Remodeling in a Denver Historic District

Denver has many designated historic districts and individual landmarks, especially in older neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, the Highlands, Park Hill and Washington Park. If your home is one of them, exterior projects come with an extra step: design review by Landmark Preservation. It's manageable if you plan for it.

Does it apply to you?

The city's Landmark Preservation staff, the Landmark Preservation Commission and the Lower Downtown Design Review Commission review the design of all exterior projects that require building or zoning permits at individual landmarks and properties in historic districts. They also review curb cuts and encroachment permits for those properties.

Use the city's interactive landmarks map, or its list of historic districts, to check your address. Being in an older neighborhood doesn't mean you're in a district, and some districts cover only a few blocks.

Projects that go through review

The city lists these project types as subject to design review:

• Additions and new construction (including ADUs and garages)
• Roofing
• Window and door replacement
• Basement egress windows
• Solar panels and solar tiles
• Electrical and mechanical work that affects the exterior
• Fences, retaining walls and site work
• Signage and zone lot amendments

Interior work with no exterior changes generally doesn't need design review.

Two paths: quick review and full review

Landmark Quick Review handles minor permitted work with little or no visible change. For example, the city says re-roofing with the same material, size, shape, color and exposure may be approved by staff through quick review. Landmark Preservation must review all roof permits and other exterior quick permits for landmarks and historic districts. You'll submit a quick review application and checklist, a photo of the building from the street, photos of the work area and product information. Staff issue a certificate of appropriateness before the trade permit can be paid.

Full design review is for bigger changes, like additions, new window openings or changes visible from the street. Some projects go to the Landmark Preservation Commission at a public hearing. These take longer and may require drawings.

What the 2026 guidelines say

Denver's Design Guidelines for Landmark Structures and Districts took effect March 3, 2026. A few themes run through them:

Repair first. The guidelines favor maintaining and repairing original features, like wood windows, porches and trim, over replacing them.

Windows. Original operable windows are considered energy-saving features. The guidelines encourage storm windows to improve performance, matching the proportions, profile and muntin pattern of the originals, and avoiding anodized or mill-finish aluminum on the exterior. The guidelines note that storm windows don't require a permit. Vinyl replacement windows are not appropriate. See our Capitol Hill windows guide and windows guide.

Energy upgrades. The guidelines support weatherization that avoids damaging historic materials, and suggest considering a professional energy audit to find improvements that won't compromise historic character.

Solar. Panels should be placed to minimize visibility, generally avoiding the front-facing roof plane of the main house. The commission will review front-facing proposals when that plane faces south and is the main solar access. On front-gable roofs, panels must be set back at least three feet from the front eave.

Masonry. Maintain original protective layers on masonry, and don't paint unpainted brick.

Planning the timeline

1. Check status early. Before you get bids, confirm whether your property is designated.
2. Talk to staff. Landmark staff can tell you whether a project is likely to qualify for quick review.
3. Choose compatible products. Bring product cut sheets for roofing, windows and equipment.
4. Get the certificate first. For homeowner permits, the city requires a certificate of appropriateness before you submit a permit application for exterior work.
5. Build in time. Quick review is fast; commission review adds weeks.

Denver's e-permits page notes that exterior work in historic areas can't be permitted online. Hire contractors who've worked in Denver districts before; they'll know the process. For roofing, see our roofing guide. Neighborhood notes are on the Highlands and Park Hill pages.