New website launch, e-permits innovations, and a Landmark webinar series – Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation (2024)

News from Denver CPD that may impact building and development projects

Development news from Community Planning and Development (CPD)

In this issue you will find…

• A fresh look and feel to DenverGov.org

• What’s new:
• Zone lot amendments can now be requested in e-permits
• A new contractor license type for construction
• Optional meetings with commercial zoning staff before you apply for permits
• Annual adjustment to wastewater permitting fees
• A checklist to help project teams navigate the energy code

• Online education to share with your colleagues:
• What does a landmark designation mean for construction?
• December 9 Commercial Permitting Presentation

• Ways to be involved in climate action in Denver:
• Take the Denver One Water survey
• Follow the progress of the Energize Denver Task Force
• Apply for Denver’s Sustainability Advisory Council
• Make it a career: We’re hiring!

New website: Denvergov.org/cpd

Over the next several months, the city will be rolling out a new website designed to enhance the user experience. You’ll notice a new look to many Denvergov webpages, including the Community Planning and Development homepage.

Visit the new homepage for easy access to common items like e-permits, building and zoning codes, and our contact information.

What’s new?

Zone lot amendments are now available in e-permits

Throughout 2020, we have continued to add new features to Denver’s online permitting and licensing platform: e-permits.

The latest addition is for projects that want to request a change to their zone lot boundaries, known as a “zone lot amendment.” You can use e-permits to request a pre-application meeting or submit your formal zone lot amendment application. Here’s how:

• Entere-permits(new users will need to create a free account)
• Select Development Services > Apply for a Permit
• Select Zone Lot Amendment and follow the prompts

New construction class B2 license type

Meet with a zoning reviewer before you apply

Starting January 1, Community Planning and Development will be able to offer shorter review times and more personalized service for commercial zoning permits.

Zoning reviewers will now aim to return the following reviews within three business days:

• Signs
• Temporary uses
• Change of owner
• Change of business name
• Minor exterior improvements

If you would like to meet with a commercial zoning reviewer to discuss your specific project before you apply for permits, please contact the zoning team at zoning.review@denvergov.org.

New fee schedule for wastewater permits

Before development begins, a developer/owner must ensure there are adequate storm and sanitary sewer services at the site.The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) adjusts its Sewer Use and Drainage Permit (SUDP) fees annually to account for inflation. All SUDP permits paid in 2021 will use the new fee schedule.

Starting in 2021: Permit applications include a new checklist to help applicants meet energy codes

Stay current — Learn online

Take a deep dive on the topics that matter to you with our online learning options.

• April 8 | Let’s Talk About Landmark Signage|Join webinar
• May 13 |Let’s Talk About Landmark Window Replacements|Join webinar
• June 10 |Let’s Talk About New Construction in Historic Districts|Join webinar
• July 8 |Let’s Talk About Tax Credits for Historic Properties|Join webinar
• Aug. 12 |Let’s Talk About the Discover Denver Survey|Join webinar

Watch the 2020 Commercial Permitting Presentation

Over 300 people joined us on December 9 for our annual commercial permitting presentation, which was held on Zoom this year. Following a short presentation on advancements in commercial permitting, we invited Grace Rink from the city’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency and Irene Aguilar from the Neighborhood Equity and Stabilization Team to join Laura Aldrete, executive director of Community Planning and Development, in a panel discussion on sustainable building codes and achieving more equitable development with an open Q&A session.

• View a recording of the event

Visit our YouTube page for replays of all webinars

Over the past year, our team has hosted multiple webinars, covering topics from the Denver Green Code to instructions for using the new IECC checklists. You can watch replays of any webinar from the Webinars playlist on our YouTube page.

Get involved in climate action!

One Water Community Survey

Follow the progress of the Energize Denver Task Force

We spend 90% of our lives indoors, and our commercial and multifamily buildings are responsible for 51% of the greenhouse gas emissions in Denver.Those are just two of the reasons the city has launched an Energize Denver Task Force. Starting in the new year, this group of community and industry stakeholders will help develop a building performance policy for Denverthat will create jobs and transform our existing commercial and multifamily buildings into healthy, climate-friendly buildings of the future.

Watch a livestream of the first meeting:

January 7, 2021 | 1-4 p.m.

Apply for Denver’s Sustainability Advisory Council

TheSustainability Advisory Council(SAC) was createdin 2010 by Mayor John Hickenlooper, and continues today under Mayor Michael B. Hanco*ck. Members of the SAC represent broadand diverse leadership ofDenver’scommunities, businesses, and institutions. This council provides recommendations to city staff; helps connect tothepeople, communities, businesses, and institutions it serves; and promotes the principles of sustainability broadly among the community andstakeholders.

Now hiring:

Office of Climate Action, Sustainability & Resiliency

The city’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency’s (CASR) mission is to act with urgency to proactively mitigate climate change. The CASR High Performance Buildings and Homes team works to make new and existing buildings and homes net zero energy, more sustainable, and more resilient.

CASR is looking for a skilled individual to join the team as an administrator.

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