Landmark Preservation Design Guidelines Update

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On February 17, 2026, the Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) adopted the following updates to the Design Guidelines for Denver Landmark Structures and Districts:

• Chapter 1: reorganization of this chapter and clarifications to the content
• Chapter 2: updates to the design guidelines for window and door replacement on historic buildings, for alterations to window openings, and for the installation of egress windows. These updates are specifically found in section 2.4 of the design guidelines. 
• Overall layout of the design guidelines: updates to modernize the document's appearance, make it easier to navigate, and provide greater accessibility.

The window and door replacement guidelines in Chapter 2 provide greater flexibility while ensuring the preservation of character-defining features. Under these new guidelines, most historic windows and doors may be replaced provided they are not character windows or a character front facade door. Character windows and character front facade doors contribute to the architectural identity of the structure or represent a specific architectural style or type. These features date to the period of significance for the historic district or individual landmark, are distinctive, are integral to the building's overall design, and should be repaired rather than replaced. 

Windows & Doors

The recently adopted window and door replacement guidelines in Chapter 2 provide greater flexibility while ensuring the preservation of character-defining features. Under the new guidelines, most historic windows and doors may be replaced provided they are not character windows or a character front facade door. Character windows and character front facade doors contribute to the architectural identity of the structure or represent a specific architectural style or type. These features date to the period of significance for the historic district or individual landmark, are distinctive, are integral to the building's overall design, and should be repaired rather than replaced.

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Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Thank you to everyone who attended our community meetings and shared their feedback on design guidelines for ADUs. Landmark staff have reviewed your input and are drafting updated design guidelines, which will be shared for public review in late 2026. Landmark staff put together an informational video series about ADUs, linked below. These videos provide important background and context on what ADUs are and the process for building one in Denver’s historic districts.

Video 1: Introduction to ADUs

Video 2: ADUs and Tandem Houses

Video 3: Density in Historic Districts and Zoning Updates

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FAQs

What are Design Guidelines?

Design Guidelines help architects, contractors, and owners of individual landmarks and properties in historic districts design sensitive alterations that protect the historic, architectural, or cultural features that make the property significant. The design guidelines serve as the rules and regulations that Landmark Preservation staff and the Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) use to evaluate proposed changes. The guidelines are based on the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the treatment of historic properties while expanding on the basic rehabilitation principles with a specific focus on Denver. Learn more about the design guidelines and the design review process for landmark properties and districts in Denver.

Why are you updating the Design Guidelines?

How are you incorporating community input?

Community input is the heart of this design guideline update project. In the past, we have developed design guidelines with consultants and shared those with the community for feedback. This time, we are seeking community input first to inform our updates to the design guidelines. There are several opportunities for community input during each phase of the design guideline update. We will host community meetings, have an online survey, and provide a public review draft that is available for comment online. We will also share progress through periodic Landmark newsletters, as well as with the Landmark Preservation Commission during discussion items at regularly scheduled Commission meetings. Final changes to the guidelines will be adopted by the Landmark Preservation Commission at a public hearing.

Why is this process taking several years?

Landmark staff wants to ensure that we receive ample community input on the design guidelines each step of the way. In addition, we are drafting updates to the design guidelines ourselves, without consultant assistance, and must find time to fit this in while also reviewing the nearly two thousand design review applications that we receive each year.

How can I provide comments?

About the project

The Design Guidelines for Denver Landmark Structures and Districts(PDF, 20MB) were initially developed through a public process from 2012 to 2014, with a minor update in January 2016. Due to evolving needs and the desire for greater flexibility, Landmark Preservation staff and the LPC recognize that the design guidelines need a comprehensive update. Changes to the Design Guidelines for Denver Landmark Structures and Districts must be adopted by the Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) through a public rule-making process.

The design guideline update will be divided into four phases with each phase anticipated to take 12-24 months. Each phase will include community meetings and input, public review of draft updates, and a public hearing and vote by Denver’s Landmark Preservation Commission.

Note: The design guideline update does not affect customized design guidelines written for specific historic districts, including Civic Center Historic District, Country Club Gardens Historic District, Country Club Historic District, Five Points Historic Cultural District, La Alma Lincoln Park, and the Lower Downtown Historic District.