LARIMER COUNTY RURAL AREA ROAD STANDARDS

CHAPTER 10 – ACCESS REQUIREMENTS AND CRITERIA10.1 INTRODUCTION10.1.1 AuthorityPursuant to Section 43-2-147(1) of the Colorado Revised Statutes, Local governmentsare authorized to regulate vehicular access to and from any public highway under theirrespective jurisdiction from or to property adjoining a public highway.10.1.2 Purpose1. It is the purpose of this chapter to provide the procedures and standardsnecessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare, to maintain smoothtraffic flow, to maintain highway right of way drainage, and to protect thefunctional level of the public County roads while meeting state, regional, localand private transportation needs and interests.2. This policy recognizes that Larimer County must execute these prescribed dutieswithin an environment where population growth will undoubtedly increase trafficvolumes and operational pressure on the general transportation system, be itrural or urban. This policy establishes access criteria for each functional level ofroads that exist in Larimer County.3. Property owners have a right of reasonable access to the general street system.It is recognized that an access management system can influence decisionsconcerning the use of property. An effective access management system mustrecognize and consider its impacts on public and private land use decisions withmeeting the intent and purpose of this chapter.10.1.3 Implementation1. After the effective date of these standards, including this chapter on accessrequirements, no person shall construct any access providing direct movement toor from any Larimer County maintained road from or to property adjoining theroad without an access permit (for existing lots) or a Development ConstructionPermit (for new developments) issued by the Engineer.2. Access permits shall be issued only in compliance with the policy. In no eventshall an access be allowed or permitted if it is detrimental to the public health,welfare, and safety.3. Police, fire, ambulance, and other emergency stations shall have a right to directaccess to County roads if no other acceptable access is available. Direct accessfrom a subdivision to the County road shall be permitted only if the proposedaccess meets the intent and requirements of this policy.4. This chapter applies to all areas in unincorporated Larimer County except forthose areas within established Growth Management Areas (GMA) or areas thathave adopted Access Policies or Access Control Management Plans.Larimer County Rural Area Road Standards Page 10-1October 22, 2007