The Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting (CP&P) department actively promotes the preservation of the integrity of our landscape, the conservation of natural resources for a sustainable future, and the provision of safety and well-being for the citizens of Boulder County through the best in service, public policy, and process.
The department provides transportation planning and programming, transit services, regional trains, development review, comprehensive planning, building permits,mapping services, zoning enforcement, wildfire mitigation programs and funding, and flood protection and planning, and monitors legislative activity related to these activities for unincorporated Boulder County.
To provide equitable and accessible programs, project and services that support safe and resilient communities.
Vision Statement
We at Community Planning and & Permitting are a responsive, collaborative, and community-focused department that engages with all to provide efficient, effective, and accessible policies, programs, and services.
Guiding Principles
Community-Focused – We are responsive and dedicated to providing accessible information and ensuring safety by developing and implementing policies and programs that encourage understanding, are responsive, foster transparency, and build trust with communities.
Adaptive and Prepared – We are forward thinkers that look for new and innovative ways to prepare for, mitigate, and respond to risks and challenges that communities may face.
Resilient – We seek to understand and recognize community needs, and improve existing systems to provide the flexibility and options necessary to cultivate progress, adaption, and recovery within the organization and the community.
Engaged and Inclusive – We strive to reach all those impacted by decisions in Boulder County by creating a diverse, welcoming, and supportive environment that fosters belonging and ongoing dialogue, empowers all to participate, share ideas, be heard, and build meaningful relationships through innovative engagement.
Stewardship – We protect and preserve natural, historic, and cultural resources for the protection and enjoyment of all.
Permitting, Licensing and Building Safety & Inspection
This division ensures continued adoption and administration of the Boulder County Building Code, including issuance of Building Permits and provision of building inspections. The team works with 23 independent Fire Protection Districts to assist in the adoption and administration of their Fire Codes. They also assist with the administration of a wide variety of permits and processes of other county agencies such as Public Health, Public Works including their Floodplain and Zoning divisions, and Wildfire Partners. They provide leadership both locally and nationally for sustainable and energy-efficient construction practices, and strive to provide the best in public service while protecting the safety, health, and general welfare of the community within the built environment.
As part of the 2020 county reorganization, several new functional areas were added to this division, such as the county’s Marijuana and Liquor Licensing. In directing this area, the division helps ensure the safety and compliance of these businesses in the unincorporated areas of the county.
Floodplain planning and permitting is also included as part of the permitting operations. The team helps ensure compliance with FEMA floodplain requirements. Our successful program helps ensure we receive a high community rating, which helps lower floodplain insurance rates for residents across the county.
Special events permitting works within the permitting umbrella. Staff processes permits for special events on county Rights-of-Way (ROW). The division attempts to reduce impacts on surrounding areas, and coordinates with Sheriff, Fire Districts, county road operations, impacted residents and other agencies to ensure events are safe. The team also includes a ROW and property acquisition specialist, who conducts property ownership research and makes determinations on ROW for the county.
Code Compliance and Public Information
This team works with property owners in Boulder County to provide guidance to landowners and residents regarding the Boulder County Land Use Code. The workgroup meets with customers to clarify the Code, reviews building permits for Code compliance, and addresses complaints regarding violations of the Code. They support the implementation of the Code through education, outreach, and compliance review for county residents. There is a specific agricultural outreach planner on this team, whose entire role is to work closely with the agricultural community.
Development Review
This team reviews the impacts of development proposals: single-family residences, additions, outbuildings, etc., and their uses of properties in unincorporated Boulder County. The team meets with property owners and agents to educate them on Boulder County policies, outline the process, and explain the review criteria before conducting an evaluation of each proposal. The team works with the Building division to issue permits for approved projects. Their goal is to support thoughtful and sensitive development in unincorporated Boulder County. Members of the team also assess projects for compliance with the Boulder County Multimodal Transportation Standards.
Long-Range Planning and Policy
This group is responsible for maintaining, implementing and assisting with interpretation of the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan (BCCP) and Land Use Code. They partner with municipalities on intergovernmental agreements aimed at managing county growth and development. They also provide input and analytic support related to annexations and development proposals, and lead Land Use Code change processes. The team collaborates with staff from other departments on projects related to resiliency, hazard mitigation and more, while also serving as representatives of Boulder County in the Denver Regional Council on Governments (DRCOG) in areas relating to regional growth management. The Historic Preservation Program and Transferrable Development Rights (TDR) Program are also part of this team’s scope. The team is committed to preserving the integrity of our landscape, to the conservation of natural resources for a sustainable future, and to the provision of safety and well-being to the citizens of Boulder County through the best in service, public policy, and process.
Transportation Planning
The CP&P Transportation Planning division is responsible for multimodal transportation planning, Mobility for All and Youth Transportation programs, regional trails, and operations of transit services within Boulder County. The Transportation Planning staff collaborate with multiple county departments and agency partners, and the community to develop, implement, manage, and monitor progress with achieving the county’s Transportation Master Plan goals.
Systems
This division serves the needs of the Community Planning and Permitting department, the county, and the public by providing specialized expertise in spatial information and technology; developing innovative and creative processes; creating and maintaining accessible records; and supporting informed CP&P decision-making.
Wildfire Mitigation
Wildfire Partners is the county’s wildfire mitigation program that includes implementation of 1) the relevant regulatory requirements in the Boulder County Land Use and Building Codes, and 2) voluntary wildfire mitigation efforts. Wildfire Partners serves as a national model for preparing homeowners for future wildfires. In addition to county funding, Wildfire Partners receives state and federal grants to be able to provide more services to more residents. Wildfire Partners is a large, comprehensive program that includes on-site assessments, phone advising, financial assistance, inspections, certification, re-certification, chipping events, education, marketing, and much more. Since homeowners participate in the program as long as they live in their homes, Wildfire Partners uses Salesforce, a customer relationship management platform, along with other tools and technologies, to help with the administration of the program. Launched in 2014, the program has more than 3,200 participants and more joining every year, In 2022, the team implemented a Plains Pilot Project as a first step in expanding the county’s wildfire mitigation efforts to the eastern portion of the count.
Historic Landmark Rehabilitation Grant Program
This program team seeks to increase the quality of the county's historic landmarks by helping to restore, stabilize, and preserve these important resources. The Program provides funding for rehabilitation of Boulder County-designated landmarks or contributing structures in landmark districts. Owners of such landmarked residential and non-residential properties are eligible to receive a grant of up to $10,000. Grant recipients must match or exceed these funds received from the county for the purposes of landmark maintenance.
Boulder County Transportation Master Plan (TMP)
The Boulder County Transportation Master Plan is created through extensive community input, and identifies a shared vision of a sustainable and inclusive transportation network to connect our communities and places people want to go today, and over the next 25 years.
The county’s TMP helps prioritize investment and strategy areas include:
Develop a Multimodal Transportation System; Create the Complete Trip; Invest in Key Transportation Corridors; Increase Accessibility; Enhance Mountain Area Connections.Boulder County Comprehensive Plan (BCCP)
The Boulder County Comprehensive Plan was developed to respond to the widely-accepted principle that the myriad of future land use decisions affecting the county’s lands should be made in a coordinated and responsible manner. The Comprehensive Plan philosophy is that:
Growth should be channeled to municipalities; Agricultural lands should be protected;Preservation of our environmental and natural resources should be a high priority in making land use decisions.
Agriculture Outreach
The County Commissioners approved a staff position to be a liaison and assist our agricultural community. The agricultural community has expressed to the county that they face a variety of significant challenges. Staff is working with the community to identify and address potential issues that will better position farmers and growers to succeed and thrive in Boulder County.
Transportation Planning’s strategic goals and priorities are guided by the county’s Transportation Master Plan, and include:
• Goal 1 – Ensure Effective and Efficient Management of the Existing Transportation System
• Goal 2 – Minimize Environmental Impacts
• Goal 3 – Ensure Safety for All Modes
• Goal 4 – Support a Healthy and Sustainable Economy
• Goal 5 – Ensure Equitable Access to the Transportation System
• Goal 6 – Enhance county Identity and Community Character
Boulder County’s TMP performance metrics include: reducing vehicle miles traveled per capita to 2005 levels, increasing transit ridership, eliminating all serious injury and fatal traffic crashes, maintaining county roads and bridges, completing the bicycle vision network, and supporting the county’s affordable living goals.
In addition, the Department has recently updated the county’s Housing Element of the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan. The adopted plan is the guiding policy document and as implemented will help the county focus on its affordability and equity goals.