Community Design Standards

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Steamboat Springs is taking a closer look at how its Community Development Code shapes the design and character of new development throughout the community. The Community Design Standards Update is reviewing Article 4, Division 2 of the Community Development Code, which establishes standards for a range of development types and areas of the city. The effort is intended to ensure the standards continue to support the community’s vision while reflecting changing development conditions and design expectations.

The project is rooted in direction from the 2025 Steamboat Springs Community Plan (Community Canvas), which calls for periodic review of design standards to ensure they produce a built environment that reflects the community’s heritage and desired design traits without creating excessive regulation or unnecessarily cumbersome development processes. The Mountain Area Master Plan also calls for updating the Base Area Design Standards to better reflect contemporary design expectations and support pedestrian-oriented development.

As part of the review, the city and its consultant are examining how the current standards work together, where they may be difficult to interpret or apply, and where they may create unintended barriers to redevelopment. The project is focused on improving clarity and consistency, addressing frequent variance requests, adapting standards to evolving market and design trends, and reducing redevelopment barriers where feasible. Stakeholder and staff feedback has also identified opportunities to better distinguish mandatory standards from flexible guidelines and to consider how standards can respond to different geographic contexts.

Ultimately, the goal is not to dictate a particular architectural style, but to establish clear expectations for the scale, character and quality of development while recognizing the distinct character of different areas of Steamboat Springs. The updated standards will seek to balance community design goals with practical considerations such as development feasibility, affordability, site constraints and the desire for a vibrant, walkable community.

Steamboat Springs is taking a closer look at how its Community Development Code shapes the design and character of new development throughout the community. The Community Design Standards Update is reviewing Article 4, Division 2 of the Community Development Code, which establishes standards for a range of development types and areas of the city. The effort is intended to ensure the standards continue to support the community’s vision while reflecting changing development conditions and design expectations.

The project is rooted in direction from the 2025 Steamboat Springs Community Plan (Community Canvas), which calls for periodic review of design standards to ensure they produce a built environment that reflects the community’s heritage and desired design traits without creating excessive regulation or unnecessarily cumbersome development processes. The Mountain Area Master Plan also calls for updating the Base Area Design Standards to better reflect contemporary design expectations and support pedestrian-oriented development.

As part of the review, the city and its consultant are examining how the current standards work together, where they may be difficult to interpret or apply, and where they may create unintended barriers to redevelopment. The project is focused on improving clarity and consistency, addressing frequent variance requests, adapting standards to evolving market and design trends, and reducing redevelopment barriers where feasible. Stakeholder and staff feedback has also identified opportunities to better distinguish mandatory standards from flexible guidelines and to consider how standards can respond to different geographic contexts.

Ultimately, the goal is not to dictate a particular architectural style, but to establish clear expectations for the scale, character and quality of development while recognizing the distinct character of different areas of Steamboat Springs. The updated standards will seek to balance community design goals with practical considerations such as development feasibility, affordability, site constraints and the desire for a vibrant, walkable community.

  • Shape Updates To The Community Design Standards

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    Public Invited To Interactive Open House To Provide Input On Proposed Updates

    Steamboat Springs, Colorado-September 3, 2026-The City of Steamboat Springs Planning and Community Development Department invites community members to learn more about and help shape the future of the city’s Community Design Standards. The public is encouraged to attend an upcoming interactive open house and share their vision for the quality of the built environment to inform the revisions to the current standards that guide the design and appearance of development throughout the community.

    The open house will be held:

    • Thursday, September 10
    • Olympian Hall – 845 Howelsen Parkway
    • Two opportunities to participate 12 PM to 1 PM and 5 PM to 6:30 PM

    The casual and interactive format will allow attendees to review information, provide input, and speak directly with city staff and the project consultant.

    The community open house is a culmination of many months of work, including numerous stakeholder meetings and focus groups with industry professionals.

    The Community Design Standards address a wide range of building and site design elements, including access, building massing, roof forms, colors and materials for duplexes, multifamily, commercial, and mixed-use development. Updating these standards will help align them with the city’s new Community Canvas plan while also incorporating modern construction technologies and current best practices that compliment Steamboat Springs’ unique character.

    The city is working with Code Studio, a nationally recognized planning firm specializing in design standards and codes that help communities create distinctive and resilient places. Community feedback gathered throughout the process will help inform the direction of the updated Community Design Standards and ensure the standards reflect Steamboat Springs’ community character, values, and vision for the future.

    -WeServeTheCity-

    Contact
    Email Bob Keenan, Development Review Manager, or call 970-871-8260
    Email Jeremy Brown, Senior Planner, or call 970-871-8244
    Email Emily Hines, Marketing and Communications Supervisor, or call 970-871-7031

    Public Invited To Interactive Open House To Provide Input On Proposed Updates

    Steamboat Springs, Colorado-September 3, 2026-The City of Steamboat Springs Planning and Community Development Department invites community members to learn more about and help shape the future of the city’s Community Design Standards. The public is encouraged to attend an upcoming interactive open house and share their vision for the quality of the built environment to inform the revisions to the current standards that guide the design and appearance of development throughout the community.

    The open house will be held:

    • Thursday, September 10
    • Olympian Hall – 845 Howelsen Parkway
    • Two opportunities to participate 12 PM to 1 PM and 5 PM to 6:30 PM

    The casual and interactive format will allow attendees to review information, provide input, and speak directly with city staff and the project consultant.

    The community open house is a culmination of many months of work, including numerous stakeholder meetings and focus groups with industry professionals.

    The Community Design Standards address a wide range of building and site design elements, including access, building massing, roof forms, colors and materials for duplexes, multifamily, commercial, and mixed-use development. Updating these standards will help align them with the city’s new Community Canvas plan while also incorporating modern construction technologies and current best practices that compliment Steamboat Springs’ unique character.

    The city is working with Code Studio, a nationally recognized planning firm specializing in design standards and codes that help communities create distinctive and resilient places. Community feedback gathered throughout the process will help inform the direction of the updated Community Design Standards and ensure the standards reflect Steamboat Springs’ community character, values, and vision for the future.

    -WeServeTheCity-

    Contact
    Email Bob Keenan, Development Review Manager, or call 970-871-8260
    Email Jeremy Brown, Senior Planner, or call 970-871-8244
    Email Emily Hines, Marketing and Communications Supervisor, or call 970-871-7031

Page last updated: 03 Sep 2026, 08:46 AM