In this issue, you will find:

• Updates for mechanical and plumbing contractors
• Information on new project to update parking rules for new projects citywide
• Information on coming initiative to update landscaping requirements

The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act authorized the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). New EPA regulations that went into effect January 1, 2025, require manufacturers of refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump products (RACHP) to use primarily A2L refrigerants.

• RACHP products and equipment with a GWP above 700 can be installed until January 1, 2026, if all components are manufactured or imported prior to January 1, 2025.  
• VRF systems with a GWP above 700 can be installed until January 1, 2027, if all components are manufactured or imported prior to January 1, 2026.

To support the market transition to A2L refrigerants and to better support the Denver community, the 2022 Denver Building and Fire Code was updated on November, 21, 2024, (“4th Printing”) to current criteria for safe use and storage of A2L refrigerants. Updates include the following:   

Colorado Plumbing Contractors Required to Install Water Heaters

2023 Colorado Revised Statutes Title 12 Article 155 (formally Article 58) requires a licensed plumbing contractor to install potable plumbing systems in residential and commercial buildings.  

In compliance with the above, Denver will no longer allow water heaters to be permitted or installed by HV&A or HV&B license holders. Effective immediately, water heaters in the City and County of Denver are required to be permitted and installed by a licensed plumbing contractor.

Thank you for your understanding as Denver responds to this state requirement. If you have questions, please contact Frank.Gonzales@denvergov.org.

Denver Unveils Plan to Update Parking Rules for New Projects Citywide

The City and County of Denver has unveiled the Modernizing Parking Requirements project to reduce city time reviewing development applications, promote housing construction, and give building projects the flexibility to build the number of parking spaces they deem necessary, based on market conditions. The project would remove minimum parking requirements from development regulations, which now require a minimum number of parking spaces based on the proposed use and zone district of the development.  

Currently, minimum parking ratios don’t apply to single-unit homes, accessory dwelling units, or certain neighborhoods downtown. Some affordable housing developments already have reduced parking requirements. This proposal would remove minimum parking requirements across the city in an effort to incentivize more housing production, reduce city permit review times and let the marketplace determine the necessary number of parking spaces. Along with easing rules for new construction, proposed changes would also simplify the process for businesses moving into existing vacant buildings.

While some building projects provide the minimum amount of parking required, many provide significantly more. Some examples include 1901 Lawrence Street, an office building that provided 633 parking spaces when zero were required, and 600 Park Avenue, a multi-unit dwelling with 230 units that provided 217 parking spaces when zero were required.

Through this proposal, the city anticipates reducing the amount of time staff spend annually on parking administration by hundreds of hours, sharply cutting the time it takes to review development applications. Development applicants will also no longer have to spend hundreds of hours calculating whether they meet parking requirements. The proposal is a joint project led by Community Planning and Development (CPD), Department of Transportation & Infrastructure (DOTI), and the Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR). 

Denver Announces Project to Update Landscaping Requirements with Focus on Climate Resiliency

The City and County of Denver in 2025 will propose updating its landscape requirements to increase and promote a more climate resilient city. Climate resilient landscapes are designed to use less water, can survive during times of drought, help to reduce heat in the city, and promote biodiversity, among many other benefits. This process will update the Denver Zoning Code along with all other applicable codes, rules, regulations and policies to create clear guidance for new development projects and also come into compliance with a new state law. This project is sponsored by City Council Member Paul Kashmann in partnership with Denver’s Department of Community Planning and Development. 

This project will focus on landscaping requirements for all new development and some redevelopment projects only. Existing landscaping around homes or businesses will not be affected by these new requirements.

Many developments in Denver use non-functional turf, defined as ornamental grass in an area that does not get public use. Nonfunctional turfgrass uses a lot of water and does not serve a recreation or civic purpose. This type of turf can be found in areas along roadways, in medians and in parking lots. Instead of nonfunctional turf in new development and some redevelopment, the city may require a mix of native grasses, shrubs and trees or other landscape design that focus on species that are successful in Denver's climate. 

A key aspect of this project will be engagement in 2025 with the public, development community, industry professionals, and many others to ensure Denver’s new landscape requirements meet the goals and vision of the community. 

Get caught up on last month's news >>

• As part of the city’s ongoing effort to expand housing availability and choice while helping drive down costs, the Denver City Council recently passed a measure to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in all residential areas of the city. The measure updates the Denver Zoning Code, zoning map, and Former Chapter 59 zoning to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in all residential areas of the city. This allows ADUs on 70 percent of Denver’s land, compared with 36 percent before this measure passed.

• Language and disability services are available upon request. Anyone applying for plan review, permits and other services or programs may use our online form to request oral or written language assistance services in their primary language, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations, if needed. 

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