Castle Rock Zoning & Land Use Guide
Key Zoning Facts
Castle Rock Zoning Overview
Castle Rock is the county seat of Douglas County, located along the I-25 corridor between Denver and Colorado Springs. The town has been one of the fastest-growing communities in Colorado, with significant residential development transforming former ranchland into master-planned communities. Castle Rock's zoning code establishes residential, commercial, and industrial districts that manage this rapid growth while preserving the town's historic downtown and the scenic butte that gives the community its name.
The town's comprehensive plan, Castle Rock 2050, addresses the challenge of accommodating growth while maintaining community character, managing water resources, and preserving open space. Water availability is a critical land use consideration in Castle Rock, as the town relies primarily on non-renewable Denver Basin aquifer groundwater, making water-efficient development practices essential. The town's Outlets at Castle Rock and Philip S. Miller Park are regional attractions that anchor the community.
Development Services handles planning, zoning, and building permit functions for the town.
Key Zoning Districts
Castle Rock's zoning includes R-1 (Single-Family, 8,500 sq ft lots), R-2 (Two-Family), and R-3 (Multi-Family) residential districts. Commercial districts include NC (Neighborhood Commercial) and CC (Community Commercial). Many newer subdivisions are governed by Planned Development districts.
ADU Regulations
Castle Rock allows ADUs on residential lots under Colorado HB 24-1152. ADUs are limited to 800 square feet and 20 feet in height. No additional parking is required. Building permits are processed within four to six weeks.
Development Process
Castle Rock's development review includes pre-application meetings, administrative review for by-right projects, and Planning Commission hearings for rezonings. Building permits are processed by the Building Division.
Regulatory Layers That Apply in Castle Rock
Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.
Federal
- FEMA Flood Zones: Applicable
- View FEMA Flood Map
County — Douglas County
- Role: Property records, tax assessment, unincorporated area planning
City / Municipal
The city's zoning ordinance, building codes, and local permits form the primary layer of land-use regulation for your property.
Overlay Districts
No overlay districts identified.
Private Restrictions
- HOA / CC&Rs common: Yes
- Check HOA CC&Rs for additional restrictions.
Primary Zoning Districts
- Min Lot
- 8,500 sq ft
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 25 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Rear Setback
- 20 ft
- Min Lot
- 5,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 45 ft
- Front Setback
- 20 ft
- Side Setback
- 10 ft
- Rear Setback
- 15 ft
- Min Lot
- None
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 15 ft
- Side Setback
- 0 ft
- Rear Setback
- 10 ft
ADU Rules in Castle Rock
- Max Size
- 800 sq ft
- Max Height
- 20 ft
- Rear Setback
- 5 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Parking
- No additional parking required
- Owner Occupancy
- Not required
- Permit Timeline
- 4-6 weeks
Permit Costs & Timelines
Permit Costs & Timelines
Specific permit fee schedules for Castle Rock are available from the local planning department. Fees vary based on project type, scope, and valuation.
Check Castle Rock permit fees →