Applewood, CO

The Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners adopted Section 46 of the Zoning Resolution on December 16, 2025, creating an administrative STR licensing program for unincorporated areas. Licenses are valid up to one year and require a local representative who can reach the property within 30 minutes, a parking plan, defensible-space proof where required, and proof of insurance. Investor-owned STRs are limited to one per owner with a 750-foot separation buffer. Authority comes from Colorado HB23-1287 (C.R.S. 30-15-401(1)(j.7)).

Section 46 of the Jefferson County Zoning Resolution (adopted Dec 16, 2025) requires unincorporated STRs to provide a minimum of one off-street parking space per bedroom. Guests cannot block roads, driveways or fire access, and Wildfire Hazard Overlay District access requirements apply. Confirm site-specific parking with Planning & Zoning at 303-271-8700.

Unincorporated Jefferson County requires a Short-Term Rental permit through Planning & Zoning following Special Exception approval by the Board of Adjustment. Reported first-year cost is near $3,000 (Special Exception, hearing, review and STR permit fees), with annual renewal around $1,150. Operators also collect 2.9% state sales, 0.5% county sales, and 3% county lodging tax.

Under Section 46 of the Jefferson County Zoning Resolution (adopted Dec 16, 2025), an unincorporated STR must be a single-family detached dwelling with no more than 5 bedrooms. STRs operated in an Accessory Dwelling Unit are capped at 3 occupants. Colorado HB24-1007 bars relationship-based occupancy caps; any limit must use bedrooms or floor area.

Jefferson County allows one Accessory Dwelling Unit per single-family lot in Agricultural and Residential (R, MR, SR) zones under Section 19 of the Jefferson County Zoning Resolution. Detached ADUs require a 7,500 sq ft minimum lot. Maximum size scales by lot size from 600 to 1,200 sq ft. Owner-occupancy is required (one of the two units). Colorado HB24-1152 (effective 6/30/2025) preempts certain rules in subject jurisdictions.

Unincorporated Jefferson County does not require a fence permit, but the Zoning Resolution caps fence height in Residential Districts at 6 feet (Section 30.F.1). Within the front-setback line and front lot line, no fence of any type may exceed 42 inches (Section 30.F.2). Barbed-wire and electric fences are prohibited in residential zone districts (Section 30.F.3). Where adjacent lots have different allowed heights, the lower restriction governs (Section 30.F.4). Corner lots must comply with the vision clearance triangle. Mountain Residential and Agricultural districts have separate caps. Contact Planning & Zoning at 303-271-8700.

Unincorporated Jefferson County enforces a Noise Abatement Regulation (Policy Manual Part 3, Chapter 1, Section 1; adopted by Resolution CC07-202) that mirrors Colorado's noise statute. In a residential zone, non-vehicular sound measured 25 ft from the property line may not exceed 55 dB(A) from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. or 50 dB(A) from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Construction in residential zones is allowed up to 80 dB(A) day / 75 dB(A) night. Periodic, impulsive, or shrill noises are unlawful at 5 dB(A) below those limits. Enforcement: Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, 303-271-5444 (non-emergency).

Jefferson County's Animal Control Regulation (Resolution CC24-042, effective March 10, 2024) requires every dog in unincorporated Jefferson County to be on a physical leash, cord, or chain no longer than 10 feet, or confined on the owner's premises. A dog off the owner's premises and not under control is a 'dog at large' (Section A.15); a dog off premises but in the owner's visual sight without control is 'off leash' (Section A.29). Dog at large and dog off leash are Petty Offenses; if the dog bites and causes bodily injury, the owner faces a Class II Misdemeanor. State authority: C.R.S. 30-15-401(1)(j). All dogs over 4 months must be licensed.

Jefferson County participates in the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) under FIS 08059CV001D and administers Section 30 (Floodplain Overlay District) of the Zoning Resolution. A Floodplain Development Permit is required before any work in a Special Flood Hazard Area mapped on the FEMA FIRM. Substantial improvements (50% of market value, cumulative over 5 years) trigger full compliance. Colorado state rules at 2 CCR 408-1 require 1 ft of freeboard above base flood elevation for residential structures.