Design Review for New Construction (Infill)

Landmark Preservation reviews applications for new construction (infill) of primary structures and tandem houses on all individual landmarks and properties within a historic district to ensure consistency with the appropriate design guidelines.

Before you begin

Design Guidelines

The Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) and Lower Downtown Design Review Commission (LDDRC) use design guidelines to review all new primary structures and tandem houses in historic districts and at individual landmark sites. Site specific conditions determine how well the proposed new structure fits the surrounding historic context. Most primary structures and tandem houses will be reviewed with Chapter 4: Guidelines for New Buildings and Non-Contributing Buildings(PDF, 1MB) except those in the Lower Downtown Historic District. Most new buildings in the Lower Downtown Historic District will be reviewed with the Design Guidelines for New Buildings section of the Design Guidelines for the Lower Downtown Historic District(PDF, 15MB), as well as Section 30-48 of the Denver Revised Municipal Code. For more information about applicable design guidelines, visit the Landmark Preservation design guideline 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.

Phase 1: Mass, Form and Context

All Phase 1 applications for new construction of primary structures and tandem houses 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
• 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:
  • Site plan showing what structure(s), if any, will be demolished
  • Property lines
  • Orienting features such as streets, alleys, sidewalks, and adjacent structures
  • A Roof Plan that includes proposed roof, scaled and dimensioned with pitch noted
• Floor plans that include:
  • Labels of all existing and proposed rooms. Use simple room labels (e.g., living room, bedroom)
  • All proposed floors
  • Do not include furniture, reflected ceiling plans, interior finish plans, or other interior work (unless otherwise required for a building or zoning permit)
• Section drawings that include:
  • Floor-to-floor heights
  • Floor-to-ceiling heights
  • Detail sections through typical walls, features
  • Detail sections through canopies, columns, porches, etc.
  • Ground Plan Comparison that provides footprint sizes, front yard setback, porch setback, and side setback for all properties within the immediate and adjacent block
• Streetscape drawings that compares the size and dimension of the proposed building in elevation, relationship to other contributing buildings on the block face. Show the surrounding building on the block including the proposed new building.
• Compatibility demonstration that compares the proposed structure with contributing historic structures. Any contributing building within the historic district or on the individual landmark site may be used
• Isometric drawings that show the visibility of the proposed new building from various vantage points. Street level drawings are preferable to bird’s eye-view drawings.
• For buildings within the Lower Downtown Historic District in a Special Review District requesting additional height than allowed by right, as outlined in Chapter 30 of the Denver Revised Municipal Code, the compatibility demonstration must include a height of contributing structures within a 300-feet radius of any point on the proposed development site

Phase 2: Design Detail

All Phase 2 applications for new construction must include the following information:

• A completed Landmark design review application and checklist(PDF, 1MB)
• All submittal requirements form the Phase 1 submittal
• Enlarged/Detail elevation drawings that include:
  • Detail elevations of eaves, overhangs, porches, window, balconies, canopies, and other unique features
  • Elevation drawings of balconies, railings, awnings, fencing, and other proposed building or 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
  • Detail sections through typical walls, features, and materials transitions clearly showing all materials of construction
  • Detail wall sections through canopies, columns, porches, etc. clearly showing all materials of construction
  • Details wall sections at typical doors and windows showing their installation and inset, with dimensions, in all wall cladding materials
• Details of construction that include:
  • All construction materials clearly labeled in elevation including color, finish, and profiles
  • A material schedule or keynotes
  • Window and door schedule with material, size, and operation clearly noted
  • For all glazing provide transparency
  • 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
• Landscape drawings that include:
  • Elevation and detail drawings of all fencing, site walls, and any site feature over 12” in height
  • Location of any hardscape feature such as a walkways, patios
  • Information on any site lighting with manufacture, style, and finish clearly noted
• Electrical, mechanical, venting, and building penetrations that include:
  • Location of all mechanical units, electrical panels and venting
  • Size of mechanical units, electrical panel, vents and any penetrations into the building
• Isometric drawings that show the visibility of the proposed new building from various vantage points. Rendering with material applied are preferable. Street level drawings are preferable to bird’s eye-view drawings

Ready to apply?

View design review application instructions