The Community Development Department is available by appointment only. Appointments may be made by contacting the following staff members: 

• Building Permits (including mechanical, plumbing, hot tub, window and fireplace): buildinginfo@silverthorne.org or (970) 262-7360
• Building Code Questions: buildinginspection@summitcountyco.gov or (970) 668-3170
• Sign & Banner Permits, Planning & Zoning: planning@silverthorne.org or (970) 262-7360
• Workforce Housing: planning@silvethorne.org
• Code Enforcement/Complaints: Matt Loutherback, Community & Business Liaison, at liaison@silverthorne.org or (970) 262-7356
• Sustainability: Kristi D'Agati, Sustainability Coordinator, at kdagati@silverthorne.org or (970) 262-7367.

The Planning Department ensures that the Town's development and growth are consistent with the Silverthorne Comprehensive Plan. Planning oversees the review of development applications such as site plan proposals, annexations, rezonings, PUD designations, conditional use permits, variances and sign permits.

Planning staff prepare amendments to the Town Code, long-term planning documents and studies and provide policy analyses and recommendations. Staff members provide support and input to the Planning Commission and Town Council.

Planning Applications

The final decision on most planning applications is made by the Town Council, with careful consideration of recommendations made by the Planning Commission. Approval or denial of applications is based on compliance with all applicable Town Code requirements and Town planning documents. The review process is designed to provide an opportunity for resident input at any stage, particularly during Community Meetings and Public Hearings.

Applications that require the approval of the Planning Commission and Town Council include:

• All subdivisions and plats (Subdivisions and plats create property boundaries, blocks, rights-of-way, easements, etc.)
• Rezoning (Zone districts determine the applicable requirements for setbacks, lot coverage, permitted residential density, etc. A rezoning is a proposal to change a property's zone district.)
• Annexations (Annexations incorporate land into the Town's jurisdicational boundaries.)
• Site Plan Modifications (Site plans lay out the features of a site, including parking, driveways, utilities, landscaping, snow storage, building location and architecture.) 
• Conditional use permits and variances (Conditional use permits are required for commercial or residential uses that are conditional within the relevant zone district). 
• Variances (Variances allow specific exceptions to the Town Code requirements in very limited circumstances.)
• Planned Unit Developments (PUD) and Major PUD Amendments (PUDs create custom zoning requirements for setbacks, lot coverage, height, architectural design, permitted residential density, etc.)

Applications that do not require Town Council or Planning Commission review include:

• Sign permits
• Comprehensive sign plans (Comprehensive sign plans create general requirements for all signage within a development to ensure cohesion). 
• Building permits for single-family homes, small projects, tenant finishes, minor exterior alterations
• Business Licenses (all business licenses for businesses located within Town jurisdiction are reviewed by the Planning Deparment to ensure complaince with zoning requirements. This includes home occupation permits. 
• Minor PUD Amendments (Small changes or corrections to an exisiting planned unit development). 
• Signle Apartment Conditional Use Permit (A conditional use permit specifically for accessory dwelling units). 

Planning Application Submittal Process

Planning applications require a pre-application meeting with a staff planner prior to formal submittal. Please email Community Development Director Danelle Cook to schedule a pre-application meeting.

The Pass-Through account will be managed and paid for in the online portal.

After completing the pre-application meeting, submit the following through the online portal:

• Pass-Thru Agreement Acknowledgement
• Project Narrative
• Application Fee (pay through the online portal)
• Copy of Recorded Warranty Deed and title commitment
• All other necessary submittal documents and plans (see table below)

Submittal Document Guidelines 

• All documents must be flattened, unlocked, unprotected and layers merged. 
• PDFs must be in Vector format. 
• Submit as one complete set of plans, combining multiple files (architectural, landscape, civil, structural)
• All text must be redable, using at least 12 pt font (3/32"height). 
• Each plan sheet should include the project name and site address. 
• PDF plan sheets must be printed to scale to correspond with any scale callout on plans. 
• Max file size: 200MB. Please reduce your PDF prior to uploading. 
• Zip files are not accepted. 
• PDFs must be bookmarked. 
• Each PDF page should be labeled with sheet name and number, formatted as SheetNumber-Sheet Name. 
• If uploading a new document, please delete the old version of that document. 

Associated Files

• Reports or other associated documents should be uploaded separetly. 

File Naming 

• Add preperation date at the end of every file name in the format YYYYMMDD.
• Follow these naming examples for submittals: 
  • Initial Submittals: SUB1 1900SWFORESTLANE_PlanSet_20240925.pdf
  • Resubmittal: RESUB1_PassThru#_DisturbancePermitApplication_20240930.pdf

Fees

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