Development news from Community Planning and Development (CPD)

In this issue, you will find:

Code and Policy Changes

• Voter-led "Waste No More" ordinance requires projects to submit a recycling and reuse plan starting June 1
• 2022 building code errata package will go to City Council in June
• Proposed Green Buildings Ordinance updates will make the ordinance easier to administer and use

Shaping Future Policy

• Solar APP+ streamlines the permitting process for residential solar panels

Notable Progress

• Register for upcoming Denver Energy Code training series
• Funding Opportunity: Request for Proposals

ICYMI: Recaps from our last newsletter

Code and Policy Changes

Voter-led "Waste No More" ordinance

Construction and Demolition Debris Recycling and Reuse Plan 

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. The ordinance also requires these projects to submit a recycling and reuse plan to the city to confirm compliance with the ordinance prior to obtaining a construction or demolition permit.

The following projects are not required to submit a recycling and reuse plan:

• Projects requiring only mechanical, electrical, HVAC, and/or plumbing permits

Starting June 1, 2023, all projects will need to submit a form and supporting documentation before your demolition or commercial/residential construction permit can be issued. View submittal requirements >>

Proposed updates to the 2022 Building and Fire Code

The city is proposing several amendments to the 2022 Building and Fire Code to correct code reference errors, mistakes or misprints, and modify unclear or conflicting language. 

• Download the 2022 Denver Building & Fire Code proposed changes
• Download a summary of proposed changes

Next steps: The Building and Fire Code proposed amendments were approved by the Land Use, Transportation, and Infrastructure Committee on May 9 and will go to City Council for a public hearing and vote on June 5.

Green Building Ordinance updates

After four years of enhancing the performance of new and existing buildings that are 25,000 square foot or larger, the city is proposing several simple updates to the Green Buildings Ordinance (GBO) and associated Rules and Regulations. These updates will make the ordinance easier to administer and use. 

• Download the GBO proposed changes
• Download a summary of proposed changes

• Download the GBO Rules and & Regulations proposed changes
• Download a summary of proposed changes

Next steps: The proposed updates to the GBO were approved by the Land Use, Transportation, and Infrastructure Committee on June 9 and will go to City Council for a public hearing and vote on June 5. A public hearing for the proposed GBO Rules & Regulations updates will be held on June 20. 

Shaping Future Policy

Solar APP+ streamlines the permitting process for residential solar panels

SolarAPP+ is already saving our customers a significant amount of time in the permitting process, helping safely bring these important projects to the market quicker.

In 2022, we approved 3,738 solar applications. Roughly 70% of those applications may have been eligible to use SolarAPP+ to obtain a quick permit – saving city staff approximately 1,240 hours of total review time. On average, these projects experienced review times of up to 30 days before a permit was issued. By using SolarAPP+, permits for eligible projects will be issued instantly and installation can begin up to 30 days earlier.

'We're really excited to be the first here in Colorado to do it and lead the way,' says Robert Peek, director of development system performance for the City and County of Denver."

Read the Westword article >>

Notable Progress

Register for upcoming Denver Energy Code training series

We have partnered with the Office of Climate Action, Sustainability & Resiliency to provide a training series on updates to the Denver Energy Code. This series will contain 10 webinars over six weeks. They will explain the new provisions in the 2022 Denver Energy Code as well as the different compliance pathways. There will also be webinars intended for contractors and inspectors. ICC and AIA/HSW continuing education credit provided. 

Commercial and Multifamily Series: Wednesdays at noon. 

• Space and Water Heating Electrification (May 24) 
• Prescriptive Compliance Path (May 31) 
• Performance Compliance Path (June 7) 
• Contractor & Inspector Considerations Part 1 (June 14) 
• Contractor & Inspector Considerations Part 2 (June 21)  

Residential Series: Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. 

• Residential Energy Code Compliance (May 25) 
• Prescriptive Compliance Path (June 1) 
• Performance Compliance Path (June 8) 
• Contractor & Inspector Considerations Part 1 (June 22) 
• Contractor & Inspector Considerations Part 2 (June 29) 

Learn more and register >>

Funding Opportunity: Request for Proposals

Denver Community Planning and Development is seeking a consultant team to prepare permitting guides for the city’s residential permitting process. The purpose of this solicitation is to contract with a consultant team to produce updated, accurate, and intuitive staff and customer guides for obtaining or issuing a permit for a number of common residential projects. New guides are intended to help customers prepare complete and accurate submittals that will meet building, zoning, and other agency codes/regulations, and therefore, reduce the need for resubmittals during the plan review process. New guides will also help train new staff in applying consistent standards during development review. 

The ideal consultant team will offer both an understanding of building and zoning codes for Denver’s permitting process, and expertise in conveying technical information in an easy-to-use manner.

Public solicitations or Request for Proposals (RFPs) from Community Planning and Development are posted online at BidNetDirect.com. To view a detailed scope of work for this solicitation and instructions for what should be included in a proposal, please view the Residential Permitting Guides RFP.

This solicitation closes on May 31, 2023. 

If you have questions, please email Scott Harris (scott.harris@denvergov.org).

ICYMI:

Recaps from our last newsletter

Get caught up on last month's news >>

• New zoning code interpretation for electric vehicle charging stations
• Can empty office space help create a thriving downtown neighborhood with more housing choices?
• Plan review times continue to decrease
• Zoning approvals in the field lead to fewer plan review cycles
• E-permits is getting a facelift

Did you miss the heat pump myth busting webinar with Shawn LeMons? Watch it on YouTube >>

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