Declaration of public policy.
Denver Revised Municipal Code § 27-218
in effectSec. 27-218. - Declaration of public policy.
The city council hereby declares it to be the public policy of the city to:
(a) Exercise the authority granted to the city pursuant to HB 21-1117 to regulate development in order to promote the construction of new affordable housing units;
(b) In compliance with HB 21-1117, the city has demonstrated the following actions to increase the overall number and density of housing units within the city:
(1) Changing its zoning regulations to increase the number of housing units allowed on a particular site;
(2) Promoting mixed-use zoning that permits housing units be incorporated in a wider range of developments;
(3) In certain zones, permitting more than one dwelling unit per lot in traditional single-family lots;
(4) Increasing the permitted household size in single-family homes;
(5) Promoting denser housing development near transit stations and places of employment;
(6) Reserved;
(7) Granting density bonuses to development projects that incorporate affordable housing units;
(8) Materially reducing or eliminating certain utility charges, regulatory fees, or taxes imposed by the city applicable to affordable housing units; and
(9) Granting affordable housing development material regulatory relief from any type of zoning or land development regulations that would ordinarily restrict the density of new development.
(c) Encourage the construction of new affordable housing units alongside market rate housing units within mixed income residential developments by offering incentives to increase the overall supply and availability of housing;
(d) Provide property owners or land developers with alternatives to the construction of new affordable housing units as required by HB 21-1117;
(e) Implement the comprehensive plan goal to create a Denver that's equitable, affordable, and inclusive;
(f) Increase the availability of additional low- and moderate-income housing to address existing and anticipated future housing needs of the workforce in Denver and the unmet needs of residents in Denver; and
(g) Ensure diverse housing options continue to be available for households earning at or below the area median income.
(Ord. No. 426-22, § 2, 6-6-22; Ord. No. 686-25, § 1(a), 8-4-25)
Source: City and County of Denver, Revised Municipal Code and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/co/denver/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIIREMUCO_CH27HO_ARTXMAAFHO_DIV1GE_S27-218DEPUPOFetched: 10/27/2026