standards intended to promote compatibility and ensure thoughtful transitions between new uses and established residential neighborhoods the UDC formalizes the role of neighborhoods in the development process.  Section 11-8-3 establishes procedures for contacting neighborhoods adjacent to a development proposal. And, notice requirements are established which go beyond the minimum requirements of state statutes in order to inform the public about pending applications (section 11-8-3).

To determine the regulations of the UDC applicable to a site, the reader must first find the site on the Comprehensive Plan map. The map will show the land use designation that is applied to the site. In most cases there are associated requirements for density, floor-area ratio, a generalized list of allowed uses and building types. 

The reader should then look up all the corresponding regulations. Start with the zoning districts (in Chapter 3). The zoning districts state whether a use is allowed by right, allowed as a conditional use or specific use, or prohibited. The dimensional standards of each district contain the setback and building height standards that apply to the uses that are allowed. The Use Table in 11-3-11 is organized by category (for example, commercia or industrial) rather than specific types of business. In addition, the reader should consult the Use Regulations (11-3-13 through 11-3-21) to determine if additional requirements apply to the use in question.

Finally, although a zoning district may allow a use, a specific site may be subject to additional limitations depending on the Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan supersedes the regulations of the zoning district and may affect the uses allowed and conditions required, so the Plan should also be consulted.

It is important to note that the zoning-related regulations do not apply to the unincorporated areas of Adams or Jefferson Counties which adjoin Westminster. An applicant may choose to request annexation into the City in accordance with state law.

Each section of Procedures (Chapter 8) contains a permitting process includes a subsection entitled "Applicability." This subsection describes the situations where a particular process is needed. If the section applies, the reader should then consult the following subsections, which describe how an application is initiated, how an application is processed, the criteria for review, and cross-references to other parts of the UDC. In addition, most sections have a subsection entitled "Scope of Approval" which describes the rights granted to an applicant by the issuance of approval of the permit. Keep in mind that not all permits entitle an applicant to begin construction. In fact, most simply permit an applicant to proceed to the next step in the approval process.