Employee Housing Regulations

Each year, the Aspen/Pitkin County Housing Authority (APCHA) sets rules for building, applying for, and living in employee housing with deed restrictions in Aspen and Pitkin County. These rules, called the Employee Housing Regulations, help support APCHA's goals, but they do not replace City or County land use rules or building codes.

Uses for the Regulations

The Employee Housing Regulations help meet the housing needs in Aspen and Pitkin County, as identified by APCHA. These guidelines are used to:

  • Review land use applications
  • Set rental rates for employee housing
  • Set sales prices for employee housing
  • Define who qualifies to live in employee housing and how units are occupied
  • Plan and prioritize both current and long-term housing programs
  • Provide clear information and a process for developing employee housing

Updating the Regulations

  • APCHA reviews the workforce housing regulations each year. The Executive Director may suggest changes, including adding or removing rules.
  • The APCHA Board reviews these changes and may approve them by resolution after a public hearing where community members can share comments.
  • After approval, the resolution is sent to the City Council and the Board of County Commissioners for review. Both groups have 60 days to request an appeal through a call-up process.
  • If no call-up is requested within 60 days, the changes are added to the guidelines and take effect right away.

Past Editions

  • The first edition of the Employee Housing Guidelines was created in 1985. Since then, the Guidelines have been updated and approved almost every year.
  • Some older deed restrictions refer to a specific year of the Employee Housing Guidelines. In those cases, the rules from that year apply to that home.
  • If a deed restriction says "as the Guidelines are amended from time to time," then the Current Employee Housing Regulations (PDF) govern the restrictions for that unit.
  • Please contact APCHA for past editions of Employee Housing Guidelines