(A) Intent. The town is situated within the wildland urban interface where community values intersect with the potential consequences of wildland fires. Wildland fires both big and small have the potential to destroy homes and neighborhoods within the town. The architecture and chosen materials of a building greatly affect the survivability of that structure in the face of a wildfire. The use of class A roof coverings and ignition resistant building materials decrease the hazards to the individual structures as well as the surrounding homes.
(B) Ignition resistant materials. The use of ignition resistant building materials and designs intended to prevent the spread of fire are required. Vail Fire and Emergency Services is available to provide more information on the use of ignition resistant materials and designs. Predominantly natural building materials shall be used in the town. The exterior use of wood, wood siding, native stone, brick, concrete, stucco and EIFS may be permitted. Concrete surfaces, when permitted, shall be treated with texture and color; however, exposed aggregate is more acceptable than raw concrete. The exterior use of the following siding materials is prohibited: stucco or EIFS with gross textures or surface features that appear to imitate other materials, simulated stone, simulated brick, plastic and vinyl.
(1) The exterior use of any building material, including those not specifically identified by this section, shall only be permitted, unless otherwise prohibited by this code, if the Design Review Board finds:
(a) That the proposed material is satisfactory in general appearance, quality over time, architectural style, design, color, and texture;
(b) That the use of the proposed material complies with the intent of this code; and
(c) That the use of the proposed material is compatible with the structure, site, surrounding structures, and overall character of the town.
(2) This subsection of this section shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, repair, maintenance and use of any building, structure or premises in the town, unless otherwise exempt by § 12-11-3(C)(5) of this code.
(3) Repair or replacement of 25% or less of a deck surface or support structure is exempt from the ignition resistant requirements of this subsection.
(4) Repair or replacement of twenty-five percent (25%) or less of a building's exterior siding is exempt from the ignition-resistant requirements of this subsection (B).
(5) Combustible siding, as defined in the town’s adopted Building Code, may be used as long as it does not cover more than 33% of a given wall (excluding windows, doors and other openings) and may not be within five (5) feet of ground level. Combustible siding with a profile that may allow ember intrusion such as wood shake or wood shingle is prohibited.
(C) Same or similar materials. The same or similar building materials and colors shall be used on main structures and any accessory structures upon the site. Translucent components of greenhouses shall be exempt from this requirement.
(D) Colors. Exterior wall colors should be compatible with the site and surrounding buildings. Natural colors (earth tones found within the Vail area) should be utilized. Primary colors or other bright colors should be used only as accents and then sparingly such as upon trim or railings. All exterior wall materials shall be continued down to finished grade thereby eliminating unfinished foundation walls. All exposed metal flashing, trim, flues and rooftop mechanical equipment shall be anodized, painted or capable of weathering so as to be nonreflective.
(E) Roof forms. The majority of roof forms within the town are gable roofs with a pitch of at least four feet in 12 feet. However, other roof forms are allowed. Consideration of environmental and climatic determinants such as snow shedding, drainage, fire safety and solar exposure should be integral to the roof design.
(F) Rooflines. Rooflines should be designed so as not to deposit snow on parking areas, trash storage areas, stairways, decks and balconies, or entryways. Secondary roofs, snow clips and snow guards should be utilized to protect these areas from roof snow shedding if necessary.
(G) Regulations: All structures shall have Class A roof assemblies or Class A roof covering materials, as defined by the Town's adopted building code. The use of concrete tile, slate, metal, asphalt shingle, fiberglass shingle, and built up tar and gravel roofing may be permitted. Metal roofing, when permitted, shall not reflect direct sunlight onto an adjacent property and shall be surfaced with a low gloss finish or be capable of weathering to a dull finish. Metal roofing, when permitted, shall be of a heavy gauge and designed to provide visual relief to the roof surface (including without limitation a standing seam). Asphalt and fiberglass shingles, when permitted, shall be designed to provide visual relief through texture, dimension and depth of appearance. For purposes of this subsection (G), all parts of a mansard roof are considered "roof" and shall comply with current roofing regulations. Wood shake, wood shingles and rolled roofing are prohibited. Two-family dwellings and multi-family dwellings shall have uniform roof covering materials, unless the Design Review Board determines that the materials are compatible, are integral to the architectural style of the structure, and different materials do not share any ridges or planes, but may share a valley.
(1) Nonconforming structures. All structures that do not have a class A roof assembly or class A roof covering material, or structures with wood shake or wood shingles shall replace the roof covering as follows.
(a) Additions. All additions affecting roof area shall trigger compliance of the roof structure of a single-family dwelling, a side of a two-family dwelling, or the entire multiple-family dwelling, except for a onetime exemption of up to 500 square feet of GRFA, occurring after February 6, 2007, where any addition of roof area does not share a plane or ridge with the nonconforming roof, and may only share a valley. The additional roof area shall conform to roofing regulations, and shall be deemed compatible by the Design Review Board.
(b) Two-family structures. Upon reroofing one side of a two-family dwelling, the other side shall be required to be reroofed if the two sides have roof systems that share ridges or planes. Different materials on each side of the two-family dwelling may be permitted by the Design Review Board if the materials are deemed compatible, integral to the architectural style of the structure and share a valley or do not intersect.
(c) Developments with multiple structures. Upon reroofing a single structure that is part of a multistructure project with conforming roof covering materials that do not match existing materials, the conforming materials shall be deemed compatible with the existing nonconforming materials by the Design Review Board. Upon reroofing of additional structures in the development, the materials shall match the approved conforming materials. Should the matching material no longer be manufactured, a different material may be permitted, should the materials be deemed compatible by the Design Review Board.
(3) Roofing material. The use of any roofing material, including those not specifically identified by this section, shall only be permitted, unless otherwise prohibited by this code, where the Design Review Board finds:
(a) That the proposed material is satisfactory in general appearance, quality over time, architectural style, design, color and texture;
(b) That the use of the proposed material complies with the intent of the provisions of this code; and
(c) That the use of the proposed material is compatible with the structure, site, surrounding structures, and overall character of the Town of Vail.
(H) Rooftops. Rooftop heating and air conditioning equipment, large vent stacks, elevator penthouses and similar features should be avoided; however, if necessary, shall be designed to be compatible with the overall design of the structure or screened from view of all adjacent properties. Rooftop antennas shall not be permitted unless as allowed under a conditional use review as specified within the zoning code.
(I) Solar energy devices.
(1) The intent of these regulations is to facilitate the installation of alternative energy sources in Vail while minimizing visual impacts. Further, these regulations are intended to limit the creation of an elevated perceived roofline by solar energy devices.
(2) Solar energy devices should be installed on building facades and roof planes and oriented for energy production, except as permitted by subsection (I)(13) of this section. In Vail, optimal solar energy device orientation for maximized energy production and adequate snow shed is typically achieved by up to a 50 degree orientation.
(3) Solar energy devices shall be designed and placed in a manner compatible and architecturally integrated into the overall design of the building and site, with some flexibility granted for existing structures.
(4) Solar energy devices may be screened to minimize visual impact with a false facade, roof plane or parapet walls integrated into the overall design of the building.
(5) Solar energy devices may project not more than four feet into a required setback area.
(6) Solar energy devices shall not be included in calculation of building height.
(7) Solar energy devices should follow the slope direction of the roof plane upon which it is mounted.
(8) Solar energy devices shall project no further from the building facade or roof plane than the minimum distance necessary to achieve up to a 50 degree orientation. No portion of any solar energy device shall project more than eight feet from the building facade or roof plane to which the solar energy device is attached.
(9) When mounted to a roof plane with a pitch of three in 12 feet (3:12) or steeper, solar energy devices shall extend no higher than one foot above the ridgeline.
(10) When mounted to a roof plane, solar energy devices shall not extend beyond the roof eave.
(11) Solar energy device framing, brackets and associated equipment shall be black or a color that matches adjacent building surfaces. No advertising shall be permitted on any solar energy device, framing, brackets and associated equipment.
(12) Solar energy devices, framing, brackets and associated equipment shall be maintained and kept in good repair, including repainting when appropriate and other actions that contribute to attractive building aesthetics.
(13) Solar energy devices may be ground mounted only when the Design Review Board determines that the design or site planning of an existing structure creates practical difficulties in mounting a solar energy device to a building facade or roof plane to achieve energy production. Cost or inconvenience to the applicant of strict or literal compliance with this regulation shall not create a practical difficulty. Ground mounted solar energy devices shall not be permitted in the required setback area. Ground mounted solar energy devices shall count as site coverage. Site coverage is calculated by measuring the footprint created by vertical projection from the energy devices and associated hardware to the ground. Should ground mounted solar energy devices be adjustable, site coverage shall be calculated for the position that creates the greatest site coverage. Ground mounted solar energy devices shall not exceed eight feet in height above grade. Ground mounted solar energy devices shall be located and screened to minimize visual impact.
(J) Overhangs. Deep eaves, overhangs, canopies and other building features that provide shelter from the elements are encouraged.
(K) Fenestration. Fenestration should be suitable for the climate and for the orientation of the particular building elevation in which the fenestration occurs. The use of both passive and active solar energy systems is strongly encouraged.
(L) Duplexes. In no instance shall a duplex structure be so constructed as to result in each half of the structure appearing substantially similar or mirror image in design.
(M) Footings and foundation. Building footings and foundations shall be designed in accordance with the minimum standards of the adopted Building Code. Footings and foundations shall also be designed to be responsive to the natural topography of the site, and shall be designed and constructed in such a manner as to minimize the necessary amount of excavation and site disturbance.
(Ord., 9-21-1999; ; Ord. 3(2007) § 4; Ord. 3(2008) § 3; Ord. 3(2010) § 3; Ord. 5(2011) § 2; Ord. 25(2016) § 3; Ord. 26(2016) § 2; Ord. 19(2019) §§ 12, 13; Ord. 7(2022) § 3)