Rezoning is a public process, culminating in a decision by the Denver City Council, that changes the rules for land use and types of buildings permitted on a given property by changing its zone district. Because the process amends the city’s official zoning map, a rezoning is also referred to as a “map amendment.”
Rezoning can take from four to six months or more after an application is submitted, depending on the complexity of the case, and involves public hearings before the Planning Board and City Council.
Rezoning is not changing the use of a property. For a change of use, if the intended use is already allowed under the existing zone district, a zoning permit may suffice. If you have a question about a property’s current zoning, contact the zoning team at zoningreview@denvergov.org.
The Official Map Amendment (Rezoning) Guide (PDF) offers a detailed description of the process and requirements. For general information, including opportunities for public input, see information for Neighbors and RNOs (below) and the rezoning process page.
Our staff and the Denver Planning Board evaluate most rezoning requests against the following criteria:
Within 10 days of receiving a completed application, our staff posts the application online on the Proposed Rezonings page and notifies property owners within 200 feet of the proposed rezoning and surrounding registered neighborhood organizations (RNOs) about pending rezoning cases. This allows nearby residents the opportunity to learn about and comment on the rezoning request ahead of the Planning Board public hearing.For information on how and when to submit comments, visit the Planning Board page.
Visit the Proposed Rezonings Page to to view proposed amendments to the Denver zoning map.
Rezoning inquiries:
Phone: 720-865-2974
Email: rezoning@denvergov.org
Comment on a rezoning:
Contact the Planning Board
Mailing address:
Planning Services
Denver Community Planning and Development
201 West Colfax Ave., Dept 205
Denver, Colorado 80202
Zoning and land use questions:
zoningreview@denvergov.org
The rezoning application process begins with a pre-application review meeting with staff, followed by a formal submittal of a complete application and the subsequent public process. Visit the rezoning process page and download the Official Map Amendment (Rezoning) Guide (PDF) for a comprehensive explanation of the application process and requirements.
Forms:
Anyone may submit comments on a proposed rezoning to the case manager once a complete application has been submitted. The case manager for each rezoning, along with the completed application, is listed on the Proposed Rezonings page.
Upon receipt of a complete rezoning application, city staff notifies property owners within 200 feet of the proposed rezoning and registered neighborhood organizations (RNOs) whose boundaries include or are within 200 feet of the proposed rezoning. Property owners and RNOs also receive notice in advance of the Planning Board public hearing. RNOs receive additional notice in advance of the City Council public hearing, as well as City Council committee meetings.
An RNO is encouraged to:
Additional information: