City Council Approves Cohabitation Zoning Update

Changes to the city’s zoning code will go into effect this week, giving Denver residents more legal housing options. Previously, the Denver zoning code restricted the number of non-related adults who could live together to two. With the new amendment, that number will be raised to five.

Over the last three years, thousands of Denver residents have shared their thoughts and lived experiences which helped to push the new zoning amendment into law. This amendment will directly affect polyamorous families as well as other cohabitating groups throughout the city.

“Tonight’s vote is a step toward rectifying the role zoning has played historically in dividing cities based on race, class, and perceptions of people,” Laura Aldrete, executive director of Community Planning and Development, said of the amended code. “We are modernizing our codes and ensuring our policies reflect our values.”

“I genuinely believe that allowing more than two unrelated adults to reside in the same household is one sustainable, equitable and anti-racist solution to the housing crisis, especially during a deep economic recession,” a Denver homeowner named Lauren said in the public hearing Monday night.

In Aurora, Golden, and Westminster, the of unrelated adults who can live together limit is four. Parker and Lakewood have a limit of five. Denver’s previous limit of two unrelated adults dates back to the 1980s when the city’s population was about half of what it is today.

Data Source: United Nations – World Population Prospects

The amendments also pertain to residential care facilities like community corrections or halfway houses, sober living homes, and homeless shelters, of which there are around 140 within Denver. The approved amendments adjust rules for residential care facilities so that they are regulated by the number of people they serve rather than the services they offer.

“Community corrections facilities are designed to get people on their feet and to reconnect with society,” Mary Coddington of the Neighborhood Development Collaborative said. “But this is undercut if the facilities are still segregated from most of our communities.”

“This change has been a long time coming, and I want to thank Community Planning and Development staff and City Council for their work to bring forward an update to these rules that is comprehensive and inclusive,” said Mayor Hancock. “Our work to provide more housing options for individuals and families to access isn’t finished, but this is a positive step in the right direction and one that we will build on.”