Development news from Community Planning and Development (CPD)

In this issue, you will find:

Code and Policy Changes

• Important building code dates to remember
• New Zoning Code determination: Off-leash play areas at bars and restaurants

Engagement Opportunity

• Residential permitting guide refresh

Notable Progress

• Residential plan review times - third quarter 2023 update
• City and County of Denver Wins Solar and Storage Champions Award

ICYMI: Recaps from our last newsletter

Code and Policy Changes

Important building code dates to remember

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. Questions? Email mechplumb.review@denvergov.org.

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 these requirements.

New Zoning Code determination: Off-leash play areas at bars and restaurants

An off-leash play area as an accessory use to an eating and drinking establishment is a dedicated space for dogs that is fenced off and physically separate from the primary use. Many restaurants in Denver have pet-friendly patios where dogs can accompany their owners while leashed. The proposed accessory use expands on this activity by designating an area where dogs can have more freedom to run and play while their owners eat and drink.

This unlisted accessory use determination is meant to clarify the activity of an off-leash play area as accessory to an eating and drinking establishment, and is intended to clarify where this accessory use may be permitted in the City and County of Denver and to establish limitations on the use to control for external effects on neighboring properties.

Read the determination >>

Engagement Opportunity

Residential permitting guide refresh

We want your feedback! The City and County of Denver is making updates to the residential permitting guides. The purpose of this project is to produce updated, accurate, and intuitive guides for obtaining or issuing a permit for residential projects. Please take a short survey (about 5-10 minutes) by Sept 27 to help inform the project.

Notable Progress

Residential plan review times

Third quarter 2023 update

Over the last year, we advanced a number of efforts focused on reducing plan review times. These included hiring and training new staff, contracting with a third-party plan review firm, improving how new projects are queued, and eliminating tasks that are not essential to completing reviews.

These efforts are proving to be effective. Since reaching a peak in fall 2022, review times for all permit types have been steadily declining. As of August 2023, residential plan review times were much close to our goal of 2-4 weeks, compared with 12-15 weeks in fall 2022.

View the average plan review times dashboard >>

City and County of Denver Wins Solar and Storage Champions Award

The Colorado Solar and Storage Association (COSSA) presented the City and County of Denver with a “2023 Solar and Storage Champions Award” for our work in integrating National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s SolarAPP+ tool into our quick permits process. By adopting SolarAPP+, a substantial number of residential rooftop solar projects can now obtain a quick electrical permit as opposed to going through the historic plan review process, saving our customers a significant amount of time in the permitting process.

In the coming months, we are looking to expand this quick permit option to include energy storage and panel upgrades. Stay tuned!

Photo credit: Dave Bowden / sustainablemedia.net. Pictured, from left to right: Carol Pafford, City and County of Denver Electrical Engineer/Architect Supervisor; Mike Kruger, COSSA President & CEO; and Eric Browning, Denver's Chief Building Official.

ICYMI:

Recaps from our last newsletter

Get caught up on last month's news >>

• The city's adaptive reuse study was released and the pilot program is looking for participants. Learn more about adaptive reuse in Denver.

• Commercial heat pump rebates are here. Learn how you can qualify and apply at denvergov.org/newdaynewrebate.

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