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Zoning permits are necessary for most use and construction activities within the City and County of Denver. The pages below provide submittal requirements, applications, and forms needed to obtain zoning permits and other related zoning services.
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Not all projects require the same level of review to determine compliance for permit issuance. Reviews may fall into one of the following three classifications depending on many factors including type of use, site complexity, parking requirements, zone district classification, and required approvals from other agencies.
Walk-Through Counter Permits
This type of review is intended mainly for simpler projects that do not require full review. Applications can be submitted in person by visiting the Zoning Counter during regular business hours. For more information on Zoning Counter hours and location, click here.
Log-In Permits
This type of review is intended for projects that will need to be submitted for full review.
Development Review Projects
Development review projects are generally larger in scale, more complex, and require multiple agencies to review. Common development review projects are major site plans, subdivision of land, and reviews requiring design review such as new construction in a landmark district.
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How to apply for a permit:
You are encouraged to submit applications by mail, fax, or email. If it is your first time submitting a particular application, you may want to first email zoningreview@denvergov.org or call 720-865-3000 to make sure that your submittal will be complete.
In person
Apply in person at the Zoning Counter on the second floor of the Webb Municipal Building at 201 West Colfax Avenue. Service hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Due to the high volume of customers, sign in by 3:30 p.m. is recommended. If you have any questions about the permit application, the review process, or any other documentation you may need to provide with your application, please contact us ahead of time to avoid any unessessary delays in processing your application.
By mail, fax, and/or Email
You are encouraged to submit applications by mail, fax or email. If it is your first time submitting a particular application, you may want to first email zoningreview@denvergov.org or call 720-865-3000 to make sure that your submittal will be complete.
To submit by mail, obtain the appropriate application (all applications can be downloaded for printing on the Applications page of this website), fill in all information, attach any necessary drawings or other materials, and mail to:
Development Services/Zoning
ATTN: new applications
201 W Colfax Ave., Dept. 203
To submit by fax, obtain the appropriate application (all applications can be downloaded for printing on the Applications page of this website), fill in all information and gather any necessary drawings or other materials. Include a cover sheet that indicates how many total pages are being faxed, the address of the property, that it is a new zoning application and the type of application (i.e. sign permit, shed, addition, etc.).
To submit by email, obtain the appropriate application (all applications can be downloaded for printing on the Applications page of this website), fill in all information and scan the completed application form and all other necessary drawings or other materials and email the scanned pages to: zoningreview@denvergov.org. Include the phrase “New Zoning Application” in the subject line of the email.
Additionally, there are many instances when some parts of an application are sent most easily by one medium (say, email) and the others by another medium (say, mail). We will accept applications with different parts submitted in different ways; however, if you intend to do so, work this out beforehand with zoning staff by emailing zoningreview@denvergov.org or calling 720-865-3000.
When your application has been received, you will be contacted via phone or email to acknowledge receipt, advise you of any additional materials you may need to submit or other pertinent information and to arrange payment of any necessary fees.
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Zoning Services, Permits, and Plans Review:
The list below provides information on the different types of zoning permits, a link to the application form, and any specific information pertaining to each type of permit. Other services provided by Zoning are listed at the bottom under Miscellaneous Services.
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Use Permits:
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A use permit is a document granting the applicant/owner of a lot, building, or structure permission for the requested use. "Use" can be defined as any activity, occupation, business or operation transacted in a building or on a lot/tract of land. Allowable usage is defined in the current zoning of the property.
For more information on the allowable usage, consult the Denver Zoning Ordinance by going to the Municode website and navigating to "Chapter 59 Zoning", or contact us directly.
Review Process:
Depending on the use and the complexity of the site, permits may be issued as a Walk-Through Counter Permit or may require Log-In for full review.
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Construction:
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Residential 1 & 2 Family Dwellings
For residential properties, zoning approval is required for most construction related projects ranging from a putting up a fence to building a new house.
Note:
In addition to zoning permits, most construction projects require a building permit and other trade specific permits depending on the scope of the work. For more information on construction permits, please visit the Residential One and Two Family Website.
Review Process:
Depending on the type, scale and complexity of your project, permits may be issued as a Walk-Through Counter Permit or may require Log-In for full review.
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Commercial, Industrial, Multi-Family, Mixed Use
Zoning review is required for most land improvement projects in this category. In addition to zoning approval, a number of other City agencies and private utilities review and approve the proposed plan on the basis of specific ordinances and regulations which that agency is responsible for administering.
Review Process:
Many projects in this category will require plans to be logged-in for review. Some larger and/or more complex projects (generally, projects on 10,000 square feet of land; projects with more than one principal structure; projects in a mixed-use or industrial zone district; subdivisions; and, projects with other complex issues requiring a higher level of review) will need to be reviewed by the Development Review staff. For more information on the review process, please visit the Development (Site) Plan Review Website.
Note:
In addition to zoning permits, building permits and other trade specific permits are required, depending on the scope of the work. For more information on commercial construction permits, please visit the Commercial and Multifamily Website.
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| Demolition: |
For information on permitting and notification requirements for demolition, excavation and relocation activities., please visit the Demolition Permit Requirements page.
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Most work on signs needs to be approved by the Zoning Administration and the Building Department. When Building Department authorization is required the permit must be issued only to a sign contractor licensed by the City & County of Denver. If your sign will include electrical work, a permit for the electrical work will also be required. For more information, please read the Sign Advisory (PDF).
Review Process:
Most sign permits are available as Walk Through Counter Permits, unless the proposed permit requires Landmark or Design Review.
Murals may be reviewed and permitted per section 59-537(b) of the Denver Zoning Ordinance. This code section was enacted by City Council and intended to facilitate the creation and/or preservation of one-of-a-kind works of art. It is not intended to be used for commercial advertising purposes. Click HERE for more information and application forms.
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| Site Plan Review: |
A multi-agency site plan review process is necessary for many larger and/or complex projects. Generally, on 10,000 square feet of land; projects with more than one principal structure; projects in a mixed-use or industrial zone district; and, subdivisions. However, projects with other complex issues may be included as well. The Development Review team assists people who submit such land development plans and subdivisions for review and approval. For more information, go to the Development (Site) Plan Review website.
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| Other Zoning Services: |
Rezoning (Zone Map Amendment)
A rezoning is an amendment to the zoning map that changes the zoning designation of a property from one zoning district to another, which in turn may change the uses allowed on a parcel. For more information on rezoning, click here.
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Transfer of Development Rights
Transfer of unused development rights or undeveloped floor area from a zone lot shall be permitted. These development rights may be internally transferred to other portions of the subarea from which they originate, or the rights may be transferred between or among other subareas in the Platte River Valley Zone District. For more information on the transfer of development rights, consult the Denver Zoning Ordinance by going to the Municode website and navigating to "Chapter 59 Zoning", or contact us directly.
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Zone Lot Changes (Amendments)
Property boundaries can be changed if each new lot conforms to the regulations of the zone district in which the property is located. The most common changes are lot splits or lot combinations. For more information, click here.
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Zoning Verification/Compliance Letters
Zoning staff will respond to requests for zoning verification on specific properties in the City and County of Denver. For more information, click here
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