|
Text-only
navigation is available at the bottom of each page.
| |
Spotlight on Zoning Issues
Setback Measurements
This month's Spotlight on
Zoning Issues takes a look at the criteria used by zoning inspectors in
determining the measurement of setbacks.
Prior Spotlight Pages
Harvey Park Zoning
Please
Note: The Zoning Committee of the Harvey Park Improvement Association is
not in any way involved in the enforcement of zoning violation issues!
That is the job of Neighborhood Inspection Services and the city Zoning
Inspectors only. Please do not call any of our board members with
complaints that you may have regarding possible zoning violations! Our
only role with regards to zoning issues is to review and offer feedback to the
Zoning Board regarding applications for Zoning Variances that may be applied
for by residents in the Harvey Park area.
Harvey Park Improvement
Association provides this page as a convenience for residents of the Harvey
Park community of Southwest Denver to use as a guide for checking into and
going about resolving potential zoning issues. It is our hope that we
may be of some help to visitors of this site in learning about the various
Denver County Zoning Ordinances that effect us all...and we also offer some
suggestions for going about resolving problems that you may encounter as a
resident of Harvey Park.
At the bottom of this
page...we have provided the means by which you can go about resolving zoning
questions or issues that you may have, however, we highly recommend
that you attempt to resolve your problems by working your way through the
steps that we provide here first.
We also recommend that you
take the time to read through the various ordinances listed on this page
before you proceed any further. Unfortunately, the complete listing
of Denver County Zoning Ordinances is far too lengthy for us to list here, so
we have only included on this page the more common items that residents appear
to be primarily concerned with. That way you can learn a little bit more
about what you may be calling our city officials about before you start
contacting them, and it helps our city officials better help us with our
zoning issues and needs.
We've tried to make this as
easy to understand for all of you as possible (minus a lot of the legal
jargon), and it's well worth looking through before you act!
Here are some wrong
reasons to pursue a zoning complaint:
- You just don't like your
neighbor (that's your problem...live with it).
- You seem to think it's
your responsibility to police your neighborhood.
- You want to "get back" at
your neighbor for something.
- You want to start a
border war with your neighbor (and you may).
- You feel that it's your
responsibility to act. That job belongs to others!
Here are some good
reasons to pursue potential zoning violations (provided you follow the steps
we offer below):
- You should pursue this
process if you wish to help inform your neighbors of zoning issues that they
may not otherwise be aware of (most folks are more than happy to listen
and comply if you just take the time to talk with them in a helpful and
friendly manner...so be sure to give that a genuine try first).
- You should pursue this
process if you wish to see your neighbors become welcomed and accepted
members of our community rather than people who we may otherwise find
ourselves at odds with (how many of us are guilty of never really getting
to know our neighbors, and therefore perhaps not knowing what kinds of
adjustments to change or other difficulties they may be facing...or what
kind of help they may be in need of from other members of our community).
- You should pursue this
process if all else fails, and if you wish to prevent others from having a
negative impact on you, your home and property values, or your community...we
repeat...only when all other neighborly and helpful resources have failed.
To help inform you...here
are some of the primary zoning ordinances that may effect residents of the
Harvey Park neighborhood:
Harvey Park is zoned
R-1 (residential)
R-1 zoning means:
People
- Single family only. No more than 3 non-blood related persons per
household.
- Foster care and day care permitted only under certain state and city
restrictions.
- Businesses run from a home are only allowed by special permit from
zoning. (Working from home is permitted, provided that there is no
sign or other form of advertising meant to draw business to the residence).
- Roomers and boarders permitted (number is controlled by the 3 non-blood
related rule), but no apartments and only one kitchen per home.
Exceptions: A permit may be granted for a second kitchen for use by the
family.
Parking
- One car per licensed driver in each household plus one additional
vehicle.
- No "junkers" allowed. If on the street, police will issue a
ticket. If on private property, zoning will cite the owners. All
vehicles must be operable.
- Vehicles which are prohibited from being parked or stored on a property
are trucks exceeding 6000 pounds empty weight and automobile trailers,
buses, and recreation vehicles exceeding 22 feet in length. Larger
vehicles up to 27 feet and not weighing over 6000 pounds, are allowed as a
zoning exception with a variance permit only.
- In the summer, you are allowed to park recreational vehicles (RVs) in
the front of a residence for 24 hours for loading, unloading, and cleaning.
- Detached campers or boats are never allowed in front of residence.
Pets
Note: Denver has a leash
law! Please be considerate of your neighbors. No one likes to find
someone's pet "calling card" on their lawn, and it is not lawful to trespass
on private property.
- No kennels are allowed. Raising pups or kittens for fun and profit
is not an acceptable home occupation in an R-1 zone.
- Please clean up after your pet.
- Make sure that you pet is properly licensed and vaccinated.
- Livestock is not permitted, and there is a limit on the number of
domestic pets you may keep: A maximum of 3 dogs, 5 cats, or 5 rabbits per
zone lot. Not more than 5 total cats and dogs are allowed per
residence. Other "exotic pets" are not permitted to be kept within the
city limits, and you should check the existing laws prior to getting and
keeping any pet...just to be sure that you are not violating any laws
regarding pet ownership within the city limits.
Other Ordinances
- Sidewalks must be cleared of snow and ice immediately after each
snowfall.
- No unkempt vegetation over 6 inches is permitted.
- No glass containers (including catsup, mustard, pop or beer bottles,
etc.) are allowed in city parks.
- A permit is needed for any building or addition, either outside or
inside.
- Nothing can be planted in the public right-of-way without a permit.
Please call the City Forester at 303-964-2480 if in doubt.
How we recommend that you deal with zoning issues:
-
Make sure that you (and perhaps your other neighbors as well, although not
necessarily together) have tried talking with your neighbor in a friendly and
helpful manner about possible zoning problems that may be effecting you, your
property or your neighborhood. Just a tip...try using the word(s) "I" or
"we" a lot when you talk with your neighbor and describe how their possible
zoning violation may be effecting you...and, you may find them much less
defensive with you in talking with them. Take a genuine interest in
greeting any of our new neighbors into the community...and they will in turn
generally respond with a desire to become good members of our community rather
than feeling closed off to their neighbors.
-
Make sure that there is actually a clear zoning violation (see the
abbreviated listing above, and if necessary, please call Neighborhood
Inspection Services at 720-865-3200 for further clarification prior to
assuming that a zoning violation is actually taking place).
-
Make sure that your neighbor has indicated to you that they do not plan to
remedy the problem (it doesn't hurt to ask a couple times if the problem is
ongoing before you decide on this).
To report an
apparent zoning violation in the Harvey Park area of Denver, call Neighborhood
Inspection Services at 720-865-3200
Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Please Note: If you wish to
have Neighborhood Inspection Services get back with you regarding any actions
that they may be involved in related to your complaint, you will need to give
them your name and phone number so that they can contact you.
We strongly urge all
residents of Harvey Park to help us keep the friendly atmosphere we have prided
ourselves on over the years by working as much as you are able to help our new
and existing neighbors keep our Harvey Park neighborhood beautiful...and we
thank you for your cooperation in our continued efforts.
Nuisance Abatement Law details.
|
