The Affordable Housing Fee Application is the City and County of Denver Planning and Development form that documents a project's compliance with Denver's affordable housing linkage fee. It is filed with the project's building permit (LOG) application, so it is part of the Denver permit process for new structures, additions and existing buildings. You can fill out the Affordable Housing Fee Application online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form and the fee rules are published by the city at denvergov.org.
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What is Affordable Housing Fee Application – Denver, CO?
The Affordable Housing Fee Application is the Denver Development Services form that documents the information needed to comply with Denver's Affordable Housing Linkage Fee, which is paid when a building permit is issued.
The form itself is titled Affordable Housing Linkage Fee Application and has six sections: contact information, project type, use and gross floor area, incentives for affordable housing, linkage fee exceptions, and a customer acknowledgement. A staff-use block at the end records the verification of the use classification and the approval or denial of any exception.
The fee is assessed on new gross floor area only, not counting parking. It applies to any new square footage, except additions of 400 gross square feet or less to an existing single-family or duplex building, and to the conversion of a space where the fee did not apply, such as a garage turned into living space. It does not apply to zoning or trade-specific permits such as mechanical or electrical.
The form is tied to Affordable Housing Linkage Fee Ordinance 2016-0625. Since the Expanding Housing Affordability (EHA) ordinance took effect on July 1, 2022, the city's page lists this application among the forms that may be used only for projects subject to the linkage fees that applied before that date. Other projects are prompted in the city's e-permits system to show how they meet the EHA requirements.
Related city documents named on the same page include the Incentives Supplement Form (38th & Blake Incentive Overlay District only), the Reference Guide for Calculating Gross Floor Area (GFA) and the Housing Linkage Fee - Request for Reduction or Waiver.
Who needs to file Affordable Housing Fee Application – Denver, CO?
The form is required for all projects logged in for review, both new construction and existing buildings, according to the application itself. The city's page adds that every project logging in for a building permit must document the information needed to comply with the affordable housing fee, and that a project in an existing building with no new square footage, or one that already qualifies for an exception, must still submit the application at log-in before receiving a fee waiver.
Conditions that decide how you use it:
- Project subject to the prior linkage fees: the city's page says the application may be used only for these projects. Projects under the updated EHA fee schedule are prompted in e-permits instead.
- Existing building with no new floor area, or shoring and excavation only: you complete Sections I and II, then skip to the end and sign and date.
- Project using affordable housing incentives: the form says this is currently available only in the 38th & Blake Station Area Incentive Overlay District (IO-1); you attach the "Incentives for Affordable Housing" supplement.
- Zoning or trade-specific permits (mechanical, electrical and similar) are not subject to the fee, according to the city's page.
The person who signs must have authority to submit the information on behalf of the project at the project address.
When to file Affordable Housing Fee Application – Denver, CO
Submit the application when you log in the project for a building permit (LOG application); the city's page says every project logging in for a building permit must document the information required for the fee. The form is also required at log-in for existing buildings without new floor area and for projects that already know they qualify for an exception.
The fee itself is assessed alongside standard permit fees and is due in full when the building permit is issued; you cannot receive a building permit until it is paid. The city's page notes an exception for excavation and shoring, where the fee is not due before the permit. For foundation-only permits with a manufactured structure permitted by the State of Colorado, the form says housing fees must be paid with the foundation permit.
A city page says that exceptions must be approved prior to site development plan (SDP) approval. If the fee is reduced through a waiver, the reduced fee is still due at permit issuance. The form sets no separate date beyond permit log-in and issuance.
Documents you need
- For Section IV, if the project uses affordable housing incentives: the "Incentives for Affordable Housing" supplement, attached in place of completing Section V.
- Exception B: a copy of the recorded affordable housing plan, contractual commitment or covenant.
- Exception D: a copy of the covenant, land use restriction agreement or instrument of affordability, and evidence of 501(c)(3) status.
- Exception E: evidence of the federal, state or local financial resources, plus one of: a covenant or land use restriction agreement, an instrument of affordability, a HUD contract or similar, or evidence of development by the Denver Housing Authority.
- Exception F: evidence of 501(c)(3) status, the organization's mission statement and a description of the project.
- Exception G: a description of how the project will be used for a governmental or educational purpose and a deed or lease proving ownership and/or use.
- Exception H: an insurance report, a report from Denver Police, a report from Denver Fire or similar, showing the structure was destroyed by an involuntary disaster.
- Exception I: plans clearly outlining the addition with square footage and dimensions, and evidence that the existing structure is only a single-unit or two-unit dwelling.
- Exception J: plans clearly indicating the structure is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), and evidence of the status of the primary structure on the lot.
- Exception K: a copy of the agreement or affordable housing plan from the Office of Economic Development (OED) showing the build alternative is met.
- Exception L: the approved waiver indicating the fee is reduced or waived; the form names OED, while the city's page now names the Department of Housing Stability (HOST).
- Exception M: the original log number of the project under construction.
- Exceptions A and C: no attachment is named, only the concept submission date, concept number and Project Master number (A) or the zoning ordinance number (C).
How to fill out Affordable Housing Fee Application – Denver, CO
Enter contact information
In Section I, enter your name, phone number, email and the project address. Add the Project Record Number(s) and Type, indicating the record number type, such as Project Master, Concept or Zoning.
Select your project type
In Section II, select one: New structure, Addition to existing structure, Existing building with no new floor area, or Shoring and excavation only. For the last two, no further information is needed; skip to the end and sign and date.
Answer the phased permit questions
Mark Yes or No for whether you will seek phased building permits, such as foundation and superstructure. Also mark Yes or No for foundation-only permits with a manufactured structure permitted by the State of Colorado; if Yes, housing fees are paid with the foundation permit.
List gross floor area by use
In Section III, enter the gross floor area (calculated per Denver Zoning Code 13.3) for each use classification, excluding parking. For additions, list only the new area; for IRC townhomes receiving multiple permits, give the area per unit on a separate sheet if necessary.
Answer the incentives question
In Section IV, check Yes or No on whether the project uses affordable housing incentives, currently available only in the 38th & Blake Station Area Incentive Overlay District (IO-1). If Yes, skip Section V and attach the "Incentives for Affordable Housing" supplement.
Say whether the fee applies
In Section V, mark Yes or No to whether the affordable housing linkage fee applies. If you mark No, check at least one exception and attach its documentation.
Check your exception and fill the blanks
Check the box for exception A through M that applies and fill in its blanks: for A, the date submitted, Concept # and Project Master #; for B, project name and plan recordation number; for C, the zoning ordinance number.
Enter the original log number
If the submittal is for modified drawings of a project under construction that does not increase square footage (exception M), enter the original log number.
Sign the Customer Acknowledgement
In Section VI, enter the project address, then print your name, sign and date. You confirm you have authority to submit the information and that the fee is due in full when the permit is issued. Leave the Staff Use Only block blank.
Review and download the PDF
Check the area figures, the section you skipped and any attachments, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and submit it with your building permit application as described under How to submit.
How to submit Affordable Housing Fee Application – Denver, CO
The form is not mailed on its own: you submit it with the building permit (LOG) application at log-in, for staff review.
- With the permit application: the city's page states that application forms in the prior-linkage-fee section must be submitted with a building permit (LOG) application. Staff give determinations as part of plan review.
- Attachments: include the documents your exception requires (see the list on this page) and, if you answered Yes in Section IV, the "Incentives for Affordable Housing" supplement available at www.denvergov.org/AffordableHousingFee.
- Questions: email [email protected] and include the LOG record number for your project, or call 720-865-2705.
- Office: Community Planning and Development, 201 W. Colfax Ave., Dept. 205, Denver, CO 80202.
- Fee payment: the linkage fee is paid with the standard permit fees when the permit is issued. The city's page links a Linkage Fee Estimator and a building permit fee policy; ask the city for the current amount.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Completing Sections III to V for an existing building with no new floor area or for shoring and excavation only; the form says to skip to the end and sign and date.
- Counting parking in the gross floor area; the form says not to include areas used for parking.
- Listing the square footage of the existing structure for an addition instead of only the new floor area.
- Entering a single total for a mixed-use project instead of the gross floor area for each use type.
- Marking No on "Does the affordable housing linkage fee apply" without checking at least one exception and submitting its documentation.
- Answering Yes in Section IV and still completing Section V, when the form says to skip Section V and attach the "Incentives for Affordable Housing" supplement.
- Giving one combined area for IRC townhomes receiving multiple permits; the form requires gross floor area per unit.
- Expecting a reduced fee to be deferred; if a waiver reduces the fee, the reduced fee is still due at building permit issuance.
- Leaving the Customer Acknowledgement unsigned or without the project address.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Affordable Housing Fee Application in Denver?
It is the Development Services form that documents a project's compliance with Denver's Affordable Housing Linkage Fee. You give the project's use types and new gross floor area, or claim an exception, and the fee is then assessed alongside standard permit fees.
Do I need this form for a Denver building permit?
The form says it is required for all projects logged in for review, new construction and existing buildings alike. The city's page adds that it may be used only for projects subject to the prior linkage fees; other projects are prompted in e-permits.
When do I pay the Denver affordable housing fee?
The fee is due in full at building permit issuance, with the standard permit fees, and you cannot receive a permit until it is paid. The city's page notes an exception for excavation and shoring. The amount is set by the city, so check its fee estimator or call 720-865-2705.
Are additions or ADUs exempt from the affordable housing fee in Denver?
The form lists both as exceptions: an addition of 400 square feet or less to an existing single-family or duplex structure (I) and an Accessory Dwelling Unit (J). Each needs plans and evidence of the existing structure's status attached to your application.
What do I do if my project has no new square footage?
Select Existing building with no new floor area in Section II, then skip to the end and sign and date. The city's page says you must still submit the application at log-in before receiving a fee waiver.
Where do I submit the Affordable Housing Fee Application?
Submit it with your building permit (LOG) application for staff review. For questions, email [email protected] with your LOG record number or call 720-865-2705; the office is at 201 W. Colfax Ave., Dept. 205, Denver, CO 80202.
Can I fill out the Denver Affordable Housing Fee Application online?
Yes, you can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not submit the form to the city; you submit it with your permit application through the city's channels.
What if my project uses affordable housing incentives?
Check Yes in Section IV, skip Section V, and attach the "Incentives for Affordable Housing" supplement from www.denvergov.org/AffordableHousingFee. The form says this option currently applies only in the 38th & Blake Station Area Incentive Overlay District (IO-1).
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