News from Denver CPD that may impact building and development projects
One week left to propose building and fire code amendments
Code amendments may be proposed through Friday, April 26
Denver Community Planning and Development is in the midst of adopting a new building and fire code, which will incorporate the 2018 editions of key international codes. For the first time in Denver, our code will also include a voluntary "green construction code" based on the International Green Construction Code (IGCC). Read the press release.

Interested members of the public have until Friday, April 26 to propose amendments for inclusion in the new code.

The city has also proposed a bundle of amendments, designed (1) to clarify and simplify our code, and (2) to ensure the adopted international codes will work for Denver's specific climate and context. Each proposed amendment from the city is available to review online.
High-rise buildings in Denver
Anticipated timeline for adoption of the new building and fire code
Community Planning and Development anticipates sending the final draft of a new code to City Council for review and adoption by October 2019 .

If adopted by City Council, there will likely be a four-month period between the code adoption date and its effective date . During these four months, projects may use either the 2016 code or the new 2019 code, but after the four-month grace period has elapsed, all projects applying for building or fire permits will need to meet the 2019 code.

Major projects that are in the design phase while the 2019 code is being drafted may be able to request an extension to continue using the 2016 code beyond the effective date of the 2019 code. Review Section 103.10.2 of the current code for the procedure for requesting an extension. (CPD will use this same process for the 2019 code.)
Proposed amendments will be considered by technical advisory committees beginning in May
Technical advisory committees will meet to consider and vote on proposed amendments from May 14 - August 5, 2019. Meetings are open to the public. Meeting locations and times will be available online in May.
Fire truck figurine
Need a fire permit? Most are now online
As most of our frequent readers already know, Community Planning and Development has launched an e-permit system for online permitting, licensing, and inspections functions. We continue to add functionality to this system, with the goal of ultimately enabling a fully online permitting process.

The most recent addition to e-permits are fire permits issued by the Denver Fire Department . Customers can use e-permits to quickly submit a permit application, upload their plans, and pay any fees due. As a result, our teams are able to spend less time processing applications and more time conducting a high-quality review of plans.

Get started by creating a free e-permits account. Sign in and navigate to Development Services > Apply for a Permit.
Apply for a fire permit online
New to e-permits? Download a PDF tutorial.
16th street mall image
Plans to improve the 16th Street Mall take next step forward
Opportunity for public to comment on draft environmental assessment
The 16th Street Mall project team has released a draft environmental assessment of the proposed rede sign of this vital public corridor. The assessment describes the need for the project, the alternatives considered, the environmental impacts of each alternative, and how impacts would be mitigated. Comments on the draft will be accepted through May 14.

RTD will also hold two public meetings on May 1 for those interested in knowing more about the project.
Sketch of a large development with open space
Denver proposes much-needed overhaul of historical "general development plan" process for large developments
Changes would make the review process clearer and more predictable for customers

It would also better preserve the city's open space for future generations
In coordination with multiple city agencies, Community Planning and Development is working to update the historical GDP process and the city’s open space requirements. GDPs have long been used for large developments (e.g., over 10 acres in size), but are no longer meeting the needs of developers or the communities we serve.


We believe we can improve coordination of major elements (open space, area plans, affordable housing, and more) at an earlier stage of development planning, in turn enabling developers and property owners to plan more efficiently for large, long-term projects that may evolve over time. 

If approved, the changes will take the form of an amendment to the zoning code, which will establish a new review process for large developments and will require all projects on 5 acres or more to provide open space (previously this threshold was 10 acres).
Your resource for permitting and policy changes

denver-cpd-logo
Copyright © 2019 City and County of Denver. All Rights Reserved.