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Alamosa County approves text amendment easing rules for containers and removing Christmas-tree sales permit requirement
Summary
Commissioners approved Text Amendment 26-02 to update accessory-structure rules, clarifying when shipping containers and temporary structures require permits and removing a permit requirement for Christmas-tree sales, with staff to specify grandfathering details in future revisions.
Alamosa County commissioners on May 27 approved Text Amendment 26-02, which updates county land-use rules on accessory structures, container storage and signage. The Board removed Section 3.7.2.C, which had required permits for Christmas-tree sales.
Land Use Director Richard Hubler told the Board the amendments respond to prior direction and a Planning Commission review. The revisions clarify that storage containers and temporary construction units are treated as temporary uses and that a building permit is required for structures exceeding 200 square feet or for any structure with occupancy. Hubler said greenhouses that exceed 200 square feet require permits; smaller temporary uses generally would not.
During public comment, Deb Hankinson asked how sales-tax collection would be enforced if no local permit is required for temporary vendors. Staff explained that a state sales-tax license is still required through the Colorado Department of Revenue and that, if desired, the county could add a permit condition to special-use approvals requiring vendors to provide a copy of their sales-tax license. Katie Dokson asked about many existing unpermitted shipping containers; Hubler said prior foundation and tie-down requirements had been removed, meaning many compliance issues could be eliminated, but Jason Kelly noted containers exceeding 200 square feet might be grandfathered and staff will add clearer language in a future version.
The Board approved the text amendments by motion (Laske/Van Ry); the motion passed unanimously. Staff said they will clarify grandfathering language and the next iteration will specify how to address older containers that exceed size thresholds.
