Boulder County limits livestock by 'animal units' per acre set in the Land Use Code zoning tables. Agricultural (A) land allows up to four animal units per acre without Special Review; most other rural zones allow two. Residential zones (RR, ER, SR) allow up to four weaned animals.
The BCLUC Article 4 zoning-district tables set livestock density by animal units per acre: the Agricultural (A) district permits up to four animal units per acre without Special Review, while Forestry (F), Rural Residential (RR), Estate Residential (ER), and Suburban Residential (SR) generally allow two per acre. One horse equals one animal unit; it takes 50 chickens to equal one animal unit, so a 10-acre A parcel (40 animal units) could keep many head of livestock. In the Rural Residential, Estate Residential, Suburban Residential, and Multi-Family districts a resident may keep up to four weaned animals regardless of the unit math. Exceeding the density triggers Special Review. Right-to-farm protections under C.R.S. 35-3.5 shield established agricultural operations.
Keeping more animal units per acre than the zone allows, without Special Review approval, is a Land Use Code violation. Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting can order the herd reduced, require Special Review, or pursue zoning enforcement. Neglected livestock
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