For years, builders across Denver have echoed a familiar sentiment: permitting takes too long, costs too much, and lacks consistency. It’s a reality that Sustainable Design Build (SDB) knows all too well. Since 2016, SDB has been helping homeowners across the Front Range turn their visions into custom homes, additions, and ADUs—but often while waiting months (even close to a year) for permits to be approved.
The City of Denver is moving forward with a landmark plan to transform the former Park Hill Golf Course into a large public park through a land swap agreement with Westside Investment Partners. This decision follows years of legal and political battles over the site’s future, with strong public support favoring the preservation of open space. Under the proposed agreement, the city would trade a similarly valued parcel near Denver International Airport to gain control of the 155-acre property, paving the way for rezoning, park planning, and eventual development. While the initiative represents a major investment in green infrastructure and community recreation, city officials are also weighing concerns about potential gentrification and displacement in surrounding neighborhoods.
Interior Design is a fun and exciting part of any custom home construction project. Whole Home Remodels, Kitchen Additions, Pop Top Additions with new Master Baths, and Custom Home Building – all of them are going to need to consider interior design countertops. But like the many different types of cabinets or trim options for windows, there is no shortage of options available for surface slab materials. Each one boasts a unique look and feel, all with their own set of pros and cons for maintaining, using, and general aesthetics. Sustainable Design Build’s in-house interior design team works diligently with clients early on to find the perfect type of surface to match their needs.
Despite recent headlines about tariffs, trade wars, and economic uncertainty, there are still strong reasons for homeowners to move forward with their dream construction projects—whether it’s a custom home, an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), or a major home addition. At Sustainable Design Build (SDB), we understand how economic changes can feel daunting, but we also see the opportunities—and we’re here to help you navigate them with confidence.
The National Association of Home Builders published a study recently covering the Cost of Construction of new single-family homes. The Survey shows varying percentages of components that contribute to the overall cost, interestingly, the overall cost of these components have been reported as staying relatively consistent in recent years.
On April 14th, 2025, Mayor Mike Johnston signed an Executive Order as part of a new initiative to overhaul Denver’s permitting process. This initiative will bring about 300 employees responsible for the permitting review across seven city departments together under a new office, the Denver Permitting Office (DPO). Even more, the initiative promises that all building permits — regardless of size and scope, commercial or residential — will be fully reviewed within 180 days. If the permitting process is not completed within that timeframe, specialized city officials will step in to expedite the plan reviews within a short, designated period, and applicants may even receive partial refunds of permitting fees.
DENVER – Sustainable Design Build has been building along the Front range since 2016. But co-owner and general contractor Zach McKendry says he still doesn’t know what to expect while trying to get construction permits approved by the City of Denver, something he calls a “huge pain.”
With this bold new direction—Executive Order 151—Denver is promising more than words. The city is actively restructuring how construction permits are reviewed, processed, and approved. And for residents planning to build a custom home, home addition, ADU, or undertake any large residential construction project, this could be the turning point we’ve all been waiting for.
Mayor Mike Johnston announced on April 14, 2025 his first executive order, the creation of the Denver Permitting Office, or DPO. Executive Order 151 takes aim at the infamous Denver City and County Department of Neighborhood Development along with all of the related department services that are intertwined with permitting processes for any type of construction in Denver. For years following the pandemic, Denver’s Developmental Services have been inundated with a boom of permitting and plan review requests which have led to astronomically long wait times. These wait times have even breached 300 days in recent years, leaving anybody; Developer, homeowner, or general contractor at the mercy of an overburdened bureaucratic system.
Denver’s permitting system is poised for a dramatic overhaul with Mayor Mike Johnston’s announcement of a new initiative that implements a 180-day “shot clock” for reviewing building applications. This long-awaited reform is designed to streamline and expedite the city’s notoriously slow and complex permitting process, which has stymied real estate development for decades. Developers like Joe Vostrejs, who has worked in Denver’s real estate sector for over 40 years, expressed optimism, calling the shift the most promising improvement in his career. The initiative introduces single-point project advocates—or “champions”—to guide applicants through a process that has often been delayed by conflicting guidance across departments.
On April 14, 2025, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston issued his first executive order since taking office, establishing a new permitting office aimed at expediting and improving the city’s building approval process. This initiative addresses longstanding backlogs in the permitting system that have hindered development and contributed to housing challenges.
In the world of custom homebuilding, timing is everything. From first sketches to final finishes, every step depends on a carefully managed sequence of events. Unfortunately, Denver’s notoriously slow permitting process has long disrupted that flow, throwing off timelines, inflating budgets, and causing frustration for homeowners and builders alike.
When it comes to crafting a beautiful, cohesive home, it’s the details that make all the difference. One of the most overlooked yet impactful design elements is window trim. At Sustainable Design Build (SDB), we believe your windows should do more than let in light—they should frame your space with style, intention, and craftsmanship.
If you’ve been sitting on plans for a home addition, an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), or a full custom home build in Denver, now might be the perfect time to bring those dreams to life. Thanks to a bold new move by Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, the city is taking serious strides to eliminate the headaches and long delays that have plagued residential construction permitting for years.
As the chill of winter fades and the days grow longer, spring offers the perfect opportunity to refresh your home. With renewed energy and brighter light, it’s a natural time to consider remodeling projects that can elevate your living space. Whether you’re looking to enhance comfort, update your style, or increase functionality, here are some inspiring ideas to get your spring remodel underway.
Creating your dream home starts with establishing a clear and cohesive design direction. At Sustainable Design Build, we understand that figuring out your interior design aesthetic can feel overwhelming, especially when your project is still in the early conceptual stages and exists only as drawings or elevations. Our goal is to help you refine your vision and ensure it is fully realized before diving into material selections and showroom visits with your Interior Designer.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are becoming an increasingly popular way for Denver homeowners to add value to their properties, generate rental income, or create flexible living spaces for family members. If you’re considering building an ADU, you may be wondering: Can you have a balcony on an ADU? Thanks to recent updates to the Denver Zoning Code, the answer is yes—under specific conditions.
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