Design Review for New Construction (Infill)

Landmark Preservation reviews applications for new construction (infill) on all individual landmarks and properties within a historic district to ensure consistency with the appropriate design standards and guidelines.

Before you begin . . .

Does your project involve a structure with commercial uses, 3 or more residential units, or a mix of commercial and residential uses?

If so, design review will be completed as part of the Site Development Plan Review process. Visit the Site Development Plan Review page for information on how to begin the process.

Does your project involve demolition?

If so, visit the Demolition and Certificate of Demolition Eligibility page for information on total demolition applications. 

Does your project involve a zone lot amendment?

If so, visit the zone lot amendments page for more information. 

Is the project located along a designated parkway?

If so, you will also need Denver Parks and Recreation to review and approve your project. Visit the Parkways page to see the list of parkways, the required setbacks for each one, and the criteria for setback exceptions.

Find locations and information about Denver Parkways

Schedule your pre-application review meeting

All projects involving new construction of primary structures or tandem houses require a pre-application review meeting. 

To request a pre-application review meeting, email the pre-application review form(PDF, 139KB) and all required information to [email protected].

New construction projects in historic districts where a Registered Neighborhood Organization (RNO) has completed design review training must present their proposed project to the RNO before a complete application can be submitted for review by the LPC. During the pre-application review meeting, Landmark staff will let you know if there is a qualifying RNO in place and will refer you to the RNO.

For more information, download the Registered Neighborhood Organization Policy(PDF, 573KB).


Determine which design guidelines apply

Your location and type of project determines which design standards and guidelines you should follow. If you are unsure about whether your project is in a historic district, check the landmark and historic districts map.

In certain neighborhoods and historic districts, additional customized design guidelines may apply.

If you use assistive technology and need help accessing the content in these documents, please contact [email protected].


Phase 1 Application: Mass, Form, and Context Review

Design review applications must adequately describe the project and provide sufficient information to evaluate the proposal. Documentation must clearly illustrate the existing conditions as well as any proposed work.

All applications for new construction must include the following information:

Mass, Form, and Context Submittal

Include all aspects of the mass, form, and context submittal, updated to include design details. If the mass, form, and context application was approved with conditions, the design detail submittal must demonstrate how those conditions have been met, accompanied by explanatory text.

Updated Elevation Drawings

Provide additional information on the drawings about the materials, and include detailed dimensions, including:

  • Overall dimensions and scale (at least 1” = 20’)
  • Proposed overall height
  • Proposed floor-to-ceiling heights
  • Proposed window and door dimensions
  • Porches, awnings, shifts in massing (including protrusions or indentions), and other façade detail dimensions
  • Note all façade materials, including wall cladding, windows, doors, decorative trim, roofing material, porch construction, etc.
  • Maximum height and bulk plane, per zoning requirements, indicated in a dashed line, clearly showing any requests for variances or administrative adjustments
  • Street address
  • Façade direction 
  • Location of sections and enlarged elevations
  • Location of all new vents, louvers, electrical boxes, lighting, etc.

Enlarged Elevations, Sections, and Detail Drawings

Submit the following:

  • Section drawings through typical walls, features, and material transitions
  • Enlarged detail drawings of eaves, overhangs, porches, and other unique features
  • Enlarged elevations and sections for each distinct window type and location, showing the full window in the wall assembly, including head, jamb, sill, muntins and other details/profile information, and indicating the amount the window is recessed in the wall plane
  • Window and door schedule including window material, size, and operation
  • Elevation and detail drawings of balconies, railings, vents awnings, fencing, and other building or site features.
  • All drawings, sections, and details must be fully dimensioned and annotated

Please key sections to larger elevations sheets and site plans to clarify location.

Landscape Plans and Elevations

Submit scaled landscape plans and elevations that include the following:

  • Curbs
  • Sidewalks and walkways
  • Utility locations
  • Elevations
  • Materials
  • Information on lighting
  • Information on hardscape, accessory structures (pergolas, sheds, etc.), and any structural elements introduced into the landscape

Materials

Provide all of the following:

  • Photos of samples of all exterior materials with labels for each building component indicating material and finish
    • Sample boards should be shared with the LPC or LDDRC during your design detail presentation
  • Manufacturer cut sheets for each product
  • Reference materials and numbers from samples onto elevation sheets and site plans as needed to clarify which materials correlate to which building component
  • For glass, provide transparency ratings and visible light reflectance

Additional Information

Please coordinate with staff prior to submitting your application for design detail review to determine if additional information is needed due to the unique circumstances of your project.


Phase 2 Application: Design Detail Review

The purpose of this step is to ensure that a building's materials and details are compatible with and relate to its historic context.

All applications for new construction must include the following information:

Mass, Form, and Context Submittal

Include all aspects of the mass, form, and context submittal, updated to include design details. If the mass, form, and context application was approved with conditions, the design detail submittal must demonstrate how those conditions have been met, accompanied by explanatory text.

Updated Elevation Drawings

Provide additional information on the drawings about the materials, and include detailed dimensions, including:

  • Overall dimensions and scale (at least 1” = 20’)
  • Proposed overall height
  • Proposed floor-to-ceiling heights
  • Proposed window and door dimensions
  • Porches, awnings, shifts in massing (including protrusions or indentions), and other façade detail dimensions
  • Note all façade materials, including wall cladding, windows, doors, decorative trim, roofing material, porch construction, etc.
  • Maximum height and bulk plane, per zoning requirements, indicated in a dashed line, clearly showing any requests for variances or administrative adjustments
  • Street address
  • Façade direction 
  • Location of sections and enlarged elevations
  • Location of all new vents, louvers, electrical boxes, lighting, etc.

Enlarged Elevations, Sections, and Detail Drawings

Submit the following:

  • Section drawings through typical walls, features, and material transitions
  • Enlarged detail drawings of eaves, overhangs, porches, and other unique features
  • Enlarged elevations and sections for each distinct window type and location, showing the full window in the wall assembly, including head, jamb, sill, muntins and other details/profile information, and indicating the amount the window is recessed in the wall plane
  • Window and door schedule including window material, size, and operation
  • Elevation and detail drawings of balconies, railings, vents awnings, fencing, and other building or site features.
  • All drawings, sections, and details must be fully dimensioned and annotated

Please key sections to larger elevations sheets and site plans to clarify location.

Landscape Plans and Elevations

Submit scaled landscape plans and elevations that include the following:

  • Curbs
  • Sidewalks and walkways
  • Utility locations
  • Elevations
  • Materials
  • Information on lighting
  • Information on hardscape, accessory structures (pergolas, sheds, etc.), and any structural elements introduced into the landscape

Materials

Provide all of the following:

  • Photos of samples of all exterior materials with labels for each building component indicating material and finish
    • Sample boards should be shared with the LPC or LDDRC during your design detail presentation
  • Manufacturer cut sheets for each product
  • Reference materials and numbers from samples onto elevation sheets and site plans as needed to clarify which materials correlate to which building component
  • For glass, provide transparency ratings and visible light reflectance

Additional Information

Please coordinate with staff prior to submitting your application for design detail review to determine if additional information is needed due to the unique circumstances of your project.


Ready to apply?

View design review application instructions