Im interested in buying between 3-5 acres but confused on the zoning (Fort Collins: house)

[gselene28]

I've noticed that when I go into the MLS large pieces of land (between 3-5 acres) restrict the use to " 1 unit allowed" is there a procedure to submit some sort of request to modify that? We are 3 families, we'd like about an acre each so that each one can build a home. I've also noticed different zoning designations like "AG" or "F1" etc..whats the difference? I went on the city website and really wasnt able to tell the difference.

[barefootmeg]

Here's a link to the city's zone abbreviations. I don't see AG or F1 in there. http://www.fcgov.com/zoning/pdf/land...ing-matrix.pdf

According to this page http://www.larimer.org/codecomplianc...ling_units.pdf you would just need to get the right land use approval/permit and you'd be fine. You could probably also subdivide the lot into three separate acres and each build a house on your own parcel. The county folks could probably tell you the advantages or disadvantages of keeping the property together or separate.

I don't see AG or F1 listed on the county site, either. But I haven't looked at everything they have. I'd recommend calling the county and running it all past them. I'm sure there's no problem with doing it, you just need to get the right permits to move forward.

[gselene28]

thanks for the info

[StealthRabbit]

You will likely find it much cheaper to buy 3 adjacent rural homes. You definitely DON"T want to by 3-5 acres and go to the cost, pain, planning , timing delay... of splitting up a parcel. There are LOTS of Gotchas.

I search the area, find some regions I like and start mailing the owners to see if they are interested in selling. This works great for me. (and has for 30+ yrs and MANY properties).

BEWARE of ALL the costs of building (I have done plenty of that too, and had my kids build and design their own rural homes as homeschool projects.)

Nothing, ez, or cheap about that, and certainly not quick! Be sure to check for "impact fees". Some areas charge for converting bare land into residential (cuz U now use the SERVICES of the community). Properties are still VERY cheap (compared to costs of building).

[jwiley]

Another thing to look at when trying to build a house is water rights or tap fees, depending on if you are in an area with city water or not. Water rights do not always transfer with the land

[Mike Weber]

AG and F1 are not zoning districts within either Fort Collins or Larimer County.

Here is a list of zoning districts and their allowed uses for Fort Collins:
http://www.fcgov.com/zoning/pdf/land...ing-matrix.pdf

Larimer County's zoning district map shows the various zoning districts on the right side:
http://www.larimer.org/planning/plan...map_county.pdf

In order to see what is allowed in each district, you can check the Larimer County land use code.

In order to do something like you are suggesting, you would need to go through special review. Often times this is not allowed as it increases the density of an area that is supposed to have low density. Increased density can bring impact fees and require improvements to infrastructure such as roads and utilities.

Mike Weber