Park City’s luxury real estate landscape continues to grow, with custom homes becoming more tailored, private, and performance-driven. Among the most sought-after communities in this region is The Colony Park City, a gated neighborhood known for its ski-in/ski-out access, expansive lots, and strict design guidelines. While the area offers incredible opportunity for high-end living, it also imposes specific rules that shape how and what you can build.

Understanding these rules is essential before breaking ground. They influence everything from materials and square footage to lighting and driveway placement—and ignoring them can lead to expensive delays or redesigns.

Site Planning and Building Envelope Restrictions

Lots in The Colony may appear generous in size, but the buildable area—referred to as the “building envelope”—is carefully defined. These boundaries dictate where structures can be placed within the lot and are designed to preserve open views, protect vegetation, and maintain privacy between properties.

Before designing a floor plan, it’s critical to understand the site’s topography, slope requirements, and setbacks. The design review committee enforces these standards to ensure that homes remain visually cohesive and environmentally responsible.

Material Guidelines for Exterior Finishes

To preserve the natural landscape, homes in The Colony must incorporate earthy, non-reflective materials. You won’t find glossy tiles or high-shine metal cladding. Instead, the palette leans toward stone, reclaimed wood, copper accents, and natural stucco.

• Stone sourced from regional quarries is preferred for retaining walls, chimneys, and foundational cladding. It blends better with the mountain setting and weathers appropriately.
  
  

• Wood siding must be stained in dark or natural tones. Paint is generally discouraged unless it mimics natural surfaces.
  
  

• Roofing materials are limited to specific types such as non-glare metal or wood shake. Reflective or synthetic materials are often denied by the design committee.
  
  

These material limitations ensure visual continuity across the neighborhood while encouraging durable, climate-appropriate construction.

Height and Massing Controls

Homes cannot exceed a defined height limit—typically 32 feet—measured from existing grade. Even if topography permits, massing controls are enforced to prevent oversized builds that dominate the landscape or block neighboring views.

Designs that stack height vertically rather than spread horizontally are discouraged. Multi-tiered roofs, offset volumes, and articulated wings are encouraged instead to break up the appearance of large structures.

If your plan includes lofts, rooftop decks, or multi-story facades, these elements must fit within the massing logic established in the design code.

Exterior Lighting Requirements

Light pollution is strictly managed in The Colony. To preserve dark skies and minimize visual impact, exterior fixtures must comply with specific intensity, shielding, and placement standards.

• Fixtures must be fully shielded to direct light downward. Uplighting is not permitted.
  
  

• Color temperature must remain below 3000K to produce a soft, amber glow instead of harsh white or blue light.
  
  

• Driveway lighting is limited to low-profile bollards or embedded options. Overly bright or motion-activated lights near the road may violate code.
  
  

Lighting plans are reviewed closely and often sent back for revision if they do not meet dark-sky objectives.

Tree Preservation and Landscape Integration

Natural vegetation plays a big role in The Colony’s design standards. Most lots are heavily forested, and clearing trees without permission can result in fines or penalties. During design review, tree surveys and preservation plans are required.

Landscaping must:

• Preserve existing tree clusters whenever possible, especially near property lines or within sight corridors.
  
  

• Use native plant species suited to the alpine environment. Lawns are discouraged and limited to designated areas near patios or decks.
  
  

• Limit hardscapes such as retaining walls or paved terraces. Where these are required, stone must match local geology.
  
  

Irrigation is tightly regulated to minimize water usage. Xeriscaping and drip systems are recommended.

Driveway and Garage Placement Rules

To minimize visual disruption from the street or ski runs, garages and driveways must be integrated discreetly into the site layout. Garage doors should not dominate the facade and must be recessed or side-facing where possible.

• Driveways must follow natural contours, avoiding excessive grading or straight-line access from the street.
  
  

• Paving materials should be permeable or natural in appearance—such as compacted gravel, cobblestone, or colored concrete with natural texture.
  
  

The design review board may also require sightline studies to ensure that driveways and garage openings don’t interfere with the visual rhythm of the neighborhood.

Design Review and Construction Timeline

Building in The Colony involves a multi-stage review process with clear deliverables and checkpoints. Missing these can delay your approval or invalidate your application.

• Concept review involves site planning, initial massing, and visual impact studies.
  
  

• Preliminary submission includes architectural elevations, materials list, and landscaping intent.
  
  

• Final review requires detailed construction documents, engineering reports, and construction timelines.
  
  

Once approved, construction must begin within a defined window—usually 12 to 18 months—and complete within a maximum allowed timeline, typically 30 months. Extensions may be granted under specific conditions.

Key Planning Considerations for New Owners

• Work with a builder experienced in The Colony
  
  Not all luxury contractors understand the unique codes and procedures in this community. Builders familiar with the process can accelerate approval and avoid costly design revisions.
  
  Prior experience in the area also means better access to local suppliers for compliant materials and fixtures.
  
  

• Budget for additional reviews and modifications
  
  Even well-prepared plans are often returned with comments or revision requests. Allot time and funds for iterations, especially on exterior elements and lighting.
  
  Delays due to noncompliance are common and can set projects back by several months.
  
  

• Conduct a tree survey early
  
  Surveying tree locations and health during pre-design gives you a better understanding of the site's constraints. This also informs landscape planning and avoids unexpected preservation issues during review.
  
  Tree removal requests take time to process, and rejected requests can force major layout changes.
  
  

• Be strategic about massing and view corridors
  
  Use 3D modeling to test how your home’s rooflines and elevations will appear from the street, trail, or ski run. This reduces back-and-forth with the board on visual impact.
  
  Preserve views for neighboring lots as well to avoid neighbor disputes during design submission.
  
  

Conclusion

The Colony offers one of Utah’s most exclusive residential settings, but that exclusivity comes with rules that shape every part of the building process. From tree protection and light control to material guidelines and construction timelines, these regulations aim to preserve the integrity and visual harmony of the area. By respecting these design standards from the outset, homeowners can create residences that feel timeless and cohesive. The most successful projects often begin with home builders park city who understand the region’s expectations and can deliver results that align with The Colony’s vision.