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Building Code, Policies, and Guides

The building code for the City and County of Denver is based on the 2011 National Electrical Code, NFPA code 72 (National Fire Protection Association) and the 2009 Series of I-Codes. 

Building code policies provide detailed descriptions of how to handle certain situations that are not clearly addressed within the Denver amendments or within the current codes.

The current Denver Building Code (PDF) (Revised September 2012) contains all amendments to the adopted building codes and fire codes.   The codes are amended to address the specific needs within the City and County of Denver.   

You may purchase a copy of the codes developed by the International Code Council (ICC).  For more information please visit the ICC site. Please note that this site is not a part of Denvergov.org.   

The following archived Denver Building Code Amendments are available for download:

  
Referenced Code Section Key Words
ADMIN 103.5.1    Existing Buildings
ADMIN 120A Classification of Licenses, Registrations and Certificates
ADMIN 120B Modular Cold Storage Room Contractors
ADMIN 130.2A Residential Excavation and Shoring
ADMIN 130.2B Third Party Roofing Inspections
ADMIN 131 Permit Application and Issuance
ADMIN 131.3 Owner Occupier (Homeowner) Permits
ADMIN 132A

Permitting Construction Completed Without Permits
ADMIN 132B Temporary Outdoor Stages
Temporary Occupancies
Groundwater Remediation  Equipment Shelters
ADMIN 132.2 Mail and Fax Procedures
ADMIN 133 Electrical Plan Review Requirements
ADMIN 133.3 Setback Verification
ADMIN 134 Building Permit Application Requirements for Temporary Buildings
ADMIN 138 Permit and Inspection Fees
ADMIN 142.2 Home Occupation
IBC 310.3 Residential and Personal Care, Assisted Living

IBC 709.9

 Gas Fired Heating in R-1 and R-2
IBC1008.1.9  Locking and Securing of Egress Doors
IBC 1014.3 Tenant Finish of Existing Office Buildings
IBC 1507 Porch, Patio and Group U Roofing
IBC 1704 Special Inspector Qualification
IBC 3003.2 Pressurized Hoistways
IBC 3103 Temporary Fabric Structures - Tents, canopies and Air Inflated Structures
IBC 3303 Demolition or Building Moving Permits
IBC 3408A Occupancy Conformance - Change in Use Within the Same Occupancy Group or Change in Occupancy
IBC 3408B Change in Occupancy or Use - Procedures for Obtaining a New Certificate of Occupancy
IBC H106 Permitting Procedures for Electric and Neon Signs
IECC 505 Lighting and Metering Requirements
IMC 301.4 Waste Oil Heaters
IMC 507 Commercial Hoods and Ventilation Requirements
IRC 305 Basement Remodeling in Single Family Homes
IRC 401.4   Residential Soils Tests and Geotechnical Investigation Reports
IRC405.1 Subsoil Drainage Systems
IRC M2301 Solar Energy System Permits
IRC H101 Patio Covers
IRC N101.2.1 Residential Energy Rating Program
NEC 705 Distributed Resources Generating Systems
The following guides are available for download in PDF format:

Commercial Permitting Handbook Guideline of requirements for commercial projects
Administrative Modification Request Application information and supplemental guidelines
Restaurant Guide  An overview of Denver's approval process for new restaurants (includes Restaurant Plan Review Application Template)
Concept Phase Overview A brief overview of the Concept Phase of Plan Review
Concept Phase Submittal Requirements Submittal requirements for the Concept Phase
Formal Phase Overview A brief overview of the Formal Phase of Plan Review
Formal Phase Submittal Requirements for Major Site Plans Submittal Requirements for the Formal Phase
Final Recordation Phase Overview A brief overview of the Final Recordation Phase of Plan Review
Minor Site Plan - Guide and Submittal Requirements Minor planned developments are those that are less complex, but still need regulatory approval.
Plan Amendments Guide How to apply for an amendment to an approved plan 
PUD/PBG Site Plan Rules and Regulations The process and requirements for site plan review of Planned Unit Developments Planned Building Groups
Total Demolition Customer Guide Step-by step procedures for demolition of residential and commercial structures. 

Building Code Appeals

To appeal a decision made regarding the building code, you must apply to the Board of Appeals.
 

The Board of Appeals is responsible for reviewing:

  • Appeals of administrative decisions
  • New methods or products
  • Plan correction notices
  • Written orders and opinions of a building code official regarding the building code
 
See more information on the Board of Appeals webpage, or download the appeals application below:
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