Zoning Report

Commerce City, CO Zoning

Commerce City is in the middle of a major zoning transition. The city adopted a new 2025 Land Development Code on November 3, 2025, and the city states that all new annexations and rezonings must follow that code, while a legislative rezoning project is underway to move properties into the new framework. The available sources show a modern code structure with district-specific use tables, design standards, subdivision rules, review procedures, and nonconformity rules, but the research set provided here only includes limited excerpts of the actual standards tables.

Last researched July 2026

2025 Land Development Codelegislative rezoning transitionADUsconditional use permitsuse-by-permitindustrial rezoningsPUD amendmentsfloodplain reviewlandscape/xeriscaping changesvariances

Zoning Districts in Commerce City, CO

Residential Districts

Residential zoning districts regulate housing forms and residential land uses under Sec. 21-2200 of the 2025 Land Development Code.

Allowed uses: Residential uses as listed in the residential use table, Accessory dwelling units in residential zones under Ordinance No. 2737

Mixed Use and Commercial Districts

These districts are intended for mixed-use and nonresidential development and are regulated under Sec. 21-2210 of the 2025 Land Development Code.

Allowed uses: Uses listed in the mixed use and commercial use table, Office, commercial, civic, and other nonresidential uses as categorized in the code

Industrial Districts

Industrial districts are regulated under Sec. 21-2220 and appear to include different intensity levels for industrial activity.

Allowed uses: Industrial uses listed in the industrial use table

Agricultural District

The AG district appears in recent rezoning actions and in the 2026 ADU ordinance summary as a district where accessory dwelling units are allowed.

Allowed uses: Agricultural uses, Accessory dwelling units in agricultural zones under Ordinance No. 2737

Regional Commercial District (C-3)

A commercial district referenced in recent rezoning cases, likely intended for larger-scale commercial development.

Allowed uses: Commercial uses allowed by the code's commercial use table

Special Purpose and Overlay Districts

The code includes special purpose and overlay districts in Sec. 21-2230 that can modify otherwise applicable use permissions.

Allowed uses: Uses as modified by the overlay or special purpose district provisions

Recent Zoning Changes

Commerce City adopted a new Land Development Code on November 3, 2025 and is now carrying out a legislative rezoning project to transition properties into the new code system. In early 2026, the city also adopted amendments to allow accessory dwelling units in residential and agricultural zones and amended the definition of family. In 2024, the city also adopted a xeriscaping-related landscape ordinance amendment and considered multiple rezonings and a PUD amendment.

ADU, Rental & Special Use Rules in Commerce City, CO

Accessory dwelling unit

ADUs are allowed as a permitted use and accessory structure in residential and agricultural zones under Ordinance No. 2737.

  • Permitted use status adopted by Ordinance No. 2737.
  • Applies in residential zones.
  • Applies in agricultural zones.
  • Detailed development standards were not included in the supplied materials and should be verified in the live code.

Use-by-Permit uses

Certain uses with greater potential impacts may be allowed only through a Use-by-Permit approval tied to a specific applicant, use, and location.

  • Approved or denied by the Board of Adjustment.
  • Requires a public hearing.
  • Approval is not transferable to later owners or operators.
  • Approval cannot be carried over to a new property.

Conditional Use Permit uses

Certain uses with potentially unique or intense impacts require a Conditional Use Permit.

  • Reviewed for location, design, configuration, and impacts.
  • Planning Commission hearing occurs before City Council action.
  • Final approval or denial is by City Council at a public hearing.
  • Approval is tied to a specific applicant, use, and location and is not transferable.

Marijuana uses

The city notes that it adopted a licensing program for medical and retail marijuana businesses and amended related regulations, but the supplied excerpt cuts off before the actual standards.

  • Verify current marijuana licensing and zoning standards directly with the city.

Overlay Districts in Commerce City, CO

Special Purpose and Overlay Districts

Sec. 21-2230 contains special purpose and overlay districts that may modify what uses are allowed on a property beyond the base zoning district.

Floodplain-related overlay or floodplain regulations

The code references a Floodplain Administrator and a Floodplain Variance process, indicating formal floodplain development controls apply where mapped floodplain conditions exist.

Commerce City, CO Zoning FAQ

Are ADUs allowed in Commerce City, CO?

ADUs are allowed as a permitted use and accessory structure in residential and agricultural zones under Ordinance No. 2737.

What zoning districts are in Commerce City, CO?

Commerce City, CO includes districts such as Residential Districts, Mixed Use and Commercial Districts, Industrial Districts, Agricultural District, Regional Commercial District (C-3), Special Purpose and Overlay Districts.

Are there flood zones or overlay districts in Commerce City, CO?

Floodplain regulation is the clearest environmental zoning constraint visible in the supplied materials. The code structure suggests mapped overlays and special purpose districts can modify development rights, but the research set does not provide clear evidence of wetlands, steep slope, aquifer, or similar zoning over…

Have there been recent zoning changes in Commerce City, CO?

Commerce City adopted a new Land Development Code on November 3, 2025 and is now carrying out a legislative rezoning project to transition properties into the new code system.

Common questions about Commerce City, CO zoning

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Sources

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