A method of forming a CMOS image sensor device, the method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a P-type impurity characteristic including a surface region. The method forma first thickness of silicon dioxide in a first region of the surface region, a second thickness of silicon dioxide in a second region of the surface region, and a third thickness of silicon dioxide in a third region of the surface region. The method includes forming a first gate layer overlying the second region and a second gate layer overlying the third region, while exposing a portion of the first thickness of silicon dioxide. An N-type impurity characteristic is formed within a region within a vicinity underlying the first thickness of silicon dioxide in the first region of the surface region to cause formation of a photo diode device characterized by the N-type impurity region and the P-type substrate.