Medium-Low to High Density Residential Zone District Updates

Share your input about proposed Medium Low to high Density Residential District code changes to the Broomfield Municipal Code. You can ask questions about the proposed changes below using the “Questions” tab or start a conversation and provide your feedback under the “Comments” tab at the bottom of the page.

Your feedback will be used to help shape the proposed changes to the code to meet the needs of the community.

Project Overview

Staff is currently working on amendments to the Broomfield Municipal Code to support housing diversity within the City based on the findings of the 2023 Housing Needs Assessment. The proposed changes include renaming and modernizing the development standards within the R-3 Medium Density Residential District and R-5 High Density Residential District. These districts will now be named the medium-low density residential district and medium-low density residential district, respectively. The updates will also include the creation of a new residential district, the R-7 or High Density Residential District and changes to the PUD development standards within the municipal code. Additional information on the changes proposed within each district can be found below.

Please note: this code update does not include any changes to the R-1 Low-Density Residential District and will not rezone any properties. Any property owners who may wish to rezone to the new or updated zone districts discussed below must go through a public hearing process.

R-3 Medium-Low Density Zone District

The existing R-3 medium-density residential district is proposed to be renamed the “medium-low density residential district” and updated with modernized development standards to allow townhomes, small lot single-unit, and smaller scale multi-unit proposals. As shown in the table below, setbacks, density and building height requirements are intended to be revised to support a wider range of housing units. Private open area requirements have been reduced from 40% of the site to 25%.

Examples of Developments Permitted Under Updated R-3 Code (Townhomes Left, Quadplex Right)

R-5 Medium-High Density Residential Zone District

The existing R-5 High-Density Residential District is proposed to be renamed the “medium-high density residential district” and updated with standards to accommodate neighborhood-scale multi-unit developments including affordable development proposals. The proposed updates include modifications to the permitted uses within the district as well as the specific development standards. The R-5 district currently only permits a maximum of 20 dwelling units per acre which the proposed ordinance would revise to 30 du/ac to allow for a moderate increase in density. The proposal also includes a revision to the maximum height from two stories to fifty feet (approximately four stories).

The required on-site private open area is proposed to be reduced from 40% of the site to 15%. This reduction will allow for the construction of a greater number of units and will be less cost-restrictive on developers. Public land dedication requirements will still be applicable.

Example of Development that could be Permitted Under Updated R-5 Code (Grove at Cottonwood)

R-7 High Density Residential Zone District

A new R-7 “high-density residential district” is proposed to allow multi-unit buildings similar to those seen in areas of Broomfield such as Parkway Circle, Arista and Highlands. This district would allow a maximum density of 80 units per acre.This district would require approval of a site development plan through a public hearing process prior to issuance of any building permits. Proposals exceeding 80 du/ac would require approval through the Use by Special Review process. This zone district would have a maximum height of 80 feet and require a minimum of 15% of the land area to be private open area.

Example of Development Permitted Under the Proposed New R-7 Code - Vista Highlands West

PUD (Planned Unit Development) District

Although the Municipal Code includes Uniform Standards for residential development in PUD zones, the last subdivisions to utilize the Uniform Standards for residential PUD plans were Wildgrass and portions of the Anthem neighborhoods (approved more than 15 years ago). Recent developments like North Park (Baseline), Dillon Pointe, Great Western Park, and The Ridge at Broomfield have all requested and received approval for variances from the uniform standards. Since residential developments in the PUD zone district almost always seek variances from the Uniform Standards for residential PUD plans, staff is recommending this section of the code be deleted.

When new PUD plans are submitted in the future under the amended code, instead of comparing the proposed development standards for residential development to the uniform standards, staff will provide a comparison to other Broomfield zoning as applicable (R-1, R-3, B-1, etc). Since no recent PUDs have utilized the uniform standards, this change is not anticipated to impact future PUD proposals, but it will remove a section of the code that has become outdated because it no longer aligns with desired densities or anticipated development standards.

The proposed changes would have no impact on existing residential development within PUD districts. The PUD plans approved for existing development will not be impacted. Existing neighborhoods, such as Anthem, Baseline, Red Leaf, Westlake, Highlands, and The Broadlands, have development standards incorporated into the individual PUD plan for each neighborhood and will remain in place as approved.

Public Engagement

Community feedback will be taken into consideration for elements of the proposed code update which the City and County of Broomfield has the authority to modify. Public feedback will not impact code requirements related to state requirements.

You can provide your feedback or ask questions using the tabs below. The deadline to provide feedback is June, 2025. Comments emailed to planning@broomfield.org will also be accepted until the day of the second reading listed in the Key Dates at the top of this page.