HomeMy WebLinkAboutChapter 26.575 - Misc. Supplemental RegulationsChapter 26.575
MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS
Sections:
26.575.010
General
26.575.020
Calculations and measurements
26.575.030
Public amenity
26.575.040
Reserved
26.575.045
Junkyards and service yards
26.575.050
Fences
26.575.060
Utility/trash/recycle service areas
26.575.070
Use square footage limitations
26.575.080
Child care center
26.575.090
Home occupations
26.575.100
Landscape maintenance
26.575.110
Building envelopes
26.575.120
Satellite dish antennas
26.575.130
Wireless telecommunication services facilities and equipment
26.575.140
Accessory uses and accessory structures
26.575.150
Outdoor lighting
26.575.160
Dormitory
26.575.170
Fuel storage tanks
26.575.180
Restaurant
26.575.190
Farmers' market
26.575.200
Group homes
26.575.210
Lodge occupancy auditing
26.575.220
Vacation rentals
26.575.010 General
Regulations specified in other Sections of this Title shall be subject to the following supplemental
regulations.
26.575.020 Calculations and Measurements
A. Purpose. This section sets forth methods for measuring floor area, height, setbacks, and other
dimensional aspects of development and describes certain allowances, requirements and other
prescriptions for a range of structural components, such as porches, balconies, garages, chimneys,
mechanical equipment, projections into setbacks, etc. The definitions of the terms are set forth at
Section 26.104.100 — Definitions.
B. Limitations. The prescribed allowances and limitations, such as height, setbacks etc., of distinct
structural components shall not be aggregated or combined in a manner that supersedes the
dimensional limitations of an individual structural component. For example, if a deck is permitted to
be developed within five feet of a property boundary and a garage must be a minimum of ten feet
from the same property boundary, a garage with a deck on top of it may not be developed any closer
than ten feet from the property boundary or otherwise produce an aggregated structural component
at extends beyond the setback limit of a garage.
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 1
Non -conforming aspects of a property or structure are limited to the specific physical nature of the
non -conformity. For example, a one-story structure which extends into the setback may not be
developed with a second -story addition unless the second story complies with the required setback.
Specific non -conforming aspects of a property cannot be converted or exchanged in a manner that
creates or extends a different specific non -conforming aspect of a property. For example, a property
that exceeds the allowable floor area and contains deck area that exceeds the amount which may be
exempted from floor area cannot convert deck space into additional interior space.
C. Measuring Net Lot Area. A property's development rights are derived from Net Lot Area. This
is a number that accounts for the presence of steep slopes, easements, areas under water, and similar
features of a property. The method for calculating a parcel's Net Lot Area is as follows:
Table 26.575.020-1
Percent of parcel to
Percent of parcel to be
be included in Net
included in Net Lot
Lot Area to
Area to determine
determine allowable
allowable Density
Floor Area
Areas of a parcel with 0% to 20% slope. Notes
100%
100%°
2, 3.
Areas of a parcel with more than 20% and up
For properties in the
to 30%o'slope. Notes 2, 3.
R-15B Zone: 100%
100%
For all other
properties: 50%.
Areas of a parcel with more than0% slope.
For properties in the
Notes 2, 3.
R-15B Zone: 100%
100%
For all other
properties: 0%.
Areas below the high water line of a river or
0%
0%
natural body of water. Note 1.
Areas dedicated to the City or County for open
100%
100%
space or a public trail.
Areas within an existing, dedicated, reserved
for dedication, proposed for dedication by the
application, or vacated public vehicular right-
0%
0%
of -way, public vehicular easement, or
vehicular emergency access easement.
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 2
Areas within an existing, dedioated, reserved for
dedication, or proposed for 'dedication by the
application private vehicular right-of-way or
0%
0%
vehicular easement. Notes 4, 5.
Areas within a vacated private vehicular right-
of-way or vehicular easement, when any
affected parcel has no other established physical
0%
0%
and legal means of accessing a public way.
Notes 4, 5.
Areas within a vacated private vehicular right-
of-way or vehicular easement, when all affected
parcels have established alternate physical and
100%
100%
legal means of accessing a public way. Notes 4,
5.
Areas of a property subject to above ground or
below ground surface easements such as
100%
100%
utilities or an irrigation ditch that do not
coincide with vehicular easements.
Notes for Table 26.575.020 -1:
1. Lot Area shall not be reduced due to the presence of man-made water courses or features
such as ditches or ponds.
2.In instances where the natural grade of a property has been affected by prior development
activity, the Community Development Director may accept an estimation of pre -development
topography prepared by a registered land surveyor or civil engineer. The Director may
require additional historical documentation, technical studies, reports, or other information to
verify a pre -development topography.
3. The total reduction in Floor Area attributable to a property's slopes shall not exceed 25%,
4. Areas of a property within a shared driveway easement, when both properties sharing the
easement abut a public right-of-way, shall not be deducted from Lot Area. This enables
adjacent property owners to combine two driveways into one without reducing development
rights.
5. When a property of 9,000 square feet or less contains a private vehicular access easement
dedicated to no more than one back parcel, when such back parcel has no other means of
access, the area of the access easement shall not be deducted from Lot Area for either Floor
Area or density purposes. Otherwise, areas of a vehicular access easement serving another
parcel shall be deducted from Lot Area as provided in the table above.
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 3
(. Measuring Floor Area.
the following applies:
1: Shared Driveway Easement
In measuring floor areas for floor area ratio and allowable floor area,
1. General. Floor area shall be attributed to the lot or parcel upon which it is developed. In
measuring a building for the purposes of calculating floor area ratio and allowable floor area,
there shall be included all areas within the surrounding exterior walls of the building or
portion thereof. When measuring from the exterior walls, the measurement shall be taken
from the exterior face of foaming, exteriorface of structural block, exterior face of straw bale,
or similar exterior surface of the nominal structure excluding sheatlTine, vanor barrier,
weatherproofing membrane, exterior -mounted insulation systems, and excluding all exterior
veneer and surface treatments such as stone, stucco, bricks, shingles, clapboards or other
similar exterior veneer treatments. (Also, see setbacks.)
OUTSIDE INSIDE
Window -r Exterior Face
Property of Framing'
Line _
Window Sill ,. C_.
Wood Veneer
L
--~ I Framing
� Stone Veneer
.1.{— Setback measured to Floor Area Measured to Face of Framing
edge of veneer
Figure 2: Measuring to Face of Framing
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 4
2. Vertical circulation. When calculating vertical circulation, the circulation element shall be
counted as follows:
a) For stairs and elevators, the area of the feature shall be projected down and counted on the
lower of the two levels connected by the element and not counted as Floor Area on the
top -most interior floor served by the element.
b) When a stairway or elevator connects multiple levels, the area of the feature shall be
counted on all levels as if it were a solid floor except that the area of the feature shall not
be counted as Floor Area on the top -most interior level served by the element.
c) Mechanical and overrun areas above the top -most stop of an elevator shall not be counted
as Floor Area. Areas below the lowest stop of an elevator shall not be counted as Floor
Area.
3. Attic Space and Crawl S ace. Unfinished and uninhabitable space between the ceiling joists
and roof rafters of a structure or between the ground and floor framing which is accessible
only as a matter of necessity is exempt from the calculation of Floor Area as described below.
Drop ceilings are not included in the height measurement for crawl spaces.
Crawl spaces that meet the following are exempt from Floor Area calculations:
1. 5 feet 6 inches or less in height measured between the hard floor structure and floor
framing; and
2. Accessible only through an interior floor hatch, exterior access panel, or similar feature;
and
3. Are the minimum height and size reasonably necessary for the mechanical equipment.
Stacked crawl spaces do not qualify for the Floor Area exemption. Crawl spaces greater than
5 feet 6 inches in height count toward Floor Area in accordance with Section 26.575.020.D.8
Subgrade areas.
Attic space that is conveniently accessible and is either habitable or can be made habitable
shall be counted in the calculation of Floor Area.
Areas of an attic level with thirty (30) vertical inches or less between the finished floor level
Figure 3: Thirty inch height exemption
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 5
and the finished ceiling shall be exempt, regardless of how that space is accessed or used.
If any portion of the attic or crawl space of a structure is to be counted, then the entire room
shall be included in the calculation of Floor Area.
Examples of attic and crawl spaces that do and do not count toward Floor Area:
a) An attic area created above a "hung" or "false" ceiling is exempt.
b) A crawl space that is 6 feet in height that is accessible only through an interior hatch
counts.
c) An attic area accessible only through an interior pull -down access ladder is exempt.
d) An unfinished attic space or an unfinished crawl space over 4 feet in height which has
convenient access is counted.
e) A crawl space that is 5 feet 6 inches in height, is accessible only through an interior hatch
and is a reasonable size to accommodate the mechanical equipment is exempt.
hDecks Balconies Loggias Gazebos Trellis Exterior Stairways and non -Street -facing
op rches. The calculation of the Floor Area of a building or a portion thereof shall not include
decks, balconies, trellis, exterior stairways, non -Street facing porches, gazebos and similar
features, unless the area of these features is greater than fifteen pe�oof the allowable
floor area for the property and the use and density proposed, or as otherwise exempted by this
Section.
If the area of these features exceeds fifteen percent (15%) of the property's allowable Floor
Area (for that use and density proposed) only the areas in excess of the fifteen percent (15%)
shall be attributed towards the allowable Floor Area for the property. The allowable Floor
Area for the purpose of this calculation refers to the Floor Area calculation based on the Net
Lot Area, as defined in this chapter or as prescribed by a site specific approval, with the
following exceptions: Floor Area bonus, or established or extinguished Transferrable
Development Right certificates are not included.
S Decks, balconies, exterior stairways, trellis, and similar features of a mixed use, commercial,
cE or lodge building located within the Commercial Core (CC) Zone District, Mixed Use (MU)
I Zone District, the Commercial (C-1) Zone District, the Neighborhood Commercial (NC) Zone
District, the Lodge (L) Zone District, or the Commercial Lodge (CL) Zone District shall be
exempt from Floor Area calculations.
The area of the following features count toward deck calculation: railing, permanently fixed
seating, permanently fixed grills, and similar permanently fixed features. Permanent planter
boxes and green roofs that are a minimum of 30" in height above or below the deck surface,
measured from the deck surface to t e bottom of the planter box or green roof surface, and
that are permanently built into the structure of the roof or deckare no included in the deck
calculation. Permanent planter boxes and green roofs that do not meet the minimum
requirement ment count toward deck calculation.
Unenclosed areas beneath decks, balconies, and exterior stairways shall be exempt from Floor
Area calculations unless that area is used as a carport. (See provisions for garages and
carports, Subsection 7.) Enclosed and unconditioned areas beneath porches, gazebos, and
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 6
Y decks or balconies hen those elements have a finished floor level within thirty (30) inches of
the surrounding finished grade shall be exempt from Floor rea ca cu ations regardless of
how that area is used.
5. Front Porches. Porches on Street -facing fagade(s) of a structure developed within thirty (30)
inches of the finished ground level shall not be counted towards allowable Floor Area.
Otherwise, these elements shall be attributed to Floor Area as a Deck.
Patios. Patios developed at or within six inches of finished grade shall not be counted towards
Floor Area. These features may be covered by roof overhangs or similar architectural
projections of up to four feet, as measured from the face of the building, and remain exempt
from Floor Area calculations. When roof overhangs or similar architectural projections
exceed four feet the entire feature counts toward Floor Area.
7. Garages and carports, For all multi -family and mixed -use buildings or parcels containing
residential units, 250 square feet of the Rare or carport area shall be excluded from the
carcutanon of ttoor area per residence on the parcel. All garage and carport area in excess of
250 square feet per residence shall be attributed towards Floor Area and Floor Area Ratio
with no exclusion. Garage and carport areas for properties containing no residential units
shall be attributed towards Floor Area and Floor Area Ratio with no exclusion.
In the R-15B Zone District, garage and carport areas shall be excluded from the calculation of
Floor Area up to a maximum exemption of five -hundred -square -foot total for the parcel.
In zone districts other than the R-15B Zone District, properties containing solely a Single -
Family, two single-family residences, or a Duplex, the garage and carport area shall be
excluded from the calculation of Floor Area as follows:
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 7
Table 26.575.020-2
Size of Garage or Carport
Area excluded per primary dwelling unit (not including
Accessory Dwelling Units or Carriage Houses)
First 0 to 250 square feet
100% of the area
Next 251 to 500 square feet
50% of the area
Areas above 500 square feet
No area excluded.
For any property abutting an alley or private road entering at the rear or side of the property,
the garage or carport area shall only be excluded from floor area calculations as described
above if the garage or carport is accessed from said alley or road. If an alley or private road
does exist and is not utilized for garage or carport access, the garage or carport area shall be
attributed towards Floor Area calculations with no exclusion. If an alley or private road does
not abut the property, the garage or carport area shall be excluded from floor area calculations
as described above.
8. Subgrade areas. Subgrade or partially subgrade levels of a structure are included in the
calculation of Floor Area based on the portion of the level e osed above grade.
The percenta of—th ross area of a partially subgrade level to be counted as Floor Area
shall be the surface area f the exterior walls exposed above [ha lower of natural andfiaaislred
grade divide b�-thhe- otal exterior wall area of that level. Subgrade stories with no exposed
exterior surface wall area shall be excluded from floor area calculations.
Example: If the walls of a 2,000 square foot level are forty percent (40%) exposed
above the lower of natural or finished grade then forty percent (40%) of that level, 800
square feet is counted as Floor Area.
Figure 4: Determining the amount of a subgrade floor to be counted as door
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 8
For the purposes of this section, the exterior wall area to be measured shall be the interior wall
area projected outward and shall not include exterior wall areas adjacent to foundation or
floors of the structure. Floor structure does not include drop ceilings.
Floor Staieture
Aran of vnlll
to be usedfx
suabgrade
Gale1}letion
Foundation and Floorstnietwe
Foundation Footar
Figwre 5: Meastuing the Area of a Subgrade Wall
[the
hen considering multi -level subgrade spaces, adjacent interior spaces shall be considered on
e same story if the vertical separation between the ceilings of the spaces is less than 50% of
distance between the floor and ceiling of either space.
n
Space A and B are on the same level,
while Space A and Care on different levels.
Figure 6: Determining different building levels
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 9
When a partially subgrade space also contains a vaulted ceiling within a pitched roof, the wall
area shall include the area within the gable of the roof.
Area counts
towards wall
calculation
f
Figure 7: Pitched roof with subgrade calculation
For garages that are part of a subgrade area, the garage exemption is taken from the total gross
below -grade area prior to calculating the subgrade exemption. For example, a 2,000 square
foot story containing a 350 square foot garage which is 40% above grade, the calculation shall
be as follows:
Garage exemption — the first 250 square feet is exempt and the next 100 square feet counts
50% or 50 square feet = 300 square feet of the garage which is exempt.
Subgrade exemption — 2,000 gross square feet minus 300 square feet of exempt garage
space — 1,700 gross square feet multiplied by 40% = 680 square feet of that level which
counts towards allowable Floor Area.
For subgrade spaces with adjoining crawl spaces exempt pursuant to Section 26.575.020.D.3,
a line is drawn to separate the basement space from the crawl space for the purposes of
calculating the perimeter and gross area measurements. Exempt crawl space is not included
in the perimeter, wall area, and floor area measurements.
Single-family and duplex structures shall contain no more than one floor level below finished
grade. A basement with a stepped floor is allowed. The finished floor level shall be no more
than 15 feet below finished grade. A crawl space below the basement, compliant with the
limitations of Section 26.575.020.D.3, shall be exempt from this depth limitation.
Accessory Dwelling Units and Carriage Houses. An accessory dwelling unit or carriage
house shall be calculated and attributed to the allowable floor area for a parcel with the same
inclusions and exclusions for calculating floor area as defined in this Section.
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 10
10. Permanently Affordable Accessory Dwelling Units and Carriage Houses One hundred
percent (100%) of the area of an Accessory Dwelling Unit or Carriage House which is
detached from the primary residence and deed -restricted as a "for sale" affordable housing
unit and transferred to a qualified purchaser in accordance with the Aspen/Pitkin County
Housing Authority Guidelines, as amended, shall be excluded from the calculation of floor
area, up to a maximum exemption of one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet per
parcel.
In addition, the allowable floor area of a parcel containing such a permanently affordable
Accessory Dwelling Unit or Carriage House shall be increased in an amount equal to fifty
percent (50%) of the floor area of the Accessory Dwelling Unit or Carriage House, up to a
maximum bonus of six hundred (600) square feet per parcel.
11. Sheds, Storage Areas and similar Accessory Structures Sheds, storage areas, greenhouses,
and similar uninhabitable accessory structures, not within a garage, are exempt from floor
area limitations up to a maximum exemption of thirty-two (32) square feet per residence.
Storage areas within a garage shall be treated as garage space eligible for the garage
exemption only. Accessory structures thirty-six inches or less in height, as measured from
finished grade, shall be exempt from Floor Area calculations (also see setback limitations).
Accessory structures larger than thirty-two square feet per primary residence and more than
thirty-six inches in height shall be included in their entirety in the calculation of Floor Area.
Properties which do not contain residential rmits are not eligible for this Floor Area
exemption.
12. Historic Sheds and Outbuildings. The Community Development Director may provide a
parcel containing an uninhabitable and limited function historic shed, outbuilding, or similar
historic artifact with a Floor Area exemption to accommodate the preservation of the historic
resource. The shed or outbuilding must be considered a contributing historic resource of the
property. Functional outbuildings, such as garages, art studios, home offices, and the like
shall not be eligible for an exemption. The Director may consult the Historic Preservation
Commission prior to making a determination. The Director may require the property's
potential to receive Floor Area bonuses be reduced to account for the structure. The
exemption shall be by issuance of a recordable administrative determination and shall be
revocable if the artifact is removed from the property.
13. Wildlife -Resistant Trash and Recycling Enclosures Wildlife -resistant trash and recycling
enclosures located in residential zone districts are exempt from floor area requirements of the
zone district regulations if the enclosure is the minimum reasonably necessary to enclose the
trash receptacles in both height and footprint, is an unconditioned space not located inside
other structures on the property, and serves no other purpose such as storage, garage space, or
other purposes unrelated to protecting wildlife. _Wildlife -resistant dumnster Pncosures
j located in commercial, mixed -use, or lodging zone districts are not exempt from floor area
CoaooJ requrements and shall comply wrth zone dishict re uirements for Utili /Trash/Recycle
areas.
Enclosures shall be located adjacent to the alley if an alley borders the property and shall not
be located in a public right-of-way. Unless otherwise approved by the Historic Preservation
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 11
Commission, enclosures shall not abut or be attached to an historic structure. Enclosures may
abut other non -historic structures.
14. Allocation of Non -Unit Space in a mixed -use building. In order to determine the total floor
area of individual uses in a mixed -use building, the floor area for non -unit space, which is
common to all uses on the property, shall be allocated on a proportionate basis to the use
categories outlined in the subject zone district's FAR schedule. To determine the non -unit
space allocation in a building, a calculation of the building's gross floor area, which refers to
the floor area of a building as calculated according to the Land Use Code plus subgrade
levels, is required. The building's gross floor area, minus all non -unit space, shall be divided
proportionately amongst the individual use categories in a building. These numbers shall then
be calculated as a percent of the gross floor area number.
IGarages, including subgrade garages, and carports in mixed use buildings that contain
residential units are considered non -unit space.
When a feature is used exclusively by one use, the space shall be attributed to the floor area
1 for that use.
Gross floor area calculation:
For instance, if a building was comprised of the following square footages:
2,000 sq. ft. commercial floor area (including 500 sq. ft. basement)
+ 4,000 sq. ft. free-market residential floor area
+ 2,000 sq. ft. affordable housing floor area
+ 1,000 sq. ft. nommit floor area (1,250 sq. ft.- 250 sq ftfor exempt garage)
9,000 sq. ft. gross floor area
Percentage of use category per building floor area:
Then the total unit floor area in the building, not including non -unit space, would be eight
thousand (8,000) square feet floor area (9,000 — 1,000). Using the allocation of non -unit
space standard, the uses account for the following percentages of the total unit floor area:
Commercial floor area = 25% [(2,000/8,000) * 100]
Free-market residential floor area = 50% [(4,000/8,000) * 1001
Affordable housing floor area = 25% [(2,000/8,000) * 1001
Application of use percentages to non -unit floor area:
A proportionate share of the non -unit floor area shall then be allocated towards each use
category. Floor area exemptions that apply to non -unit space, for example a garage or top
level of a shared stairway tower, are deducted from the total non -unit floor area before
allocating to each use category. Subgrade levels that do not count toward floor area shall not
be included in the use category total when calculating floor area, This provision shall apply to
all zone districts permitting mixed -use buildings.
Therefore, the one thousand (1,000) square feet of non -unit space is allocated to the
different uses as follows:
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 - Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 12
Commercial floor area = 25% x 1,000 sq. ft. = 250 sq. ft.
Free-market residential floor area = 50% x 1,000 sq. ft. = 500 sq. ft.
Affordable housing floor area = 25% x 1,000 sq. ft. = 250 sq. ft.
The floor area for each use is as follows:
Commercial floor area: 1,500 sq. ft. (2,000 sq. ft. total minus 500 sq. ft. exempt
basement) + 250 sq. ft. = 1,750 sq. ft.
Free market residential floor area: 4,000 sq. ft. + 500 sq. ft. = 4,500 sq. ft. -
Affordable housing floor area: 2,000 sq. ft. + 250 sq. ft. = 2,250 sq. ft.
Examples:
1. Circulation features, for example hallways, that are shared (used by multiple uses) are
considered non -unit space.
2. A shared elevator that serves all levels of a mixed use building (even if the top level
terminates within a residential unit) is considered non -unit space.
3. Circulation that is specific to a use, for example a private elevator that only serves the
residential component (i.e. it does NOT provide access to commercial levels), is
allocated to the floor area of the specific use and is not considered non -unit space.
4. A stairway that is interior to a single unit, which for example connects a two level
commercial space, counts toward commercial floor area.
15. Airlocks. Permanently installed interior airlock spaces are exempt from the calculation of
Floor Area Ratio and allowable Floor Area up to a maximum exemption of 100 square feet
per building. This exemption only applies to buildings containing non-residential uses and
does not apply to single-family, duplex, or multi -family buildings.
E. Measuring Setbacks.
General. Required setbacks shall be unoccupied and unobstructed within an area extending
horizontally from the parcel boundary to the setback line and vertically above and below
grade, excepting allowed projections as described below.
Required setbacks shall be measured perpendicular from all points of the parcel boundary to
the outmost exterior of a structure, including all exterior veneer such as brick, stone or other
exterior treatments, but excluding allowed projections as further described in subsection E.5,
below.
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 - Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 13
Window Exterior Face
._
of Framing
windowsne-�-`—'-� r
Wood Veneer
- r� • ---"� ( Framing,
_ j f
Stone Veneer—
Figure8:Setback Measurement
2. Determining Front Rear, and Side Yards. The front yard setback shall be measured fiom the
front lot line. The Front Lot Line shall be the parcel boundary closest to or dividing a lot
from a Street or street right-of-way. All parcels have a front lot line. There shall not be more
than one front lot line.
The rear yard setback shall be measured from the rear lot line. The Rear Lot Line shall be
the parcel boundary opposite the front lot line. All parcels have a rear lot line. A parcel shall
have only one rear lot line.
Side yard setbacks shall be measured from the side lot lines. Side lot lines shall be those
parcel boundaries other than a front or rear lot line. All parcels will have at least one side lot
line and may have multiple side lot lines.
For corner parcels, the front lot line shall be the parcel boundary along the Street with the
longest block length and the remaining boundary shall be a side lot line.
Street 70,Biock Length
Front Yard
Side
%Yard
tr
i I
� I I
Corner Lpt
Figure 9: Determining Setbacks
_
SOOT
1
Allev
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 —Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 14
For corner parcels where the parcel boundary follows a curving Street, the midpoint of the
curve shall be used to differentiate the front lot line and the side lot line. In this case, the
boundary segment with the shortest Street frontage shall be the front lot line.
Fig, r 10: Camel' lot with ew.rd street
For reverse curve lots, the curved portion of the lot line shall be considered the front lot line
and the two opposing parcel boundaries shall be considered side lot lines.
Figwv 11: Reverse curve let
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 15
For all double frontage lots with Streets on opposite sides of the parcel, except for those
parcels abutting Main Street, the front lot line shall be the parcel boundary with the greatest
length of Street frontage and the opposing lot boundary shall be the rear lot line.
Parcel boundary with greatest length
Ir — — _.,. — _ _... _ — r — - Street
y .— e e
l 1
1 1
1 1
1 I
Front ', LOT
Yard
r
--------------------------
�.. \ _ _ L Street
Figure 12: Double 1lvntage lot
For double frontage lots with equal length street frontages, the front lot line shall mirror the
front lot lines of the adjoining lots to the extent practical.
For double frontage lots abutting Main Street, the front lot line shall be the lot line adjoining
Main Street.
The Community Development Director shall resolve any discrepancies or situations where the
foregoing text does not provide definitive clarity by issuance of a recordable administrative
determination.
3. Determining required setbacks adjacent to streets or rights -of -way. When a property does not
extend into an adjacent public or private right-of-way or street easement, the required setback
shall be measured from the lot line.
When a property extends into an adjacent public or private right-of-way or street easement,
the required setback for that portion of the lot shall be measured from the edge of the right-of-
way or street easement closest to the proposed structure.
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 16
Figure 13: Required setback from a right-of-way or street easement
4. Combined Setbacks. Where zoning provisions require a combined yard setback (either front -
rear or side -side), the narrowest point on each yard shall be the basis for measuring the
i combined setback. A combined yard requirement may not be met by staggering the required
yard setbacks.
For example, if a lot requires a combined side -yard setback of30', with a minimum of 10' on
either side, Figure 14 shows compliance with the requirement — one side yard is 10', the other
is 20', and each side yard setback is consistent from front to rear.
Given the same example, Figure 15 meets the individual 10' setback requirements, but the
combined setback is staggered and is not consistent from front to rear. This example does not
meet the combined setback requirement.
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 17
Figure 14: Compliance with combined setbacks
Figure 15: Does not coml
with combined setbacks
5. Allowed Projections into Setbacks. Setback areas shall be unobstructed above and below
ground except for the following allowed projections:
a) Above or below ground utilities, including transformers and vaults, below -grade heating
or cooling conduit or infrastructure such as a ground -source heat pump system, below -
grade dry wells or other at -grade or below -grade drainage infrastructure.
b) Trees and vegetation.
c) Artwork, sculpture, seasonal displays.
d) Flagpoles, mailboxes, address markers.
e) Foundation footers, soil nails or below -grade tiebacks, and similar improvements
necessary for the structural integrity of a building or other structures.
f) The minimum projection necessary to accommodate exterior mounted utility junctions,
meters, cable boxes, vent flues, standpipes, and similar apparatus and including any
protective structure as may be required by the utility provider.
I g) Building eaves, bay windows, window sills, and similar architectural projections up to
eighteen (18) inches as measured from the setback boundary.
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 18
h) Balconies not utilized as an exterior passageway may extend the lesser
the way between She required setback and the property line or four (41 feet. In no case
shall the projection be allowed closer than five (5) feet to a property line. This projection
is allowed for balconies only and does not permit projections of other improvements, such
as garages or carports. -- -
i) The minimum projection necessary to accommodate light wells and exterior basement
stairwells as required by adopted Building or Fire Codes as long as these features are
entirely recessed behind the vertical plane established by the portion of the building
fagade(s) closest to any Street(s).
If any portion of the feature projects into the setback, the entire feature may be no larger
than the minimum required.
Features required for adjacent subgrade interior spaces may be combined as long as the
combined feature represents the minimum projection into the setback. There is no vertical
depth limitation for these features.
This exemption does not apply to Areaways. This exemption does not apply to light wells
and exterior basement stairwells which are not required by adopted Building or Fire
Codes.
j) The minimum projection necessary to accommodate an exterior -mount fire escape to an
existing building, as may be required by adopted Building or Fire Codes.
k) Uncovered porches, landscape terraces, slabs, patios, walks, landscape walls, earthen
berms, retaining walls, steps and similar structures, which do not exceed thirty (30) inches
vertically above or below natural grade or finished grade, whichever is more restrictive.
(Also see Chapter.26.410 — Residential Design Standards for limits on the location of
berms.) Improvements may be up to thirty (30) inches above and below grade
simultaneously, for up to a sixty (60) inch total. Improvements may exceed thirty (30)
inches below grade if determined to be necessary for the structural integrity of the
improvement. (See Figure 16).
1) Drainage swales, stormwater retention areas, bio retention areas, rain collection systems,
and similar stormwater retention, filtration or infiltration devices or facilities are permitted
in setbacks as long as the finished grade of the top of the improvement does not exceed
thirty (30) inches vertically above or below the surrounding finished grade. Stormwater
improvements or portions thereof may be buried and exceed'thirty (30) inches below
grade as long as the finished grade above the facility does not exceed thirty (30) inches
vertically above or below the surrounding finished grade. These features may be up to
thirty (30) inches above and below finished grade simultaneously.
m) Hot tubs, spas, pools, water features, and permanently affixed outdoor grills, furniture,
seating areas, and similar permanent structures are prohibited in all yards facing a Street.
These elements may be placed within non -street facing yards but shall not exceed thirty
(30) inches above or below finished grade. These features may be up to thirty (30) inches
above and below finished grade simultaneously. Improvements may exceed thirty (30)
inches below grade if necessary for the structural integrity of the improvement.
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 19
n)
Heating and air conditioning equipment and similar mechanical equipment are prohibited
in all yards facing a Street. Mechanical equipment may be placed within non -street facing
yards but shall not exceed thirty (30) inches above or below finished grade. These features
may be up to thirty (30) inches above and below finished grade simultaneously. The
r1anning anu "ning l.onunissivil may uuusiuct UAUCIJ VIIs w uua Icq UII .uiwun Yuioucui� �
to the procedures and criteria of Chapter 26.430 — Special Review.
o) The height and placement of energy efficiency or renewable energy production systems
and equipment which are located adjacent to or independent of a building shall be
established by the Planning and Zoning Commission pursuant to the procedures and
criteria of Chapter 26.430 — Special Review. These systems are discouraged in all yards
facing a Street. For energy production systems and equipment located on top of a
structure, see sub -section F.4.
p) Fences and hedges less than forty-two (42) inches in height, as measured from finished
grade, are permitted in all required yard setbacks. Fences and hedges up to six (6) feet in
height, as measured from finished grade, are permitted only in areas entirely recessed
behind the vertical plane established by the portion of the building facade which is closest
to the Street. This restriction applies on all Street -facing facades of a parcel. (Also see
Section 26.575.050 — Supplementary Regulations for limitations on fence materials.)
City of Asl
Part 500 —
Page 20
42"
hei€
IF.1-....
L.Iimi/�
nce
q) Driveways not exceeding twenty-four (24) inches above or below natural grade within any
setback of a yard facing a Street. Within all other required setbacks, finished grade of a
driveway shall not exceed thirty (30) inches above or below natural grade.
r) Parking may occur in required setbacks if within an established driveway or parking area
and the curb cut or vehicular access is from an alleyway, if an alleyway abuts the
property, or has otherwise been approved by the City.
s) Non -permanent features which are not affixed to the ground such as movable patio
furniture, outdoor seating or a picnic table, barbeque grills, children's play equipment, and
similar non -permanent features which are not affixed to the ground. This exemption shall
not allow storage sheds or containers.
t) Wildlife -resistant Trash, and Recycling enclosures located in residential zone districts shall
be prohibited in all yards facing a Street. These facilities may be placed within non -street
facing yards if the enclosure is the minimum reasonably necessary in both height and
footprint, is an unconditioned space not integrated with other structures on the property,
and serves no other purpose such as storage, garage space, or other purposes unrelated to
protecting wildlife. Wildlife -resistant trash and recycling enclosures located in
commercial, mixed -use, or lodging zone districts are not exempt from setback
requirements and shall comply with zone district requirements for Utility/Trash/Recycle
areas.
Temporary intermittent placement of trash and recycling containers in or along yards
facing a Street is allowed. For example, on "trash day."
Enclosures shall be located adjacent to the alley where an alley borders the property and
shall not be located in a public right-of-way, .Unless otherwise approved by the Historic
Preservation Commission, enclosures shall not abut or be attached to a historic structure.
Enclosures may abut other non -historic structures.
F. Measuring Building Heights.
1 For properties in the Commercial Core (CC), Commercial (Cl), Commercial Lodge (CL),
Neighborhood Commercial (NC) and Service Commercial Industrial (SCI) Zone Districts, the
height of the building shall be the maximum distance between the ground and the highest
point of the roof top, roof ridge, parapet, or top -most portion of the structure. See subsection
3, below, for measurement method.
2. For properties in all other Zone Districts, the height of the building shall be measured
according to the pitch of the roof as follows. See subsection 3, below, for measurement
method.
a) Flat roofs or roofs with a pitch of less than 3:12. The height of a building with a roof
pitch of less than 3:12 shall be measured from the ground to the top -most portion of the
structure.
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 21
Roof Pitch
Parapet 3:12 or less
wall
Height of Height of
building building
j
V �
Figure 18: Measuring height for flat roofs or roofs with less than 3:12 pitch
b) Roofs with a pitch from 3:12 to 7:12. The height of a building with a roof pitch from 3:12
to 7:12 shall be measured from the ground to the point of the roof vertically halfway
between the eave point and the ridge. There shall be no limit on the height of the ridge.
Midpoint between eave pt. and ridge
Ridge
Eave Point
Height
Figure 19: Measuring height for roofs with pitch from 3:12 to 7:12
c) Roofs with a pitch greater than 7:12. The height of a building with a roof pitch greater
than 7:12 shall be measured from the ground to the point of the roof vertically one-third
(1/3) of the distance up from the eave point to the ridge. There shall be no limit on the
height of the ridge.
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 22
Figure 21: Eave Point and Exterior Sheathing of a Roof
For roofs with multiple pitches within one vertical plane, the height of the roof shall be
measured by drawing a line within a vertical section between the ridge and the Eave
Point(s) and then applying the methodology for the resulting pitch of said line(s) as
described above.
d) For barrel -vault roofs, height shall be measured by drawing a line within a vertical section
between the top -most point of the roof and the Eave Point(s) and then applying the
methodology for the resulting pitch of said line(s) as described above.
e) For "shed" roofs with a single -pitch, the methodology for measuring shall be the same as
described above according to the slope of the roof and by using the highest point of the
roof as the ridge.
f) For mansard roofs, height shall be measured to the flat roof as described above.
g) Dormers shall be excluded from the calculation of height if the footprint of the dormer is
50% or less of the roof plane on which the dormer is located and the ridge of the dormer is
not higher than the ridge of the roof on which it is located. If there are multiple dormers
on one roof plane, the aggregate footprint shall be used. Otherwise, dormers shall be
included in the measurement of height according to the methods described above.
h) Butterfly roofs shall be measured.in accordance with shed roof methodology
I Height Measurement Method. In measuring a building for the compliance with height
restrictions, the measurement shall be the maximum distance measured vertically from the
ground to the specified point of the building located above that point, as further described
below:.
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 23
a) Measuring height along the perimeter of the building. At each location where the exterior
perimeter of a building meets the ground, the measurement shall be taken from the lower
of�naturahor finished grade, Building permit plans must depict both natural and finished
grddes.
b) Measuring height within the footprint of the building. For the purposes of measuring
height within the footprint of a building, areas of the building within 15 horizontal feet of
the building's perimeter shall be measured using the perimeter meas cement, as descry ed
above. In all other areas, the natural grade of, the site shall be projected up to the
allowable height and the height of the structure shall be measured using this projected
topography. -
In instances where the natural grade of a property has been attected by prior development
activityz the Co mmum^t�evelopmerit _Di`rector may accept an estimation of pre -
activity, the topographyTrepared by a registered land surveyor or civil engineer. The
Director n require addition -a nustonci f_ documentation, techmca_t studies, reports, or
other information to veri a pre -development topography.
If necessary, the Community Development Director may require an applicant document
natural grade, finished grade, grade being used within the footprint of the building, and
other -relevant height limitation information that may need to be-, _documented prior to
construction.
c) Measuring to the roof - The high point of the measurement shall be taken from the
surface of a structure's roof inclusive of the first layer of exterior sheathing or
weatherproofing membrane but excluding exterior surface treatments such as shakes,
shingles, or other veneer treatments or ornamentation.
When measuring roofs to a point between the ridge and the eave point, the eave point shall
be the point where the plane of a roof intersects the plane of the exterior wall. The roof
and wall planes shall be of the nominal structure, excluding all exterior treatments.
Eave Point
Exterior Sheathing
Figure 21: Eave Point and Exterior Sheathing of a Roof
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 - Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 24
A. Allowed Exceptions to Height Limitations
a) Chimneys, flues, and similar venting apparatus. Chimneys, flues, vents, and similar
venting apparatus may extend no more than ten (10) feet above the height of the building
at the point the device connects. For roofs with a pitch of 8:12 or greater, these elements
may not extend above the highest ridge of the structure by more than required by adopted
building codes or as otherwise approved by the Chief Building Official to accommodate
safe venting. To qualify for this exception, the footprint of these features must be the
minimum reasonably necessary for its function the features must be combined to the
greatest extent practical. Appurtenances such as hoods, caps, shields, coverings, spark
arrestors, and similar functional devices or ornamental do -dads shall be contained within
the limitations of this height exception.
On structures other than a single-family or duplex residential building or an accessory
building, all Chimneys, flues, vents, and similar venting apparatus should be setback from
any Street facing facade of the building a minimum of twenty (20) feet and the footprint
should be minimized and combined to the greatest extent practicable.
b) Communications Equipment. Antennas, satellite dishes, and similar communications
equipment and devices shall comply with the limitations of Section 26.575.130 — Wireless
Telecommunication Services Facilities and Equipment.
c) Elevator and Stair Enclosures. On structures other than a single-family or duplex
residential building or an accessory building, elevator overrun enclosures and stair
enclosures may extend up to five (5) feet above the specified maximum height limit.
Elevator and stair enclosures may extend up to tens N 0 feet above the specified maximum
height limit if set back from any Street facing agadf e of the building a minimum of twenty
For single-family and duplex residential buildings and for accessory buildings, elevator
and stair enclosures are not allowed a height exception.
d) Rooftop Railings. On any structure other than a single-family or duplex residential
building, rooftop railings and similar safety devices permitting rooftop access may extend
up to five (5) feet above the height of the building at the point the railing connects. To
qualify for this exception, the railing must be the mini ,» ressonsbly necessary to
provide adequate safety and buildimg code compliance and the railing must be 50% or
more •ans arent. All railings shall be set back from any Street facing facade of the
building by an amount e uq al to the hei ht of the railing.
For single-family and duplex residential buildings, rooftop railings shall not be allowed a
height exception.
e) Mechanical Equipment. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, and similar
mechanical equipment or utility apparatus located on top of a building may extend up to
six (61 feet above height of the building at the point the equipment is attached. This
allowance is inclusive of any pad the equipment is placed on, as well as any screening.
Mechanical equipment shall be screened, combined, and co -located to the greatest extent
practicable. On structures other than a single-family or duplex residential building or an
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 25
accessory building, all mechanical equipment shall be set back from any Street facing
facade of the building a m' tmum o e ee .
J) Energy Efficiency or Renewable Energy Production Systems and Equipment. Energy
efficiency systems or renewable energy production systems and equipment including solar
panels, wind turbines, or similar systems and the system's associated equipment which is
located on top of a building may extend up to five (5) feet above the height of the building
at the point the equipment is attached.
On any structure other than a single-family or duplex residential building or an accessory
building, these systems may extend up to ten (10) feet above height of the building at the
point the equipment is attached if set back from any Street facing facade of the building a
minimum of twenty (20) feet and the footprint of the equipment is minimized and
combined to the greatest extent practicable. Certain additional restrictions may apply
pursuant to Chapter 26.412, Commercial Design Review.
The height and placement of energy efficiency or production systems which are not
located on top of a building (located independent of a building) shall be established by the
Planning and Zoning Commission pursuant to the procedures and criteria of Chapter
26.430 — Special Review. (Also see setback requirements for these systems at sub -section
E.S.)
` Church spires, bell towers and like architectural projections on Arts, Cultural and Civic
buildings may extend over the height limit as may be approved pursuant to Commercial
Design Review.
h) Flag poles may extend over the specified maximum height limit.
i) Exceptions for buildings on slopes. For properties with a slope that declines from the
front lot line, the maximum height of a building's front (street -facing) facade may extend
horizontally for the first thirty (30) feet of the building's depth.
j) Exceptions for light wells and basement stairwells. A basement stairwell required by
Building Code for egress shall not be counted towards maximum permissible height. On
street facing facades the minimum size lightwell entirely recessed behind the vertical
plane established by the portion of the building facade(s) closest to any Street(s), and
enclosed on all sides to within eighteen (18) inches of the first floor level (e.g. not a walk-
out style light well) shall not be counted towards maximum permissible height. On non -
street facing facades a lightwell that is no more than one hundred (100) square feet shall
not be counted towards maximum permissible height.
The Historic Preservation Commission is authorized to grant an exception to height for
lightwells larger than one hundred (100) square feet on historic landmark properties that
contain a historic resource upon a finding that the following conditions are met:
a. Lightwell is not easily visible from the right of way.
b. Approval of the exemption supports the preservation of the historic resource.
k) Permanent Rooftop Amenities. Permanent rooftop amenities, such as built-in wet bars,
built-in barbeque grills, cabinets, sinks, firepits, pools, hot tubs, etc. shall be permanently
installed and shall meet the following height and setback requirements to qualify for a
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 26
height exemption. This only applies to a mixed _use lodge,or commercial building
located in the Commercial Core (CC) Zone District, Mixed Use (MU) Zone District, the
Commercial (C-1) Zone District, the Lodge (L) Zone District, the Neighborhood
Commercial (NC) Zone District, or the Commercial Lodge (CL) Zone District. Permanent
rooftop amenities may extend up to five (5) feet above height of the building at the noint
the equipment is attached to the roof This allowance is inclusive of any pad the
equipment is placed on. A trellis with a maximum height of ten (10) feet and a maximum
floor area of no more than 5% of the useable deck area is permitted. All permanent
rooftop amenities shall be set back from any treet facing fagade of the building by a
minimum of ten (10) feet.
1) Exceptions for skylight and light tubes A skylight or light tube typical of industry
standards and meeting minimum Building Code standards shall not be counted towards
maximum permissible height.
G. Measuring Site coverage. Site coverage is typically expressed as a percentage. When
calculating site coverage of a structure or building, the exterior walls of the structure or building at
ground level should be used. When measuring to the exterior walls, the measurement shall be taken
from the exterior face of framing, exterior face of structural block, or similar exterior surface of the
nominal structure excluding sheathing, vapor barrier, weatherproofing membrane, exterior -mounted
insulation systems, and excluding all exterior veneer and surface treatments such as stone, stucco,
bricks, shingles, clapboards or other similar exterior veneer treatments. Porches, roofs or balcony
overhangs, cantilevered building elements and similar features extending directly over grade shall be
excluded from maximum allowable site coverage calculations.
H. Measurement of Demolition. The City Zoning Officer shall determine if a building is intended
to be or has been demolished by applying the following process of calculation:
At the request of the Zoning Officer, the applicant shall prepare and submit a diagram showing the
following:
4. The surface area of all existing (prior to commencing development) exterior wall assemblies
above finished grade and all existing roof assemblies. Not counted in the existing exterior
surface area calculations shall be all existing fenestration (doors, windows, skylights, etc.).
5. The exterior surface area, as described above, to be removed. Wall area or roof area being
removed to accommodate new or relocated fenestration shall be counted as exterior surface
area being removed.
6. The diagram shall depict each exterior wall and roof segment as a flat plane with an area
tabulation.
Exterior wall assembly and roof assembly shall constitute the exterior surface of that element
in addition to the necessary subsurface components for its structural integrity, including such
items as studs, joists, rafters etc. If a portion of a wall or roof structural capacity is to be
removed, the associated exterior surface area shall be diagrammed as being removed. If a
portion of a wall or roof involuntarily collapses, regardless of the developer's intent, that
portion shall be calculated as removed. Recalculation may be necessary during the process of
development and the Zoning Officer may require updated calculations as a project progresses.
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 27
Replacement of fenestration shall not be calculated as wall area to be removed. New,
relocated or expanded fenestration shall be counted as wall area to be removed.
Only exterior surface area above finished grade shall be used in the determination of
demolition. Sub -grade elements and interior wall elements, while potentially necessary for a
building's integrity, shall not be counted in the computation of exterior surface area.
According to the prepared diagram and area tabulation, the surface area of all portions of the
exterior to be removed shall be divided by the surface area of all portions of the exterior of the
existing structure and expressed as a percentage. The Zoning Officer shall use this percentage
to determine if the building is to be or has been demolished according to the definition in
Section 26.104.100, Demolition. If portions of the building involuntarily collapse, regardless
of the developer's intent, that portion shall be calculated as removed.
It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to accurately understand the structural
capabilities of the building prior to undertaking a remodel. Failure to properly understand the
structural capacity of elements intended to remain may result in an involuntary collapse of
those portions and a requirement to recalculate the extent of demolition. Landowner's intent
or unforeseen circumstances shall not affect the calculation of actual physical demolition.
Additional requirements or restrictions of this Title may result upon actual demolition.
�( I. Measurement of Net Leasable Area and Net Livable Area. The calculation of net leasable area
i and net livable area shall include all interior space of a building measured from interior wall to
interior wall, including interior partitions. Net leasable area includes all interior areas which can be
leased to an individual tenant�vith the exceptions noted below. Net livable area includes those areas
of a building that are used or intended to be used for -habitation with the exceptions noted below.
Garages and carports are exempt from net leasable area and net livable area calculations.
1. Permanently installed interior airlock spaces are exempt from the calculation of net leasable
space up to a maximum exemption of 100 square feet. Seasonal airlocks of more than 10
square feet, installed on the exterior of a building, shall be considered net leasable area and
shall be subject to all requirements of the Land Use Code, including employee mitigation,
prorated according to the portion of the year in which it is installed.
2. Unless specifically exempted through other provisions of this Title, outdoor displays, outdoor
vending, and similar commercial activities located outside (not within a building) shall also be
included in the calculation of net leasable area. The calculation of such area shall be the
maximum footprint of the display or vending apparatus. For vending carts or similar
commercial activities requiring an attendant, the calculation shall also include a reasonable
amount of space for the attendant. Exterior decks and �xterinr seating not in ed i e
calculation of net leasable area. Vending machines shall not be considered net leasable area.
The calculation of net leasable area and net livable area shall exclude. areas of a building that are
integral to the basic physical function of the building. Al other areas are attributed to the
measurement of net leasable commercial space or net livable area. en calculating interior
stairways or elevators, t e top most mtenor evel sei`veU-Fy—Tffe stairway or elevator is exempt from
net livable or net leasable area calculations.
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 28
' Shared areas that count toward net leasable area and net livable area shall be allocated on a
proportionate basis of the use category using the percentages that are generated pursuant to Section
26.575.020.D.14 Allocation of non -unit space in a mixed use building.
Examples:
1. A broom closet of a minimum size to reasonably accommodate the storage of janitorial
supplies for the entire building is considered integral to the physical function of the building
and does not count toward net leasable area.
2. A shared commercial storage area that is larger than needed for the basic functionality of the
building counts toward net leasable area because it is useable by the businesses.
3. A shared stairway and a shared circulation corridor (that access more than one use) are integral
to the physical function of the building and do not count in the measurement of net livable
area or net leasable area.
4. A stairway that is entirely within one residential unit counts toward the measurement of net
livable area.
5. A private elevator that serves more than one residential unit, and does not provide access to
other uses, does not count toward the measurement of net livable area.
6. A private elevator that serves only one residential unit, and does not provide access to other
uses, counts toward the measurement of net livable area.
7. A shared mechanical room that is larger than the minimum space required to reasonably
accommodate the mechanical equipment counts toward the measurement of net livable area or
net leasable area as applicable. The area of the mechanical room that is the minimum size
required for the mechanical equipment does not count in net livable area or net leasable area.
J. Exceptions for Energy Efficiency. The Community Development Director may approve
exceptions to the dimensional restrictions of this Section to accommodate the addition of energy
production systems or energy efficiency systems or equipment in or on existing buildings when no
• other practical solution exists. The Community Development Director must first determine that the
visual impact of the exemption is minimal and that no other reasonable way to implement energy
production or efficiency exists. The Director may require notice be provided to adjacent landowners.
Approval shall be in the form of a recordable administrative decision.
K. Exceptions for Building Code Compliance. The Community Development Director may
approve exceptions to the dimensional restrictions of this Section to accommodate improvements
required to achieve compliance with building, fire, or accessibility codes in or on existing buildings
when no other practical solution exists. The Community Development Director must first determine
that the visual impact of the exemption is minimal and that no other reasonable way to implement
code compliance exists. The Director may require notice be provided to adjacent landowners.
Approval shall be in the form of a recordable administrative decision.
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 29
L. Appeals. An applicant aggrieved by a decision made by the Community Development Director
regarding this Calculations and Measurements Section may appeal the decision to the Administrative
Hearing Officer, pursuant to Chapter 26.316.
(Ord. No. 44-1999, §7; Ord. No. 55-2000, §14; Ord. No. 56-2000, §§5, 6, 8; Ord. No. 25-2001, §§6,
7; Ord. No. 46-2001, §4; Ord. No. 55, 2003, §§2-4; Ord. No. 12-2006, §19; Ord. No. 12, 2007, §32;
Ord. No. 27-2010, §1; Ord. No. 12-2012, §3; Ord. No. 25-2012, §4; Ord. No. 7-2014; §§ 1-9; Ord.
No. 31-2014, §2)
26.575.030 Public amenity
A. Purpose. The City seeks a vital, pleasant downtown public environment. Public amenity
contributes to an attractive commercial and lodging district by creating public places and settings
conducive to an exciting pedestrian shopping and entertainment atmosphere. Public amenity can take
the form of physical or operational improvements to upbllic rihg._ t_o�v ay or private property within
these districts. Public amenity provided on the subject development site is referred to as "on -site
public amenity" in this Section.
13. Applicability and requirement. The requirements of this Section shall apply to the
development of all commercial lodging and mi_xed-nse developm=Lwithin the CC, C-1, MU, NC,
S/C/l, L, CL, LP and LO Zone Districts. This area represents the City's primary pedestrian -oriented
downtown, as well as important mixed -use, service and lodging neighborhoods.
Twenty-five erce7t (25%i of each parcel within the applicable area shall be_provided_as ublic
amenity right-of-w . F-or_redevalop of parcels on which less than this twenty-five percent
(25%) currently exists, the existing (prior to redevelopment) percentage shall be the effective
requirement, provided that no less than ten percent (10%) is required. A reduction in the required
public amenity may be allowed as provided in Subsection 26.575.030.D, Reduction of requirement.
Exempt from these provisions shall be development consisting entirely of residential uses. Also
exempt from these provisions shall be additions to an existing building where no change to the
building footprint is proposed. Vacated rights -of -way shall be excluded from public amenity
calculations.
C. Provision of public amenity. The Planning and Zoning Commission or Historic Preservation
Commission, pursuant to the review procedures and criteria of Chapter 26.412, Commercial Design
Review, shall determine the appropriate meth.Qd or combination of methnrh for providing this
required amenity. One (1) or more of the following methods may be used such that the standard is
reached.
1. On -site provision of public amenity. A portion of the parcel designed in a manner meeting
Subsection 26.575.030.F., Design and operational standards for on -site public amenity.
2. Off -site provision of public amenity. Proposed public amenities and improvements to the
pedestrian environment within proximity of the development site may be approved by the
Planning and Zoning Commission, pursuant to Chapter 26.412, Commercial Design Review.
These may be improvements to private property public property or public rights -of --way. An
easement nroviding public access over an existing public amenity space for which no
xtsts may oe acceptea tLucn easement proviaes permanent mmuc access anct is
to the City Attorney. Off -site improvements shall equal or exceed the value of an
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 30
( otherwise required cash -in -lieu payment and be consistent with any public infrastructure or
capital improvement plan for that area.
3. Cash -in -lieu provision. The City, upon an approval from the Planning and Zoning
Commission or the Historic Preservation Commission, as applicable, may accept a cash -in -
lieu payment for any portion of required public amenity not otherwise physically provided,
according to the procedures and limitations of Subsection 26.575.030.E, Cash -in -Lieu
Payment.
4. Alternative method. The Commission, pursuant to Chapter 26.412, Commercial Design
Review, may accept any method of providing public amenity not otherwise described herein
if the Commission finds that such method equals or exceeds_ the value, which maybe
nonmonetary communes value, of an otherwi se required c soh -in- ' ayment.
D. Reduction of.requirement. A reduction in the required public amenity may be approved under
the following circumstances:
1. The Planning and Zoning Commission or Historic Preservation Commission, pursuant to the
procedures and criteria of Chapter 26.412, Commercial Design Review, may reduce the
public amenity requirement by any amount, such that no more than one-half the requirement
is waived, as an incentive for well -designed projects having a positive contribution to the
pedestrian environment. The resulting requirement may not be less than ten percent (10%).
2. The Historic Preservation Commission, pursuant to the procedures and criteria of Chapter
26.412, Commercial Design Review, may reduce by any amount the requirements of this
Section for historic landmark properties upon one (1) of the following circumstances:
a) When the Historic Preservation Commission approves the on -site relocation of an historic
landmark such that the amount of on -site public space is reduced below that required by
this Chapter.
b) When the manner in which an historic landmark building was originally developed
reduces the amount of on -site public amenity required by this Chapter.
c) When the redevelopment or expansion of an historic landmark constitutes an exemplary
preservation effort deserving of an incentive or reward.
E. Cash -in -lieu payment. When the method of providing public amenity includes a cash -in -lieu
payment, the following provisions and limitations shall apply:
Formula for determining cash -in -lieu payment:
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 31
Payment = [Land Value] x [Public Amenity Percentage]
Where: Land Value = Value of the unimproved land.
Public Amenity = Percent of the parcel required to be provided
Percentage as a public amenity, pursuant to Subsection
26.575.030.13 lessened by other methods of
providing the amenity.
Land value shall be the lesser of one hundred dollars ($100.00) per square foot multiplied by the
number of square feet constituting the parcel or the appraised value of the unimproved property
determined by the submission of a current appraisal performed by a qualified professional real estate
appraiser and verified by the Community Development Director. An applicant may only waive the
current appraisal requirement by accepting the one hundred -dollar -per -square -foot standard.
The payment -in -lieu of public amenity shall be due and payable at the time of issuance of a building
permit. The City Manager, upon request, may allow the required payment -in -lieu to be amortized in
equal payments over a period of up to five (5) years, with or without interest.
All funds shall be collected by the Community Development Director and transferred to the Finance
Director for deposit in a separate interest -bearing account. Monies in the account shall be used solely
for the purchase, development, or capital improvement of land or public rights -of -way for open
space, pedestrian or bicycle infrastructure, public amenity, or recreational purposes within or adjacent
to the applicable area in which this requirement applies. Funds may be used to acquire public use
easements.
Fees collected pursuant to this Section may be returned to the then -present owner of property for
which a fee was paid, including any interest earned, if the fees have not been spent within seven (7)
years from the date fees were paid, unless the City Council shall have earmarked the funds for
expenditure on a specific project, in which case the City Council may extend the time period by up to
three (3) more years. For the purpose of this Section, payments shall be spent in the order in which
they are received. To obtain a refund, the present owner must submit a petition to the Finance
Director within one (1) year following the end of the seventh year from the date payment was
received. All petitions shall be accompanied by a notarized, sworn statement that the petitioner is the
current owner of the property and by a copy of the dated receipt issued for payment of the fee.
F. Design and operational standards for public amenity. Public amenity, on all privately owned
land in which public amenity is required, shall comply with the following provisions and limitations:
1. Open to view. Public amenity areas shall be open to view from the street at pedestrian level,
which view need not be measured at right angles.
2. Open to sky. Public amenity areas shall be open to the sky. Temporary and seasonal
coverings, such as umbrellas and retractable canopies, are permitted. Such nonpermanent
structures shall not be considered a reduction in public amenity on the parcel.
Trellis structures shall only be permitted in conjunction with commercial restaurant uses on a
designated historic landmark or within Historic Overlay Zones, and must be approved
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 32
pursuant to review requirements contained in Chapter 26.415, Development Involving the
Aspen Inventory of Historic Landmark Sites and Structures or Development within an
Historic Overlay District. Such approved structures shall not be considered a reduction in
public amenity on the parcel.
3. No walls/enclosures. Public amenity areas shall not be enclosed. Temporary structures, tents,
air exchange entries, plastic canopy walls and similar devices designed to enclose the space
are prohibited. Low fences or walls shall only be permitted within or around the perimeter of
public space if such structures shall permit views from the street into and throughout the
public space.
4. Prohibited uses. Public amenity areas shall not be used as storage areas, utility/trash service
areas, delivery areas or parking areas or contain structures of any type, except as specifically
provided for herein.
5. Grade limitations. Required public amenity shall not be more than four (4) feet above or two
(2) feet below the existing grade of the street or sidewalk which abuts the public space, unless
the public amenity space shall follow undisturbed natural grade, in which case there shall be
no limit on the extent to which it is above or below the existing grade of the street, or if a
second level public amenity space is approved by the Commission.
( 6. Jedestrian links. In the event that the City shall have adopted a trail plan incorporating mid -
block pedestrian links, any required public space must, if the City shall so elect, be applied
( and dedicated for such use.
7. Landscaping plan. Prior to issuance of a building permit, the Community Development
Director shall require site plans and drawings of any required public amenity area,.including a
landscaping plan and a bond in a satisfactory form and amount to ensure compliance with any
public amenity requirements under this Title.
8. Maintenance of landscaping. Whenever the landscaping required herein is not maintained,
the Chief Building Official, after thirty (30) days' written notice to the owner or occupant of
the property, may revoke the certificate of occupancy until said party complies with the
landscaping requirements of this Section.
9. Outdoor Merchandising on Private Pro erty. Private property may be utilized for
merchandising purposes by those businesses located adjacent to and on the same parcel as the
outdoor space. This shall not grant transient sales from peddlers who are not associated with
an adjacent commercial operation; this includes service uses such as massage, tarot card
reading, aura analysis, etc. Outdoor merchandising shall be directly associated with the
adjacent business and shall not permit stand-alone operations, including, but not limited to,
automated bike rental racks, movie rental kiosks, automated dog washes, or automated
massage furniture. In addition, outdoor merchandising must meet the following requirements:
a) Merchandise must be maintained, orderly and located in front of or proximate to the
storefront related to the sales.
( b) The display of merchandise shall in no way inhibit the movement of pedestrian traffic
along the public right-of-way. All merchandising shall be located on private property. A
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 33
minimum of six (6) foot ingress/egress shall be maintained for building entrances and
exits.
c) Outdoor clothing displays including, but not limited to, coats, jeans, shirts, athletic
apparel, and footwear shall be allowed. Outside clothing displays of two (2) mannequins
or one (1) clothing rack of up to six (6) feet in length, but not both, are allowed. Bins,
boxes, and containers that sit directly on the ground are allowed for outdoor clothing
sales, but cardboard boxes are prohibited. All outdoor merchandise displays must have a
minimum height of not less than 27 inches from grade to prevent tripping hazards. For all
other types of merchandise, the size and amount allowed shall be under the discretion of
the property owner,
d) Umbrellas, retractable canopies, and similar devices are not permitted for outdoor
merchandising. See Section 26.304.070.F.2.
e) Merchandise shall be displayed for sale with the ability for pedestrians to view the item(s).
Outdoor areas shall not be used solely for storage.
The prohibition of storage shall be limited to merchandising on private property and shall
not apply to permitted commercial activity on an abutting right-of-way or otherwise
permitted by the City.
10.Outdoor Restaurant Seating on Private Property. Private Property may be used for
commercial restaurant use if adequate pedestrian and emergency vehicle access is maintained.
Umbrellas, retractable canopies, and similar devices are permitted for commercial restaurant
uses. For outdoor food vending in the Commercial Core District, also see Paragraph
26.470.040.B.3, Administrative growth management review.
11. Design guideline compliance. The design of the public amenity shall meet the parameters of
the Commercial, Lodging and Historic District Design Objectives and Guidelines.
(Ord. No. 55-2000, §15; Ord. No. 1-2002, §16; Ord. No. 23-2004, §3; Ord. No. 2-2005, §2; Ord. No.
5, 2005, §2; Ord. No. 13, 2007, §2, Ord. No. 9A, 2010 §2; Ord. No. 14 - 2013,§2)
26.575.040 RESERVED
(Ord. No. 13-2005, §3; Ord. No. 50-a-2005, §6; Ord. No. 12, 2007, §§33, 34; Ord. No. 27-2010, §2)
26.575.045 Junkyards and service yards
Junkyards (See Definitions, Section 25.104.100) shall be screened from the view of other lots,
structures uses and rights -of -way. Service yards (See Definitions, Section 26.104.100) shall be
fenced so as not to be visible from the street and such fences shall be a minimum six (6) feet high
from grade. All fences shall be of sound construction and shall have not more than ten percent (10%)
open area.
26.575.050 Fence Materials
Fences shall be permitted in every zone district, provided that no fence shall exceed six (6) feet above
natural grade or as otherwise regulated by the Residential Design Standards (see Chapter 26.410),
Historic Preservation Design Guidelines (see Chapter 26.415), the Commercial Design Standards (see
Chapter 26.412), Calculations and Measurements — setbacks (see Chapter 26.575.020.5), or the
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 34
Engineering Design Standards (see landscaping). Fences visible from the public right-of-way shall
be constructed of wood, stone, wrought iron, concrete, metal, wire, or masonry. Chain link, plastic,
vinyl or synthetic fences are prohibited.
(Ord. No. 55-2000, §16; Ord. No. 12, 2007, §35; Ord. No. 7, 2014, §10)
26.575.060 Driveways
Driveways are not permitted to be gated.
Note: Section 26.575.060, formerly Utility/trash/recycle service areas was repealed via Ordinance
No. 13 (Series of 2013). Chapter 12.06, Waste Reduction and Recycling was amended via the above
referenced ordinance to address waste and recycling areas.
(Ord. No. 5-2005, §3; Ord. No. 12, 2007, §36; Ord. No. 7-2013, § 4; Ord. No. 13-2013, § 10; Ord.
No. 7-2014, § 11)
26.575.070 Reserved (formerly Use square footage limitations)
(Ord. No. 7-2013, §2)
26.575.080 Child care center
A. A daycare center shall provide one (1) off-street parking space per employee, a child
loading/unloading area of adequate dimensions, preferably off-street and adequately sized indoor and
outdoor play areas and shall maintain minimum hours of operation of 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from
Monday through Friday.
B. A facility which provides regular supervision and care of five (5) or fewer children per day shall
be considered a family daycare home and shall be allowed as an accessory use, subject to the
following:
1. If the family daycare home is developed in conjunction with a residential use, it shall meet the
requirements of a home occupation.
2. If the family daycare home is developed in conjunction with an institution or business, it shall
be limited to use by the children of the employees or guests of that institution or business and
shall provide one (1) off-street parking space.
26.575.090 Home occupations
Home occupations are permitted in all residential dwellings in the City. To ensure home occupations
are clearly incidental and secondary to the residential character of the home, a home occupation must
comply with each of the following:
A. Employees. Employs no more than one (1) person who is a nonresident of the dwelling; and
B. Business License. Operates pursuant to a valid Business License for the use held by the resident
of the dwelling unit; and
C. Signage. Any signs must comply with Chapter 26.510 SIGNS; and
D. Outdoor Storage. Any outside storage shall be screened or enclosed; and
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 35
E. Nuisance. Does not utilize mechanical, electrical or other equipment or items which produce
noise, electrical or magnetic interference, vibration, heat, glare, smoke, dust, odor or other
nuisance outside the residential building or accessory structure; and
F. Prohibitions. Does not include any of the following uses as a home occupation: Retail uses
where the point of sale occurs within the residence (does not prohibit off -premise or internet
sales); Restaurant uses; health or medical clinic, mortuary, nursing home, veterinarian's clinic,
pharmacy, the sale, production, cultivation or testing of marijuana or marijuana products, child
care center for 6 or more children (see Section 26.575.080), warehousing, brewery, distillery,
coffee roasting facility, liquor store, group home, dancing studio, or for the storage, sale,
production, processing of flammable or volatile materials.
A home occupation license may be revoked if the use creates a substantial nuisance or hazard to
neighboring residents.
(Ord. No. 7-2013, §3; Ord. No. 23-2014, §1)
26.575.100 Landscape maintenance
Landscaping shown on any approved site development plan shall be maintained in a healthy manner
for a minimum three (3) year period from the date of the receipt of the financial assurance referenced
below. In the event that plant material dies, the owner of the property shall replace the plant material
with similar quality within forty-five (45) days of notification by the Community Development
Director. If seasonal constraints do not allow planting of the approved plant material within forty-
five (45) days the owner may in writing seek permission from the Community Development Director
to:
A. Provide financial assurances equal to one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the amount of the
replacement landscaping and installation costs as approved by the Parks Department and in a form
satisfactory to the City Attorney. The completion of the landscape replacement shall be
accomplished no later than June 15th of the next planting season; otherwise the financial assurances
shall be forfeited to the City.
B. Submit for approval a revised landscape plan.
26.575.110 Building envelopes
Approved plantings of landscape materials on natural grade and approved walkways and driveways
may occur outside of a building envelope. Otherwise, all areas outside of a building envelope shall
remain in pristine and untouched condition unless approved by the Community Development
Director.
/For purposes of site -specific development plans, building envelopes may be established to restrict
development to protect slopes, important vegetation, water courses, privacy or other considerations.
Building envelopes shall be described on recorded plats, site -specific development plans ordinances,
resolutions and building permit site plans. Building envelopes required or designated as part of a
development approval shall be depicted on the applicable plat, site plan, site -specific development
plan, map or building permit.
26.575.120 Satellite dish antennas
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 36
A. Satellite dish antennas twenty-four (24) inches in diameter or more must receive building permits,
if required, prior to installation. Prior to the issuance of appropriate building permits, satellite dish
antennas greater than twenty-four (24) inches in diameter shall be reviewed and approved by the
Community Development Director in conformance with the following criteria. Any satellite dishes
installed on a property listed on the Aspen Inventory of Historic Landmark Sites and Structures or in
an H, Historic Overlay District shall be reviewed according to Subsection 26.415.070.B.
Use. The proposed use is consistent and compatible with the character of the immediate
vicinity of the parcel proposed for development and surrounding land uses or enhances the
mixture of complimentary uses and activities in the immediate vicinity of the parcel proposed
for development.
2. Location, size and design. The location, size, design and operating characteristics of the
proposed use minimizes adverse effects, including visual impacts, impacts on pedestrian and
vehicular circulation, parking, trash, service delivery, noise, vibrations and odor on
surrounding properties.
3. Area and bulk requirements. The installation of a satellite dish antenna shall not cause a
violation of area and bulk requirements within the zone district in which it is located, unless a
variance is granted by the Board of Adjustment.
4. Right-of-way. A satellite dish antenna shall not be placed on an easement or in the City right-
of-way, unless an encroachment permit is secured.
5. Increased dancer. The installation of a satellite dish antenna shall not cause any increased
danger to neighboring property in the event of collapse or other failure of the antenna
structure.
6. Visual impact. The visibility of the dish from the public way shall be reduced to the highest
degree practical including, but not limited to, sensitive choice in placement of the dish,
screening with fencing, landscaping, sub -grade placement or any other effective means that
both screen the dish and does not appear to be unnatural on the site.
B. Conditions. The Community Development Director may apply reasonable conditions to the
approval deemed necessary to insure conformance with said review criteria. If the Community
Development Director determines that the proposed satellite dish antenna does not comply with the
review criteria and denies the application or the applicant does not agree to the conditions of approval
determined by the Community Development Director, the applicant may apply for conditional use
review by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
C. Procedures. Procedures established in Chapter 26.304, Common Development Review
Procedures, shall apply to all satellite dish antennas.
(Ord. No. 1-2002 § 17)
26.575.130 Wireless telecommunication services facilities and equipment
A. Intent and purpose: To provide design standards for cellular communication facilities in order
to ensure their compatibility with surrounding development. The unique and diverse landscapes of
the City are among its most valuable assets. Protecting these assets will require that location and
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 37
design of wireless communication services facilities and equipment be sensitive to and in scale and
harmony with, the character of the community.
The put -pose of these regulations is to provide predictable and balanced standards for the siting and
screening of wireless telecommunication services facilities and equipment on property within the
jurisdiction of the City in order to:
1. Preserve the character and aesthetics of areas which are in close proximity to wireless
telecommunication services facilities and equipment by minimizing the visual, aesthetic and
safety impacts of such facilities through careful design, siting and screening; placement,
construction or modification of such facilities;
2. Protect the health, safety and welfare of persons living or working in the area surrounding
such wireless telecommunication services facilities and equipment from possible adverse
environmental effects (within the confines of the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996)
related to the placement, construction or modification of such facilities;
3. Provide development which is compatible in appearance with allowed uses of the underlying
zone;
4. Facilitate the City's permitting process to encourage fair and meaningful competition and, to
the greatest extent possible, extend to all people in all areas of the City high quality wireless
telecommunication services at reasonable costs to promote the public welfare; and
5. Encourage the joint use and clustering of antenna sites and structures, when practical, to help
reduce the number of such facilities which may be required in the future to service the needs
of customers and thus avert unnecessary proliferation of facilities on private and public
property.
B. Applicability. All applications for the installation or development of wireless telecommunication
services facilities and/or equipment must receive building permits, prior to installation. Prior to the
issuance of appropriate building permits, wireless telecommunication services facilities and/or
equipment shall be reviewed for approval by the Community Development Director in conformance
with the provisions and criteria of this Section. Wireless telecommunication services facilities and
equipment subject to the provisions and criteria of this Section include cellular telephone, paging,
enhanced specialized mobile radio (ESMR), personal communication services (PCS), commercial
mobile radio service (CMRS) and other wireless commercial telecommunication devices and all
associated structures and equipment including transmitters, antennas, monopoles, towers, masts and
microwave dishes, cabinets and equipment rooms. These provisions and criteria do not apply to
noncommercial satellite dish antennae, radio and television transmitters and antennae incidental to
residential use. All references made throughout this Section, to any of the devices to which this
Section is applicable, shall be construed to include all other devices to which this Section 26.575.130
is applicable.
C. Procedure.
1. General. Pursuant to Section 26.304.020, the applicant shall conduct a pre -application
conference with staff of the Community Development Department. The planner shall then
prepare a pre -application summary describing the submission requirements and any other
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 38
pertinent land use material, the fees associated with the reviews and the review process in
general.
2. Administrative review. After the pre -application summary is received by the applicant, said
applicant shall prepare an application for review and approval by staff and the Community
Development Director, respectively. In order to proceed with additional land use reviews or
obtain a development order, the Community Development Director shall find the submitted
development application consistent with the provisions, requirements and standards of this
Chapter.
3. Appeal of Director's determination. The Community Development Director may apply
reasonable conditions to the approval as deemed necessary to ensure conformance with
applicable review criteria in Subsection 26.575.130.F. If the Community Development
Director determines that the proposed wireless telecommunication services facilities and
equipment do not comply with the review criteria and 'denies the application or the applicant
does not agree to the conditions of approval determined by the Community Development
Director, the applicant may apply for special review (Chapter 26.430) by the Planning and
Zoning Commission or, if applicable, by the Historic Preservation Commission, and such
application must be made within fifteen (15) calendar days of the day on which the
Community Development Director's decision is rendered. All appeals shall require public
hearings and shall be noticed by the applicant in accordance with Paragraphs
26.304.060.E.3.a, b and c of this Code.
4. Historic Preservation Commission review. Proposals for the location of wireless
telecommunication services facilities or equipment on any historic site or structure or within
any historic district, shall be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC).
Review of applications for wireless telecommunication services facilities and/or equipment by
the HPC shall replace the need for review by the Community Development Director.
Likewise, if the Historic Preservation Commission determines that the proposed wireless
telecommunication services facilities and equipment do not comply with the review criteria
and denies the application or the applicant does not agree to the conditions of approval
determined by the Historic Preservation Commission, the applicant may appeal the decision to
the City Council, and such appeal must be filed within fifteen (15) calendar days of the day on
which the Historic Preservation Commission's decision is rendered. All appeals shall require
public hearings and shall be noticed by the applicant in accordance with Paragraphs
26.304.060.E.3.a, b and c of this Code.
5. Building permit. A building permit application cannot be filed unless and until final land use
approval has been granted and a development order has been issued. When applying for
building permits, the applicant shall submit a signed letter acknowledging receipt of the
decision granting land use approval and his/her agreement with all conditions of approval, as
well as a copy of the signed document granting the land use approval for the subject building
permit application.
6. Special review. An application requesting a variance from the review standards for height of
wireless telecommunications service facilities and/or equipment or an appeal of a
determination made by the Community Development Director, shall be processed as a special
review in accordance with the common development review procedures set forth in Chapter
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 39
26.304. The special review shall be considered at a public hearing for which notice has been
posted and mailed, pursuant to Paragraphs 26.304.060.E.3.b and c.
Review is by the Planning and Zoning Commission. If the property is listed on the Aspen
inventory of historic landmark sites and structures or within a Historic Overlay District and
the application has been authorized for consolidation pursuant to Chapter 26.304, the Historic
Preservation Commission shall consider the special review.
Such special review may be approved, approved with conditions or denied based on
conformance with the following criteria:
a) Conformance with the applicable review standards of Subsection 26.575.130.F.
b) If the facility or equipment is located on property listed on the Aspen inventory of historic
landmark sites and structures or within any historic district, then the applicable standards
of Chapter 26.415 (Development involving the Aspen inventory of historic landmark sites
and structures or development in an "H," Historic Overlay District) shall apply.
D. Application. An application for approval of new, modified or additional wireless
telecommunication services facilities and/or equipment shall comply with the submittal requirements
applicable to conditional use reviews pursuant to Chapter 26.304, Common development review
procedures and Chapter 26.425, Conditional uses of the Aspen Municipal Code. Also, wireless
telecommunication services facilities and equipment applications shall contain at least the following
additional information:
1. Site plan or plans drawn to a scale of one (1) inch equals ten (10) feet or one (1) inch equals
twenty (20) feet, including "before and after" photographs (simulations) specifying the
location of antennas, support structures, transmission buildings and/or other accessory uses,
access, parking, fences, signs, lighting, landscaped areas and all adjacent land uses within one
hundred fifty (150) feet. Such plans and drawings should demonstrate compliance with the
review standards of this Section.
2. Site improvement survey including topography and vegetation showing the current status,
including all easements and vacated rights of way, of the parcel certified (wet ink signed and
stamped and dated within the past twelve (12) months) by a registered land surveyor; licensed
in the State.
3. Landscape plan drawn to a scale of one (1) inch equals ten (10) feet or one (1) inch equals
twenty (20) feet, including "before and after" photographs (simulations) indicating size,
spacing and type of plantings and indicating steps to be taken to provide screening as required
by the review standards of this Section. The landscape plans shall also indicate the size,
location and species of all existing vegetation and whether each of those indicated are
proposed for removal (indicate proposed mitigation), relocation (indicate from and to) or
preservation. The planner can determine if a landscape plan is necessary; for instance, when
an antenna is to be attached to a building, this requirement may be waived.
4. Elevation drawings or "before and after" photographs/drawings simulating and specifying the
location and height of antennas, support structures, transmission buildings and/or other
accessory uses, fences and signs.
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page,10
5. Lighting plan and photometric study indicating the size, height, location and wattage of all
proposed outdoor lighting sources. This study must also include a graphic indicating the
spread and degree/intensity of light from each source/fixture. This requirement can be waived
by the Community Development Director if little or no outdoor lighting is proposed.
6. Structural integrity report from a professional engineer licensed in the State documenting the
following:
a) Tower height and design, including technical, engineering, economic and other pertinent
factors governing selection of the proposed design;
b) Total anticipated capacity of the structure, including number and types of antennas which
can be accommodated;
c) Failure characteristics of the tower and demonstration that site and setbacks are of
adequate size to contain debris in the event of failure; and
d) Specific design and reconstruction plans to allow shared use. This submission is required
only in the event that the applicant intends to share use of the facility by subsequent
reinforcement and reconstruction of the facility.
7. FAA and FCC coordination. Statements regarding the regulations of the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), respectively,
that:
a) (Required only if the facility is near an airfield) The application has not been found to be
a hazard to air navigation under Part 77, Federal Aviation, Federal Aviation Regulations
or a statement that no compliance with Part 77 is required and the reasons therefor. A
letter from the Sardy Field Airport Administrator will also be required if the Community
Development Director determines that the proposed facility may impact airport
operations;
b) (Required of all wireless telecommunication services facility or equipment applicants)
The application complies with the regulations of the Federal Communications
Commission with regard to maximum radio frequency and electromagnetic frequency
emissions or a statement from the applicant that no such compliance is necessary and the
reasons therefore.
8. Evidence that an effort was made to locate on an existing wireless telecommunication services
facility site including coverage/ interference analysis and capacity analysis and a brief
statement as to other reasons for success or no success.
9. Written documentation in the form of a signed affidavit demonstrating a good faith effort in
locating facilities in accordance with site selection order of preference outline below.
10. All companies and providers of wireless telecommunication service facilities and equipment
within the City shall, during their preapplication conference for a new facility, be prepared to
verbally outline, -to the best of current knowledge, a master or long-term plan for all proposed
sites within a three-mile radius of the City. In particular, companies and providers should be
prepared to discuss their need for the proposed site and how it fits into their existing and
proposed coverage grids.
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 41
E. General provisions and requirements. The following provisions apply to all wireless
telecommunication services facilities and equipment applications, sites and uses.
1. Prohibitions. Lattice towers (a structure, with three or four steel support legs, used to support
a variety of antennae; these towers generally range in height from sixty (60) to two hundred
(200) feet and are constructed in areas where great height is needed, microwave antennas are
required or where the weather demands a more structurally sound design) are prohibited
within the City.
Towers (support structures) shall be prohibited in the following Zone Districts: Medium -
Density Residential (R-6); Moderate -Density Residential (R-15, R45A, R-1513); Low -
Density Residential (R-30); Residential Multi -Family (RMF, RMFA); and Affordable
Housing/Planned Unit Development (AH-1/PUD).
All wireless telecommunication services facilities and equipment not prohibited by the
preceding statements shall be allowed in all other zone districts subject to review and
approval by the Community Development Director pursuant to the provisions, requirements
and standards of this Chapter, including consistency with the dimensional requirements of the
underlying zone district.
2. Site selection. Wireless communication facilities shall be located in the following order of
preference:
First: On existing structures such as buildings, communication towers, flagpoles, church
steeples, cupolas, ball field lights, nonornamental/antique street lights such as
highway lighting, etc.
Second: In locations where the existing topography, vegetation, buildings or other structures
provide the greatest amount of screening.
Least: On vacant ground or highly visible sites without significant visual mitigation and
where screening/buffering is difficult at best.
3. Interference. See Section 15.04.470, Radio Interference Prohibited, of this Code.
4. Airports and flight paths. Wireless telecommunication services facilities and equipment shall
not present a hazard to air navigation under Part 77, Federal Aviation, Federal Aviation
Regulations.
5. Historic sites and structures. In addition to the applicable standards of Chapter 26.415, all of
the foregoing and following provisions and standards of this Chapter shall apply when
wireless telecommunication services, facilities and equipment are proposed on any historic
site or structure or within any historic district.
6. Public buildings structures and rights -of -way. Leasing of public buildings, publicly owned
structures and/or public rights -of -way for the purposes of locating wireless
telecommunication services facilities and/or equipment is encouraged. In cases where a
facility is proposed on City property, specific locations and compensation to the City shall be
negotiated in lease agreements between the City and the provider on a case -by -case basis and
would be subject to all of the review criteria contained in this Section. Such agreements
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 42
( would not provide exclusive arrangements that could tie up access to the negotiated sites or
limit competition and must allow for the possibility of "co -locating" (sharing of facilities)
with other providers as described in Subsection E.7, below.
7. Co -location. Co -location or sharing, of facilities with other providers is encouraged. Co -
location can be achieved as either building -mounted, roof -mounted or ground -mounted
facilities. In designing poles, applicants are strongly encouraged to consider the possibility of
present or future co -location of other wireless communication equipment by structurally
overbuilding in order to handle the loading capacity of additional antennas, for the use of the
company and for other companies to use as well. Applicants shall use good faith efforts to
negotiate lease rights to other telecommunications users who desire to use the monopole. Co -
location on an existing support structure (tower) shall be permitted as an accessory use. A
maximum of two (2), twenty-four (24) inch diameter dish antennas are permitted per
monopole. Projections of any type on the monopole, which are not antennas, are strongly
discouraged.
Multiple use facilities are encouraged as well. Wireless telecommunication services facilities
and equipment may be integrated into existing or newly developed facilities that are
functional for other purposes, such as ball field lights, flagpoles, church steeples, highway
lighting, etc. All multiple use facilities shall be designed to make the appearance of the
antennae relatively inconspicuous.
The co -location requirement may be waived by the Community Development Director upon a
showing that either federal or state regulations prohibit the use, the proposed use will interfere
with the current use, the proposed use will interfere with surrounding property or uses, the
proposed user will not agree to reasonable terms or such co -location is not in the best interest
of the public health, safety or welfare. Time needed to review a co -location request shall not
greatly exceed that for a single applicant.
8. Maintenance. All towers, antennas, related facilities and equipment and subject sites shall be
maintained in a safe and clean manner in accordance with project approvals and building
codes. The operator/property owner shall be responsible for maintaining free from graffiti,
debris and litter, those areas of the site which are adjacent to the premises over which he or
she has control. The applicant shall be responsible for reasonable upkeep of the facility and
subject property. All towers, antennas and related facilities shall be subject to periodic
inspection to ensure continuing compliance with all conditions of approval and requirements
of this Section.
9. Abandonment and removal. All required approvals will be in effect only so long as the
antennas and other structures are operated at the site. Facilities that are not in use for ninety
(90) consecutive days for cellular communication purposes shall be considered abandoned
and shall be removed by the facility owner. The site shall be restored to the condition it was
in prior to the installation/location of the facility. Such removal shall be carried out in
accordance with proper health and safety requirements.
A written notice of the determination of abandonment shall be sent or delivered to the
operator of the wireless communication facility. The operator shall have ninety (90) days to
remove the facility or provide the Community Development Department with evidence that
the use has not been discontinued. The Community Development Director shall review all
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 43
evidence and shall determine whether or not the facility is abandoned. Upon refusal or failure
of an owner and/or operator to timely remove a facility as required under this Section, the
facility shall be deemed an abandoned illegal structure subject to abatement as a public
nuisance.
10. Conditions and limitations. The City shall reserve the right to add, modify or delete
conditions after the approval of a request in order to advance a legitimate City interest related
to health, safety or welfare. Prior to exercising this right, the City shall notify the owner and
operator in advance and shall not impose a substantial expense or deprive the affected party of
a substantial revenue source in the exercising of such right.
Approval by the Community Development Director for a wireless telecommunication services
facility and/or equipment application shall not be construed to waive any applicable zoning or
other regulations; and wherein not otherwise specified, all other requirements of this Code
shall apply. All requests for modifications of existing facilities or approvals shall be
submitted to the Community Development Director for review under all provisions and
requirements of this Section. If other than minor changes are proposed, a new, complete
application containing all proposed revisions shall be required.
F. Review standards. The following standards are designed to foster the City's safety and aesthetic
interests without imposing unreasonable limitations on wireless telecommunication services facilities
and equipment:
1. Setbacks. At a minimum, all wireless telecommunication services facilities and equipment
shall comply with the minimum setback requirements of the underlying zone district; if the
following requirements are more restrictive than those of the underlying zone district, the
more restrictive standard shall apply.
a) All facilities shall be located at least fifty (50) feet from any property lines, except when
roof -mounted (above the eave line of a building). Flat -roof mounted facilities visible
from ground level within one -hundred (100) feet of said property shall be concealed to the
extent possible within a compatible architectural element, such as a chimney or ventilation
pipe or behind architectural skirting of the type generally used to conceal HVAC
equipment. Pitched -roof -mounted facilities shall always be concealed within a compatible
architectural element, such as chimneys or ventilation pipes.
b) Monopole towers shall be set back from any residentially zoned properties a distance of at
least three (3) times the monopole's height (i.e., a sixty (60) foot setback would be
required for a twenty (20) foot monopole) and the setback from any public road, as
measured from the right -of. -way line, shall be at least equal to the height of the monopole.
c) No wireless communication facility may be established within one -hundred (100) feet of
any existing, legally established wireless communication facility except when located on
the same building or structure.
d) No portion of any antenna array shall extend beyond the property lines or into any front
yard area. Guy wires shall not be anchored within any front yard area, but may be
attached to the building.
2. Height. The following restrictions shall apply:
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 44
a) Wireless telecommunication services facilities and/or equipment not attached to a building
shall not exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height or the maximum permissible height of the
given Zone District, whichever is more restrictive.
b) Whenever a wireless telecommunication services antenna is attached to a building roof,
the antenna and support system for panel antennas shall not exceed five (5) feet above the
highest portion of that roof, including parapet walls and the antenna and support system
for whip antennas shall not exceed ten (10) feet above the highest portion of that roof,
including parapet walls.
c) The Community Development Director may approve a taller antenna height than
stipulated in b. above if it is his or her determination that it is suitably camouflaged, in
which case an administrative approval may be granted.
d) If the Community Development Director determines that an antenna taller than stipulated
in b. above cannot be suitably camouflaged, then the additional height of the antenna shall
be reviewed pursuant to the process and standards (in addition to the standards of this
Section) of Chapter 26.430 (Special review).
e) Support and/or switching equipment shall be located inside the building, unless it can be
fully screened from view as provided in the "Screening" standards (26.475.130 and
26.575.130.F.5) below.
3. Architectural compatibility. Whether manned or unmanned, wireless telecommunication
services facilities shall be consistent with the architectural style of the surrounding
architectural environment (planned or existing) considering exterior materials, roof form,
scale, mass, color, texture and character. In addition:
a) If such facility is accessory to an existing use, the facility shall be constructed out of
materials that are equal to or of better quality than the materials of the principal use.
b) Wireless telecommunication services equipment shall be of the same color as the building
or structure to which or on which such equipment is mounted or as required by the
appropriate decision -making authority (Community Development Director, Historic
Preservation Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission or City .Council, as
applicable).
c) Whenever wireless telecommunication services equipment is mounted to the wall of a
building or structure, the equipment shall be mounted in a configuration designed to blend
with and be architecturally integrated into a building or other concealing structure, be as
Rush to the wall as technically possible and shall not project above the wall on which it is
mounted.
d) Monopole support buildings, which, house cellular switching devices and/or other
equipment related to the use, operation or maintenance of the subject monopole, must be
designed to match the architecture of adjacent buildings. If no recent and/or reasonable
architectural theme is present, the Community Development Director may require a
particular design that is deemed to be suitable to the subject location.
e) All utilities associated with wireless communication facilities or equipment shall be
underground (also see "Screening" below).
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 45
4. Compatibility with the natural environment. Wireless telecommunication services facilities
and equipment shall be compatible with the surrounding natural environment considering land
forms, topography and other natural features and shall not dominate the landscape or present a
dominant silhouette on a ridge line. In addition:
a) If a location at or near a mountain ridge line is selected, the applicant shall provide
computerized, three-dimensional, visual simulations of the facility or equipment and other
appropriate graphics to demonstrate the visual impact on the view of the affected ridges or
ridge lines; an 8040 Greenline Review, pursuant to the provisions of Section 26.435.030,
may also be required.
b) Site disturbances shall be minimized and existing vegetation shall be preserved or
improved to the extent possible, unless it can be demonstrated that such disturbance to
vegetation and topography results in less visual impact to the surrounding area.
c) Surrounding view planes shall be preserved to the extent possible.
d) All wireless telecommunication services facilities and equipment shall comply with the
Federal Communication Commission's regulations concerning maximum radio frequency
and electromagnetic frequency emissions.
Screening. Roof -and -ground -mounted wireless telecommunication services facilities and
equipment, including accessory equipment, shall be screened from adjacent and nearby public
rights -of -way and public or private properties by paint color selection, parapet walls, screen
walls, fencing, landscaping and/or berming in a manner compatible with the building's and/or
surrounding environment's design, color, materials, texture, land forms and/or topography, as
appropriate or applicable. In addition:
a) Whenever possible, if monopoles are necessary for the support of antennas, they shall be
located near existing utility poles, trees or other similar objects; consist of colors and
materials that best blend with their background; and, have no individual antennas or
climbing spikes on the pole other than those approved by the appropriate decision -making
authority (Community Development Director, Historic Preservation Commission,
Planning and Zoning Commission or City Council, as applicable).
b) For ground -mounted facilities, landscaping may be required to achieve a total screening
effect at the base of such facilities or equipment in order to screen the mechanical
characteristics; a heavy emphasis on coniferous plants for year-round screening may be
required. Landscaping shall be of a type and variety capable of growing within one (1)
year to a landscape screen which satisfactorily obscures the visibility of the facility.
c) Unless otherwise expressly approved, all cables for a facility shall be fully concealed from
view underground or inside of the screening or monopole structure supporting the
antennas; any cables that cannot be buried or otherwise hidden from view shall be painted
to match the color of the building or other existing structure.
d) Chain link fencing shall be unacceptable to screen facilities, support structures or
accessory and related equipment (including HVAC or mechanical equipment present on
support buildings); fencing material, if used, shall be six (6) feet in height or less and shall
consist of wood, masonry, stucco, stone or other acceptable materials that are opaque.
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 46
e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the facility shall comply with all additional measures
deemed necessary to mitigate the visual impact of the facility. Also, in lieu of these
screening standards, the Community Development Director may allow use of an alternate
detailed plan and specifications for landscape and screening, including plantings, fences,
walls, sign and structural applications, manufactured devices and other features designed
to screen, camouflage and buffer antennas, poles and accessory uses. For example, the
antenna and supporting structure or monopole may be of such design and treated with an
architectural material so that it is camouflaged to resemble a tree with a single trunk and
branches on its upper part. The plan should accomplish the same degree of screening
achieved by meeting the standards outlined above.
6. Lighting and signage. In addition to other applicable sections of the code regulating signage
or outdoor lighting, the following standards shall apply to wireless telecommunication
services facilities and equipment:
a) The light source for security lighting shall feature down -directional, sharp cut-off
luminaries to direct, control, screen or shade in such a manner as to ensure that there is no
spillage of illumination off -site.
b) Light fixtures, whether free standing or tower -mounted, shall not exceed twelve (12) feet
in height as measured from finished grade.
c) The display of any sign or advertising device other than public safety warnings,
certifications or other required seals on any wireless communication device or structure is
prohibited.
d) The telephone numbers to contact in an emergency shall be posted on each facility in
conformance with the provisions of Chapter 26.510, Signs, of this Title.
7. Access ways. In addition to ingress and egress requirements of the Building Code, access to
and from wireless telecommunication services facilities and equipment shall be regulated as
follows:
a) No wireless communication device or facility shall be located in a required parking,
maneuvering or vehicle/pedestrian circulation area such that it interferes with or in any
way impairs, the intent or functionality of the original design.
b) The facility must be secured from access by the general public but access for emergency
services must be ensured. Access roads must be capable of supporting all potential
emergency response vehicles and equipment.
c) The proposed easements for ingress and egress and for electrical and telephone shall be
recorded at the County Clerk and Recorder's Office prior to the issuance of building
permits.
(Ord. No. 1-2002 § 18; Ord. No. 52-2003, §§ 14, 15)
26.575.140 Accessory uses and accessory structures
An accessory use shall not be construed to authorize a use not otherwise permitted in the zone district
in which the principal use or structure to which it is accessory. An accessory use or structure may not
be established prior to the establishment of the principal use or structure to which it is accessory.
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 47
Accessory buildings or structures shall not be provided with kitchen or bath facilities sufficient to
render them suitable for permanent residential occupation.
26.575.150 Outdoor lighting
A. Intent and purpose. The City has experienced a significant increase in the use of exterior
illumination. City residents value small town character and the qualities associated with this
character, including the ability to view the stars against a dark sky. They recognize that inappropriate
and poorly designed or installed outdoor lighting causes unsafe and unpleasant conditions, limits their
ability to enjoy the nighttime sky and results in unnecessary use of electric power. It is also
recognized that some exterior lighting is appropriate and necessary.
This Section is intended to help maintain the health, safety and welfare of the residents of Aspen
through regulation of exterior lighting in order to:
a. Promote safety and security;
b. Help preserve the small town character;
c. Eliminate the escalation of nighttime light polhrtion;
d. Reduce glaring and offensive light sources;
e. Provide clear guidance to builders and developers;
f. Encourage the use of improved technologies for lighting;
g. Conserve energy; and
h. Prevent inappropriate and poorly designed or installed outdoor lighting.
B. Applicability. The lighting standards of this Section shall be applicable to all outdoor lighting
within the City. Existing outdoor lighting shall be considered legal nonconforming lighting for one
(1) year from the adoption date of this ordinance.
C. Definitions.
a. Fully shielded light: Light fixtures shielded or constructed so that no light rays are directly
emitted by the installed fixture at angles above the horizontal plane as certified by a
photometric test report. The fixture must also be properly installed to effectively down direct
light in order to conform with the definition.
b. Foot-candles: A unit of illumination of a surface that is equal to one lumen per square foot.
For the purposes of these regulations, foot-candles shall be measured at a height of 3 ft. above
finished grade.
c. Fixture height: Height of the fixture shall be the vertical distance from the ground directly
below the centerline of the fixture to the lowest direct light emitting part of the fixture.
d. High intensity discharge light source (HID): Light sources characterized by an are tube or
discharge capsule that produces light, with typical sources being metal halide, high pressure
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 48
sodium and other similar types which are developed in accordance with accepted industry
standards.
e. Point light source: The exact place from which illumination is produced (i.e., a light bulb
filament or discharge capsule).
f. Light trespass: The shining of light produced by a light fixture beyond the boundaries of the
property on which it is located.
D. Lighting plans.
a. An outdoor lighting plan shall be submitted in conjunction with applications for subdivision,
planned development, development within any environmentally sensitive area, special review
application and building permit application for a commercial or multi -family building. Such
lighting plans shall be subject to establishment and approval through the applicable review
processes. Said lighting plan shall show the following:
1) The location and height above grade of light fixtures;
2) The type (such as incandescent, halogen, high-pressure sodium) and luminous intensity of
each light source;
3) The type of fixture (such as floodlight, full -cutoff, lantern, coach light);
4) Estimates for site illumination resulting from the lighting, as measured in foot-candles,
should include minimum, maximum and average illumination. Comparable examples
already in the community that demonstrate technique, specification and/or light level
should be provided if available to expedite the review process; and
5) Other information deemed necessary by the Community Development Director to
document compliance with the provisions of this Chapter.
b. Single family and duplex building shall be in compliance with the standards of Section
26.575.090.
E. Nonresidential lighting standards. The following lighting standards shall be applicable to all
nonresidential properties including mixed uses:
a. Outdoor lighting used to illuminate parking spaces, driveways, maneuvering areas or
buildings shall conform to the definition for "fully shielded light fixtures" and be designed,
arranged and screened so that the point light source shall not be visible from adjoining lots or
streets. No portion of the bulb or direct lamp image may be visible beyond a distance equal to
or greater than twice the mounting height of the fixture. For example, for a fixture with a
mounting height of twelve (12) feet, no portion of the bulb or direct lamp image may be
visible from twenty-four (24) feet away in any direction. The light level shall not exceed ten
(10) foot-candles as measured three (3) feet above finished grade. Exemptions may be
requested for areas with high commercial, pedestrian or vehicular activity up to a maximum
of twenty (20) foot-candles.
b. Outdoor lighting shall be twelve (12) feet or less in height unless it meets one (1) of the
following criteria:
1) The lighting is fully shielded and the point light source is not visible beyond the
boundaries of the property in which it is located; or
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 49
2) The lighting is otherwise approved in Subsection 27.575.150.K, Miscellaneous
Supplemental Regulations, review standards.
c. All light sources which are not fully shielded shall use other than a clear lens material as the
primary lens material to enclose the light bulb so as to minimize glare from that point light
source. Exceptions may be allowed where there is a demonstrated benefit for the community
determined through the exemption process listed in this Section.
d. High Intensity Discharge (HID) light sources are allowed with a maximum wattage of one -
hundred -seventy-five high-pressure sodium (HPS) and one -hundred -seventy -five -watt metal
halide (coated lamp — 3,000 degrees Kelvin). Standards for other HID light sources may be
established by the City for new technology consistent with the above restrictions.
e. Spacing for security and parking lot light fixtures that are pole mounted shall be no less than
seventy-five (75) feet apart. Decorative fixtures (which are also fully shielded) are allowed to
maintain a fifty -foot fixture spacing. Wall mounted fixture spacing for security lighting shall
be no less than fifty (50) feet measured horizontally. Decorative fixtures directed back toward
a building face shall be exempt from this spacing requirement when shielded and shall not
exceed fifty (50) watts. Decorative fixtures that are not shielded shall maintain a minimum
spacing of twenty-five (25) feet and shall not exceed fifty (50) watts. Where security lighting
is a combination of pole and wall mounted fixtures, there shall be a minimum of seventy-five
(75) feet and a maximum of one -hundred -fifty -foot spacing.
f. Pole mounted fixtures shall be limited to two (2) light sources per pole.
g. Mixed use areas that include residential occupancies shall comply with the residential
standards on those floors or areas that are more than fifty percent (50%) residential based on
square footage of uses.
h. Up -lighting is only permitted if the light distribution from the fixture is effectively contained
by an overhanging architectural or landscaping element. Such elements may include awnings,
dense shrubs or year-round tree canopies, which can functionally contain or limit illumination
of the sky. In these cases the fixture spacing is limited to one (1) fixture per one hundred -
fifty (150) sq. ft. of area (as measured in a horizontal plane) and a total lamp wattage within a
fixture of thirty-five (35) watts.
i. Up -lighting of flags is permitted with a limit of two (2) fixtures per flagpole with a maximum
of one hundred fifty (150) watts each. The fixtures must be shielded such that the point
source is not visible outside of a fifteen -foot radius.
j. Outdoor vending, such as gas stations, requires approval for lighting. Lighting shall not
exceed a maximum of twenty (20) candles under the canopy.
F. Residential lighting standards. The following lighting standards shall be applicable to
residential properties:
a. Outdoor lighting shall be twelve (12) feet or less in height unless it meets one of the following
criteria:
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 50
• The lighting is used to illuminate above grade decks or balconies, is fully shielded and the
point light source is not visible beyond the boundaries of the property in which it is
located; or
• The lighting is fully recessed into a roof soffit, fully shielded and is not visible beyond the
boundaries of the property in which it is located; or
• The lighting is otherwise approved in Section 27.575.150.K, Miscellaneous Supplemental
Regulations, review standards.
b. Outdoor lighting with HID light sources in excess of thirty-five (35) watts (bulb or lamp) shall
be prohibited. In addition, incandescent light sources including halogen shall not exceed fifty
(50) watts.
c. All light sources that are not fully shielded shall use material other than a clear lens material
to enclose the light source. The point light source shall not be visible from adjacent
properties.
d. Landscape lighting is limited to thirty-five (35) watts per fixture per one hundred fifty (150)
square feet of landscaped area (as measured in a horizontal plane).
e. Security lights shall be restricted as follows:
1) The point light source shall not be visible from adjoining lots or streets.
2) Flood lights must be controlled by a switch or preferably a motion sensor activated only
by motion within owners property.
3) Timer controlled floodlights shall be prohibited.
4) Photo cell lights shall be allowed under the following circumstances:
(a) At primary points of entrance (e.g., front entries) or in critical common areas for
commercial and multi -family properties;
(b) Where the light sources are fully shielded by opaque material (i.e., the fixture
illuminates the area but is not itself visibly bright); and
(c) The light source or fluorescent (or compact fluorescent) to eliminate excess electricity
consumption.
5) Lights must be fully shielded, down directed and screened from adjacent properties in a
manner that limits light trespass to one -tenth (.1) of a foot candle as measured at the
property line.
6) Light intensity shall not exceed ten (10) foot-candles measured three (3) feet above
finished grade.
7) No light fixture shall be greater than twelve (12) feet in height. Exceptions are:
(a) Tree mounted fully shielded, downward directed lights using a light of twenty-five
(25) watts or less and
(b) Building mounted flood lights fully shielded, downward directed lights using a light of
fifty (50) watts or less.
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 51
(c) Motion sensor lights may be permitted, but only where the sensor is triggered by
motion within the owner's property lines.
(d) Light trespass at property lines should not exceed .1 of a foot-candle as measured at
the brightest point.
G. Reserved.
H. Exemptions. The following types of lighting installations shall be exempt from the provisions,.
requirements and review standards of this Section, including those requirements pertaining to 'Zoning
Officer review.
Holiday lighting. Winter holiday lighting which is temporary in nature and which is
illuminated only between and including November 15 and March 1 shall be exempt from the
provisions of this Section, provided that such lighting does not create dangerous glare on
adjacent streets or properties, is maintained in an attractive condition and does not constitute a
fire hazard.
2. Municipal lighting. Municipal lighting installed for the benefit of public health, safety and
welfare including, but not limited to, traffic control devices, street lights and construction
lighting.
Temporary hg ting. Any person may submit a written request to the Community
Development Director for a temporary exemption request. If approved, the exemption shall
be valid for not more than fourteen (14) days from the date of issuance of a written and signed
statement of approval. An additional fourteen (14) day temporary exemption may be
approved by the Director. The Director shall have the authority to refer an application for a
temporary exemption to the Planning and Zoning Commission or the Historic Preservation
Commission if deemed appropriate. A temporary exemption request shall contain at least the
following information:
a) Specific exemption or exemptions requested;
b) Type, use and purpose of outdoor lighting fixtures involved;
c) Duration of time requested for exemption;
d) Type of lamp and calculated lumens;
e) Total wattage of lamps;
f) Proposed location on premises of the outdoor light fixtures;
g) Previous temporary exemptions, if any;
h) Physical size of outdoor light fixtures and type of shielding provided; and
i) Such other information as may be required by the Community Development Department
Director.
4. Approved historic lighting fixtures. Nonconforming lighting fixtures which are consistent
with the character of the historic structure or district may be exempted with approval from the
Historic Preservation Officer or Historic Preservation Commission. Approved fixtures shall
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 52
be consistent with the architectural period and design style of the structure or district and shall
not exceed fifty (50) watts.
5. Decorative lighting elements, such as shades with perforated patterns and opaque diffusers,
may be exempted from the fully -shielded requirement provided they do not exceed fifty (50)
watts.
If a proposed lighting plan or fixtures are proposed that do not meet this Code but that have
demonstrable community benefit, an exemption may be considered. The applicant shall
submit additional information to adequately assess the community benefit for approval by the
Community Development Director.
I. Prohibitions. The following types of exterior lighting sources, fixtures and installations shall be
prohibited in the City of Aspen.
1. Light sources shall not be affixed to the top of a roof or under a roof eave, except where
required by Building Code.
2. Lighting for the put -pose of illuminating a building facade shall be prohibited when such
lighting is mounted to the ground or poles or is mounted on adjoining/adjacent structures.
3. Blinking, flashing, moving, revolving, scintillating, flickering, changing intensity and
changing color lights and internally illuminated signs shall be prohibited, except for
temporary holiday displays, lighting for public safety or traffic control or lighting required by
the FAA for air traffic control and warning purposes.
4. Mercury vapor and low -pressure -sodium lighting shall be prohibited due to their poor color
rendering qualities.
5. Linear lighting (including but not limited to neon and fluorescent lighting) primarily intended
as an architectural highlight to attract attention or used as a means of identification or
advertisement shall be prohibited.
6. Unshielded floodlights and timer controlled flood lights shall be prohibited.
7. Lighting directed toward the Roaring Fork River or its tributaries.
8. No outdoor lighting may be used in any manner that could interfere with the safe movement
of motor vehicles on public thoroughfares. The following is prohibited: .
a) Any fixed light not designed for roadway illumination that produces direct light or glare
that could be disturbing to the operator of a motor vehicle.
b) Any light that may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device except as
authorized by State, Federal or City government.
9. No beacon or search light shall be installed, illuminated or maintained.
10. Up -lighting is prohibited, except as otherwise provided for in this Section.
J. Nonconforming lighting. Unless otherwise specified within this Ordinance, within one (1) year
of the effective date of this Ordinance, all outdoor lighting fixtures that do not conform to
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 53
requirements of this Ordinance must be replaced with conforming fixtures or existing fixtures must
be retrofitted to comply. Violations shall be corrected within sixty (60) days of being cited. Until
that time, all existing outdoor lighting fixtures that do not already comply shall be considered legal
nonconforming fixtures.
K. Review standards.
1. Height. Outdoor residential and commercial lighting shall be twelve (12) feet or less above
grade in height. Special review by the Planning and Zoning Commission may allow lighting
of a greater height under the following circumstances:
a) A fixture at a greater height is required due to safety, building design or extenuating
circumstances in which case the light shall be fully shielded with a nonadjustable
mounting; or
b) Lighting for commercial parking and vehicle circulation areas may have a maximum
height of twenty (20) feet above grade and shall be fully shielded
2. Foot-candles. Outdoor nonresidential (26.575.070), Sign (26.575.080) and Residential
(26.575.090) Lighting standards shall not exceed the foot-candles designated in their
respective Sections. Special review by the Planning and Zoning Commission may allow
lighting of a greater intensity under the following circumstances:
a) A fixture of a greater light intensity is required due to safety, building design or
extenuating circumstances in which case the light shall be fully shielded with a
nonadjustable mounting; or
b) An architectural or historical feature requires greater illumination, in which case the light
shall be fully shielded with a nonadjustable mounting.
L. Procedures.
1. Administrative review procedures. Lighting plans submitted in conjunction with applications
for subdivision, planned development, development within any environmentally sensitive area
or special review application shall be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
2. Lighting plans submitted as a part of a building permit application for a commercial or multi-
family structure shall be reviewed administratively by the Community Development Director.
The Director shall have the authority to refer an application to the Planning and Zoning
Commission or the Historic Preservation Commission if deemed appropriate.
3. Appeals. Any appeals related to decisions regarding outdoor lighting shall be made to the
Board of Adjustment compliant with the procedures in the Appeals Chapter 26.316 of this
Title.
(Ord. No. 47-1999, § 1; Ord, No. 52-2003, §§ 16-20)
26.575.160 Dormitory
Occupancy of a dormitory unit shall be limited to no more than eight (8) persons. Each unit shall
provide a minimum of one hundred fifty (150) square feet per person of net living area, including
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 54
sleeping, bathroom, cooking and lounge used in common. Standards for use and design of such
facilities shall be established by the City's housing designee.
26.575.170 Fuel storage tanks
All fuel storage tanks shall be completely buried beneath the surface of the ground except that above
ground storage tanks may be approved as conditional uses in the Service/Commercial /Industrial and
Public Zone Districts.
26.575.180 Reserved (formerly Required delivery area and vestibules for commercial buildings)
Note: Section 26.575.060 repealed via Ordinance No. 13 (Series of 2013).
(Ord. No.7-2013,§ 5; Ord. No.13-2013,§ 11)
26.575.190 Farmers' market
A farmers' market is permitted as a conditional use in the Park (P) and Public (PUB) Zone Districts
and in public parks and public rights -of -way, provided a vending agreement is obtained in accordance
with Section 15.04.350. The following regulations shall apply to farmers' markets:
A. It shall operate no more than two (2) days per week, unless modified by the Planning and Zoning
Commission under its conditional use review;
B. It opens to the public no earlier than 7 a.m. and closes no later than 2 p.m., unless modified by the
Planning and Zoning Commission under its conditional use review; and
` C. It shall be limited to those weeks that fall between the first Saturday in June and the weekend
following the Thanksgiving holiday, inclusive, unless modified by the Planning and Zoning
Commission under its conditional use review.
26.575.200 Group homes
Group homes shall not be located closer than seven -hundred -fifty (750) feet from another group
home, shall be used exclusively as a residence for no more than eight (8) persons and shall be in
compliance with all City, State and Federal Health, Safety and Fire Code Provisions.
Sec. 26.575.210 Lodge occupancy auditing
The Community Development Director shall be authorized to require periodic operational audits of
lodge developments to ensure compliance with the Land Use Code and requirements for lodge
operations. This audit may include, but is not limited to, an occupancy report of the lodge and
individual units therein; rate schedules; the manner in which short-term occupancies are marketed
and managed; physical aspects of the operation, such as the number of units and pillows in the lodge,
the number of affordable housing units provided on site, other units and amenities on site and the
number of parking spaces provided on site; the dimensional characteristics of the lodge; and any
additional conditions of approval. The Community Development Director may request that
information be provided in a specific time fi•ame, and may request a site inspection as part of the
audit. Property owners may request that certain information, such as marketing strategies or rate
schedules, be held in confidence by the City.
(Ord. No. 12, 2007, §37)
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 55
Sec. 26.575.220 Vacation rentals
A. Intent and purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish the procedures and standards by
which Vacation Rentals (See § 26.104.100, Definitions), of residential units are permitted within the
City on a short term basis. It is the City's intent to establish Vacation Rental regulations that promote
a mix of lodging options that support the City of Aspen's tourism base and local economy; that
uphold the health, safety and welfare of the public; and, that protect long term residential
neighborhoods by ensuring that the impacts of Vacation Rentals do not adversely affect the residents
and the character of residential areas.
B. Prohibitions.
1. It shall be unlawful for any person, whether a principal or agent, clerk or employee, either for
him or herself, or for any other person or for anybody, corporation or otherwise, to lease or
operate a Vacation Rental without first obtaining a Vacation Rental Permit in accordance with
the provisions of this Section or operating same in violation of the standards set forth herein.
2. This section shall not apply to leases or other rental arrangements in Lodges, Timeshare
Lodges, Bed and Breakfasts and Hotels. (See Section 26.104.100, Definitions, for definitions
of these terms.)
3. A Vacation Rental is not permitted to rent individual rooms within a residential dwelling unit.
4. It shall be unlawful for any person, whether a principal or agent, clerk or employee, either for
him or herself, or for any other person or for anybody, corporation or otherwise, to lease or
operate a Vacation Rental in a Bandit Unit.
C. Vacation Rental Period. A dwelling unit may be rented or leased for a short term period, which
is defined as a length of time that is equal to or less than thirty (30) consecutive days without
limitation in the following zone districts: Lodging Zone Districts, Commercial Zone Districts, Mixed
Use Zone Districts, and Residential Zone Districts.
D. Vacation Rental Standards. The following standards shall be applicable to Vacation Rentals.
Homeowners' Association Notification. In the event that a proposed Vacation Rental is part
of a common interest community and there is a Homeowners' Association, a letter shall be
submitted to the Homeowners' Association providing notification of an application for a
Vacation Rental Permit.
2. Business License. Any person who owns or represents one or more Vacation Rentals shall
obtain an annual City of Aspen business license pursuant to Chapter 14.08, Business Licenses,
of the Municipal Code. If an individual or business entity acts as a designated representative
of one or more Vacation Rentals, only one business license shall be required. However, each
residential unit shall obtain a Vacation Rental Permit.
3. Local owner representative. The owner of a Vacation Rental, if residing in the Roaring Fork
Valley or a designated representative of the owner residing within the Roaring Fork Valley,
shall be on call to manage the Vacation Rental during any period within which the Vacation
Rental is occupied. The name, phone number and address of the local owner or the local
owner representative shall be provided to the Community Development Department at time of
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 56
F application for a Vacation Rental Permit. It is recommended, but not required, that a sign
identifying the representative's name and number be posted on the property pursuant to
Section 26.510.030.13.17 Property ATanagement/Timeshare identification signs. It is the
responsibility of the owner representative to inform Vacation Rental occupants about all
relevant City of Aspen ordinances including, but not limited to parking, trash and noise. It is
the responsibility of the owner to notify the City if there is a change in local owner
representative within a reasonable timeframe.
4. Lodging and sales taxes. Vacation Rentals shall be subject to all taxpayer responsibilities set
forth at Chapter 23.08, Taxpayer's Responsibilities, particularly the responsibility to collect
and to remit all applicable sales and lodging taxes.
E. Vacation Rental Permits.
1. Applications. Applications for a Vacation Rental Permit shall be submitted to the Community
Development Department. A Vacation Rental Permit may be obtained by an authorized
representative of the property owner. The application for a Vacation Rental Permit shall
contain the following:
a. If applicable, confirmation that notice was provided to the Home Owner's Association.
b. A City of Aspen business license or application.
c. The name, phone number and address of the owner or local owner representative.
2. Annual permit renewal. A new application for a Vacation Rental Permit shall be submitted
each calendar year in accordance with the application requirements listed in Section
26.575.220(E)(1).
3. Exceptions for Multi -family dwelling units. Multi -family dwelling units within the same
complex have the option to submit a consolidated Vacation Rental Permit application for
multiple units managed by one local owner representative. If multi -family dwelling units use
different owner representatives, separate applications shall be required.
F. Review Standards. The Community Development Department shall review applications for
Vacation Rental Permits for conformance with the review standards listed below. A license may issue
upon a determination of the following by the Community Development Department:
1. Compliance with the Vacation Rental Standards set forth in Section 26.575.220(D).
2. A completed application containing the information described in Section 26.575.220(E).
G. Enforcement. Any person violating any provision of this Section 26.575.220 shall be subject to
the penalty provisions of Section 26.104.040, Applicability and penalty, In addition, any Vacation
Rental in violation of this Section 26.575.220, Vacation Rentals, shall be subject to a revocation of
the Vacation Rental Permit as set forth herein.
H. Denial and Revocation. Whenever the Community Development Director has cause to believe
that any holder of a Vacation Rental Permit is engaging, or is engaged, in any activity such as to
preclude the issuance of a permit applied for or to warrant revocation of any permit presently held, he
or she shall conduct a hearing to determine if such action shall be taken. The applicant. or licensee
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 57
affected shall be given adequate notice of any such hearing and be given a full opportunity to be
heard and an opportunity to cure prior to denial or revocation of a Vacation Rental Permit.
I. Appeal. An applicant or licensee aggrieved by a determination made by the Community
Development Department denying or revoking a Vacation Rental Permit may appeal to the City's
Administrative Hearing Officer in accordance with the procedures established by Chapter 26.316,
Appeal Procedures.
(Ord. No.34-2011, §2)
City of Aspen Land Use Code
Part 500 — Miscellaneous Regulations
Page 58