The Landmark Preapplication Review Form is the pre-review request used by Landmark Preservation staff in Denver's Community Planning & Development to give applicants initial feedback on eight special project types. Pre-review comes before the Landmark design review that ends in a certificate of appropriateness, which must accompany your Denver permit application for building or zoning permits. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the official PDF is published by the City and County of Denver, and you submit it by email or in person as described below.
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What is Landmark Preapplication Review Form – Denver, CO?
The Landmark Preapplication Review Form is the City and County of Denver pre-review form, issued through Landmark Preservation in Community Planning & Development, that tells applicants the process for eight special project types and gives initial staff feedback.
The form is headed "Pre-Review" and states its limits plainly. Staff's initial comments are not design review and are not an approval or a denial. Design review for the project does not begin until the final complete application is received.
The eight project types listed on the form are:
- Infill Construction
- Zone Lot Amendments
- Second Floor (Pop-Top) Additions
- Historic Window Replacement
- ADU Construction
- Large Additions
- Demolition in Historic Districts or Landmark Structures
- Comprehensive Sign Plans
The form collects the property address(es), the property type or use, the historic district name if known, a contact name and company, email and phone, the project type and a description of the project concept. A three-item checklist sets what a pre-review needs: the completed application, plans or sketches that show the project, and color photos of existing conditions.
After pre-review, the project continues through Landmark design review. Landmark staff issue a certificate of appropriateness once the project is approved by staff, or by the Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) or the Lower Downtown Design Review Commission (LDDRC). That certificate is a later step and is not produced by this form.
Who needs to file Landmark Preapplication Review Form – Denver, CO?
Property owners and applicants planning one of the eight project types printed on the form use it to request a pre-review from Landmark Preservation staff. The form also says a pre-review may be required when staff determine it is needed.
The form asks for the property type and use, so it applies to:
- a 1 or 2 unit building (single family home, duplex);
- a multi-unit residential building;
- a commercial, mixed-use or multi-use property;
- other property types, which you describe on the form.
It also asks for the historic district name, if known, which ties the request to properties in historic districts or landmark structures.
The form states that only these eight project types require a pre-review, or as determined by staff. Projects outside those types do not need it unless staff say so. If your proposal includes demolition of an existing structure, the form says a separate demolition application must also be submitted for approval; the pre-review does not replace it. The form names a contact person and company but sets no rule about who may sign for an owner.
When to file Landmark Preapplication Review Form – Denver, CO
File the form when you are planning one of the eight project types and before you submit your final complete application, because design review does not begin until that application is received. The form prints no due date of its own.
After you submit it, the form says staff will schedule a meeting, call, or communicate by email for the pre-review meeting. Staff's initial comments are not design review or approval. If the project includes demolition of an existing structure, submit the separate demolition application as well; the pre-review does not cover it.
Documents you need
- Plans, drawings or sketches that adequately depict the project, clearly noting existing and proposed conditions; the form lists them as required for pre-review.
- Color photos of existing conditions; the form lists them as required for pre-review.
- A separate demolition application, only if the proposal includes demolition of an existing structure; the form says it must be submitted for approval.
How to fill out Landmark Preapplication Review Form – Denver, CO
Enter the property address
Write the address or addresses of the property under Property Address(es).
Select the property type or use
Check 1 or 2 Unit Building (Single Family Home, Duplex), Multi-Unit Residential, Commercial, Mixed-Use or Multi-Use, or Other.
Add the historic district name
If you know it, enter the Historic District Name. The form asks for it only if known.
Enter contact details
Fill in the Contact Name and Company, the Email Address and the Phone Number, with the area code first.
Check the project type
Check the project type from the eight listed, such as Infill Construction, Zone Lot Amendments, ADU Construction or Demolition in Historic Districts or Landmark Structures.
Describe the project concept
In Description of Project Concept, summarize what you plan to do so staff can give initial feedback.
Confirm the checklist items
Check items 1 to 3 of the Pre-Review Checklist: the completed application, plans or drawings that note existing and proposed, and color photos of existing conditions.
Prepare the supporting materials
Combine plans and photos into one PDF. For a project with demolition, prepare the separate demolition application as well.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check every entry, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Name it "yourname-preapp.pdf" if you email it, and submit it through the channels under How to submit.
How to submit Landmark Preapplication Review Form – Denver, CO
You can submit the Landmark Preapplication Review Form by email or in person.
- By email: send the form and supporting materials to [email protected]. Include two attachments: one PDF with the completed form, named "yourname-preapp.pdf", and one PDF that combines all supporting materials, named "yourname-preapp-materials.pdf". Combined file size should not exceed 25MB. Contact Landmark Preservation if you have trouble with the electronic submission.
- In person: bring the form and supporting materials to the Records Counter, weekdays between 7:30am and 4:30pm, on the 2nd floor of the Webb Municipal Building, 201 W. Colfax Ave.
The Landmark Preservation contact printed on the form is 201 W. Colfax Ave., Dept. 205, Denver, CO 80202, telephone 720.865.2709, email [email protected]. The form names no mailing channel. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting plans or sketches that do not clearly note existing and proposed conditions, which the form requires.
- Leaving out color photos of existing conditions, one of the three required checklist items.
- Emailing the form and materials as many separate files instead of two PDFs, or exceeding the 25MB combined limit.
- Treating staff's initial comments as design review or approval; the form says they are neither, and design review starts only with the final complete application.
- Including demolition of an existing structure without submitting the separate demolition application the form requires.
- Submitting a pre-review for a project outside the eight listed types when staff have not asked for one.
- Writing the phone number without the area code first, as the form requests.
- Bringing the package to the Records Counter outside weekday hours of 7:30am to 4:30pm.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Landmark Preapplication Review Form in Denver?
It is the City and County of Denver's Pre-Review form for Landmark Preservation. It tells applicants the process for eight special project types and gets initial staff feedback before the final application. It is not a design review, an approval or a denial.
Which projects need a Landmark pre-review in Denver?
Only eight types: Infill Construction, Zone Lot Amendments, Second Floor (Pop-Top) Additions, Historic Window Replacement, ADU Construction, Large Additions, Demolition in Historic Districts or Landmark Structures, and Comprehensive Sign Plans. Staff can also determine that another project needs one.
Is staff's pre-review feedback an approval?
No. The form states that staff's initial comments do not constitute design review or approval or denial. Design review for your project begins only when the final complete application is received.
What do I need to attach to the pre-review form?
Plans, drawings or sketches that depict the project and clearly note existing and proposed conditions, plus color photos of existing conditions. If the project includes demolition of an existing structure, a separate demolition application must also be submitted.
How do I submit the Landmark pre-review form?
Email it to [email protected] with two PDFs, "yourname-preapp.pdf" and "yourname-preapp-materials.pdf", totaling no more than 25MB. Or bring it to the Records Counter, 2nd floor of the Webb Municipal Building, 201 W. Colfax Ave., weekdays 7:30am to 4:30pm.
Can I fill out the Landmark Preapplication Review Form 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 and County of Denver; you send it by email or in person.
Do I need Landmark approval before applying for a Denver building permit?
For projects that go through Landmark design review, yes: the certificate of appropriateness and the Landmark-approved application must accompany plans submitted to Development Services for building or zoning permits. This pre-review form is not that approval.
What happens after I submit the pre-review form?
Staff will schedule a meeting, call, or communicate by email for the pre-review meeting. Their initial comments guide your final application, which is what starts design review.
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