denver tweaking its zoning to accommodate tiny home villages

Denver may soon see an increase in what are known as tiny home villages due to a change in the city’s zoning laws.

Both city officials and members of a group called the Colorado Village Collaborative have held a series of meetings designed to make those laws as they apply to such villages more straight-forward and clear.

Those conversations have led to a proposal just aired by the city that would allow for both short-term and long-term permits for such structures.

The proposed zoning changes will also make it possible for tiny home villages to be carved out in pretty much any part of Denver, with the exception of on conserved land.

Generally defined as structures measuring less than 400 square feet, tiny homes have been growing in popularity throughout the country as both a way for people to live more simply, while also providing affordable housing for those who are homeless.

A movement to build more such structures in Denver first picked up steam two years ago with the creation of the Beloved Community Village, a community of nearly a dozen tiny homes near the city’s thriving River North Art District.

A move earlier this year to a site north of the art district and on the other side of the South Platte River allowed the Beloved Community Village to add another ten homes.

Now city officials say organizations interested in putting together similar communities can do so after first meeting with area residents and neighborhood groups to talk about their plans for a specific site.

Such meetings, in fact, would be seen as a prerequisite to any village proposal finally securing a city permit.

City officials say that by early next year they additionally hope to be able to see established a process that will allow for permanent zoning permits for tiny home villages.

By Garry Boulard

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