Development Steps

Steps to building a development in Castle Rock

If a project is planned in the near future, chances are, we are already reviewing it. New roads, water lines, subdivisions and commercial areas all get reviewed by the Development Services team on their way to becoming realities. The team makes sure all developments meet Town standards for design, safety and quality of life.

Each development begins with an idea. From there, Town staff guides the developer on the steps the Town requires to complete the project.

Generally, each project must go through seven steps - the first three of which involve public processes.

Most projects currently holding public hearings are at Step 3, but projects on properties not already in the Town must start at Step 1. Step 7 is where projects under construction today are at.

View our Development Activity Map to learn about current projects. While Title 17 of the Municipal Code governs the development process, this page lays out the general steps. Learn more about the seven steps to development by exploring the tabs on this page.

Public processes: Steps 1 to 3

  1. Step 1: Annexation
  2. Step 2: Zoning / planned development plan (PDP)
  3. Step 3: Site development plan (SDP)

If the owner of property in unincorporated Douglas County wants to develop it within the Town of Castle Rock, they must request annexation. Annexation changes the Town's boundary to include additional property.

Required processes for this step:

  • Preapplication meeting with Town staff
  • Three neighborhood meetings
  • Submittals to Town staff, which are reviewed in detail; resubmittals will be required until Town standards are met
  • Five public hearings: one with Planning Commission and four before Town Council

Administrative processes: Steps 4-7

  1. Step 4: Construction drawings for infrastructure
  2. Step 5: Platting
  3. Step 6: Site construction
  4. Step 7: Building construction

Before a project can be built, the developer must submit a set of engineered construction drawings to the Town. These typically include all of the infrastructure that needs to be constructed, such as roadways, sidewalks, water and sewer lines, parking areas, stormwater drainage areas, lighting and landscaping.

Town staff reviews the construction drawings for conformance with previously approved zoning, site development plans, Town Code and technical design criteria. The applicant must make revisions and resubmit the drawings as needed to obtain approval.

Once construction drawings are approved, the developer can apply for a construction permit. This step is often completed concurrently with Step 5: Platting.