GBO Rules & Regulations is the rulebook that Denver's Community Planning and Development (CPD) and its Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency (CASR) use to administer the Green Buildings Ordinance. It is one of the documents that shape a Denver permit for large buildings: no building or roofing permit is issued for a covered project until compliance with the ordinance is documented. Use it to check whether your project is covered, which cool roof standard applies and which compliance option to choose. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original is published by the City and County of Denver at denvergov.org.
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What is GBO Rules & Regulations – Denver, CO?
GBO Rules & Regulations is the set of rules adopted by Denver's Department of Community Planning and Development (CPD) and Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency (CASR) to administer and enforce the Green Buildings Ordinance, codified at Article XIII, Chapter 10 of the Denver Revised Municipal Code (DRMC).
The document is signed by the executive directors of both offices and the city attorney, and shows 10.9.2023 as the date of final signature and effective date. It replaces the earlier Rules Governing Green Roofs (April 30, 2018), the Rules Governing Green Buildings Requirements adopted June 30, 2019 and the version adopted June 8, 2021. Projects complying with the ordinance as it existed before the Green Buildings Ordinance still follow the 2018 green roof rules.
Its six articles cover general provisions and definitions, administration (permit issuance, submittals, inspections), cool roofs, the compliance options, campuses and annual reporting. The compliance options are green space, renewable energy, energy cost savings, building certification, combinations, payment to the Green Building Fund and the Energy Program for existing buildings.
The rules are not an application. The owner's Green Building Declaration Form is a separate form that CPD makes available on its website.
Who needs to file GBO Rules & Regulations – Denver, CO?
Owners of buildings subject to the Green Buildings Ordinance use these rules. The CPD page says the ordinance applies to:
- new buildings 25,000 square feet or larger;
- roof permits for existing buildings 25,000 square feet or larger;
- building additions 25,000 square feet or larger.
"Owner" is defined broadly: any person, entity, firm or corporation with a legal or equitable interest in the building or property, or anyone authorized to act on the owner's behalf. Project teams such as designers, roofing contractors and green roof installers also work from the rules.
The CPD page lists exclusions: parking structures, temporary buildings, air-supported structures, greenhouses, single-family homes, duplexes, and dwelling units built in a group of three or more attached units where each unit extends from foundation to roof and is not more than 3 stories above grade plane. Certain residential buildings need to meet only the cool roof requirement and do not choose a compliance option.
The Building Official alone decides whether a project must comply or qualifies for an exemption.
When to file GBO Rules & Regulations – Denver, CO
Compliance must be documented before the Building Official issues a building or roofing permit for a covered project. The exceptions are permits such as shoring, preparatory demolition, phased construction and foundation permits.
For existing buildings of 25,000 square feet or more, the requirements are triggered by a new roof or roof replacement (the cool roof rules also cover a roof recover) for more than 5% of either the total roof area or individual roof section(s).
Other timing rules depend on the option chosen:
- Existing buildings have up to 12 months from final inspection of the roof replacement to install solar panels. If they do not, the building is enrolled in the Energy Program and must comply within four years of June 1 of the enrollment year.
- Energy Program enrollment gives up to 5 years from the following June 1 to reach compliance.
- Proof of green building certification for new buildings goes to CASR 18 months after the certificate of occupancy.
- Vegetation on a vegetated roof must be designed to cover 80% of the roof within 3 years of the certificate of occupancy.
Documents you need
- Green Building Declaration Form, signed by the owner, for a new or existing building subject to the Green Buildings Ordinance; for the 100% off-site renewable option on new construction it must commit to the renewable electricity.
- Roof plan showing the building's total roof area, required in every building permit submittal that includes a roof replacement or a new roof.
- For a character defining roof determination: roof plan (new buildings, or existing ones if a plan exists), public-vantage photographs (existing) or elevations (new), and evidence of at least one criterion.
- For at-grade green space: a site development plan with cover sheet and building area calculation, site plan and landscape plan, plus a photometric plan if new lighting is installed.
- For a vegetated roof: maintenance plan, irrigation plans and a signed, stamped leakage testing report from a Colorado licensed architect or engineer or a registered roof consultant.
- For solar panels: manufacturer's specifications showing at least 18% efficiency, a roof plan marking panel areas and clearances, and the proposed system capacity (kW).
- For new buildings using solar, off-site renewables, net zero or energy savings: an energy model of anticipated electricity use or baseline code compliance.
- For existing buildings using solar sized to 100% of electricity use: the most recent complete year's annual average electricity usage.
- For the building certification option on new buildings: the LEED scorecard and ancillary documentation, or equivalent documents for the chosen certification.
- For off-site renewables: evidence of ownership or a minimum five-year contract, from the program types the rules list.
- For existing trees counted as green space: supporting documentation for City Forester approval and a tree protection plan.
- For campuses using on-site renewable energy: an Energy Master Plan, any new or existing building roof plans, and a campus site plan.
How to fill out GBO Rules & Regulations – Denver, CO
Confirm the ordinance applies
Check the 25,000 square foot threshold and the exclusions on the CPD page. Under Section 2.01 the Building Official decides whether your project must comply or is exempt.
Measure gross floor area and roof area
Calculate gross floor area and total roof area using the Section 1.03 definitions; roofs over below-grade stories are not counted. Show total roof area on the roof plan.
Check the cool roof requirement
Article III sets minimum solar reflectance values in Table 1 for low-sloped and steep-sloped roofs. Review the exceptions in Section 3.04, such as character defining roofs and ancillary roof construction up to 20% of total roof area.
Choose one compliance option
Table 2 shows which options apply to new and existing buildings: green space, renewable energy, energy savings, building certification, combinations, Green Building Fund payment or the Energy Program.
Prepare the option's documentation
Gather the plans, energy models, certifications or contracts that Sections 4.02 to 4.08 require for your option. Campuses follow Article V.
Complete the Green Building Declaration Form
Get the form from CPD's website and submit it with the permit application. The owner signs it.
Arrange the additional permits
Vegetated roofs need their own permit plus plumbing and fire prevention permits where listed. Renewable energy devices need an electrical permit; at-grade green space needs a site development plan.
Schedule the required inspections
Under Section 2.04, vegetated roofs need a pre-construction meeting, a membrane inspection with a leakage test report and an irrigation inspection. Zoning inspectors check at-grade green space.
Review and download the PDF
Check the applicability, option and permit requirements you noted against the rules, then download or print the PDF from FillingPDF and keep it with your permit submittal.
How to submit GBO Rules & Regulations – Denver, CO
Submittals go to CPD with the permit application, and some later documents go to CASR. The rules name no mailing address or portal of their own; submittal requirements are posted on CPD's webpage and available at CPD's offices.
- Permit submittal: every building permit submittal that includes a new roof or roof replacement must show the building's total roof area on the roof plan. Owners also submit a Green Building Declaration Form, available on CPD's website.
- Site development plan (SDP): plans for at-grade green space go through the SDP process under the zoning code.
- CASR: documents such as proof of building certification, off-site renewable contracts and Energy Master Plans go to CASR at the times the rules set.
- Fee: if you choose the Green Building Fund option, CPD calculates the fee and you pay it when you pay for building or roofing permits. Ask CPD for the amount.
- Appeals and alternatives: a character defining roof determination can be appealed to the Board of Appeals. Proposals for unlisted materials or methods use the process in Section 106 of the Denver Building Code.
More information is on the city's Green Buildings Ordinance page. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying for a building or roofing permit before documenting compliance with the Green Buildings Ordinance; the Building Official will not issue it, except for permits such as shoring or foundation.
- Leaving the building's total roof area off the roof plan when the submittal includes a roof replacement or a new roof.
- Counting green space that already exists on the site at the time of the permit; existing green space generally does not count unless the rules allow it.
- Claiming required clearance zones on a vegetated roof as green roof coverage; the rules say they do not count.
- Skipping the separate vegetated roof permit, which must be issued to a Denver licensed green roof installer in addition to the roof permit.
- Installing a vegetated roof without a successful leakage test report signed by a registered roof consultant or licensed architect or engineer.
- Using solar panels rated below 18% efficiency, or panels already required by other regulations, to meet the ordinance.
- Letting required green space die without replacing it; it must be maintained for the life of the building or another option chosen.
- Not obtaining an electrical permit for a renewable energy device, or a zoning permit for solar panels that are not flush-mounted.
Frequently asked questions
What are the GBO Rules & Regulations in Denver?
They are the rules CPD and CASR adopted to administer the Green Buildings Ordinance, Article XIII, Chapter 10 of the DRMC. They cover applicability, permit submittals, cool roofs, compliance options, campuses and reporting, and took effect 10.9.2023.
Do I need a green buildings review for a Denver building permit?
Yes, if the project is covered. The Building Official will not issue a building or roofing permit for a covered project until compliance is documented, except for permits such as shoring, preparatory demolition, phased construction or foundation.
Does the Green Buildings Ordinance apply to single-family homes?
No. The CPD page excludes single-family homes, duplexes, parking structures, temporary buildings, air-supported structures, greenhouses and certain attached units of up to 3 stories. Covered projects are new buildings, additions and roof permits of 25,000 square feet or more.
What compliance options can I choose under the GBO?
Green space, renewable energy, energy cost savings (new buildings), building certification, combination options (new buildings), payment to the Green Building Fund and the Energy Program (existing buildings). Table 2 of the rules shows which apply to new or existing buildings.
Is there a fee under the Green Building Fund option?
Yes. CPD calculates the fee after you calculate the required green space, and you pay it when you pay for building or roofing permits. The rules state no amount, so ask CPD. The payment is one-time and valid for the life of the building.
Do I need a separate permit for a green roof?
Yes. A vegetated roof needs its own commercial construction permit for a green roof, issued to a Denver licensed green roof installer, in addition to the roof permit. Plumbing and fire prevention permits may also be required.
Who decides if my roof is a character defining roof?
The Building Official makes the final decision after a CPD review team of at least three staff makes a recommendation. You can appeal the determination to the Board of Appeals under the Denver Building Code.
Can I fill out the GBO Rules & Regulations online on FillingPDF?
You can open the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent, is not affiliated with the City and County of Denver and does not file anything; submittals follow CPD's channels.
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