News from Denver CPD that may impact building and development projects

Aerial photo of Denver skyline

Development news from Community Planning and Development (CPD)


In this issue, you will find:


  • 2023 year in review
  • Important building code dates to remember
  • Make a plan to keep sidewalks free of snow and ice this winter
  • Residential plan review processes audit
  • ICYMI: Recaps from our last newsletter

Highlights from 2023

Making a Difference

building icon credit VectorPortal

We launched an Adaptive Reuse Pilot Program in two areas: Upper Downtown and East Colfax Avenue. Adaptive reuse extends the life of an existing building and helps Denver to preserve its built heritage, sense of place and small businesses. It can also help Denver meet its housing and environmental sustainability goals. 

solar panel icon by Freepik

We partnered with the the National Renewal Energy Laboratory to launch SolarAPP+, 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, saving customers time and money.

location icon

We designated five new individual Denver landmarks and one Historic Cultural District in 2023.


We also launched the second historic context study in the Denver in Context series to honor and celebrate Denver’s American Indian, Indigenous Peoples, and Native American communities.

Innovating Boldly

Affordable Housing Review Team


The Affordable Housing Review Team (AHRT) was approved as a permanent city program in the 2024 budget. The previously limited term positions have all been converted to permanent positions. Nine of the 19 AHRT team members are located within CPD.

approved stamp

Volunteers of America groundbreaking 


The Volunteers of America (VOA) Theodora Family Hotel was the first project accepted into AHRT program in August 2022. Staff recently attended the groundbreaking with the Mayor in December 2023. This site will serve 60 families and veterans who are experiencing homelessness.

architectural rendering depicts Denver’s soon-to-be-built Volunteers of America Colorado Hotel

AHRT program by the numbers


  • 100 projects that have applied to be in the program
  • 67 projects have been accepted
  • 25 projects have been approved for, or are in, the construction phase
  • 1,216 affordable units have been created to date
  • 5,021 affordable units are currently under review
  • 16 accessory dwelling units approved to date
icon of 3 houses

By the Numbers

65,000


CPD issued almost 65,000 building, trade and zoning permits in 2023.

$4.3 BILLION


The value of the construction materials and labor used on those permits was roughly $4.3 billion.

224,000


In 2023, our building and trades inspectors completed roughly 224,000 construction inspections.

56,000


In 2022, our zoning and neighborhood inspectors (ZNIS) completed 56,000 inspections.

Important building code dates to remember

person installing heat pump

January 1, 2024


Any building permit plans submitted on or after this date must have partially electrified space and water heating systems for all commercial, industrial, and multi-family projects. For requirements, see Denver Energy Code C403.2.4 for space heating and C404.10 for water heating. Visit this webpage for more information on the requirements, training videos, and how to set your project up for success.


Questions? Email mechplumb.review@denvergov.org and Energy.Review@denvergov.org.

EV charging stations

February 1, 2024


any building permit plans submitted on or after this date for all commercial, industrial, and multi-family projects must document compliance with both Accessible EV Installed spaces and Universal EV Installed spaces as required by Chapter 11 of the Denver Commercial Building Code.


View a summary of requirements.


Questions? Email ArchStruc.Review@denvergov.org.

Make a plan to keep sidewalks free of snow and ice this winter

Denver Post photo shoveling snow

Everyone enjoys safe, clear sidewalks – and it’s everyone’s responsibility to keep the sidewalks adjacent to their home or business clear and accessible. If and when if finally snows this winter, have a plan for shoveling all sidewalks, accessible ramps, and bus stops around your home or business as soon as it's practical and safe.

Residential plan review processes audit


Denver's Auditor, Timothy M. O’Brien, conducted a review of the city's residential (single-family and duplex projects) plan review and permitting processes and recently published their findings. CPD is, first and foremost, deeply grateful to our hard-working staff whose tireless efforts resulted in the elimination this summer of the residential project backlog that prompted this audit. Since reaching a peak in the fall of 2022, review times for all permit types have been steadily declining. Today, plan review times for single-family and duplex projects are averaging 2-4 weeks, compared with 12-15 weeks in the fall of 2022. 


The audit concluded before the backlog was eliminated and does not reflect these successes, but our department still intends to put in place key recommendations. Our department and staff will continue to work hard to serve residents efficiently, minimizing delays without compromising CPD’s mission to ensure that all buildings meet the strict life-safety standards of our codes and regulations and maintain quality of life in our city.


Read CPD’s full response to the audit’s findings >>

ICYMI:

Recaps from our last newsletter


Get caught up on last month's news >>


  • On December 11, 2023, the Denver City Council adopted a small suite of revisions to the 2022 Denver Building & Fire Code and 2022 Denver Green Code. These changes corrected grammatical errors, typos, incorrectly referenced code sections, and clarified unclear or conflicting code language.

Your resource for permitting and policy changes


View recent CPD news

denver-cpd-logo

Copyright © 2024 City and County of Denver. All Rights Reserved.

LinkedIn Share This Email