New Denver Permit Office Promises Faster Turnaround

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.

This permitting overhaul is part of a larger goal from Mayor Mike Johnston to help ease Denver’s affordable housing crisis and to encourage more accessible construction for general contractors and homeowners who have long suffered from lengthy and costly bureaucratic delays.

The Facts

• Mayor Mike Johnston signed Executive Order 151 to create the new Denver Permitting Office (DPO) to simplify and streamline the building permit process.

   

• The Denver Auditor’s Office recently audited the residential permitting process, highlighting significant inefficiencies.

   

• Long permit review times were a top complaint among homeowners and contractors alike.

   

• In 2022, Denver’s Community Planning and Development reviewers failed to complete 76% of permit reviews on time.

   

• In 2023, that number worsened, with 81% of permit reviews not meeting deadlines.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Denver?

Historically, getting a building permit in Denver could take anywhere from several months to over a year, depending on the complexity of the project and department backlogs. Prior to the creation of the DPO, the city struggled to complete reviews promptly, leaving projects delayed and budgets stretched. Even in recent years, Denver has seen almost an upwards of 391 days (back in May of 2024). At the time of writing, the current Average Plan Review Time sits at 282 days for Major Residential Construction (Custom Home Building, Whole Home Remodeling, Home Addition, and ADUs) with expectations to start dropping dramatically and fast.

With the new Denver Permitting Office, the city promises that all permits will be reviewed within 180 days. While 180 days still represents about six months, it establishes a clear deadline and accountability structure that didn’t exist before. For many homeowners and contractors, this commitment could mean faster starts to projects and more predictability when planning construction timelines.

Does this help residential construction and homeowners?

Yes, significantly. For homeowners looking to remodel, build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), pop-tops, or complete other residential improvements, faster permit approvals mean they can begin construction sooner and avoid costly delays.

In the past, delayed permits often caused project costs to balloon due to inflation, fluctuating labor availability, and material shortages. By addressing the review timeline directly, the city is helping homeowners and contractors by reducing risk and uncertainty. Additionally, the potential for partial fee refunds if deadlines are missed gives homeowners some financial protection against bureaucratic slowdowns.

How long will my residential construction project take?

While the new permitting process may speed up approvals, it’s important to remember that the actual construction timeline still depends on several factors, including contractor availability, material lead times, and project complexity.

With a maximum 180-day review window, homeowners can now plan projects more reliably. For straightforward projects such as interior remodels or smaller additions, construction could start as soon as permits are issued — potentially within 4 to 6 months of application. More complex builds like custom homes or major additions might still require a longer construction period, often taking 6 to 18 months after permitting, depending on the scale and season.

Ultimately, the permitting reforms aim to shave months off the pre-construction phase, meaning that Denver homeowners and contractors should see faster, more predictable project timelines in the coming years.

The only sure way to get a timely and efficient home construction project completed is to work with a contractor or design build firm that has longtime experience in dealing with Denver’s Permitting Process specifically. If you have a construction project or home improvement project in mind, Sustainable Design Build is always available to help shed some light.