Page 25 - Denver, CO Adaptive Reuse Program

The Development Services division also encompasses general
construction permits as well as trade-specific permits including
electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits. Some of these
permits may be available as a “Quick Permit” for adaptive reuse
applicants.

Development Services also administers some regulations related
to energy efficiency and sustainability. There are three types of
regulations:
1. International Energy Conservation Code (IECC): https://
codes.iccsafe.org/content/IECC2018P3
2. Denver Green Code (DGC): https://www.denvergov.org/
content/dam/denvergov/Portals/696/documents/Denver_
Building_Code/2019-code-update/2019_Denver_Green_
Code.pdf
3. Green Buildings Ordinance (GBO): https://www.denvergov.
org/content/denvergov/en/denver-development-services/
commercial-projects/green-roof-initiative.html

Adaptive reuse projects must comply with the IECC. Complying
with energy efficiency requirements in the most recently adopted
version of the IECC requires an applicant to demonstrate that
their project will use less energy under the new use than under the
old use.

If an adaptive reuse project results in the updated property using
more energy than the current building use, the building must then
comply with the current energy code.

The second energy efficiency/sustainability regulation is the
DGC, which was adopted in December 2019 as part of updated
building and fire codes. Currently the Denver Green Code is vol-
untary. Meeting the DGC may often be beyond the scope of the
adaptive reuse project and will not make sense for many projects.
If a project does choose to follow the DGC, costs are typically
covered by energy savings through building envelope and systems
upgrades.

The final energy efficiency/sustainability regulation is the GBO,
which was approved by City Council in October 2018, which
amended a citizen approved measure. Complying with the Green
Buildings ordinance is required for new buildings that are 25,000
square feet and up, as well as for additions that are 50,000 square
feet and up. Since many adaptive reuse projects are below this
threshold, most projects will not be required to comply with this
ordinance based on size.

Adaptive Reuse Strategy Paper 21