These steps outline the process of rezoning a property, highlighting opportunities where residents neighboring the property, neighborhood groups and other members of the public are notified and invited to participate.
Rezoning applicants are required to provide documentation of their outreach to nearby residents, neighborhood groups, and the City Council member who represents the district before submitting an application. They are also encouraged to discuss their plans with any other stakeholders.
Staff begins reviewing the application once the required fee has been paid.
Property owners and tenants within 200-feet of the proposed rezoning and registered neighborhood organizations (RNOs) whose boundaries include or are within 200-feet of the proposed rezoning are officially notified of the application and signs are posted on the property within 10 days of a complete submittal. Completed applications are posted online with the case manager's name and contact information.
The public may begin submitting comments on the rezoning to the case manager.
City staff reviews the rezoning application and provides comments to the applicant. If the application is resubmitted to address the city's comments, the updated application is posted online.
The public may continue to submit comments to the case manager.
Property owners and tenants within 200-feet of the proposed rezoning and RNOs whose boundaries include or are within 200-feet of the proposed rezoning are notified of the hearing. Signs are posted on the property 15 calendar days before the public hearing.
Comments should be submitted as early as possible to ensure adequate time for Planning Board members to review. RNOs may also submit official position statements on the case. For meeting information and instructions on submitting comments for Planning Board public hearings, visit Denvergov.org/PlanningBoard.
Download neighborhood organization position statement form
At the hearing, staff presents the case to the board. The applicant is required to attend and may make a presentation. Members of the public are invited to speak on the case. Once public testimony is complete, the board deliberates and makes a recommendation to City Council for approval, approval with conditions, or denial.
City Council's Land Use, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee considers most rezoning applications. The South Platte River Committee considers those that are generally within a half-mile of the river.
Committee meetings include a presentation by city staff. RNOs are notified 10 business days before the meeting. The meeting is not a public hearing, but City Council members may invite the applicant and others to speak. After the presentation, the committee deliberates and determines if the application is ready for consideration by the full City Council.
The public may continue to submit comments to the case manager. For meeting information visit the Land Use, Transportation and Infrastructure (LUTI) Committee or South Platte Review (SPR) Committee webpages.
At this regularly-scheduled meeting, the mayor and all Council members will be informed of the rezoning ordinance scheduled for City Council first reading.
The public may continue to submit comments to the case manager.
At this regularly-scheduled City Council meeting, the rezoning bill is read for the first time. The City Council public hearing is officially scheduled.
Neighboring property owners who oppose the rezoning may file a protest petition with the City Council no later than 7 days prior to the City Council public hearing to trigger a super-majority vote requirement (as opposed to a simple majority) at the public hearing. Protest petitions require signatures from owners of 20 percent of the total land area within 200 feet of the subject property and within the City and County of Denver. Contact the staff case manager for more information and the required petition forms.
Download the Protest Petition Guide
A second reading of the bill and a public hearing before the City Council is scheduled for one of the council’s regular meetings. RNOs are notified of the hearing and signs are posted on the property 21 calendar days before the public hearing.
Comments should be submitted as early as possible to ensure time for City Council members to review. RNOs may also submit official position statements on the case. Visit DenverGov.org/CityCouncil for information on how to participate in public hearings and Denver Legistar for meeting materials, including staff reports, presentations and public comments.
At the hearing, staff presents the case to the City Council, the applicant may make a presentation, and the public is invited to speak on the case. Once public testimony is complete, Council deliberates and votes to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the rezoning application.
If approved, the ordinance is forwarded to the mayor for signature and goes into effect the following Thursday.