Building, Historic Preservation and Planning

Planning and zoning review may be required for projects involving new construction or development, changes in property use, changes to building footprints, temporary use and construction permitting, and new businesses and short-term rental units. The Land Development Code governs how a property may be used as well as provides information on zoning classifications and districts (see also Zoning Maps below) as well as minimum zoning standards for development.

To learn more about a property’s zoning designation, please find the City’s Zoning Map in the below links.

• CC Zoning Map 1-6
• CC Zoning Map 2-6
• CC Zoning Map 3-6
• CC Zoning Map 4-6
• CC Zoning Map 5-6
• CC Zoning Map 6-6

If you are completing work on a property in the Historic District, a Certificate of Appropriateness must be obtained. Please find the Historic Design Guidelines here and more information on Historic Preservation is available here under the HPC Application Portal.

The below tables outline the various planning and zoning approval and permit applications. You may access the application by following the links provided.

Please submit planning and zoning applications to Lisa Roemhildt, Community Development Director, via email at lroemhildt@cityofcentral.co, and submit historic preservation applications to Kimberly Kaufman, Historic Preservation Officer and Permit Tech, via email at compliance@cityofcentral.co. As an alternative, a physical copy may be mailed to P.O. Box 249, Central City, CO 80427. It is expected that all the required application materials be submitted together in one package.

Most construction and demolition projects in Central City require building permits. The City has adopted the 2015 International Building Codes. The City of Central Municipal Code, Land Development Code, and Design Guidelines may also be relevant to your project.

Building Permit applications may be submitted to Kimberly Kaufman, Historic Preservation Officer and Permit Tech, via email at compliance@cityofcentral.co. As an alternative a physical copy may be mailed to P.O. Box 249, Central City, CO 80427. It is expected that all the required application materials be submitted together in one package.

• Building Permit Application
• Building Permit Guide

The City contracts plan check and inspections to a third-party, Charles Abbott and Associates (CAA). Building Official contact below:

• Central City Building Official - Kyle Parag, CBO (Charles Abbott Associates) - (720) 241-4741 or kyleparag@caa.inc. 

For contractors, each general contractor, subcontractor, and specialty contractor on a project are required to obtain a Central City contractor's license. State licensed contractors must also be licensed by Central City. Construction on owner-occupied buildings may be done by the building owner. If you hire another person or contractor do the work on your building, that person must have the proper insurance and obtain a contractor’s license. No permit will be issued to contractors who are not licensed. To apply for a Contractor License, contact Reba at cityclerk@cityofcentral.co. Here is a list of 2022 Licensed Contractors. The City does not endorse or recommend any licensed contractors found on the list.

To schedule an inspection with CAA using the online form, please click here. For call-in inspections, please contact: 800-735-0149.

Conveyance inspections are also under CAAs contract. Please contact:

• Mike Theisen, michaeltheisen@caa.inc

Utilities

Water is provided through the City and sewer is provided through the Black Hawk Central City Sanitation District (BHCCSD).

• Water Department
• Water and Sewer Tap Applications

Driveway, access, culvert, ROW, street cut work

• Street Cut Permit Application
• Street Closure Permit Application
• Blasting Permit Application & Checklist
• Excess Vehicle Size Permit Application
• Excavation Access and Street Use Permit Application

Additional building resources and guidelines may be found here:

• Standards and Specifications for Design and Construction
• Municipal Code Chapter 18: Building Regulations
• Roofing Requirements (2016)
• Colorado Floodplain Rules and Regulations

Fee Schedule 

• 2023 Comprehensive Fee Schedule

Parking Fee in Lieu Program

The parking Fee-in-Lieu program establishes a parking bank to facilitate new development within the Land Development Code (LDC). This fee would be paid to the City, within a special fund, which could be leveraged later to construct a structured parking garage. 

A study was performed in 2017 (2017 Walker Study) to determine the engineer’s estimate of probable cost (“EOPC”).  The estimates are detailed in Figure 1 and adjusted annually.

Figure 1: Central City EPOC and O&M Summary

The EOPC for 2023 is $31,100 per structured parking space. This figure excludes the operation and maintenance costs of the parking garage, once constructed. The fee would be charged gradually based on the spaces needed and the timeframe when parking was requested. As of January 1, 2023, 2 of 372 parking spaces have been claimed as part of this program. 

Schedule of Development Impact Fees by Capital Facility Category