Before you begin the design process for your building project, check that your proposed project is in compliance with neighborhood covenants and homeowner's group specifications.
Get Zoning & Property Information
It's always a good idea to obtain your property's legal zoning, address, subdivision, and
underground utilities location before you begin to design your project. This will help you to avoid delays in the permit and plan review process. To research your property information, click here.
How to Design Your Building Project
Detailed plans can help you
avoid time-consuming and costly modifications before you begin work on your building project and may speed the permitting process. For information about how to begin design your project, and for plan or drawing specifications,
click here.
As you design your project, we encourage you to think ‘green’ and reduce your carbon footprint by utilizing renewable energy or planning energy efficient improvements. Click here to learn how.
The attached Homeowner's Guide to Moisture Management provides helpful hits about irrigation, gutters, landscaping, basement finishing, perimeter drains, Heating & Cooling equipment, and crawl spaces.
(The document linked below is accessible only in the Adobe Acrobat format. You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to open and read this document. If you do not have an Acrobat Reader, click here to download a free version.)
MoistureManagement.pdf
Protecting Yourself with Building Permits
Be sure that you or your contractor get a building permit for the work to be done on your property. The permit holder is legally responsible for compliance with the Denver Building Code. To determine if your project requires a permit, click here.
- Permits add value to your project by ensuring that all required inspections are performed and that work has been done correctly and to code.
- Permits prevent time-consuming and costly modifications that may result from work not inspected and completed to code.
- Permits protect the resale and valuation of your home.
- Building permits are required by law for most projects in Denver.
Hiring a Contractor
Now that you have identified which building permits are required for your project, you will need design your project and determine who will do the work—you or a contractor. Denver issues building permits to property owners and/or properly licensed contractors only. If you intend to use a contractor to perform the work on your project, be sure to take some time to review consumer tips on:
selecting a contractor
Doing the Work Yourself
By passing an exam given by the City and County of Denver to demonstrate your proficiency in a specific area, you may complete several types of projects yourself
—without hiring a contractor.
To determine which building projects the City allows homeowners to do without a contracor, as well as to learn about testing dates times and requirements, visit the Homeowner Testing site.
You may also have unpaid help from friends and relatives providing that a designated worker form is filed with the Building Department before the work begins. (download form)