Denver’s Community Planning and Development department reviews, permits, and inspects most private-property construction under the city’s building and zoning codes. Applications for building and zoning review are generally submitted electronically through Denver’s e-permits system. Some limited trade work qualifies for a Quick Permit without plan review, while structural and more complex projects follow the standard plan-review process.
Denver projects can involve several reviews running alongside the building permit. Zoning establishes requirements for matters such as use, building form, height, setbacks, and placement. Certain developments may also need Sewer Use and Drainage Permit review through the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, and work affecting streets or other public right-of-way areas can require separate DOTI permits.
Historic properties are a particularly important consideration in Denver. Landmark Preservation reviews exterior changes that require building or zoning permits when a property is an individual Denver landmark or lies within a historic district. Denver also applies demolition review more broadly to certain existing structures, so historic-preservation review can become relevant even when a property is not already designated as a landmark.
Other location-specific rules may apply around designated parkways, regulated trees, or special design-review districts. Before preparing plans, applicants can start with Denver’s Plan Review, Permits, and Inspections resources and confirm which zoning, building, drainage, landmark, forestry, or right-of-way reviews apply to the property.