News from Denver CPD that may impact building and development projects

Development news from Community Planning and Development (CPD)

In this issue, you will find:

Code and Policy Changes

Updates to the 2022 Building and Fire Code adopted by City Council
Green Building Ordinance updates adopted by City Council
Expanding Housing Affordability deadlines extended for existing projects
Recently approved zoning code changes
New forestry review fees

Shaping Future Policy

Conversations in Urban Design and Placemaking from Across the Americas
Denver's Mayoral transition

Notable Progress

E-permits has a new look and feel
Heat pump rebates for existing commercial and multifamily buildings
Resources for voter-led Waste No More ordinance
Denver recognized for "pioneering the initial rollout of SolarAPP+ in Colorado"

ICYMI: Recaps from our last newsletter

Code and Policy Changes

Updates to the 2022 Building and Fire Code adopted by City Council

On June 20, 2023, Denver City Council approved amendments to the 2022 Building and Fire Code to correct code errors, mistakes or misprints, and/or unclear or conflicting language. These amendments apply to projects submitted that are already under review as well as upcoming projects.

One of the changes is to IBC Section 1107, which governs accessible and universal spaces for installed electrical vehicle (EV) charging stations. The amendments in IBC Section 1107 take a more gradual approach to the requirements in order to ensure projects already at the construction drawing plan review stage can continue with minimal impacts. Under the new code amendment, projects that are already under review – or that submit complete construction drawings for building permit before February 1, 2024 – are only required to design 5% of the installed electrical vehicle charging spaces as accessible spaces.

Please note that requirements increase for projects that submit construction drawings for building permits on or after February 1, 2024. These projects will be required to provide both accessible and universal EV charging spaces.

Download the 2022 Denver Building & Fire Code

Green Building Ordinance updates adopted by City Council

The proposed updates to the Green Buildings Ordinance (GBO) were approved by Denver City Council on June 5, 2023, with an effective date of October 1, 2023, allowing for a transition period.

Please note: at time of your first complete submittal, the adopted version of the GBO at that time will apply to your project.

Expanding Housing Affordability deadlines extended for existing projects

On May 22, 2022, Denver City Council voted in favor of extending the deadlines of the city's Expanding Housing Affordability (EHA) ordinance. The extensions maintain the intent of the ordinance as originally adopted by allowing adequate time for existing projects to move through development permitting. The extensions do not apply to any projects that were submitted on or after July 1, 2022.

For projects subject to a Site Development Plan (SDP), the deadline for SDP approval is now May 17, 2024.

For projects subject to an SDP and Large Development Review (LDR) or subdivision, the deadline for approval is now September 13, 2024.

Annual fee adjustments

On July 1, 2023, the linkage fee amounts for projects subject to the EHA ordinance will increase by the amount stipulated in the ordinance. Additionally, linkage fees for projects moving forward under the older, pre-EHA rules will be adjusted for inflation on July 1, as they are every year. These funds go into the city's Affordable Housing Fund, which is used to build new affordable housing.

View fee schedules:

Projects subject to EHA
Projects exempt from EHA (most projects that applied before July 1, 2022)

Recently approved zoning code changes

Accessory Dwelling Units

After more than a year working with a community advisory committee, technical experts, neighborhood organizations, City Council members, and the general public to develop zoning code changes for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), Denver City Council adopted these new standards. The zoning changes will go into effect on Wednesday, July 5 and apply to ADU applications received after June 30.

Read the strategy report

Learn about ADUs in Denver

Patrons seated on an outdoor patio in the tree lawn

Outdoor Places Program

After hearing from residents during the pandemic that they enjoyed being able to eat, drink, and gather at outdoor patios, Community Planning and Development proposed new standards for businesses to maintain outdoor patios on their private property. Denver City Council voted unanimously to adopt these new standards.

Read the strategy report

Learn about the Outdoor Places Program

New forestry review fees

In the coming weeks, the Office of the City Forester will start assessing two new fees to cover the administrative cost of completing forestry reviews during the plan review and construction process.

Residential Building Log resubmittals and tree monitoring through permit inspections: $35
Transportation Engineering Plan Review (TEP): $70

View Building and Land Development Fees >>

Shaping Future Policy

Conversations in Urban Design and Placemaking from Across the Americas

In April 2023, the City and County of Denver hosted a discussion on urban design, mobility, and placemaking that showcases the work of design officials from major urban centers across the Americas. This is a dual-language event with portions presented in English and portions in Spanish. (Video opens in YouTube)

Denver's Mayoral transition

Congratulations to Mayor-elect Mike Johnston! Like other city departments and agencies, Community Planning and Development will have a new executive director appointed by Mayor-elect Johnston in the coming months. In the meantime, current executive director, Laura E. Aldrete, will likely remain at the helm of Community Planning and Development through August in order to help ensure a smooth transition to the new administration.

Deputy Directors Jill Jennings Golich and Evelyn Baker, and the rest of the department’s leadership team across its workgroups, will remain available for customers and staff through the transition (they are not Mayoral appointees, but rather are in career service positions).

Learn more about how city government works >>

Notable Progress

E-permits portal updrade

E-permits, the city's online permitting system, has a new look and feel. While the upgrade is mostly cosmetic, it will improve how information is presented and provide an easier user experience for our customers.

In the days following the upgrade, review staff may be a little slower as they get familiar with the new interface.

Note: In the upgraded system, the password requirements have changed. You're password will need to be at least 8 characters long and include a special character. Here's how to reset your password:

Sign in to your account
Click "Account Management" at the top right side of your screen
Click "Edit" Login Information
Update login information and click "Save"

If you have trouble signing in, or updating your password, please email planreview@denvergov.org.

Heat pump rebates for existing commercial and multifamily buildings

If you know you want to upgrade your air conditioner and space or water heating equipment to a heat pump and feel comfortable with your options, consider applying for a Commercial and Multifamily Equipment Rebate. These rebates directly offset a portion of the cost to install electric heat pumps in your building.

Rebates are currently available for:

Heat pump rooftop units (HP RTUs)
Split air-source heat pumps (ASHPs)
Mini-split air-source heat pumps (mini-splits)
Heat pump water heaters.

Building owners can take advantage of up to $60,000 in incentives per building. Equity Priority Buildings such as affordable housing and human services nonprofits, qualify for an additional $60,000, for a total of up to $120,000 in incentives per building.

Learn more about equipment rebates >>

Resources for voter-led Waste No More ordinance

Ballot Initiative 306, known as Waste No More, was approved by voters in November 2022. This ordinance requires nearly all construction and demolition projects to separate and recycle, at a minimum, all readily recyclable concrete, asphalt, clean wood, scrap metal, and corrugated cardboard. Have questions?

Visit the Waste No More webpage or email us at wastenomore@denvergov.org.

Denver recognized for "pioneering the initial rollout of SolarAPP+ in Colorado"

Eric Browning, Denver's chief building official, and Carol Pafford, Denver's electrical plan review supervisor, have been recognized by Colorado Solar and Storage Association (COSSA) for their work to adopt and implement SolarAPP+ in the City and County of Denver. SolarAPP+ is a plan review software that can run compliance checks and process building permit approvals for eligible rooftop solar systems. Denver is now using this software to aid in processing Solar PV applications as quick permits.

Read the full announcement from COSSA >>