La Plata County, CO Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)

Section 70-6.II applies to all new development in the county, with two carve-outs. Sign structures, telecommunication facilities and small scale solar are governed by chapters 70 and 98 instead, and a different height controls where it is permitted as part of an approved planned unit development or development agreement.

The first limit is a neighbor buffer. The maximum structure height shall not exceed thirty (30) feet within twenty-five (25) feet of the lot line adjacent to a lot containing a dwelling unit or vacant lot. The text speaks of structures, not houses, so an outbuilding or accessory structure in that 25 foot band meets the same 30 foot cap as a home. Beyond that band, subsection A prints no number, so other chapters and any approved PUD or development agreement decide.

The second limit is specific to the Animas Valley. Properties subject to the regulations of the Animas Valley Land Use Plan in chapter 65 carry a general maximum building height of thirty (30) feet for all nonagricultural structures and a maximum of thirty-five (35) feet for agricultural structures. Only the agricultural figure is higher, so a house, garage or shop in the valley plan area stays at 30 feet.

Height is measured under subsection C. Roof height measurements are taken from the mid-point of pre or post construction grade, whichever is more restrictive, and the midpoint of the eave of a pitched roof or the highest point of a flat roof or parapet.

Section 70-6.III lets the director require the applicant or owner to verify compliance with the height or setback requirements through a site improvement location certificate, at the applicant's or owner's expense. Setbacks under the same section, including the 20 foot front line for agricultural and residential lots over 10,000 square feet, are a separate test, and a structure has to pass both.