Designing Smarter, Building Faster: How Executive Order 151 Enhances Your Custom Home Experience with Sustainable Design Build

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.

But with the recent announcement of Executive Order 151 and the creation of the Denver Permitting Office (DPO), that landscape is finally changing—and Sustainable Design Build (SDB) is uniquely positioned to help clients take full advantage of this transformation.

What Is Executive Order 151—and Why Does It Matter?

Signed on April 14, 2025, by Mayor Mike Johnston, Executive Order 151 overhauls Denver’s outdated permitting system, consolidating nearly 300 staff from seven different city departments into a single, streamlined Permitting Office.

The goal? To process building permits faster, improve transparency, and create a more business- and homeowner-friendly environment. The initiative guarantees plan reviews within 180 days—or your money back—ushering in a new era of accountability and efficiency.

For homeowners, this means your dream home may no longer be delayed by red tape.

How This Impacts Architectural and Concept Design with SDB

At Sustainable Design Build, we believe the foundation of a successful custom home isn’t just concrete—it’s a well-executed design and permitting strategy. Here’s how Executive Order 151 directly enhances the design phase when you work with our team:

1. Smarter Design Planning with Permitting in Mind

Designing a home in Denver has always required a deep understanding of city review requirements. SDB’s architectural team has long worked closely with zoning, fire safety, and neighborhood planning departments to get our clients’ projects approved. With DPO streamlining this process, we can design more efficiently, with greater clarity around what’s feasible and what will be approved—saving time and reducing revisions.

2. Accelerated Design-to-Build Timelines

Previously, delays in permitting forced our architectural design team to build in long buffers between phases. Now, with the 180-day permitting promise and clear communication channels, we can work with tighter, more reliable timelines, moving from concept to construction without unnecessary downtime.

This change means that once your design is finalized, the handoff to permitting and pre-construction becomes far more seamless—a major win for maintaining momentum.

3. Centralized Feedback and “Project Champions”

A new benefit of the DPO is the assignment of dedicated “project champions”—specialized staff members who oversee your submittal and provide updates. This removes the burden from homeowners and places it in the hands of people who understand the process and advocate for your project.

SDB will coordinate directly with these project champions to track your application, respond to city inquiries, and prevent bottlenecks that used to stall projects in the review process.

4. More Accurate Budgeting and Risk Management

Delays and unpredictability used to lead to increased costs—such as carrying loans longer, extending contracts, and making late-stage design changes. But with shorter, clearer timelines, our team can offer more confident cost projections during design and pre-construction phases, helping you make informed choices early on and reduce financial risk.

Why Work with SDB Now?

While Executive Order 151 is still in its early days, Sustainable Design Build is already adapting processes to align with this promising new system. Here’s why working with us today is a strategic move:

• We design with real-time permitting knowledge. Our architects and project managers are deeply experienced with Denver’s unique building codes and review workflows.

• We act as your liaison. You won’t have to chase down city departments—we’ll communicate directly with the DPO on your behalf.

• We offer integrated services. With in-house design, construction, and project management, we make it easier to build faster—and smarter.

Let’s Turn Vision into Reality—On Time and On Budget

Denver is making moves to support smart development and ease its housing crisis. For homeowners, that means there has never been a better time to plan your custom home, addition, or ADU. By partnering with Sustainable Design Build, you gain not just a builder—but a team that’s already ahead of the curve.

Ready to start the design journey? Reach out to schedule a consultation with our team. We’ll guide you from the first sketch through final construction, making sure your vision stays intact—and your timeline stays on track.