Larimer County staff outlines state mandates, timelines and funding options for housing, land-use and building-code changes

Rebecca Everett, Larimer County’s Community Development Director, told the Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 18 that county staff are tracking recent state actions and executive direction that affect county land use, housing and building-code responsibilities. “I'm here today to provide an update on recent legislation that affects the Community Development Department in particular, including how we are intending to meet the deadlines for various mandates,” Everett said.

The update grouped several topics the county must address to remain eligible for some state funding and to comply with new requirements: removing residential occupancy limits based on family relationship (already implemented by the county as of July 1, 2024), limiting local minimum parking requirements near high-frequency transit, adopting an expedited review process for affordable housing projects, completing a county housing needs assessment and housing action plan, and completing comprehensive plan updates to add a water-supply element and a strategic growth element.

Why this matters: Governor Jared Polis issued an executive order in May that instructs state agencies to prioritize funding to local governments that are either in compliance or in progress on a set of “strategic growth” obligations. Everett told the board that the Colorado Department of Local Affairs will maintain a compliance list and that state funding from agencies such as the Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado…