Formal Site Development Plans and Plan Amendments

Save your Site Development Plan set as a PDF and including the following components (some components may be combined on the same sheet as long as information remains legible, depending on project size):

• Cover sheet

• Survey sheet

• Zone lot amendment exhibit (if applicable)

• Architectural site plan

• Utility and grading plan

• Denver fire sheet

• Landscape plan

• Floor plans

• Roof plan

• Architectural building elevations

• Photometric plan with manufacturer lighting fixture details

• Accessory structure and site details (may be shown on other sheets as space permits and these shall be to scale)

Format requirements all documents:

• Sheets must be formatted in 24” x 36” landscape orientation

• Site plan components need to be scaled appropriately for legibility (1”10, 1”20, 1”30, etc.)

• See templates for border requirements

• Development name, project location, and address located at the top of the page and centered in the following format:

Initial Site Development Plan or Amendment to a Site Development Plan

NAME OF DEVELOPMENT (3/8" text)
SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN (1/4"-5/16" text)
Located in Quarter Section, Township, Range (1/8"-3/16" text "A PART OF")
Project Address(es) (3/16"-1/4" text    "LOCATED AT:")

Or

NAME OF DEVELOPMENT (3/8" text)
SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN, 1^st Amendment (1/4"-5/16" text)
Located in Quarter Section, Township, Range (1/8"-3/16" text "A PART OF")
Project Address(es) (3/16"-1/4" text    "LOCATED AT:")

• Name of development and project master number in lower right-hand corner of page, beneath the border

• Page title, number, page number in series total in lower right-hand corner of each sheet, above the border

• All lettering should be at a legible font size

• Show legend on all sheets as needed with the symbols pertaining to the sheet. The legend must define each symbol and line type used on the sheet.

• Zone lot boundary must be clearly shown in a heavy solid line on all plan sheets post any ROW dedication(s)

• All sheets need to be oriented in the same direction with a north arrow

• All text must be in black; remove all gray line work and shaded areas. Gray can make a document illegible or disappears when recorded.

The cover sheet should contain general information on the scope of the project, general notes applicable to the project, project specific notes, a summary of development and site statistics, vicinity map and approval signature blocks. The following information is required on the cover sheet:

• Title Block: (see general requirements)

• Zone Lot Legal Description: Located top left below the development title. The legal zone lot(s) description must define the “zone lot.” The description should reflect post right-of-way dedication conditions. This may vary from the initial legal description provided on the survey sheet.

• Land Descriptions: Need to include an area statement, and the area within the statistical table must coincide with the land description area.

• Survey Requirements: Review the Site Development Plan survey requirements

• Site Statistics Table: Located below the zone lot legal description. The table may need to be modified to reflect multiple zone lots or existing buildings/structures on the property.

  • See examples(PDF, 192KB)

• Vicinity Map: Must clearly identify the subject property as a black/white drawing (do not provide a Google map). Located at top center below the development title. It is not required to be drawn to scale, but it should be proportional.  Include site boundaries and hatch subject zone lot(s); include street centerlines, street names, zone districts, and if the subject property is located within a view plane, the view plane should be shown on the vicinity map with the view plane origin points.  

• Sheet Index: Located in sheet center below the vicinity map. Label each sheet and provide page numbers for each sheet.

• General Notes: Located in sheet center below the index. The following general notes must be included:

  • This SDP was reviewed under the Denver Zoning Code Effective Date June 25, 2010, restated in its entirety on July 1, 2021, as Amended through ________________.

  • Fences, walls, signs, and accessory structures may be subject to separate reviews and permits.

  • An access easement for emergency services is hereby granted on and across all areas for police, fire, medical, and other emergency vehicles and for the provision of emergency services.

  • Where private roadways serve as required fire lanes or fire apparatus access roads, “fire lane” signage needs to be posted as required by Denver Fire Code section 503.3. Fire lane designations and signage locations needs to be shown on the site plan. Private roadways serving as fire lanes need to be constructed in accordance with an approved DOTI roadway section per Denver Fire Code section 503.2.1.

  • Accessible parking spaces must be identified by signs and on pavement surfaces with the International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA).

  • Approval of this plan does not constitute or imply compliance with ADA requirements.

  • Site(s) shall be landscaped prior to issuance of a final Certificate of Occupancy (CO) during the growing season of April 1^st to October 1^st. All other times the individual sites shall be landscaped within 45 days of the start of the following growing season.

  • All landscape areas need to be irrigated with an underground automatic irrigation system. Trees, shrubs, and decorative grasses will be irrigated by a separate zone from sod/grass; this includes trees planted in sod/grass area. The irrigation system is to have a rain sensor shutoff installed.

  • Private roadways are non-dedicated streets and will not be maintained by the City and County of Denver.

  • Include applicable Green Building Ordinance Compliance notes.

  • Transportation Demand Management (TDM) compliance:

• Project Specific Notes: Located in sheet center below the general notes (only applicable notes required).

  • View Plane Applicability. This Zone Lot is vertically bound by the ____________________ View Plane established by the Denver Revised Municipal Code Chapter 10 Article ____– Section ____.No part of the structure shall exceed an elevation of ______ Feet. The structure has an elevation of ______ Feet, which does not exceed the maximum elevation of the ___________ View Plane.

  • Zone Lot Amendment. Approval of this Site Development Plan constitutes a zone lot amendment to (combine/split) (existing number of zone lots) into (proposed number of zone lots) as detailed on the Zone Lot Amendment Exhibit Sheet. Reference ZLAM Number (2020-ZLAM-0000XXX).

  • Shared Parking Agreement. Approval of this Site Development Plan constitutes a shared parking agreement between this property and property located at _______________. A copy of the agreement has been recorded in the City and County of Denver Clerk and Recorders office at Reception Number _______________.

  • Responsibility for the maintenance of the Commonly Owned Land and/or Storm Water Detention facility constructed as part of this development will be that of ___________________.

  • Business Improvement District Note. This project is located within the _________________ Business Improvement District (“The District”).This District may include, but is not limited to, Streetscape Amenities such as trees, tree grates, irrigation, pedestrian lights, electric power supply, sidewalk, pavers, planters, walls, benches and trash receptacles. Any damage to the streetscape amenities of this District, including utilities, as a result of the construction of this project shall be repaired and/or replaced by the contractor at their cost. District utilities may exist in this property’s street frontage. The Utility Notification Center of Colorado or private utility locate companies may be unable to identify or locate companies may be unable to identify or locate district utilities. These utilities are typically irrigation or electric lines.

  • Expanding Housing Affordability. If subject to Mandatory Affordable Housing:   
    
    Development resulting from this Site Development Plan is subject to the Mandatory Affordable Housing Ordinance per DRMC Section 27 Article X. The approved and recorded Affordable Housing Plan was recorded on [Date]___________ under reception number ______________. The subject property is in a [High or Typical] market area and has elected to comply with this ordinance by [building income restricted units on-site via compliance option H1-B, H-2B, T-1B, T-2B, H1-E, H-E, T-1E, T-2E/paying the fee-in-lieu/or negotiating an alternative]. This site development plan meets the requirements for the following zoning incentives [parking reduction per DZC Article 10.4.5.2.B, height/FAR increase per DZC 10.12.1.1, DZC 8__, and/or parking exemption per DSC 10.4.5.1.E] 

    Development resulting from this approved Site Development Plan is subject to a contractual commitment recorded under ___________________ and XX number of affordable units will be provided with this Site Development Plan.  Pursuant to Section 27-222 of the Denver Revised Municipal Code development resulting from this approved Site Development Plan is not required to comply with Division 2 of Chapter 27. 

    Add if subject to the linkage fee:  
    
    Development resulting from this Site Development Plan is subject to the Linkage Fee established in Section 27-153 of the Denver Revised Municipal Code. The subject property is in a [High or Typical] market area.  
    
    Exceptions:  
    
    Development resulting from this approved Site Development Plan meets one or more exception to Mandatory Affordable Housing within Sec. 27-222 of the Denver Revised Municipal Code.  
    
    Add if an affordable housing project and eligible for the incentives:  
    
    This site development plan meets the requirements for the following zoning incentives [parking reduction per DZC Article 10.4.5.2.B, height/FAR increase per DZC 10.12.1.1, DZC 8__, and/or parking exemption per DSC 10.4.5.1.E] 
    
    Development resulting from this approved Site Development Plan meets one or more exception from providing the payment of linkage fees as outlined within Sec. 27-154 of the Denver Revised Municipal Code.

  • Other notes as required by the City.
    
    Projects Exempt from EHA
    

    Pursuant to Ordinance 20240455 & 20240456, which extended the deadlines by which an applicant must obtain approval of a Site Development Plan, the development resulting from this approved Site Development Plan is exempt from the Mandatory Affordable Housing Ordinance. The project submitted a site development plan Concept before July 1, 2022, and received Site Development Plan approved on or before April 18, 2025.

  Signature Blocks: Located at sheet right in the following order.

  • Ownership, Survey, Approvals, and Clerk and Recorder’s signature blocks as described in the appendix.

  • Site Development Plan and Site Development Plan Amendments require the signatures of all current Owners.

    • See templates(PDF, 298KB)

Review site development plan survey requirements.

• Improvement Survey Plats(PDF, 145KB) (ISPs) produced by a surveyor for existing and proposed conditions. Be sure to label zone lots (not parcels).

• Zone Lot Amendment Owner Consent Form(PDF, 87KB) for each zone lot.

• If an existing structure will remain, submit the calculated building coverage of each zone lot using the assigned building form’s maximum building coverage standard located in the Denver Zoning Code.

• If requested by staff, submit an Microsoft Word document including legal descriptions for all existing and proposed zone lots. Legal descriptions can usually be provided by your surveyor.

The site plan should illustrate the location of any proposed buildings and site improvements in relation to the property boundaries. The site plan will be reviewed to determine compliance with setbacks, proposed setback encroachments and building overhang, block sensitive setback, build-to requirements, vehicular/bike parking layout and design, pedestrian access and right-of-way improvements (consistent with the Transportation Engineering Plan). The following is the minimum information needed to review these requirements:

• Title Block: (see general requirements)

• Zone Lot Boundary: Show the Zone Lot Boundary as a solid line with the heaviest line weight on the plans. Provide all zone lot boundary dimensions. Label primary, side, rear, and side street zone lot lines. If ROW is required to be dedicated, the zone lot boundary should be illustrated post dedication.

• Dedication: The portion of the parcel to be dedicated should be shown, dimensioned and labeled with room for the reception number of the dedication. (e.g. 2’ right-of-way dedication to the City and County of Denver), Reception Number: ____________

• Surrounding Zone Districts: Identify the zone districts for all adjacent properties.

• Adjacent ROW and Streets: Show all existing and proposed public and private streets and alleys adjacent to the site. Provide “flow-line to flow-line” dimensions and label street names. Dimension ROW. Identify the primary and side streets.

• Private Roads Serving as Fire Lanes: Show all private roads serving as fire lanes and label as “fire lane.” Provide “flow line to flow line” dimensions. Locate all “fire lane” signage as required by Denver Fire Code Section 503.3. Private roadways serving as fire lanes need to be constructed in accordance with an approved DOTI roadway section per Denver Fire Code Section 503.2.1.

• Building Envelope: Show, label and dimension the building envelope as defined by the required setbacks. Label all setbacks by type: primary, side street, side interior, rear.

• Primary Street Setback Offset Distance: If the project is located in a zone district that requires a primary street setback offset distance. The reference lots and setbacks of the primary structures should be shown on the survey.

• Front/Rear Zone Lot Delineation: For zone districts that have a front and rear zone lot delineation (e.g. front 65% / rear 35%), show and label the location of the split.

• Building Footprints: Show building footprints of all existing structures to remain and all proposed buildings and structures. Dimension the width of any portion of the building within a build-to range.

• Build-to Range: If the underlying zone district has a build-to requirement, show, label and dimension the build-to range. Label the dimension of buildings within the build-to range and any proposed alternatives.

• Projecting Building Elements: Show, dimension and label all projecting elements, such as cantilevered floor areas, balconies, bay windows, etc., with a dashed line. Dimension from building element to setback line.

• Setback Encroachments: Label, dimension, reference the code reference that allows the encroachment, and max encroachment limits for all site and building elements projecting into setbacks.

• Show Points of Ingress and Egress: With arrow and label.

• Label Primary Pedestrian Access: As required by DZC within the building form table.

• Provide the Ground Story Floor Plan: For residential projects, label accessible unit types. For non-residential and mixed-use projects, call out the use and GFA for each use on the ground floor. GFA for lobbies and facilities serving upper story uses should be credited towards that use.

• Site Improvements: Show, label and dimension the location of all proposed site improvements, such as sidewalks, drive aisles, parking and loading areas, bike racks, trash enclosures, gas and meter locations, mailboxes, ground mounted a/c locations, accessory structures, etc. Show location of any fences, garden walls, and retaining walls. Provide a typical design detail including height and materials. Label paving materials and dimension sidewalk widths.

• RTD Bus Stop Locations: Show RTD bus stop, with any amenities including bench/shelter, bus pad and bench pad.

• Curb Cuts: Locate and dimension vehicular access to the site.

• Sight Distance Triangles: Show all three sight distance triangles at curb cuts: pedestrian, 30’ corner, and roadway based upon ASHTO. Review DOTI’s Transportation Engineering Plan (TEP) review submittal requirements for specific requirements.

• Parking: Show general parking arrangement. Provide dimension for all parking stalls, vehicular driveways, and loading areas. For enclosed one and two-car garages, dimension the garage. Locate and provide dimensions for accessible spaces. Label any compact spaces. For spaces or garages that directly access the alleyway, show and label the distance from the opposite side of the alleyway to the face of garage or beginning of parking stall.

• Accessible Route: Show the ADA accessible route in a dotted line.

• Site Lighting: Show the location of any freestanding lighting fixtures.

• Detention and Water Quality Ponds: Show the location of any proposed storm water ponds.

• FEMA Floodplain: Show the location of the 100-year flood plain in or adjacent to the site plus major drainage ways affecting the site.

• Fire Hydrants: Show the location of any existing and proposed hydrants.

• Build-to Analysis: If the underlying zone district has build-to standards, provide the analysis in the following format:

Build-To Analysis

Primary Street:
Primary Street Zone Lot Line Dimension (ft.):
Required Build-To (ft./%):
Building dimension provided within Build-to Range (ft./%):
Build-to Alternatives Provided (list alternatives) (ft./%):
Max Build-to Alternative Allowed (ft./%):
Total Build-to (buildings + alternatives) (ft./%):

Side Street:
Side Street Zone Lot Line Dimension (ft.):
Required Build-To (ft./%):
Building dimension provided within Build-to Range (ft./%):
Build-to Alternatives Provided (list alternatives) (ft./%):
Max Build-to Alternative Allowed (ft./%):
Total Build-to (buildings + alternatives) (ft./%):

• Street Level Active Uses: Dimension and label the active use area at the street level, if applicable, and provide active use data within the build-to analysis. Street level active uses need to be shown from the building façade in for a depth of 15 feet.

The utility plans are reviewed to determine how the project will be served by water, sanitary sewer and other utilities, required fire hydrant access and distances to the nearest fire hydrant. The grading plans are reviewed to analyze overall drainage of and handling of storm water on site in addition to ensure that proposed drainage doesn’t adversely impact adjacent properties.

• Title Block: (see general requirements)

• Building Footprint and Site Improvements: Show building footprint and site improvements.

• Existing and Proposed Streets: Show all adjacent rights of ways. 

• Utilities: Show existing and proposed utilities and service lines including water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, gas, electricity, etc. Provide pipe sizes. Utilize different symbology/line types for each utility type and provide a legend.

• Gas/Electric Meter: Show locations.

• Fire Hydrants: Show existing and proposed fire hydrants. If located off-site, provide the distance to the nearest hydrant.

• Easements: Reference the book and page numbers of reception numbers of recorded or proposed utility, cross-access and emergency access easements. Any required easements must be approved and recorded prior to SDP approval. 

• Denver Water Standard Notes: Provide the following notes:

  • Each fire hydrant must supply 1500 GPM minimum at 20 psi residual pressure.

  • Water plans for this project must be submitted to Denver Water for review approval separate of the DRC process.

  • An approved Denver Water backflow preventer is required for firelines, commercial, multi-family dwellings and irritation.

  • Meter locations must be approved by Denver Water.

  • Developer is responsible for all necessary system modifications needed to meet the required fire flows.

  • All existing taps on the site that are not used must be cut-off at the main and inspected by Denver Water. This will be done at the developer’s cost.

  • System Development valve for replacement taps will be given according to current Operating Rules.

  • If a water easement is required on a site, this easement will be granted to Denver Water by separate document.

  • Landscaping depicted in future water easements must comply with restrictions contained within the standard water easement agreement.

  • Each independent structure must have its own separate tap, service line & meter.

  • Soil amendment is required on all new water services. Certificate of Occupancy will not be issued without a soil inspection by Denver Water.

  • Pre-submittal review is required prior to the formal water plan submittal to Denver Water.

• Grading Plan Information: Grading must be shown on the entire property, within a foot of surrounding property to demonstrate tie in of existing grades, and on adjacent rights-of-ways including sidewalk and tree lawns. The following grading information is required.

  • Existing grading contours in a light dashed line shown in intervals no greater than 2-feet.

  • Proposed grading contours in a solid line shown in intervals no greater than 2-feet.

  • Contours may be needed in intervals less than 2-feet depending on site conditions.

  • Spot grades for existing and proposed grading may supplement contours as necessary.

  • Provide labels for the existing and proposed contours.

• Finished Floor Elevations: Provide finished floor elevations for the ground floor of existing and proposed buildings. Provide spot elevations at all building entries and garage openings.

• Drainage Channels and Floodplains: Show proposed drainage channels and facilities, and the location of any FEMA 100-year flood plain on or adjacent to the site.

• Base Plane Data (for projects reviewed under the new code): Refer to Denver Zoning Code for rules of measurement. Clearly identify the spot grades used on the grading plan for purposes of establishing the base plane and provide these spot grade elevations in chart form on the plan.

• Fire Flow Data Block: Provide a data block for each building in the following format:

Fire Flow Data

TOTAL FIRE FLOW REQUIRED FOR THIS SITE IS _______ GPM MINIMUM AT 20 PSI RESIDUAL PRESSURE.
THIS FLOW MUST BE PROVIDED FROM A MINIMUM OF ______ FIRE HYDRANTS.
INDIVIDUALLY, EACH FIRE HYDRANT MUST SUPPLY 1500 GPM MINIMUM @ 20 PSI RESIDUAL PRESSURE
CODE USED FOR ANAYSIS: 2018 IFC and 2019 Amendments
OCCUPANCY GROUP(S):
CONSTRUCTION TYPE(S):
FIRE FLOW CALCUATION AREA:
THIS BUILDING ­­­­__ (IS/IS NOT) __ FULLY SPRINKLERED
FDC LOCATION & ORIENTATION IS REQUIRED TO BE PLACED IN THE FIELD BY DFD FIRE INSPECTORS PER SECTION IFCA 912.2

• Hose Coverage Analysis: Show proposed hose coverage on plans. The hose is measured as it would lay on the ground, not as a straight line. The hose lay starts at the curb edge where the fire apparatus is parked and measured to the most remote area where 150 feet of hose can reach.

• Hydrant Coverage Analysis: Show existing and proposed fire hydrants. If located off-site, provide the distance to the nearest hydrant.

• Fire Lane Details: Show cross-sections (widths), materials, signs, turning radii, etc.

• Private Roads serving as Fire Lanes: Show all private roads serving as fire lanes and label as “fire lane.” Provide “flow line to flow line” dimensions. Locate all “fire lane” signage as required by Denver Fire Code Section 503.3. Private roadways serving as fire lanes shall be constructed in accordance with an approved DOTI roadway section per Denver Fire Code Section 503.2.1.

• Title Block: (see general requirements)

• Zone Lot Boundary: Show and label zone lot boundary lines as heavy solid black line. Provide dimensions.

• Building Footprint and Site Improvements: Show basic building footprint and site improvements including pedestrian sidewalks.

• Parking Lot Landscaping: Illustrate parking lot layout. Locate and dimension parking landscape islands, right-of-way medians, and other landscape islands.

• Site Distance Triangles: Show all three sight distance triangles at curb cuts: pedestrian, 30’ corner, and roadway based upon ASHTO. Review DOTI’s Transportation Engineering Plan (TEP) review submittal requirements for specific requirements.

• Freestanding Light Fixtures: Show all.

• Utilities and Infrastructure: Show existing and proposed utilities including but not limited to the following: hydrants, streetlights, utility lines, water lines/mains, storm lines, drain inlets, utility boxes, utility poles, underground/overhead lines, stop signs, drain chases, and stop signs. Indicate size and type for each wet/dry utility line.

• Tree Protection Zone (TPZ): Provide TPZ boundaries for each tree to be protected.

  • Refer to the Office of the City Forester (OFC) Tree Protection detail to determine TPZ boundary.

  • Provide current OCF tree protection detail and notes, available on OCF website.

  • Show TPZ fencing as a dashed line and hatched tree protection zone.

• Landscape Elements and Details: Show as needed including fences, walls, and berms, and all site amenities/structures such as seating, shelters, bicycle racks, trash receptacles/enclosures, and gazebos.

• Planted Areas: Illustrate identifying name, size and quantity of material to be used

• Planting: Provide details, including typical methods of planting, minimum required mulch materials and depths, underlayments, etc. (refer to the Office of the City Forester page for information).

• Existing Trees: Illustrated at current canopy width.

• Proposed Trees, Shrubs, and Groundcover: Show and label. They should be illustrated at mature canopy and plant sizes (35’ spread for a shade tree and 25’ for an ornamental is sufficient).

• Planting Schedule: Provide a table and legend for proposed planting that includes the symbol/abbreviation, quantity provided, botanical name, common name, planting size (caliper, gallon, or height) and notes.

• If Interior Parking Lot Landscaping is Required: provide an analysis in the following format to illustrate how the 5% landscaping requirements is achieved.

Interior Parking Lot Landscape Analysis

Area of Parking Lot Stalls (exclude drive-aisles and proposed landscaping):
Minimum landscape area required (5% of parking lot stall area):
Landscaped Area Provided (SF):

• If Perimeter Surface Parking Lot Landscaping is Required (either for abutting right-of-way or adjacent residential use or zone district): Provide an analysis in the following format to illustrate landscape requirements:

Perimeter Surface Parking Lot Landscaping Analysis

Linear Frontage of Abutting Street Right-of-Way (ft.):
Minimum Number of Trees Required (1 per 25 LF):
Number of Trees Provided:
Perimeter Landscape Street Width Provided (ft.):
Garden Wall Required/Provided (Yes/No):
Fence/Wall/Berm Provided (Type):

If structured parking is proposed, a parking plan must be provided to evaluate parking structure design and layout. Floor and roof plans are needed to determine GFA of uses, unit count, hotel room count, mezzanine design and compliance with proposed height exception limitations.

• Title Block: (see general requirements)

• Zone Lot Boundary: Show and label zone lot boundary lines as heavy solid black line. Provide dimensions.

• Parking Layout: Provide parking structure layout and dimensions for parking stalls and driveways. Label compact, accessible, tandem, and EV spaces and equipment.

• Parking Count: Number the parking stalls sequentially to confirm total number of stalls.

• Loading Spaces: Show the location and dimension of any loading spaces. Provide maneuvering diagram(s) to confirm adequate space to maneuverer.

• Bicycle Rooms/Racks: Show the location of enclosed bicycle racks within the garage or bike storage rooms. If bike storage rooms are provided, label the floor area to determine bike count (15 SF per space required unless more efficient layout demonstrated with plan details).

• Floor Plans: Show the general arrangement of hallways and units or occupied spaces, elevators and stairwells and floor egress.

• Summary of Units: Provide a summary of the number of units and then how the units are broken down by number of bedrooms.

• GFA: Provide Gross Floor Area data on the floor plans. For purposes of calculating Floor Area Ratio (FAR), “gross floor area” means the sum of the gross horizontal areas of the several floors of a building, including interior balconies and mezzanines, but excluding exterior balconies. All horizontal dimensions of each floor are to be measured by the exterior faces of walls of each such floor. The floor area of a building shall include the floor area of accessory buildings on the same zone lot, measured the same way. Please review Article 13 for applicable GFA exclusions. Please provide the following information on each floor plan sheet broken down by primary zoning use classification and accessory parking classification. The summary of all GFA broken down by zoning use or accessory use classifications should be reflected on the cover sheet statistics table.

  • For garage levels, all spaces devoted to bike or car parking shall be classified as accessory parking use. This includes stair cores and elevator lobbies used exclusively to access parking levels. For all other enclosed space within a parking level (such as storage, mechanical rooms), the GFA should be assigned to the dominant primary use (ex. multi-unit dwelling, office, etc.).

  • For mixed use levels, such as the ground floor. All common building areas should such as lobbies, mechanical rooms, etc., should be assigned to the dominant primary use, all other features if used exclusively for a secondary use (such as specific trash rooms or hallways serving only the non-residential uses), the GFA should be classified as the secondary uses.

  • Rooftop enclosed spaces should be classified with the dominant primary use.

• Mezzanine Analysis: For any floor plans that contemplate a mezzanine, provide a mezzanine analysis that provides illustrates and provides the GFA of the room to which the mezzanine opens to and the layout and GFA of the mezzanine.

• Roof Plans: Show roof layout including rooftop stairwell access, elevator penthouses, mechanical equipment, mechanical equipment screening, etc. If proposed improvements are over maximum building height, provide an GFA analysis of height exceptions to determine max roof coverage is not being exceeded, and ensure that all other height exception requirements have been satisfied within the zone district.

Architectural building elevations are reviewed to determine conformance with zoning requirements, such as required ground floor activation, transparency, and build-to, overall building height, rooftop mechanical screening, and exceptions to building height and setbacks. Building elevations also are reviewed against applicable urban design standards and guidelines and are required to illustrate building design. Building elevations are required for all sides of all buildings, even if not public facing.

• Title Block: (see general requirements)

• Zone Lot Lines: Show and label zone lot boundary lines. Label and dimension building setbacks, upper-story setbacks.

• Base Plane and Building Height: Show and label the base plane. Provide both datum and relative height labels. Show and dimension building height as measured from the base plane to the top of the roof and to the highest part of the structure. Identify maximum building height in feet and stories and any height exceptions. Provide applicable code references and dimension all height exceptions.

• Bulk Plane: In zone districts with bulk planes, show bulk plane(s) originating from existing grade and any proposed encroachments. Provide a code citation and dimension allowed encroachments. 

• View Plane: If the project is subject to a view plane, show and label the maximum building height in datum height.

• Building Elevations: Label with cardinal directions, primary or side street designation. (i.e. North Elevation – Primary Street, Brighton Blvd).

• Show actual roofline and the top of the parapet (for flat rooms) and sidewall heights (for pitched roofs). Provide the parapet height.

• Exterior Building Mounted Lighting: Show.

• Mechanical equipment: Show location and label height of rooftop mechanical equipment and required screening. Provide a visibility analysis where screening is proposed.

• Transparency: Show the required zone of transparency on applicable primary and side street façades. Dimension the provided transparency for windows within the zone of transparency.

• Transparency Analysis: Provide a transparency analysis in the following format:

Transparency Analysis

Primary Street Name:
Primary Street (Street Level Façade Width):
Required Transparency (%/Ft):
Transparency Provided (%/Ft):
Clear Glazing:
Alternatives:

Side Street Name:
Side Street (Street Level Façade Width)::
Required Transparency (%/Ft):
Transparency Provided (%/Ft):
Clear Glazing:
Alternatives:

• Building Width: Label and dimensions any street facing façade widths.

• Projecting Elements: Show all projecting elements such as cantilevered floor area, balconies, bay windows, etc. Where projections encroach into setbacks, label the specific encroachment dimension the encroachment, and provide the code citation that allows the encroachment.

• Building Materials: Identify all building materials.

• Building Mounted Lighting: Show all proposed building mounted lighting on all elevations to correspond with photometric plan.

• Accessory Structures: Provide elevations and typical details of any proposed accessory structures, trash enclosures, walls, and fencing. Dimension and provide material information. These structures shall meet the detached accessory structure standards within the Denver Zoning Code.

The photometric plan is utilized to evaluate exterior site lighting and lighting fixtures for conformance with lighting standards contained within the Denver Zoning Code.  

• Title Block: (see general requirements)

• Zone Lot Boundary: Show the zone lot boundary in a heavy solid line.

• Adjacent ROW and Streets: Show all existing and proposed public and private streets, sidewalks, and alleys adjacent to the site.

• Building Footprints and Ground Story Floor Plan: Show building footprints of all existing structures to remain and all proposed buildings and structures.

• Location of Lighting: Show and label the location of all free-standing lighting fixtures and building mounted lighting fixtures. For building mounted lighting fixtures, label mounting height. All fixtures should be labeled with a unique identifier tying it to the lighting schedule.

• Illumination Levels: Label illumination levels in foot-candles in a grid at a sufficient spacing and width so it is legible.

• Photometric Summary: Provide a summary table including min, max and average foot candles and ratio.

• Lighting Schedule: Provide a lighting schedule that includes the fixture type, light source type (metal halide, LED, etc.), wattage, lumen output, distribution type, model name and number, etc.

• Manufacturer Fixture Cut Sheets and Pole Information: Provide cut-sheets for all exterior lighting fixtures. If the cut sheet contains option information, make sure the selected options are identified. Provide design details, and dimension free-standing pole heights.

Add digital signatures that includes the owner’s notarized electronic signature and surveyor’s electronic stamp and signature to a PDF. 

Drawing sets could be rejected if the file size is too large or illegible.

Please use the following file naming convention:
Project Name_Project Record Number_For Recordation

View electronic notary FAQs.

How to submit your signed and notarized plans for recordation:

• Sign in to e-permits
• Click "My Records" under the Home Tab
• Click on the appropriate record*
• Go to Record Info > Attachments
• Click "ADD" to upload files*
• Remember to click "SAVE" prior to exiting the page

*If you do not see the record listed under My Records and there is no ADD button on the record attachments page, then it means that your e-permits account is not linked to the record. You can request to have a record linked to your account by contacting Development.Services@denvergov.org. In your request, please include the email address registered to the e-permits account and record(s) that need to be added to your account.

When Utilizing Adobe:

To prevent getting locked out of an Adobe e-signature document when needing multiple signatures, use the "Mega Sign" feature in Adobe Acrobat Sign, which allows you to send a single document to multiple signers sequentially without locking the document after the first signature is added; simply designate the signing order within the document.

When Utilizing Bluebeam:

To prevent getting locked out of a PDF in Bluebeam when needing multiple signatures, add separate digital signature fields to the document for each signer, allowing each person to sign without affecting the ability for others to sign afterwards; essentially, you need to create multiple signature areas within the document instead of just one, which would lock the document after the first signature is applied.

Projects may have additional fees due at this point related to site engineering, which must be paid before this review group will sign-off on the SDP.

How to pay fees online:

• Sign in to e-permits
• In the record number, search for 20XX-XXX-000XXX
• Under the payments tab, select “Fees”
• Click on “Pay Fees” and follow the instructions