Mini Bundle Changes in Effect
The Denver City Council approved the 2025 Mini Bundle of Text Amendments to the Denver Zoning Code following a public hearing at its meeting Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The amendments to the Denver Zoning Code and Denver Revised Municipal Code are effective as of February 20, 2026, and more information can be found on the Denver Zoning Code page.
Additionally, related amendments to Downtown Urban Design Standards and Guidelines and Cherry Creek North / Cherry Creek West Urban Design Standards and Guidelines were adopted on March 25, 2026, following a public hearing that took place on January 29, 2026. Please see the Urban Design Standards and Guidelines page for more information.
Question: What is the Denver Housing Authority Exemption for Accessory Dwelling Units in the Mini Bundle?
Answer: Right now, Denver’s zoning code requires a property owner to live in the main home if they want to build an accessory dwelling unit, also called an ADU, in a single-unit neighborhood. This rule was created to discourage investors from buying homes, adding ADUs, and renting out both units at or above market rate.
However, the Denver Housing Authority (DHA) manages about 1,000 affordable single-family homes that are unnecessarily burdened by the rule. Because DHA cannot live in these homes, they are not allowed to build affordable ADUs under the current regulations.
The Mini Bundle text amendment removes this barrier. It allows DHA to build ADUs on properties it already owns, but does not occupy, in single-unit neighborhoods. These ADUs would be deed-restricted and remain affordable long term. This helps bring more affordable housing to low-density neighborhoods where options are limited. It also allows DHA to better use the land it already owns, supports the City’s housing goals, and does not create new enforcement or administrative work for the City.
This project will propose a small package of amendments to the Denver Zoning Code and the Urban Design Standards and Guidelines for Downtown and Cherry Creek North/Cherry Creek West. The intent is to align Denver’s regulations with state mandates and incentive programs while incorporating procedural improvements to support good governance and affordable housing. This amendment covers four topic areas:
Proposition 123/Expedited Reviews for Affordable Housing Projects
- Change the beginning of the approval period for plans and permits to help staff meet the expedited review deadline to be eligible for state funds, in compliance with the ballot initiative approved by Colorado voters in 2024
- Update rules and regulations so that fast tracked affordable housing projects do not require a formal recommendation from the Cherry Creek and Downtown Design Advisory Boards. Design review will be performed by staff as part of the expedited review process.
Wireless Telecommunications
- Add “not physically substantial” modifications to existing telecommunications facilities to the list of development types that do not need a zoning permit (provided the city is notified in writing)
- Exempt non-substantial changes to existing wireless service or telecommunication facilities from applicability of Urban Design Standards and Guidelines and Design Advisory Board review in Cherry Creek North/Cherry Creek West and Downtown
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
- Remove Owner Occupancy requirements for Denver Housing Authority owned properties
- Ensure Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) allow ADUs if single-unit dwellings are allowed
- Clearly state that any existing ADU prohibitions in PUDs will not be enforced
Site Development Plans
- Extend the approval period from 18 months to 30 months for all projects, without needing to request a 12-month extension
- Removed expiration language for Detailed PUD District Plans
Where applicable, changes to the Denver Zoning Code will be applied to properties with Denver Revised Municipal Code Chapter 59 Zoning through a limited bridge amendment.
Final redline drafts of the updated Denver Zoning Code and Denver Revised Municipal Code are available below:
Read the 2025 Mini Bundle DZC Amendment Review Draft(PDF, 714KB)
Read the 2025 Mini Bundle DRMC Amendment Review Draft(PDF, 305KB)