Land Use
“Land use” is the term used to describe the human use of land. It represents the economic and cultural activities (e.g., agricultural, residential, industrial, mining, and recreational uses) that are practiced at a given place.
Land Use Administrator: Jodi Brady
landuse@co.yuma.co.us
Administrative Office
Yuma County Land Use
310 Ash, Suite J
Wray, CO 80758
Monday – Friday 8:00 – 5:00
Office: 970-332-0930
Fax: 970-332-3411
The Purpose
Protect Quality of Life
To provide for protection of the public health, safety and welfare of the residents of the County and to protect the environment.
Provide for Orderly Development of the County
To provide for balanced, orderly growth patterns and to provide efficient, phased government services to accommodate existing and future residents.
Preserve Property Values
To preserve and promote the value of property, to protect the tax base of the County and to respect the property rights of citizens.
Protect and Enhance Agriculture
To protect and enhance agricultural uses and the rural characteristics of the County.
Additional Resources
Types of Permits and Applications
APPLY BEFORE YOU BUILD, MODIFY, or EXPAND on your LAND.
A land use permit is required for land use changes. (Section 2-101)
CLASSES OF LAND USE PERMITS (Section 2-103)
Activity Notice
- Planning to build a single family residence
- Put an addition on your home
- Add a garage, storage or shop building
- Add grain bins
- Putting an antennae tower on the land or adding to an existing tower
Administrative Land Use Permits
- Construction of a second or third dwelling unit on a single parcel of land
thirty five (35) acres in size or larger - Lot line adjustments
- Extension or Enlargement of a Non-Residential Structure
- Lot Mergers
- Correction of Plat
Minor Land Use Permits
- Exempt Divisions of land into four parcels or less
- Roads and Excavations
- Cluster Subdivisions
- Subdivision Plat Vacation
- Subdivision Final Plat
- Roadway Vacation
Major Land Use Permits
All Land Use Changes that are not listed under Administrative Land Use Permits or Minor Land Use Permits require a Major Land Use Permit.
Application for Exemption from the Definition of Subdivision
- Thirty-five Acre. Under State Statute, the term “subdivision” and “subdivided land” shall not apply to any division of land which creates
parcels of land each of which comprises thirty-five (35) or more acres of land and none of which is intended for multiple ownership - Other Statutory Exemptions. other divisions of interests in land to which the term “subdivision” and “subdivided land” do not apply
- Exempt Divisions for Small Capacity Well Eligibility
- Exempt Divisions to Create Four Lots
- Exempt Divisions into Five to Twenty Lots.
- No Determination of Water Availability
Request for an Exemption from Land Use Permit – Home Occupations
- YC Land Use Code: Section 2-102
- The conduct of a home occupation shall not require a Land Use Permit so long as the home occupation complies with the following minimum standards. Failure to conduct the home
- Such use is incidental and secondary to residential use of the principal dwelling or accessory structure or addition and does not change the residential character thereof.
- Such use will be conducted by the resident(s) of the principal dwelling and only within the principal dwelling or accessory structure or addition.
- Such use does not generate traffic that significantly affects the residential character of the area.
- Such use does not create excessive or offensive noise, vibration, smoke, dust, odors, heat, glare or light noticeable or extending beyond the property boundaries.
- Such use shall not infringe upon the right of neighboring residents to enjoy the peaceful occupancy of their homes.
Review Process
The process varies according to the type of permit. See the Yuma County Land Use Code for your specific type of permit request.
- Evaluation of Application by Land Use Administrator
- Review by Referral Agencies: The Land Use Administrator may send copies of the application to any referral agencies and consultants deemed necessary by the County.
- Notification to adjacent property owners and mineral holders: The County shall notify property owners and mineral rights holders within five hundred (500) feet of the boundaries of the parcel where the development will occur by sending a written notice describing the proposed Land Use Change and setting forth the time, date and place of the Planning Commission meeting/hearing and the Commissioners hearing.
- Review and recommendation by Planning Commission: Some permit types require a hearing before the Planning Commission.
The Planning Commission shall recommend to the Board of County Commissioners: approval, approval with conditions, or denial of the application for a Minor Land Use Permit, based on the applicable standards and criteria in Article 5, Standards and Criteria. - Public hearing by Board of County Commissioners: The Board of County Commissioners shall hold a public hearing to consider the application for a Minor Land Use Permit and shall hear evidence regarding compliance with the standards and criteria before taking an action on the application.
- Approval: The application for a Minor Land Use Permit may be approved if the application satisfies all of the relevant standards and criteria contained in Yuma County Land Use Code Article 5, Standards and Criteria.
- Conditional Approval: The application for a Minor Land Use Permit may be approved with conditions, if conditions are necessary to ensure compliance with this Code.
- Denial: The application shall be denied if the application does not satisfy all of the relevant standards and criteria contained in Yuma County Land Use Code Article 5, Standards and Criteria.
Land Use Documents
Contact List: Helpful Contacts when Submitting a Yuma County Permit or Application
Frequently Asked Questions
I am going to divide 34 acres from 80 acres for the purpose of selling the smaller parcel of land as a future home site. Do I need to go through the Yuma County Land Use Process?
Yes. The State of Colorado requires all divisions of property containing less than 35 acres to go through a subdivision process. If a water well is on the property or you will be drilling a water well you need to have an “Exemption from the Definition of Subdivision.” This will be required by the State Water Engineer prior to you receiving a drilling permit from the State. (See Section 3-102 B1, page 9 and 10 of the Code)
I am going to construct a new home and garage. Is there anything I need to do relating to the County Land Use?
Yes. An Activity Notice needs to be filled out for any building constructed, this includes but not limited to a home, garage, barn, equipment building, grain bins, and meteorological towers. Any physical structure that has a value assessed by the Yuma County Assessor or State Assessed requires an Activity Notice. We give this form to the Yuma County Assessor for the purpose of having the new development added to the tax rolls at the appropriate time. (See Section 2-102 A 1, Page 5 of the Code.)
I am going to start a business out of my home. Do I need a permit?
Home occupations are allowed with no permitting process if they meet the minimum standards that apply to exempt home occupations. (See Home Occupations section 2-102 C, Page 5 of the Code.)
I want to expand my current 1000 head feedlot to hold 1800 head of livestock. Do I need a permit for an expansion like this?
Yes, a Major Land Use Permit is required. Expansion of a concentrated animal feeding operation or livestock confinement facility that increases the capacity of the facility by more than 33% or 5,000 head, whichever is less, over the existing capacity as of July 1, 2003, shall require a Land Use Permit. (See Agricultural Structures and Activities Section 2-102 B, page 5 of the Code)
My company needs a gas compressor for the new gas wells they are putting into operations. Is a permit required? No septic system or water well will be needed.
Unless otherwise exempt pursuant to Section 2-102 of this Code, any Land Use Change shall require a Land Use Permit. A Land Use Change is defined as any development, grading, construction, activity or operation that changes the basic character, configuration, or use of land or structures after the enactment of this Land Use Code. (See Land Use Permits Section 2-101 A, page 5 of the Code)
How long does it take to go through the Land Use process?
One month is the shortest amount of time it will take to process an application. Contact the Land Use Administrator for your specific request because the time depends of many factors, which is not limited to but includes the following:
- Acceptance of the complete application.
- The type of permit being requested.
- Review of the application by the Land Use Administrator (30 days allowed.).
- Review of the application by other agencies and municipalities. (30 days and can be extended.)
- Required notification by letter to adjacent landowners and mineral interests.
- When the application is received in relation to scheduled meetings by the Planning Commission and the Yuma County Commissioners. Hearing notices are published according to Land Use Code guidelines and vary according to the type of permit being requested.
New Addresses
Contact the County Assessor’s office at 970-332-5032 for help with new addresses. Measurements from the nearest west or south section line to the centerline of the access road will be required prior to issuing an address.