Community Development
Planning Commission public hearing at 6 p.m. on June 15
The Garfield County Planning Commission is holding a public hearing on Wednesday, June 15, at 6 p.m. The public hearing is for the review and consideration of a Location and Extent Application for additional student housing on the Colorado Mountain College, Spring Valley Campus, located at approximately 4 miles southeast of Glenwood Springs, at 3000 CR 114. The hearing can be accessed online.Community Development is accepting walk-ins from 8:30 to 4 p.m.
We can also accommodate your needs via phone and email. Please call 970-945-8212, Monday – Friday from 8 am – 4:30 pm.Building inspections
- Currently, the county will continue to schedule building inspections.
- To request a building inspection, please call 970-945-1377, ext. 1621.
- Inspection requests received before 4:30 pm on any business day will be performed on the following business day between the hours of 7:30 am and 4:30 pm. If your request is received on a non-business day (weekends/ holidays) the inspection will be performed on the second business day following.
- Currently, the county will continue to schedule septic inspections.
- To request a septic inspection, please call 970-945-6614, ext. 8150.
- Contact the system designer, as well as Public Health, at least 48 hours prior to requesting a final inspection of the installed system – prior to backfill.
- Currently, the county will continue to receive and process building permit applications.
- Applicants can submit a re-roofing, demolition or sign permit application online here.
- Submittal of all other application types will need to be coordinated by our staff. Please call 970-945-8212 directly. Messages will be returned within 24 hours.
- The county will continue to receive and process land use permit applications.
- Submittal of applications will need to be coordinated by our staff. Please call 970-945-8212 directly. Messages will be returned within 24 hours.

Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment openings
The Garfield County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is currently seeking citizen volunteers to fill seats on the Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment.The Planning Commission is a decision making body which primarily provides recommendations to the BOCC on land use matters. There are two current vacancies on the Planning Commission. The vacancies are for a three-year term ending on 12/31/2023.
The Board of Adjustment is a decision-making body, tasked with reviewing variance requests, along with appeals to administrative interpretations. There are three current vacancies on the Board of Adjustment. Each vacancy is for a three-year term. Two of the terms will be ending on 12/31/2023 and one of the terms will be ending on 12/31/2024.
Please send a letter of interest specifying the position you would like to fill, and relevant background, to Community Development Director Sheryl Bower. Or contact Community Development at 970-945-1377 ext. 1605
Submit an application online
Certain types of building and land use applications can now be submitted online.Re-roofing, demolition or sign permit application
General administrative, minor subdivision or amended final plat
Oversight of wastewater systems
Regulation of on-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) has transferred from Garfield County Community Development to the county’s public health department. During the transition, applicants may experience slight processing delays.OWTS-|
Community Development mission
To provide development services and implement county policies in a professional manner that promotes the quality of life for the citizens of Garfield County
Community Development Water Forum Presentation
Community Development presented at the semi-annual Garfield County Water Forum. The presentation is available here. presentation-|
FireWise construction
FireWise Construction bookletDecks
Roofs
Siding
Windows and glass
Defensible space standards
Colorado State Forest Service fact sheet/info
Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan
Garfield County has adopted a new Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan that prioritizes natural disaster risks and focuses on ways to prevent loss of life and destruction of private property. Hazard Mitigation Plan
Road impact fees updated
Garfield County has updated its road impact fees, and has expanded them to include non-residential development, such as commercial, industrial, and office uses, beginning in 2017.press release
map
impact fee table
road impact fee calculator

Text amendment opens way for tiny homes
Garfield County has approved a text amendment to its Land Use and Development Code and its building code that opens the way for tiny homes to be built in the area. The move strikes an existing square-footage requirement in the code that set the minimum size of a single family home at 20-foot wide by 20-foot long. The amendments take effect in April. press release
Short-term rentals approved in some locations
Garfield County approved a resolution in late 2015, amending the County Land Use and Development Code, to allow short-term or vacation rentals in some zoning districts within the county, but not in Planned Unit Developments (PUDs). additional details
Marijuana
Do you need to know about marijuana in Garfield County? Find information about recreational marijuana, medical marijuana, public health impacts and other frequently asked questions. resources