Zoning Report
Denver, CO Zoning
Denver uses a citywide zoning system centered on the Denver Zoning Code, adopted in 2010, with some properties still regulated under Former Chapter 59 if they were not brought into the 2010 comprehensive update. The code organizes zoning by neighborhood context, building type, and either minimum lot size or maximum height, so zone names carry a lot of regulatory meaning. Denver also has active permitting, Planning Board, and Board of Adjustment processes that affect how projects move from zoning analysis to approvals.
Last researched May 2026
Zoning Districts in Denver, CO
S- Neighborhood Context
Suburban neighborhood districts intended for lower-intensity development patterns.
Allowed uses: single-unit residential, two-unit residential in some districts, other residential forms depending on district subtype
E- Neighborhood Context
Urban Edge districts that transition from suburban patterns to more urban development forms.
Allowed uses: single-unit residential, two-unit residential in some locations, multi-unit or mixed residential forms depending on subtype
U- Neighborhood Context
Urban neighborhood districts with a more urban development pattern than Suburban and Urban Edge areas.
Allowed uses: single-unit residential, two-unit residential, row house, multi-unit residential, residential mixed use depending on subtype
G- Neighborhood Context
General Urban districts intended for more urbanized residential and mixed-use areas.
Allowed uses: single-unit residential, two-unit residential, row house, multi-unit residential, mixed-use and commercial corridor forms depending on subtype
C- Neighborhood Context
Urban Center districts intended for more intense mixed-use and urban center development.
Allowed uses: commercial corridor, main street, mixed use, residential mixed use, multi-unit residential
D- Neighborhood Context
Downtown districts for the highest-intensity urban development in Denver's core.
Allowed uses: downtown mixed-use development, commercial uses, residential uses where district allows, high-intensity urban uses
I- Districts
Industrial districts covered in the Special Contexts and Districts article.
Allowed uses: industrial uses, employment uses, other uses depending on specific industrial district
CMP- Campus Districts
Campus districts for large institutional or campus-style development areas.
Allowed uses: campus-related uses
OS- Open Space Districts
Open Space districts intended to preserve land for open space functions and related uses.
Allowed uses: open space uses
M- Master Planned Districts
Master Planned districts for areas with customized planning frameworks.
Allowed uses: uses defined by the master planned district framework
Recent Zoning Changes
The Denver Zoning Code page states the complete code is amended through May 7, 2026. The municipal code site says Denver's Code of Ordinances is codified through Ordinance No. 0128-26, adopted March 2, 2026, and online content was updated March 11, 2026. The gathered material confirms recent updates exist, but it does not include the substantive text of individual zoning amendments.
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