Commission discusses state occupancy law, proposes moratorium on implementing group-living standards

Nikki (planning department staff) told the Planning Commission the city must bring its zoning code into compliance with a new Colorado state law that says “local government shall not limit the number of people who may live together in a single dwelling based on familial relationships.” She said the city will remove the local definition of “family” and change references to rely on “household,” and will delete language that currently limits unrelated occupants to “not more than 4.”

Nikki said the revised household definition will instead link allowable occupants to “the maximum allowed by health and safety codes” or “applicable state or federal law, regulation, or affordable housing standards,” language that mirrors the state law’s exceptions. She told commissioners the code edits will also include a find-and-replace pass to make terminology consistent across sections.

As a second step,…