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Denver Development Services
Schedule a pre-application meeting

Discuss development impacts, survey requirements, and other implications before formally applying for a zone lot amendment. This is available to all applicants but is highly recommended for commercial/multifamily projects or when there is an existing structure of any type that will remain after the zone lot amendment.

What is a Zone Lot?

A zone lot is the land designated as the building site for a structure and/or the site for a land use or activity. The city uses the zone lot as the basic land unit for zoning review and permitting.

  • Zone lot boundaries may be changed if each new zone lot conforms to the regulations of the zone district in which the property is located, including land use, minimum zone lot size and width, and the maximum number and location of structures. The most common changes are zone lot “splits” or “combinations.”
  • A zone lot is distinct from an ownership or tax parcel, and a single zone lot may consist of one or more ownership parcels and one ownership parcel may have one or more zone lots.

Download brochure: Will My Proposed Assessor’s Parcel(s) Comply with Denver Zoning Rules? (PDF)

 

For more detailed information about zone lots, see the Denver Zoning Code, section 1.2, "Zone Lots," and section 12.4.4, "Zone Lot Amendments."

 

How to Apply for a Zone Lot Amendment

NOTE: All local landmarks and historic district properties must first undergo design review by landmark preservation staff. Use the DevelopDENVER map to check your landmark status, and visit the Landmark webpage for information on the design review process. 

Applicants must submit:

  1. A completed Zone Lot Amendment Application (PDF). 
    • Property owners' signatures are required for all zone lots being amended. 

  2. An improvement survey from a licensed surveyor that contains the items listed on page 4 of the application (PDF) as "minimum requirements for improvement survey plats." Label lots specifically as zone lots, not parcels. 

    3. If applicable...

  3. Power of attorney, if acting as an agent for the property owner, or proof of ownership for corporate entities (e.g., articles of organization listing owners)

  4. Building elevations showing base and bulk planes if any part of a single-family or duplex dwelling or accessory structure will be within 5 feet from a new zone lot line, or if any part of a structure is, or will be, within 1 foot of the bulk plane.

  5. If an existing structure will remain after the zone lot amendment, submit the calculated building coverage of each zone lot using the building form's maximum building coverage standard from the zoning code.

  6. Most zone lot amendments will also need a parcel reconfiguration from the Assessor's Office.

Apply by email

Email all items to zoning.review@denvergov.org.

  • Include your address in the subject line and “zone lot amendment application” in the email subject or body.
 
Related Links

Zoning tip sheets:

Sample surveys/elevations: