Zoning Report

Colorado Springs, CO Zoning

Colorado Springs regulates land use through a Unified Development Code (UDC) in Chapter 7 of the City Code. The city adopted a major zoning rewrite through the RetoolCOS project, with the new UDC effective June 5, 2023. The available sources show a citywide framework of base zoning districts plus overlay districts, with development review handled through a mix of administrative review, Planning Commission hearings, and City Council actions depending on application type.

Last researched May 2026

Unified Development CodeRetoolCOSADUsresidential districtsmixed-use districtsindustrial districtsoverlay districtsvariances and adjustmentsPlanning Commission reviewpublic hearingsnonconformitiesfloodplainsgeological hazardshillside developmentstreamside protections

Zoning Districts in Colorado Springs, CO

A Agriculture

Lowest-density residential/agricultural district with very large-lot single-family development.

Allowed uses: single-family detached dwelling

R-E Single-Family Estate

Large-lot single-family residential district.

Allowed uses: single-family detached dwelling

R1-9 Single-Family Large

Single-family district for larger suburban lots.

Allowed uses: single-family detached dwelling

R1-6 Single-Family Medium

Standard single-family residential district with smaller minimum lots than R1-9.

Allowed uses: single-family detached dwelling

R-2 Two-Family

Residential district allowing somewhat higher intensity housing than single-family districts.

Allowed uses: two-family residential

R-4 Multi-Family Low

Lower-intensity multifamily residential district.

Allowed uses: multifamily residential

R-5 Multi-Family High

Higher-intensity multifamily residential district.

Allowed uses: multifamily residential

R-Flex Low

Flexible residential district allowing more compact housing patterns.

Allowed uses: residential uses, limited non-residential uses

R-Flex Medium

Medium-density flexible residential district.

Allowed uses: residential uses, limited non-residential uses

R-Flex High

Highest-intensity flexible residential district listed in the city summary.

Allowed uses: single-family residential, multifamily residential, limited non-residential uses

OR Office Residential

Mixed-use district intended for office and residential uses.

MX-N Mixed Use Neighborhood

Neighborhood-scale mixed-use district permitting residential and commercial uses.

MX-T Mixed Use Transition

Mixed-use district intended to transition between lower- and higher-intensity areas.

MX-M Mixed Use Medium Scale

Medium-scale mixed-use district for more intensive residential and commercial activity.

MX-L Mixed Use Large Scale

Larger-scale mixed-use district.

MX-I Mixed Use Institutional

Mixed-use district that includes institutional settings.

BP Business Park

Lowest-intensity industrial/business park district.

LI Light Industrial

Light industrial district.

GI General Industrial

Most intensive industrial district listed by the city.

Recent Zoning Changes

Colorado Springs recently modernized its zoning through the RetoolCOS effort, with the new Unified Development Code approved on February 14, 2023 and effective June 5, 2023. The most specific recent use-related change in the provided sources is the April 8, 2025 ADU ordinance, which repealed older ADU and Accessory Family Suite rules and replaced them with citywide streamlined ADU standards.

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This summary is AI-generated from public municipal sources and is not legal, engineering, or land-use advice. Always verify zoning with Colorado Springs, CO officials before making decisions.