In 2026, Denver homeowners planning home additions, ADUs, or major remodels should expect residential permit timelines approaching 180 days under the City of Denver’s updated permitting goals. While the Denver Permitting Office has introduced new benchmarks to reduce historic delays, high application volume and project complexity continue to affect approval timelines. Understanding current averages, review stages, and how to plan ahead remains essential for keeping large residential construction projects on schedule.

Denver Permit Timelines in 2026: What Homeowners Should Expect

As Denver continues to experience strong demand for residential construction, permit timelines remain one of the most important planning considerations for homeowners pursuing home additions, accessory dwelling units, or whole home remodels. In response to years of extended review periods, the City and County of Denver has introduced new permitting benchmarks intended to improve predictability for large residential construction projects.

For homeowners planning construction in 2026, understanding how the permitting process works, how long approvals typically take, and what factors influence timelines can help reduce uncertainty and avoid costly scheduling disruptions.

How Denver Permit Timelines Are Changing

Historically, major residential permits in Denver often exceeded 200 days for approval, with some complex projects extending closer to 300 days. These delays were largely attributed to increased application volume, multi-agency coordination requirements, and limited review capacity.

Beginning in May 2025, the Denver Permitting Office (DPO) introduced a revised system with a targeted 180-day approval goal for many permit categories. According to the City of Denver’s official page on Average Plan Review Times, this framework is designed to increase accountability and transparency across departments. In some cases, applicants may even qualify for partial fee refunds if review timelines are missed.

While this marks a meaningful shift in policy, the city also acknowledges that high submission volume can still result in delays, particularly for larger residential projects.

The Current Reality of Denver Permit Timelines

Despite new performance goals and process improvements introduced by the City of Denver, the current data shows that permit approval timelines for large residential projects remain longer than many homeowners expect. Over the most recent 90-day period, the average time from submittal to application approval is approximately 244 days, which places real-world approvals well beyond the city’s stated 180-day target for many projects.

Looking at the prior 12-month trend, approval times have fluctuated significantly, ranging from lows in the mid-160-day range to peaks exceeding 330 days. This volatility reflects the practical challenges still facing the permitting system, including high application volume, reviewer workload, and the cumulative impact of resubmittals. Importantly, the reported averages include both city review time and customer-controlled time, meaning the clock continues to run while applicants respond to comments, revise drawings, and coordinate with consultants.

For homeowners planning home additions, ADUs, or major remodels in 2026, this data reinforces an important point. While policy goals signal progress, the permitting process is still operating in a transitional phase. Projects that are complex, involve zoning considerations, or require multiple review cycles should be planned with extended timelines in mind. Even well-prepared applications can experience delays during peak submission periods.

The City of Denver continues to publish updated metrics through its Average Plan Review Times reporting, and applicants are encouraged to monitor their individual project status through the ePermit portal. From a practical standpoint, the current reality underscores the value of early planning, realistic scheduling, and working with experienced professionals who understand how to navigate Denver’s permitting process efficiently within today’s constraints.

What This Means for Home Additions, ADUs, and Remodels

Projects such as home additions, ADU construction, and full home remodels fall under Denver’s major residential permit category. These projects typically require zoning review, building code compliance, structural analysis, and coordination among multiple reviewing disciplines.

In 2026, homeowners should generally plan for major residential permits to trend closer to the city’s 180-day target, while recognizing that complex designs, zoning constraints, or neighborhood overlays may extend timelines. Accessory dwelling units often follow similar review paths, especially when alley access, lot coverage, or utility connections are involved. Interior remodels that include structural changes or system upgrades also require full plan review, even when exterior alterations are minimal.

Sustainable Design Build provides additional context on these changes in its cornerstone resource, New Denver Permit Times: What Homeowners Need to Know, which outlines how updated city benchmarks affect residential project planning.

Faster Permits and Trade-Specific Reviews

Not all permits follow the same timeline. Denver continues to offer quick permits for certain scopes of work such as plumbing, electrical, and roofing. These permits can move more quickly through the system, though recent rule changes require that many trade permits be associated with an approved primary building permit.

By contrast, some business-related permits have seen significant reductions in processing times. City-reported data shows that certain business permits averaged approximately 27 days by 2025, underscoring how permit timelines vary widely depending on project type and review scope.

Factors That Influence Permit Approval Times

Several factors continue to influence how long residential permits take in Denver. Project complexity remains the most significant variable, as multi-story additions, basement excavations, or zoning variances require additional review layers. Application volume also plays a major role, particularly during peak construction seasons. In addition, the specific permit category determines which departments are involved and how reviews are sequenced.

Even with improved benchmarks, permit timelines remain project-specific, and no two applications move through the system at the same pace.

Where Homeowners Can Check Current Timelines

Denver homeowners can access up-to-date information through the city’s Plan Review, Permits, and Inspections resources. The city’s ePermit online portal allows applicants to submit plans, track review status, respond to reviewer comments, and schedule inspections once permits are approved.

These tools are especially valuable in 2026, as real-time status updates often provide a clearer picture than generalized timeline estimates alone.

Planning Ahead for Construction in 2026

For homeowners considering additions, ADUs, or major remodels, early planning remains essential. Permit timelines directly affect construction start dates, financing schedules, and coordination with trade partners. Engaging professionals who understand Denver’s permitting environment can help anticipate review requirements, reduce resubmittals, and support a smoother approval process.

Sustainable Design Build continues to help homeowners navigate Denver’s evolving permitting landscape with thoughtful planning, clear communication, and realistic scheduling expectations for large residential construction projects.