Design Review for Additions

Landmark Preservation reviews applications for additions on all individual landmarks and properties within a historic district to ensure consistency with the appropriate design guidelines.

Before you begin

The following materials are not allowed in Denver historic districts or on individual landmark structures:

Siding: T-111 siding, molded plastic siding, vinyl siding, and aluminum siding, thin brick veneer, stucco less than 7/8" thick, EIFS, materials with a faux-grain wood texture
Windows: Vinyl windows, windows with internal muntins or glued-on muntins.

For more information about appropriate materials, review the design guidelines below.

Do you need to schedule a pre-application meeting?

The size, scope, and visibility of your addition determines the design review process. Smaller additions may be reviewed administratively by Landmark Preservation staff, while larger or more visible additions may require review by the Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) or the Lower Downtown Design Review Commission (LDDRC). A pre-application meeting with Landmark staff is recommended for early guidance on all additions. To request a meeting, email the pre-application form(PDF, 139KB) and all required information to landmark@denvergov.org.

Registered Neighborhood Organization Review for Pop-top Additions

For pop-top additions in historic districts with a Registered Neighborhood Organization (RNO) that has completed design review training, applicants must present the pop-top addition to the RNO before submitting a complete application to the Landmark Preservation Commission. During the pre-application meeting, Landmark staff will confirm if a qualifying RNO exists and provide a referral.

Design Guidelines

Landmark Preservation staff, the Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC), and the Lower Downtown Design Review Commission (LDDRC) use guidelines to review all additions. Site specific conditions determine how well the proposed addition fits the surrounding historic context. Most additions reviewed by the LPC will be reviewed with Chapter 3: Guidelines for Additions to Historic Buildings(PDF, 751KB). Most additions reviewed by the LDDRC will be reviewed with the Design Guidelines for Contributing Buildings section within the Design Guidelines for the Lower Downtown Historic District(PDF, 15MB). For more information, visit the Landmark Preservation design guidelines webpage.

E-permits Application

Submit your application materials via E-permits:

Create an account or log in to an existing account
Click the "Development Services" tab
Click "Apply for a Permit"
Select "Landmark Certificate of Appropriateness" and follow the instructions.

For assistance with e-permits, visit the FAQ page.

Required documents

Design review applications must adequately describe the project and provide sufficient information to evaluate the proposal. Documentation must clearly illustrate the existing conditions as well as any proposed work.

All applications for additions must include the following information:

A pre-application meeting with Landmark staff. Meetings can be scheduled by emailing landmark@denvergov.org
A completed Landmark design review application and checklist(PDF, 1MB)
Current color photographs of the area of project scope and street fronting façade(s)
- Photos must be at least 300 dpi or at least 4” X 6”
- Photographs must be labeled with the cardinal directions (ex. north, south, east, west). Photographs labeled front, side, and rear will not be accepted
- Photos must be included as a page or pages within the drawing set or attached as jpeg or pdf. (Thumbnail photos, photos embedded within emails, and photos linked to a file sharing system will not be accepted) Roof Plans that include existing, if applicable, and proposed roof. Plans to be scaled and dimensioned with roof pitch(es) noted.
Existing and proposed site plans that include:
- Address with street name
- Scale and dimensions (at least 1”=20’)
- Zone lot and Property lines (include both if different)
- Zone lot depth (e.g., 65/35 or 80/20)
- Orienting features such as streets, alleys, sidewalks, and adjacent structures
- Location of hardscaping elements such as fences, site walls, patios, exterior stairways, driveways, etc.
- North direction arrow
- Zoning setback requirements
- Original grade elevation at intersection of side interior zone lot lines and minimum setback to primary setback
- Identify all proposed and existing site elements that violate zoning regulations for which you will be seeking relief through the Administrative Adjustment process
Existing and proposed building elevation drawings that include:
- Scale and dimensions (at least 1”=20’)
- Overall height of building from base planes
- Height of additions/new structure, if applicable, from base plane
- Window and door dimensions, if applicable
- Porches, awnings, other façade and elevation details
- Location of all existing and new vents louvers, electrical boxes, lighting, etc.
- Bulk plane and height
- Material legend and notes
- Elevations labeled with the cardinal directions (front, side, and rear labels will not be accepted)
- Identify all proposed and existing building elements that violate zoning regulations for which you will be seeking relief through the Administrative Adjustment process
A demolition plan, if applicable, that includes:
- Demolition site plan
- Demolition roof plan – hatch and dimension area(s) of roof to be demolished
- Demolition elevations – hatch and dimension area(s) of wall to be demolished
- Historic demolition calculations – percentage of historic roof to be demolished, percentage of historic walls to be demolished, combined percentage of historic roof and walls to be demolished
- Total demolition calculations– percentage of roof to be demolished, percentage of wall to be demolished, combined percentage of roof and walls to be demolished
Roof plans that include existing, if applicable, and proposed roof. Plans to be scaled and dimensioned with roof pitch(es) noted.
Floor plans that include:
- Labels of all existing and proposed rooms. Use simple room labels (e.g., living room, bedroom)
- All existing and proposed floors, if applicable
- Do not include furniture, reflected ceiling plans, interior finish plans, or other interior work (unless otherwise required for a building or zoning permit)
Enlarged/Detail elevation drawings that include:
- Detail elevations of eaves, overhangs, porches, windows, balconies, canopies, and other unique building features
- Elevation drawings of site walls, fencing, railing, outdoor kitchens and other proposed site features
- Enlarged elevations for each distinct window type and location, showing the full window in the wall assembly including head, jambs, sills, and muntins
Section drawings that include:
- Floor-to-floor heights
- Floor-to-ceiling heights
- Detail sections through typical walls, features, and materials transitions
- Detail wall sections through canopies, columns, porches, etc.
- Details wall sections at typical doors and windows showing their installation in all wall cladding materials
Details of construction that include:
- All construction materials clearly labeled in elevation including color, finish, and profiles
- Window and door schedule with material, size, and operation clearly noted
- For all glazing provide transparency calculations
- Material schedule or keynotes
- Images of all proposed materials
- Light fixture schedule with manufacture, style, and finish clearly noted
- Material samples or photographs of new or innovative materials as requested by staff
Sight-line drawings that show the visibility of the proposed Addition, Dormer Addition, Pop-top Addition, Rooftop Addition or Rooftop Deck from the public right-of-way from the viewpoint of a person 5’6” in height
Isometric drawings that show the visibility of the proposed Addition, Dormer Addition, Pop-top Addition, Rooftop Addition or Rooftop Deck form various vantage points. Street level drawings are preferable to bird’s eye-view drawings
Streetscape drawings that compare the size and dimension of the proposed building in elevation in relationship to other contributing buildings on the block face. Show the surrounding buildings on the block including the subject property with the proposed Addition, Dormer Addition, Pop-top Addition, Rooftop Addition or Rooftop Deck