Planning Department

The Development Code establishes the regulations and standards governing the use and development of land within the Town of Berthoud. The purpose of the Code is to create a vital, cohesive, well-designed community to enhance the Town's character and further the citizens' vision, goals, and objectives as identified in the Town of Berthoud Comprehensive Plan. Below is a link to the Town's Municipal Code.  

Berthoud Development Code

Interactive Zoning Map 

Recent Code Amendment
The Land Use Code is amended periodically in part to keep current with trends in land use, to accommodate change in vision established by updates to the Comprehensive Plan, and to clarify intent. The Town of Berthoud has a robust and progressive Land Use Code and requires reorganization, clarification, and amendments to keep current with the vision established in the Comprehensive Plan as well as study sessions held with the Trustees and Development Community in 2025. 

The Town Board of Trustees approved Ordinance 1367, on November 10, 2025, amending Chapter 30 of the Municipal Code. The new Code, linked below, will be effective 30 days following adoption on December 10, 2025:

Chapter 30, Ordinance 1367 

Short-term Rental Regulations

On August 13, 2024, the Board of Trustees voted in favor of allowing Short-term Rentals (STRs) within the Town of Berthoud with the adoption of short-term rental regulations. The new regulations went into effect on September 23, 2024.  Please click on the link below to view the adopted STR Regulations, Section 30-3-116 of the Development Code.
          Short-Term Rental Regulations - Clean Version
          Short-term Rental Regulations - Redline Version

Short-term Rental Business License Application

All Short-term Rentals are required to obtain a Business License prior to establishment or advertisement. In order to qualify for this use, properties must meet specific requirements outlined in Section 30-3-113 of the Development Code, see link above. 
If you are interested in seeking approval for a Short-term Rental Business License, please start by watching the STR Application Process Webinar linked below.

STR Application Process Webinar

For a pdf copy of the STR Application Process presentation used in the webinar, click here:
STR Application Process Presentation
Have questions? The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet may provide what you are looking for: FAQ from Webinars

Once you have watched the STR Application Process Webinar above, complete and submit the Required Application Documents (see below). All applications must be submitted electronically, pdf format, to STR@Berthoud.org. Name each document as listed below. Do not combine each document into one pdf but rather keep each document separate. 

Before completing the required documents below, save and/or print the

STR Business License Checklist. This checklist will help to ensure you have each of the required documents. 

Required Application Documents:

Application Form
Affidavit
Memo of Understanding
Lodging Tax Form and Instructions
Good Neighbor Guidelines - Operations Manual
Neighbor Notification Letter
Mailing List Instructions
Example Site Plan, Floor Plan, Egress
Operations Manual Cover Page
Life Safety Inspection Checklist - For Reference Only
State Tax Information for Short-Term Rentals Brochure

Frequently Asked Questions:
STR Business License FAQ

Owners/Managers of Short-term Rentals are required to collect and remit State Sales Tax:  
State Tax Information for Short-Term Rentals Brochure

Current Approved STRs in the Town of Berthoud

If you are interested in knowing where currently approved STRs are located within the Town of Berthoud use the Short-term Rental Interactive Map below.

         Short-term Rentals Interactive Map

This map can also be used to help you determine if your property is within 200-feet of an approved STR , should you be interested in seeking approval. (Per the STR Regulations, an STR cannot be located within 200-feet of another). This map also contains the Property Manager contact information for each approved STR.

For more information on the STR regulations or on the STR Business License approval process, please contact Planning Manager, Tawn Hillenbrand at thillenbrand@berthoud.org.

2025 STR Business License Renewal

STR Business License Renewal Application

Comprehensive Plan

The Town updated its Comprehensive Plan in 2021.  The Comprehensive Plan is the guiding document for accomplishing community planning objectives for many years. The plan lays out the community's core values and outlines goals and objectives for the Town to achieve in the coming years.

1. 2021 Comprehensive Plan (with 2025 update) (PDF)
2. 2021 Future Land Use Map (PDF)
3. 2021 Transportation Plan (PDF)
4. Mountain Avenue Overlay District
5. 1st Street Overlay District Plan
6. Architecture Guidelines (PDF)
7. Landscape Design Guidelines
8. 2025 Berthoud Housing Diversity Plan
9. Right to Farm Statement (PDF)
10. 2025 Irrigation Plan Guidelines (PDF)

The Town of Berthoud requires all development proposals to attend a Pre-Application Meeting, previously known as Technical Review Committee meeting prior to submitting a land use approval application. 

This informal meeting with Staff will provide an opportunity to the applicant to discuss the proposed project and the requirements of the Town's Comprehensive Plan and Development Code.  We will also cover the application submittal requirements as well as process timelines.  

Pre-Application Meetings

Pre-Application Meetings are held every Thursday at 11:00 a.m. Meetings are held in-person at Town Hall unless other arrangements have been made with Staff. The meeting would include Town Staff (Community Development Staff, Utilities Director, and Engineer). Invitations are also extended to the Economic Development Manager, Town Administrator, and the Fire District.

To schedule a Pre-Application Meeting the applicant is required to submit a pre-application packet and conceptual design drawing.  

To receive a pre-application packet and to schedule a meeting please contact Senior Planner, at Email Tawn Hillenbrand.  

Pre-Application Meeting Packet (Word)
Pre-Application Meeting Packet (PDF)
Note: Comments made at the Pre-Application Meeting are non-binding and informational in nature and should not constitute or be relied on for approval.

Development Review

The Development Code sets the rules for development within the Town of Berthoud. The Code includes a variety of review processes that are used to evaluate development applications.

Before beginning any development review process, talk with staff to determine which process is needed and to complete a pre-application conference (see the Pre-Application Meeting page above).

Signs are a necessary means of visual communication for the convenience of the public. The Town of Berthoud Development Code establishes regulations for signs which are intended to safeguard the health, safety, convenience, order and welfare of all residents of the Town. The Sign regulations can be found in Section 7 of the Town of Berthoud Development Code. 

The Town of Berthoud adopted sign regulations:  Sign Code as of 4/20/2024

A Sign Permit is required for most work involving a sign. Depending on the sign type, applications can take 5-10 business days to review.  You must be a licensed sign contractor registered with the Town of Berthoud to install a new sign in the Town of Berthoud. 
 
Permanent Sign Permit Applications

Sign Applications are submitted through CommunityCore. 

Contractors and community members not registered with the Town of Berthoud, must register for a new account at  CommunityCore.
 
Existing Town of Berthoud contractors and community members can log in at CommunityCore.

Having a public event that you would like to post a banner in one of the town locations to promote? Please download this Temporary Banner Sign Permit Application For Town Parks.

Temporary Sign Applications can be submitted via email to building@berthoud.org or may be dropped off at Town Hall, 2nd Floor. 

Interested in posting a temporary banner on your business’ property? Download the Temporary On-Site Banner Permit Application and email it to building@berthoud.org for approval.

If you have sign questions, Email building@berthoud.org.

The Block Diversity Program ensures that new residential developments create diversity and variety along our residential streets.  It's important that new developments meet the Architecture and Design Standards set by the Town of Berthoud to create a vital, cohesive, well-designed community to preserve and enhance the small-town character of Berthoud.  

Residential Design Standards & Block Diversity Information

1. Residential Design Standards
2. Block Diversity Architecture Checklist (PDF)
3. 2021 Architectural Design Guidelines

The Engineering Division of Community Development performs development reviews, preconstruction meetings, construction inspections and assists with review of all plans and projects in the Town.  The Engineering Division refers to Larimer County Urban Area and Street Standards for all street design and construction standards.

For questions regarding engineering or construction standards, please email Luke Seeber.

Engineering Specifications and Standards (PDF)

Berthoud Development Code
Berthoud Design Standards
Construction Sign Requirements

MS4 Information
Stormwater & MS4 Information Brochure
Stormwater Quality Permit Application
Stormwater Management Plan Checklist
Memorandum of Understanding
MS4 FAQ
MS4 Enforcement & Compliance
Stormwater Inspection Notice
Stormwater Inspection Report

The Town drainage system is designed to withstand up to 12 inches of standing water; at this point, the road is still considered passable with emergency overflows being directed to the detention pond. Although this may look intimidating, the drainage system is still functioning as it should, and at this point, there is no cause for concern. In this case the inlets will take time to catch up with the intensity of the event but the detention ponds are sized to hold and release this volume. 

For more detailed information click on the link below:

• Roadway Water During Rain Event 2023-07-17

The Town of Berthoud is proud of its past and is committed to ensuring that its rich history isn't lost.  In 2002 The Town of Berthoud Historic Preservation Advisory Committee was formed to advise and assist owners of historic properties and to help adopt criteria for historic properties.  

Berthoud Historic Properties & Landmarks

Applications and Forms

Historic Alterations Application (PDF)

Historic Nomination Form (PDF)

Historic Relocation Form (PDF)

HPAC Owners Manual (PDF)

Historic Resources Code (PDF)

The Berthoud Historic Preservation Advisory Committee

If you are interested in serving on the Berthoud Historic Preservation Advisory Committee, visit the Committee page and fill out an Advisory Application Form.  

For questions and comments contact: Bella Manzo, Planner

If you need accommodation to access town services or files that meet your needs (e.g. mapping, construction/development plans, or completing an application or other documentation), staff are available to assist you. In addition, the Town has a number of resources available:

• For languages other than English, please use the Google Translate button available on the bottom right corner of each page of the Town website
• To schedule an appointment to review a file or complete documentation, please contact the specific department.  
• For assistance with determining which department may provide information or for help scheduling an in-person document review, call 970-532-2643.
  • For the Building Department, call 970-344-5828
  • For the Planning Department, call 970-344-5826
• For TTY, dial 800-659-2656 or 711 for the relay service, or use the TTY mode on your cell phone.
  If you have any accessibility issues on our website, please let us know so we can begin the process of making corrections. We welcome your questions as well as your input on how to improve accessibility.