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:

News on Mayor Johnston's launch of the new Denver Permitting Office
Reminders about taking our survey on regulatory rules for land use and development, and submitting comments on draft Building and Fire Code update
Links to new resources for adaptive reuse projects
Updates on recent Energize Denver Improvements

Mayor Mike Johnston Announces New Denver Permitting Office

Mayor Mike Johnston announced this week his first executive order, the creation of the Denver Permitting Office (DPO). The new office created by Executive Order 151 will overhaul Denver’s permitting and development approval processes, making building in the city easier by streamlining permit review timelines and coordination across city departments.

The DPO will help stimulate economic activity in Denver by improving customer service and breaking down barriers for residents and developers trying to build housing or open businesses in the city. With this announcement, Mayor Johnston made a historic public commitment to get every permit submittal completed within 180 days of time in the city's hands. The office is a commonsense solution to make government work better for every single resident. This is key to build more housing that residents can actually afford and create new economic activity and jobs in our city.

The DPO will reform Denver’s current permitting processes by integrating and aligning the efforts of the nearly 300 employees responsible for permits across seven city departments with a “get to yes” focus for approvals while maintaining safety and community interests. The DPO will also improve transparency and communication, requiring responses to customer questions within two business days, establishing a one-stop-shop website (DenverGov.org/dpo) and expanding in-person availability at permit counter hours to 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Expert staff will serve as “project champions” who will lead the customer through each submittal, providing a central point of contact to give updates, answer questions and navigate potential challenges.

The DPO will start operations in mid-May.

Read full press release

Visit DPO Website

Don't forget to share your thoughts on Denver's land use and development rules

In February 2025, Denver’s Community Planning and Development (CPD) Department launched the first comprehensive review of the city’s zoning and urban design regulations (including landmark rules) in nearly two decades. The initiative examines whether CPD’s land use and development rules effectively support Denver’s evolving needs, such as affordable housing, climate resiliency, neighborhood design quality, and process efficiencies.

Please take the community survey and share your thoughts on how well the city's land use and development rules are working. The survey, which is also available in Spanish, should take 10-15 minutes to complete and is open now until April 28.

Take the community survey

Last Chance: 2025 Building and Fire Code draft open for public review & comment through Friday, April 18

This summer, the City and County of Denver will be adopting the next edition of building and fire codes, which incorporate the following international codes (I-codes):

2024 International Building Code (IBC)
2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC)
2024 International Residential Code (IRC)
2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC)
2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC)
2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)
2024 International Fire Code (IFC)
2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

Except for the IECC, Denver will adopt the 2024 I-Codes and will significantly reduce the number of amendments to these codes, with very few new amendments being added. For the Energy Code, Denver will maintain provisions in the 2021 IECC with limited changes to Denver’s current energy amendments to support clarity and ease requirements for existing buildings.

The goal for this amendment cycle is to align Denver’s codes more closely with the nationally developed I-Codes by deleting amendments not specific to Denver. The reduced volume of amendments will make it easier for designers and owners to navigate and apply regulations while improving efficiencies for city team members in review and approval.

City staff welcomes your review and comment on the proposed amendments. Use the link below to learn more about the process, view the proposed amendments, and provide comments through April 18, 2025.

Learn More about 2025 Building and Fire Code Adoption Process

New adaptive reuse resources available

Adaptive Reuse Regulatory Summary

Most of Denver’s buildings are at least 30 years old, but many developer, design and construction teams are more familiar with the code requirements for new construction projects.

To close this gap, CPD has published technical guidance to highlight regulations that commonly impact adaptive reuse projects. The guidance includes Denver-specific amendments to International Code Council standards. Other regulations that are commonly cited in adaptive reuse project reviews, such as select zoning, transportation and Energize Denver requirements, are also included in the summary.

The executive summary of the guidance contains a plan-language overview of each regulation topic. The remaining pages contain technical code citations and more detail for professional reference.

Read Regulatory Summary

Adaptive Reuse Case Study

The City and County of Denver was a recipient of a US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Technical Assistance Grant Project, which included the concept design and rough construction cost estimate for an office to residential conversion case study near Downtown Denver.

The study investigated the design strategies that could make a conversion more attractive to the rental market, the most effective ways to improve the energy performance of a similar conversion and the relative cost impact of these strategies.

The study found that there were fewer regulatory barriers than anticipated. Careful pre-design investigation of existing conditions, the proposed partial replacement of the existing façade and a HVAC system selection that minimized structural modifications, resulted in a relatively cost-effective conversion proposal.

The case study was performed through the EPA Region 8 Office of Brownfields and Revitalization with the support of ICF, Van Meter Williams Pollack and the City and County of Denver.

Read Case Study

Learn more at DenverGov.org/adaptivereuse

Energize Denver Improvements Finalized; Increased Support Available

Denver's Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR) adopted new improvements to the Energize Denver Building Performance Policy earlier this month, making it more practical and achievable for buildings to reduce energy use.

Through a robust engagement process over the past 6 months involving more than 2,000 stakeholders across Denver, the city heard clearly that upgrading a building’s performance to meet Energize Denver targets takes time, planning, and funding. Committed to helping put compliance within reach for each building, the city’s newly adopted improvements extend compliance deadlines, cut penalties in half, and offer more support for buildings as they work to meet their energy reduction targets.

Learn more at www.DenverGov.org/EnergizeDenver, or reach the CASR Help Desk by phone at (844) 536-4528 or email at energizedenver@denvergov.org.

Download handout with full details

ICYMI:

Recaps from our last newsletter

Get caught up on last month's news >>

The 2024 Text Amendment Bundle was adopted December 16, 2024, with changes going into effect February 25, 2025. Given the volume of changes included in the bundle, CPD's Zoning Administration team created brief tutorials to walk code users through the changes. Videos and PDF presentations are available on CPD's website at www.DenverGov.org/zoningbundle.

Don't forget: Active applicants who wish to remain exempt from EHA and MAH requirements must have approved site plans by Friday, April 18, 2025. Approval calls for signatures for both the zoning administrator and the manager of Community Planning and Development on the electronic mylar document. See more information on Expanding Housing Affordability on the CPD website.

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