Development news from Community Planning and Development (CPD)

In this issue, you will find:

Code and Policy Changes

• Resources for electrical vehicle (EV) charging spaces requirements
• 2023 National Electric Code effective August 1
• New forestry review fees

Notable Progress

• 2022 Denver Energy Code resources
• Mayor Mike Johnston inaugurated and signs emergency declaration

ICYMI: Recaps from our last newsletter

Code and Policy Changes

Resources for electrical vehicle (EV) charging spaces requirements

EV code requirements impact how parking is configured for a project and should be addressed during the Site Development Plan process. On June 20, 2023, City Council approved amendments that take a phased approach to these requirements to ensure projects already at the formal site development plan/construction drawing preparation stage can continue with minimal impacts.

View a a summary of EV requirements for commercial and multifamily projects >>

Adoption and enforcement of the 2023 National Electric Code

On August 1, 2023, the 2023 edition of NFPA 70 National Electric Code (NEC) will be adopted by the state of Colorado and enforced by the City and County of Denver. The 2023 NEC will become the minimum standard for electrical permits issued on or after August 1, 2023. Any project drawings logged in for review prior to August 1, 2023, will be reviewed under the 2020 NEC. Project drawings logged in on or after August 1, 2023, will be reviewed under the 2023 NEC.

New forestry review fees

The Office of the City Forester is now assessing two new fees to cover the administrative cost of completing forestry reviews during the plan review and construction process. 

• Residential Building Log resubmittals and tree monitoring through permit inspections: $35
• Transportation Engineering Plan Review (TEP): $70

View building and land development fees >>

Notable Progress

2022 Denver Energy Code resources

Residential and commercial checklists for the 2022 Denver Energy Code (DEC) are available online here. Please note that these have been recently updated and will continue to be updated on a regular basis. Be sure to download and use the latest version. 

Note for energy modelers. If you perform energy modeling for the 2022 DEC commercial performance path:

• The 2022 DEC Companion Tool version 1.6 (updated 7/3/2023) is available on the website and includes important updates. This tool is anticipated to be updated on a regular basis, so be sure you are downloading and using the latest version.

• The ASHRAE Standard 90.1 Compliance Form version 2.9 is available as of 7/13/23. The next update (version 3.0) will include helpful updates and is anticipated soon, so please check back. If you are using version 2.9, you may need to manually update energy cost in tab Compliance Calculations: Tables 2 and 3 after importing modeling results.

• If you would like to participate in a feedback session in August or September about energy modeling tools and process for the 2022 DEC, please send a message to energy.review@denvergov.org with "Energy modeling feedback session" in the subject line.

• Denver requires energy modelers to have ASHRAE Building Energy Modeling Professional Certification. Consider getting yours!

Questions or comments? Email energy.review@denvergov.org.

Mayor Mike Johnston inaugurated and signs emergency declaration

On Monday, Mayor Mike Johnston was inaugurated as Denver's 46th mayor. The following day, he signed an emergency declaration kicking off a citywide effort to help 1,000 individuals experiencing homelessness in Denver get indoors with urgency, compassion and equity.

Read The Colorado Sun article >>

Watch the inauguration (~1 hour, opens in YouTube)

ICYMI:

Recaps from our last newsletter

Get caught up on last month's news >>

• City Council approved amendments to the 2022 Building and Fire Code. One of the changes is to IBC Section 1107, which governs accessible and universal spaces for installed electrical vehicle charging stations. View changes to IBC Section 1107

• Updates to the Green Buildings Ordinance (GBO) were approved by City Council with an effective date of October 1, 2023. View a summary of changes

• Expanding Housing Affordability deadlines extended for existing projects. Learn more

• Learn about heat pump rebates for existing commercial and multifamily buildings

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