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1. What is my zoning? What are my setbacks?

Each zone district has specific setbacks that apply to each lot. For example, most residential areas have side setbacks that are generally 5 or 10 feet and front setbacks that are 15 or 20 feet. You can always call the Planning Department or stop by and we can look up your zoning and setbacks, or you can look up your property online using the Interactive Map.

The ”use” or “zoning” listed on the Assessor website is often incorrect and it’s best to verify before building.
Interactive Map

2. What’s the difference between an easement and a setback?

These two terms are often confused or substituted for each other, however they are two different things.

A “setback” is a limitation on site development which generally requires a building, structure, or other item to be placed at a specific distance from a property line. Sometimes certain items, like landscaping or snow storage, may need to be located in a setback to manage impacts to adjacent property owners.

An “easement” is a portion of the property reserved by agreement by the Property owner that allows access on or through the property. Generally, an easement is specific, allowing access to specific entities or for a specific reason. Common types are utility, drainage, or access easements. Utility easements can be for electrical, gas, water, sewer, cable or telephone lines, whether they are installed above grade, on grade, or below grade. Access easements can contain roads or driveways and may allow emergency vehicles, private parties, or the public access to a property or across a property.

In general, you cannot build anything in an easement, and you may, sometimes and with limitations, encroach or build into a setback.

3. Can I have a secondary unit?

These are known by lots of names, mother-in-law units, granny flats, accessory dwelling units, ADUs- they’re all generally the same, but here in Steamboat, we call them secondary units.

To determine if you can have a secondary unit, you’ll need to know the square footage of your lot as well as your zone district. Each residential zone district has a minimum lot size required for a single family home + secondary unit. If you have the required amount of square footage, you can build a secondary unit.

In Steamboat, a secondary unit can be a maximum of 650 square feet and may not be rented out on a nightly basis.

4. What does it take to rent my house on Airbnb or VRBO?

For a single family home or a duplex, you’ll need a vacation home rental permit. These permits need to be renewed every year and we make sure things like parking, number of guests and other rules are observed and enforceable. A vacation home rental is a commercial use in a residential area so the rules for these units are in place to manage impacts on the neighbors.

5. Where are food trucks allowed?

Food trucks can be located on private property anywhere in the City. They need to be on an all-weather (paved) surface, and they cannot displace required parking spots. People often ask why Steamboat doesn’t have more food trucks, and the short answer is that being a small town, there isn’t a lot of property with enough room to meet these criteria.