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+News from Denver CPD that may impact building and development projects
| | Development news from Community Planning and Development (CPD) | | |
In this issue:
- Burnham Yard Small Area Plan kicks off
- Updates on 2025 Denver Building and Fire Code
- Notice and credit and debit card fees
- "Mini-Bundle" of zoning updates available for review
- Neighborhood Planning Initiative news
- Cherry Creek North/West Design Advisory Board looking for applicants
| | Burnham Yard Small Area Plan kicking off with community event and survey | | |
Following the announcement of the historic Burnham Yard railyard as the preferred site for a new stadium for the Denver Broncos, Community Planning and Development has been working to launch the small area planning process that will create a long-term community vision for the site and surrounding neighborhoods. The Burnham Yard Small Area Plan will inform city decision-making and address the potential impact of redevelopment.
Community members are invited to join the process, starting tonight at a public open house at La Alma Recreation Center.
Public Open House to kick off Burnham Yard Small Area Plan
When: Wednesday, November 19, drop in between 5 and 7 p.m.
Where: La Alma Recreation Center, 1325 W 11th Ave, Denver, CO 80204
Those who are not able to attend can participate via an online survey. To learn more about the plan and other city work in the Burnham Yard area, visit DenverGov.org/BurnhamYard.
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Single-stair and other updates to 2025 Building and Fire Codes coming soon
Earlier this year, Denver City Council adopted the 2025 Denver Building and Fire Codes. An additional amendment to the 2025 codes will go before council for a final vote this Monday, November 24. This update would incorporate provisions for 4- and 5-story single stair residential buildings, wildland/urban interface design criteria, and a handful of other beneficial clarifications and revisions to the codes that will ease administration of the codes and move projects through review and to permit and occupancy faster.
The 2025 Denver Building and Fire Codes adopt the 2024 I-Codes with a significant (30 percent) reduction in the number of amendments to these codes, and very few new amendments being added. For the Energy Code, the 2021 IECC is maintained with limited changes to Denver’s current energy amendments. 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.
Reminder: New codes will go into effect December 31—no exceptions or extensions!
The effective date of the 2025 Denver Building and Fire Codes--including the pending amendment--is December 31, 2025. Projects initially submitted for permits on or before the effective date may use either the 2022 or 2025 Denver Building and Fire Codes. Projects submitted after the effective date must use the 2025 Denver Building and Fire Codes. No extensions to the effective date are available, so please plan accordingly. See transition rules policy for additional information.
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Credit and Debit Card Service Fees
Starting May 1, 2025, the City and County of Denver began charging a 2.5 percent non-refundable service fee for processing credit and debit card transactions. This change will take effect at Community Planning and Development on December 9, 2025. There are no fees for payments by cash, check or money order.
| | | | "Mini-Bundle" tackles key zoning updates | |
A small package of amendments to the Denver Zoning Code is available for public review from now until December 14, 2025. This project seeks to align Denver regulations with state mandates and incentive programs while incorporating procedural improvements to support good governance and affordable housing. The Mini-Bundle proposes to amend the Denver Zoning Code, Urban Design Standards and Guidelines (for Cherry Creek North/West and Downtown), and includes a bridge amendment to Denver Revised Municipal Code Chapter 59. The proposed updates cover four topic areas:
Proposition 123/Expedited Reviews for Affordable Housing Projects
- Coordinating approval dates for different types of applications, including zone lot amendments, to be the date of final decision rather than recordation, to avoid delays in the permitting process
- Updating rules and regulations so that fast tracked affordable housing projects do not require a formal recommendation from the Cherry Creek and Downtown Design Advisory Boards
Wireless Telecommunications
- Adding “not physically substantial” modifications to existing telecommunications facilities to the list of development types that do not need a zoning permit (provided the city is notified in writing)
- Exempting non-substantial changes to existing wireless service or telecommunication facilities from applicability of Urban Design Standards and Guidelines and Design Advisory Board review in Cherry Creek North/Cherry Creek West and Downtown
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
- Removing owner occupancy requirements for Denver Housing Authority owned properties
- Ensuring Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) allow ADUs if single-unit dwellings are allowed
- Clearly stating that any existing ADU prohibitions in PUDs will not be enforced
Site Development Plans
- Extending the approval period from 18 months to 30 months for all projects, without needing to request a 12-month extension
- Removing expiration language for Detailed PUD District Plans
| | News from the Neighborhood Planning Initiative | | |
The Denver City Council voted unanimously to adopt the Downtown Area Plan on Monday, November 17, 2025.
Read press release
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The Far Southwest Area Plan began the legislative process with a public hearing held by the Denver Planning Board earlier this month. The board voted to approve the plan, which covers Bear Valley, College View, Fort Logan, Harvey Park, Harvey Park South and Marston. The plan is scheduled for its final hearing and vote at City Council in December.
Visit plan webpage
| | | Apply now to the Cherry Creek North/West Design Advisory Board | | Community Planning and Development is looking for a retailer in Cherry Creek North or Cherry Creek West and a licensed landscape architect who is a Denver resident to help guide the design character of future projects in the Cherry Creek North and Cherry Creek West districts. Members of the Cherry Creek North/West Design Advisory Board play a critical role in ensuring new development meets elevated standards for architectural quality and engagement of the public realm as outlined in the district's urban design standards and guidelines. Read the call for applications below for complete information and instructions on how to apply. Applications must be submitted by December 1, 2025. | |
Board members, CPD staff talk design
CPD staff recently engaged in a thoughtful conversation with several design advisory board members and local architects about design topics that included urban design outcomes, review processes and Denver’s design history.
Participating in this conversation were CPD representatives from Site Design and Neighborhood Development, Zoning Administration, Commercial Zoning, Planning & Policy and Residential & Commercial Architectural/Structural Plan Review.
All participants enjoyed the active exchange of ideas and were excited by this opportunity to foster open discussion with members of the design community.
| | | Denver’s Department of Community Planning and Development (CPD) complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or gender to include language. It is your right to request oral or written language assistance services in your primary language, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations, if needed. Please fill out our language services request form, and these services will be provided free of charge. If you have any questions, contact CPD’s Operations Team at cpdope...@denvergov.org. | | Copyright © 2024 City and County of Denver. All Rights Reserved. | | | | |
