The Denver Zoning Code (DZC) differentiates between primary uses, accessory uses, and temporary uses. A zoning permit for a temporary use authorizes the use for a limited duration of time. Other city permits or licenses may also be necessary depending on your activity.
A temporary zoning use permit is required for all of the activities listed below.
Please refer to Article 11 of the Denver Zoning Code (DZC) to view the specific limitations and standards that may apply to your temporary use.
Submit a written project narrative with your online application that includes the following:
Please include a property legal description, and if you are not the property owner, submit a notarized letter from the property owner with your application. View a sample.(PDF, 111KB)
Submit a site plan that includes the following:
View a sample site plan(PDF, 861KB).
Dispatching and storage of ambulances.
Subject to limitations: DZC 11.11.2 & FC 59 59-86
Admission-based amusement, entertainment, or recreation attraction (excluding motorized rides unless it is more than 500 feet from a residential zone district).
Subject to limitations: DZC 11.11.3 & FC 59 59-86
Circus or other events open to the general public, often upon payment of a fee, or nonprofit or government entity-sponsored bazaar/market.
Subject to limitations: DZC 11.11.4 & FC 59 59-86
Screened storage of construction equipment and excavated materials necessary for a specific construction project.
Subject to limitations: DZC 11.11.5 & FC 59 59-81 (a)
Processing of concrete, asphalt, and rock incidental to a specific construction or demolition project.
Subject to limitations: DZC 11.11.6 & FC 59 59-81 (e)
Installing a 6-foot security fence around an active construction or demolition site.
Subject to limitations: DZC 11.11.7 & FC 59 59-81 (b)
Temporary health services facility.
Subject to limitations: DZC 11.11.8 & FC 59 59-86 (a)(3)
Processing of concrete for a specific construction project.
Subject to limitations: DZC 11.11.9 & FC 59 59-81 (c)
Outdoor (not fully enclosed) retail sales and display of goods located within 125 feet of a pedestrian and/or transit mall (e.g. the downtown 16th Street Mall) including, for example, the sale of books, clothing, food, flowers, artwork, crafts, and similar goods.
Subject to limitations: DZC 11.11.10
Outdoor (not fully enclosed) retail sales, which must be operated as an extension of a primary retail sales use on the same zone lot.
Subject to limitations: DZC 11.11.11 & FC 59 59-86
Outdoor (not fully enclosed) retail sales of trees, plants, fruits, vegetables, or other similar foods or prepared food products, which can be conducted by a single person or multiple persons on the same zone lot. However, these sales must not be an extension of any primary retail sales uses on the same zone lot. This category includes:
Subject to limitations: DZC 11.11.12 & FC 59 59-86
Legally established, off-street parking area temporarily designated for a special event.
View permit instructions
Movable, motorized-wheeled or towed-wheeled vehicle designed and equipped to serve food. A zoning permit is only required when it operates on private property. You will also need to apply for a business license.
Subject to limitations: DZC 11.11.14 & FC 59 59-86
Construction office for a specific construction project. A copy of the active construction permit, or current permit number, is required before the temporary use permit can be issued.
Subject to limitations: DZC 11.11.15 & FC 59 59-81 (d)
Real estate office needed for the sale or rental of dwelling units within a project under construction, rehabilitation or recently completed, which is incidental and necessary to sale of units at that location.
Subject to limitations: DZC 11.11.16 & FC 59 59-86
Tiny homes to provide housing for people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless.
View permit instructions
Temporary outdoor religious venue, which are only allowed in campus (“CMP”), industrial (“I”), and certain open space (“OS-B”) zone districts.
Subject to limitations: DZC 11.11.18 & FC 59 59-86
Other temporary uses that are not specifically listed in the zoning code. These may be approved through a process for determining unlisted uses, per DZC section 11.11.1.
Subject to limitations: DZC 11.11.1
View instructions