Community Housing Overview

Committed to support, create and pave the way for community housing.

The Mountain Village Town Council is delighted to launch a Community Housing Initiative for 2021 and beyond. This initiative builds upon the Town of Mountain Village’s longstanding commitment to community housing and its role as the leader in the region in establishing and supporting existing and new community housing. In light of the ongoing urgent need for housing solutions throughout our community, the Town has developed a sweeping plan to demonstrate its continued commitment to support, create and pave the way for community housing.

To adequately pursue the Community Housing Initiative, as well as maintain the robust community housing program already in place, the Town Council will form a Community Housing Department with dedicated staffing to support our Community Housing Initiative, Village Court Apartments, programs, policies, compliance and regulations for the Town of Mountain Village.

In addition, the Planning and Development Services Division and Town Council, acting as the Mountain Village Housing Authority, will continue to establish and implement plans to provide community housing.

Currently, two-thirds of the full-time occupied housing units in Mountain Village are deed-restricted, the highest deed-restricted to free-market housing ratio in the region. However, the Town understands there is still more to be done to ensure anyone who wishes to make Mountain Village their home has the opportunity to do so.

Community Housing Initiatives

The Town of Mountain Village is dedicated to being a leader in community housing by offering several initiatives for our residents. We are still developing the following programs, so please check this webpage often as each program is further developed and additional programs are announced.

Select dropdowns below to learn more about our different initiatives

Development Incentives

Community Housing Mitigation Methodology

In early 2022, Town Council approved the Community Housing Mitigation Methodology, a common strategy in other Colorado resort communities to better provide a direct correlation between new development and housing requirements. A housing mitigation methodology provides a more predictable path for the town and a developer to understand the necessary housing generated as a result of new development.

To review the new methodology, please download the spreadsheet below. For further questions, please email .

Mountain Village Community Housing Mitigation Worksheet Download PDF

Waived development fees

Since 2019 the Town has waived development fees (design, building) for deed-restricted housing: remodels, repairs, replacement, and new construction.
Design Guidelines can be expressly waived or reduced by the Design Review Board for community housing projects
Tap fees are half that of free-market fees.
Real Estate Transfer Assement (RETA) is waived.

Learn more

Zoning Incentives

Accessory Dwelling Units

The Town of Mountain Village plans to simplify the definition of an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) to encourage homeowners to build and utilize these additional structures for community housing and secure a passive income stream to assist with mortgage payments by targeting long-term renters.

ADUs are permitted in single-family dwellings and we will amend to CDC to make it more clear they are also allowed within detached condominiums. The updated code increases flexibility related to a private separate entrance and the allowance of a kitchen. Currently, Mountain Villages has over 100 ADU’s already constructed and many properties have an ability to add an accessory use to their existing built property.

You can build a detached ADU on a lot that is .75 acres or greater
You can build an attached ADU or mother-in-law suite on a lot under .75 acres
You can build a mother-in-law suite in a detached condominium OR single-family home.
You can retrofit your existing detached condominium to include a mother-in-law suite

The Town is also proposing that you can increase the size of your ADU and/or receive an increase in site coverage to construct an ADU if you are willing to deed restrict the ADU. Remember that with these incentives, your development fees would also be waived to construct a deed-restricted ADU.

Non-subdividable duplex and subdividable duplex

At the direction of the Council, the Town will be re-introducing non-subdividable and subdividable duplex development in the single-family zone district. The non-subdividable duplex and subdividable duplex will not apply to all of the single-family zone districts, rather proposed as an overlay that will target appropriate areas for duplex development.

The aim of allowing this development pattern is to encourage smaller duplex development. As homes are limited to the same site coverage as a single-family home of 40% (in most instances), this will achieve a lower price point due to the smaller square footage, and allow a builder/owner to generate a passive income stream by rental of the second dwelling unit. In the instance of a subdividable duplex, the units could be owned by separate owners when condominiumized. The town realizes that it is important to continue to provide a wide range of housing inventory. Under both duplex scenario’s YES funds can be utilized to deed restrict the second unit on the property.

Two dwellings can be constructed on a single-family lot as long there is a singular access point (singular driveway) from the road.
They can be attached or detached.
The non-subdividable provision means that the property cannot be further subdivided by platting or condominiumizing, but must remain in the same ownership.
The subdividable provision means that the units can be owned by separate owners so long as a condominium map and associated documents are reviewed and approved by the Town.

No zoning limitations

Town Council can create deed-restricted housing and it does not count against the Town's density limitation.
Community Housing is allowed in all current zone districts inclusive of Active Open Space and only prohibited within Passive Open Space.

Simplest deed-restriction in the region

The Town’s form of deed restriction limits the owner or renter (whoever is occupying the unit) to demonstrate that they live and work in the R-1 School District.

There are no income limitations, complicated formulas or tiers.
You can own and not be required to occupy a deed-restricted property, yet the renter must be qualified.
There is no limitation on other assets or properties.
Most, though not all, deed restrictions in the Mountain Village do not have price caps.
You can be retired, or anticipating retirement and have peace of mind that you can continue to live in, occupy, and own your deed-restricted unit with no threat of losing eligibility to own or occupy the unit.

Regional Housing Needs Assessment

The Town of Mountain Village has been proactive regarding the construction of both ‘for sale’ and ‘rental’ deed-restricted housing. As of the 2018 Regional Housing Needs Assessment, Ouray and San Miguel Counties, Mountain Village housing inventory contains 533 total deed-restricted housing units which include 220 rental units at Village Court Apartments owned by the Town of Mountain Village Housing Authority.