News from Denver CPD that may impact building and development projects
Permit counter opening at 9 a.m. tomorrow
To allow staff to attend an all-employee meeting, all CPD counters will be temporarily closed from 8 - 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 24, including licensing, cashiering, and inspections. 

The permit counter, which usually opens at 8 a.m., will open at 9 a.m. See which services have online options.

Counter services affected:
  • Cashier (open 7:30-8 a.m. and re-opens at 9 a.m.)
  • Permit counter (opens at 9 a.m.)
  • Contractor licensing (opens at 9 a.m.)
  • Records (open 7:30-8 a.m. and re-opens at 9 a.m.)
  • Inspectors' office hours (open 7:30-8 a.m.)
Thank you for your understanding.
CPD and DFD seek to amend the Denver Building and Fire Code
LUTI Powerpoint Cover Slide
Community Planning and Development and the Denver Fire Department have proposed five amendments to the Denver Building and Fire Code. In a move that is consistent with our adopted code, one of these amendments would allow for a 180-day extension on permits for temporary structures that contain a residential use. While intended to benefit all temporary dwellings, this is a particularly important milestone for the Beloved Community tiny home village.

The other proposed amendments also address Denver's changing needs, from operational fire permits for rooftop gardens that are over a certain size to allowing greater flexibility for basement finishes in older Denver homes (pre-1990).
City Council is expected to hold a public hearing and vote on the amendment package May 7.
Zoning code amendment to address residents' concerns over bright lights
Parking lot lighting
Image source: NREL/DOE.
One change to the zoning code proposed as part of the 2018 Text Amendment Bundle  relates to outdoor lighting in parking lots. This amendment would set limits on how bright parking lot lighting can be, particularly at car dealerships and gas stations or when the lot is directly adjacent to a low-scale residential zone district. Learn more.

Impact on electrical permits, zoning permits

If approved by City Council in May 2018, any new or modified parking lot light fixtures or canopy lighting would need a zoning permit in addition to the standard electrical permit. Parking lot and canopy lighting would need to comply with Denver Zoning Code Section 10.7.4.7:
Affordable housing fee to increase on July 1
Each year on July 1, the affordable housing fee assessed on building permits is adjusted for inflation. This fee on new development helps to create and preserve thousands of affordable homes for low- to moderate-income families in Denver. The amount of the affordable housing fee varies based on project type, but will increase between $0.01 and $0.06 per square foot for all commercial and residential projects receiving a building permit after June 30.

Even if your project is already under review, building permits issued on or after July 1 will be assessed the new fee amounts. 

Denver Police remind you to secure job sites
Denver Police flyer
The Denver Police Department is reminding contractors to protect their job sites from construction-related theft. 

Protect your site and materials around the clock. Secure all windows and doors when you leave the site, write down the serial numbers of equipment and tools, and consider cameras, lights, and other deterrents. For more tips or phone numbers for your police district, download DPD's flyer (PDF).
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