Zoning Overlays & Bonuses in Denver, CO (2026)
2 verified zoning overlays & bonuses rules for Denver, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Density Bonus Law
Denver developers who provide income-restricted units above the base requirement earn extra building height and floor area ratio under Articles 8 and 10 of the Denver Zoning Code.
Denver Grants Density Bonus for Affordable Housing
Some RestrictionsDenver Revised Municipal Code § 27-224(c)(1)(b)
To increase the overall supply of housing and encourage applicants to provide on-site IRUs in excess of the base requirements specified in subsection (a), an applicant is eligible for the incentives set forth in a. and b. of this subsection if the applicant provides IRUs as follows: ... b. Height and floor area increase. A residential development shall be entitled to an increase in building hei...
Downtown Design Guide
Denver requires design review by a nine-member, mayor-appointed Downtown Design Advisory Board before development proceeds in six specific downtown zone districts, though the board only recommends: final permit decisions stay with city staff.
Denver Downtown Design Advisory Board Review
Some RestrictionsDenver Zoning Code § 12.2.8.3
Within the Downtown Golden Triangle (D-GT), Downtown Arapahoe Square 12+ (D-AS-12+), Downtown Arapahoe Square 20+ (D-AS-20+), Downtown Central Platte Valley – Auraria Transition (D-CPV-T), Downtown Central Platte Valley – Auraria River (D-CPV-R), and Downtown Central Platte Valley – Auraria Center (D-CPV-C) zone districts, the Downtown Design Advisory Board shall review and make recommendations...