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.
What’s Changing in Denver’s Permitting Landscape?
On April 14, 2025, Mayor Johnston signed his first executive order, launching a brand-new centralized permitting office. This restructured division consolidates 280 staff members from previously siloed departments—like zoning, fire safety, and transportation—under one roof. Spearheaded by Jill Jennings Golich, Denver’s first-ever permitting office director, this streamlined approach promises one major deliverable: permits approved within 180 days—or your money back.
Compare that to the current average timeline of 271 days (and nearly 400 days last year), and you can see how revolutionary this shift is for Denver homeowners and builders alike.
How This Benefits Homeowners Ready to Build
The permitting process has long been a source of stress for anyone planning to build or expand in Denver. Delays in city approvals can lead to rising costs—from loan interest and design delays to labor scheduling issues and extended project timelines. For homeowners, this uncertainty has often made the idea of starting a large-scale residential project feel risky.
But with this new initiative in place, those risks are being dramatically reduced. Here’s how:
- Predictability: A 180-day commitment gives homeowners and builders a solid timeline to plan around. That means more accurate budgeting and project milestones you can actually rely on.
- Reduced Costs: Faster permits translate to lower soft costs—such as design revisions, carrying loans, and contractor wait times—which can quickly eat into your overall project budget.
- Simplified Communication: With a centralized leadership team overseeing the entire process, you’re less likely to face the kind of conflicting feedback that used to slow progress to a crawl.
Why Consider an Addition, ADU, or Custom Home Now?
The timing of this change couldn’t be better. Denver continues to face a housing shortage, and many homeowners are looking to make the most of their property through:
- Home Additions: Expand your living space to accommodate a growing family or lifestyle needs.
- ADUs: Add a detached guest house, rental unit, or in-law suite to generate income or support multigenerational living.
- Custom Homes: Build a personalized dream home that fits your aesthetic, functionality, and long-term goals.
With permitting times improving and soft costs dropping, these once-daunting projects are becoming more accessible—and more appealing—than ever.
Sustainable Design Build: Here to Guide You Through the Process
At Sustainable Design Build, we’ve been closely tracking Denver’s permitting challenges and successes for years. We’ve built our reputation not just on quality craftsmanship, but also on helping clients navigate the complexities of residential construction in the city. This new permitting initiative aligns perfectly with our mission: to deliver high-end remodels, additions, and custom homes with clarity, precision, and professionalism.
Whether you’re exploring a backyard cottage or a full-scale second-story pop-top, our team is ready to help you make informed decisions and move swiftly from concept to construction—especially now, when the permitting system is working in your favor.
Let’s Build Something Exceptional—Together
Denver’s streamlined permitting reform is more than just a policy change; it’s a signal that the city is ready to support smart, responsible residential growth. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to move forward with your home project, this is it.
Ready to get started? Contact Sustainable Design Build today to schedule a consultation and discover how we can bring your vision to life—on time, on budget, and with confidence.
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Planning your next renovation, or maybe you are looking to do a complete remodel for your home? Whatever the task, it can’t hurt to ask. Reach out to our team through this form.
We can schedule a free consultation and discuss everything you need to get your project moving in the right direction. Did we mention, it’s absolutely free?
