The Unlocking Housing Choices project team is starting to collect community feedback on potential ideas to expand and diversify housing in Denver’s neighborhoods. Members of the public can participate by taking our online survey and/or by attending one of our public meetings in March and April. Read on for details on both engagement options and choose the option that works for you.
Unlocking Housing Choices information
RSVP Here
Community Planning and Development has launched an inclusive community process with the goal of allowing more middle housing forms in Denver’s residential neighborhoods through potential updates to the Denver Zoning Code and other city rules and regulations. The project is focusing on this goal while working to preserve existing affordability and ensure that new development adds more attainable housing stock.
Middle housing refers to small multi-unit structures like duplexes, tandem houses, fourplexes and other house-scaled, middle housing building forms. The changes to the zoning regulations will focus on low- and medium-residential zone districts ranging from single-unit (SU) to rowhouse (RH), and the comparable Former Chapter 59 zone districts.Interactive Zoning Map (https://www.denvergov.org/maps/map/zoning)
Project Goals
•Allow more housing choices in Denver’s residential neighborhoods
•Update design requirements for middle housing building forms so that new construction is compatible with existing neighborhoods and recommendations in adopted plans
•Encourage the preservation of existing homes
•Create incentives or requirements for affordable housing in newly constructed middle housing.
What does this project propose to do?
CPD expects this project to occur over two phases. Phase 1 will include proposed Zoning Code updates that implement adopted plan guidance via three strategies:
1House scale and form updates: amend regulations to limit the mass and scale of new houses and house-scale multi-unit forms like duplexes.
2Infill Bonus: Allow more housing units on a lot in a single- or two-unit zone district when the primary structure (such as an existing house) is retained.
3Affordability Bonus: Allow more housing units on a lot in a single- or two-unit zone district when affordable unit(s) are provided.
Phase 1 proposals will be considered by City Council for adoption in late 2026. Phase 2 of the project, expected to start in 2027, will explore further changes to the Zoning Code to expand allowances for more market-rate middle housing, further updates to building form requirements, and updates to development review procedures for small-scale residential projects.
Take a look at meeting dates and locations, shown below, and attend the one that is most convenient for you. Please help us plan for these events by registering ahead of time and share meeting information with friends and neighbors who may be interested.
Tuesday, March 24, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Highland Recreation Center
2880 Osceola Street, Denver
Wednesday, March 25, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Cook Park Recreation Center
7100 Cherry Creek S Drive, Denver
Tuesday, April 7, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Athmar Recreation Center
2680 W Mexico Avenue, Denver
Thursday, April 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Montbello Recreation Center
15555 E 53rd Avenue, Denver
Wednesday, April 15, 5:30 -7:00 p.m.
