Before you build, remodel or demolish in Central City, please review these drop down menus to learn about the planning and zoning, historic preservation, and building permit process.
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.
| Approval or Permit | Description/Required For |
| Temporary Use Permit | Operation of a temporary use including temporary special events, temporary commercial sales, and temporary dumpsters and construction uses. |
| Use Permit or Change of Use Permit | Check for zoning compliance as a condition of issuance of a building permit. |
| Limited Use Permit | Establishment of a limited use. |
| Conditional Use Permit | Establishment of a conditional use. |
| Rezoning | Changing which zone applies to a parcel proposed for development. |
| Certificate of Appropriateness (Historic Preservation Application) | Certain alterations to buildings in historic district, as provided in Sec. 16-8-102(d); new building, structure, or addition located in an historic district, or movement, reconstruction, restoration, or alteration of an existing building located in an historic district or an historic landmark in any location. |
| Preliminary Plat | Approval of a proposed major subdivision (not required for minor subdivisions). |
| Final Plat (major or minor subdivision) | Conveying lots by reference to plat; obtaining building permits within a subdivision. |
| Site Plan | All development prior to issuance of building permit and grading, erosion, and sediment control permit. |
| Development Agreement; Improvements Agreement; Public Improvements Agreement (however titled) | Providing timing and security for implementation of construction plans. |
| Preliminary Development Plan ("PDP") | First step of Planned Unit Development process; filed with rezoning application and, if applicable, preliminary plat. |
| Final Development Plan ("FDP") | Second step of Planned Unit Development process; may be filed with final plats or site plans. |
| Planned Unit Development Amendment, Major | Major changes to approved Preliminary Development Plan. |
| Vacation of Plat or Abandonment of Easement or Right-of-Way | Vacation of plats or abandonment of easements or rights-of-way. |
| Variance | Authorizing development which does not strictly comply with the requirements of the LDC. |
Most construction and demolition projects in Central City require building permits. The City has adopted the 2018 International Building Codes (effective June 20, 2023). 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.
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.
Per Ordinance No. 23-15, the City Council has repealed the contractor licensing requirements in Article VI of Chapter 6 of the Municipal Code. There are still state licensing requirements that some contractors may need to meet. 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.
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).
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
Engineering Standards:
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
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPOC | $30,360 | $30,540 | $30,730 | $30,910 | $31,100 |
| O&M | $285 | $290 | $300 | $310 | $320 |
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.
|
Required Parking Space Fee In-Lieu Table |
|
|
1-25 spaces |
0% of EOPC or amount established in Alternate EOPC |
|
26-75 spaces |
2% of EOPC or amount established in Alternate EOPC |
|
76-150 spaces |
10% of EOPC or amount established in Alternate EOPC |
|
151-225 spaces |
25% of EOPC or amount established in Alternate EOPC |
|
226-300 spaces |
50% of EOPC or amount established in Alternate EOPC |
|
301-372 spaces |
75% of EOPC or amount established in Alternate EOPC |
|
373+ spaces |
100% of EOPC or amount established in Alternate EOPC |
|
Space calculation will be cumulative reflecting the total required parking spaces utilizing this program. |
|
Schedule of Development Impact Fees by Capital Facility Category
|
Development Type |
Public Facilities |
Public Safety |
Culture and Recreation |
Public Works |
Total Fee |
|
Residential (per dwelling unit) |
|||||
|
All residential types |
$1,589 |
$2,393 |
$858 |
$2,856 |
$7,696 |
|
Nonresidential (per 1,000 square feet of floor area) |
|||||
|
Commercial |
$812 |
$1,472 |
$438 |
$5,124 |
$7,846 |
|
Office |
$1,244 |
$2,256 |
$671 |
$5,124 |
$9,295 |
|
Industrial |
$442 |
$803 |
$239 |
$5,124 |
$6,608 |
|
Gaming |
$295 |
$535 |
$159 |
$5,124 |
$6,113 |