Land Use Process & Resources

Title 26 of the City of Aspen Municipal Code (the Land Use Code) sets out common procedures for review of all development applications, unless otherwise specifically stated. To start the development review process, email the Planner of the Day. Generally, all proposed development that requires a land use review is subject to the following approval process prior to construction: 

• A pre-application letter is requested by the applicant. The applicant should send an email to the Planner of the Day with the address and proposed scope of work.  
• The pre-application letter is drafted and issued by City staff. The pre-application letter will include an overview of the land use review process, estimated fees, any review agencies that will need to review the application, and required application submissions. 
• A development application is submitted by the applicant. The application should be emailed as a single PDF to the Community Development administrative staff.
• City staff determines if the application is complete. 
  • If incomplete, the applicant will receive a letter listing missing items. 
  • If complete, the applicant will receive a letter deeming the application complete, required fees, and billing process information.  
• Applicant pays fees. 
• The application is assigned to a case planner who reviews the development application and refers the application for review to any necessary review agencies. Additional information may be required at this time. 
• A hearing before the relevant decision-making body is scheduled, as applicable. The case planner will provide any necessary public noticing documents to the applicant. Information about How to Notice a Property (PDF).
• The development application is reviewed and approved or denied by the relevant decision-making body. 
• A development order or other entitlement document is signed and recorded. 
• Applicant submits a building permit. Go to the building's permit process page for details regarding submission, review, and issuance of building permits.

Estimate your fees:

Land use application fees can be found in Sec. 26.104.070. - Land use application fees.  

Once a land use application is complete, a letter will be issued to the applicant informing them that fees are due.

How to pay:

• The primary applicant will be notified via email when permit fees are due. Once notified, there are several ways to pay:
  • Pay via e-checks through your Aspen Permit Portal - you must be registered in the system.
    • You may pay permit fees up to $250,000 on the Salesforce online portal using E-Checks. There is a flat-rate processing fee of $1.50, regardless of the check amount.
  • Pay online with a credit card - reach out to cdehadmins@aspen.gov for instructions.
    • There is a processing fee associated with credit card payments of 2.65% of the payment amount.
  • Mail or bring in a check 

    Write a check to: City of Aspen
    Address check to:
    Community Development, Administrative Staff
    427 Rio Grande Pl
    Aspen, CO 81611
    
    Please include your land use case number and/or property address on the check.
    
    

Most exterior work requires design review from the City of Aspen.  Review of a proposal for compliance with the Commercial, Lodging, and Historic District Design Standards and Guidelines and/or the Historic Preservation Design Guidelines requires a land use case, ranging from administrative to board-level. Review the Land Use Application tab for information regarding the land use review process. Residential Design Standard (RDS) review is a complementary service with the following steps:

• Navigate to the City of Aspen Planning & Zoning Map. Determine if the parcel is marked as a Historic Site or a Historic District on the map. This is an ideal time to check if the parcel is in an Environmentally Sensitive Area (Greenline 8040, Mountain Viewplane, Stream Margin, and Hallam Bluff ESA layers). Reach out the Planner of the Day if any of the above layers apply to the parcel in question – additional land use reviews may be required.
• Fill out the applicable RDS packet from the resource list below.
• Email the packet with supporting plans to the planner of the day.
• The planner of the day will respond and let the applicant know if any additional information is needed. 

Alternative Compliance (flexible standards) or a Variation from the Residential Design Standards (non-flexible standards) requires a land use case. The following areas are exempt from RDS review; email planner of the day with the filled out RDS Exemption Packet:

• R-15B Zone District, per RDS Applicability, 26.410.010(b)
• Aspen Highlands Planned Development, per Ord. 36-2000, Section 4
• Moore Family Planned Development, per Water Service Agreement p. 13, Section 27 (#420481)