Greeley Zoning & Land Use Guide
Key Zoning Facts
Greeley Zoning Overview
Greeley is the county seat of Weld County and the largest city on Colorado's northern Front Range east of I-25. Home to the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley has a diverse economy anchored by agriculture, food processing, energy, and education. The city's zoning code, part of its Development Code, organizes land into residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use districts. Greeley's land use pattern reflects its agricultural heritage, with a traditional downtown surrounded by older residential neighborhoods and newer suburban development extending outward.
Greeley has experienced significant growth in recent decades, driven in part by relative housing affordability compared to cities along the I-25 corridor. The city's comprehensive plan, Imagine Greeley, guides growth toward infill areas and designated growth centers while managing expansion on the city's periphery. Oil and gas production in Weld County creates unique land use challenges, as the city must manage the interface between residential development and energy extraction operations.
Community Development handles planning, zoning, and building services for the city.
Key Zoning Districts
Greeley's zoning includes Residential Low (R-L), Residential Medium (R-M), and Residential High (R-H) districts, along with Commercial Low (C-L), Commercial High (C-H), and industrial districts. The city has also established mixed-use districts to encourage combined residential and commercial development.
ADU Regulations
Greeley permits ADUs in residential zones under Colorado HB 24-1152. ADUs are limited to 800 square feet and 20 feet in height. No additional parking is required. Permits are processed within three to six weeks.
Development Process
Greeley's development review includes administrative site plan approval for by-right projects and Planning Commission review for rezonings and conditional uses. Building permits are reviewed by the Building Division.
Regulatory Layers That Apply in Greeley
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 — Weld 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
- 7,000 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
- 5 ft
- Rear Setback
- 15 ft
- Min Lot
- None
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 10 ft
- Side Setback
- 0 ft
- Rear Setback
- 10 ft
ADU Rules in Greeley
- 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
- 3-6 weeks
Permit Costs & Timelines
Permit Costs & Timelines
Specific permit fee schedules for Greeley are available from the local planning department. Fees vary based on project type, scope, and valuation.
Check Greeley permit fees →