CodeNext: Unified Development Code

On September 25, 2023 city council adopted the new Unified Development Code (CodeNext).

Project Update

On September 25, 2023 city council adopted the new Unified Development Code (CodeNext). The new development code will became effective on October 27, 2023 and may be viewed HERE.

The information sheets below focus on the six topics that shaped many of the conversations around CodeNext. These topics discuss changes surrounding house types, the design and character of our residential neighborhoods, how our commercial spaces and buildings look and operate, and the new sustainable measures created by these revisions.

What's new in the code?

CodeNext strengthens development regulations to ensure that developers build more attractive, sustainable and neighborhood friendly buildings along with biking and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.
CodeNext includes new residential design standards to ensure that future development factors the existing character of residential neighborhoods.

Why was CodeNext needed, and what does it bring to the table?

Old development standards that worked in 2004 weren’t aligning with the expanding needs of our emerging city. In recent years, city staff and city council worked to amend the Unified Development Code retroactively, based on the changes the community faced.

Unfortunately, this ‘band-aid’ approach only works for so long.

CodeNext is the first overhaul of the regulations around new construction and redevelopment in Englewood in almost 20 years.

The Lowdown on ADUs

In 2019, many of the residentially zoned lots in Englewood were given the right to build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU).

Up to now, only seven new ADUs have been constructed with six more under construction or having an approved building permit.

Gives all residentially zoned lots the ability to have an ADU, while R-1 districts are permitted no more than one ADU per lot.
Increases allowances and options while decreasing impediments to the development of new ADUs.
Allowing ADUs provides for smaller unit sizes that cost less and allow new citizens, including young professionals, teachers, members of the medical community and many other employees of Englewood businesses, to live in our community.
ADUs put very little burden on the city’s infrastructure as they have no lawn to water, house very few people and take up a small footprint.

What’s in it for you? A LOT ACTUALLY!

Preserving your historic home or neighborhood
- CodeNext contains the city’s first comprehensive historic preservation ordinance. Residents can now apply to preserve their home or neighborhood.
Design and appearance of new homes, apartments and commercial buildings
- Most cities have had design standards for homes, apartments and buildings for decades, but not Englewood…until now!
Attractive and sustainable landscaping on commercial corridors and lots
- CodeNext has Englewood’s most robust landscaping standards for new development to make the city more beautiful and sustainable.
Streets designed for pedestrians and bicycles
- New standards for development require bicycle amenities like racks and bike lanes along with new sidewalk standards for pedestrian-friendly sidewalks.
Smaller housing unit sizes to improve affordability and rental income for homeowners
- Lower lot size standards will allow for the construction of smaller homes along with increased ability to construct ADUs.
Sustainability and water conservation efforts
- CodeNext contains the city’s first xeric, low-water use design guidelines to enable more sustainable development including encouraging landscaping with native and drought-tolerant plants.

Business Testimonials

"I’m excited for the CodeNext update which will support growth in the Englewood Downtown as well as keep up with current and emerging needs in the city."
Brad Nixon, Business Owner
Nixon’s Coffee and Share Good Foods

"Downtown Englewood employers say their biggest challenge to recruit and retain employees is the high cost of housing. Our local businesses will thrive—and stay here—if their employees can live, work and spend locally."
Hilarie Portell, Executive Director
Englewood Downtown Development Authority

"CodeNext not only benefits our local businesses but also enhances the overall quality of life for Englewood residents allowing a diverse community to continue to grow and flourish."
Hugo Weinberger, President
The Situs Group

CodeNext DOES NOT

Give developers a greenlight to redevelop the city
- CodeNext does not remove requirements from other city codes that mandate new developments conduct needed studies and/or upgrades to water, sewer or other infrastructure.
Change existing zoning
- CodeNext does not rezone any property within the City of Englewood.
Add multi-unit buildings to single-family zoning districts
- CodeNext does not allow for duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes or any other multi-unit buildings to be constructed in R-1 districts.
Change regulations surrounding short-term rentals
Force property owners to sell or redevelop their property
- CodeNext does not mandate that owners sell or make changes to their existing home or properties. The provisions of the code apply when an owner wants to make significant exterior improvements or rebuild.

View the Adoption Mailer PDF Here

Project Description

CodeNext represents the update of Englewood’s comprehensive framework of development regulations, or Unified Development Code (UDC), to ensure quality development for all generations. Englewood is a diverse community with development ranging from the transit-oriented CityCenter and historic Downtown to a strategically planned network of early-mid 20^th Century bungalow-style neighborhoods. CodeNext contemplated all development contexts in a way that is appropriate to different neighborhood, market, and environmental settings through the code revision process. The UDC includes regulations and design standards that address zoning, land uses, building setbacks, building height, parking, landscaping, neighborhood character, application procedures, and is one of the primary tools used to support the implementation of the city’s comprehensive plan, Englewood Forward.

Englewood Forward was unanimously adopted by city council in 2017 and the Plan places renewed emphasis on community priorities and emerging issues to support Englewood’s existing residential neighborhoods, incentivizing and maintain more affordable and attainable housing, diversifying the types of housing available, promoting mixed-use and transit-supportive development along key corridors, and addressing the changing dynamics of employment and industrial lands within the city.

CodeNext strived to facilitate the implementation of the Plan and address its goals, while responding to shifting priorities and changes in social and market conditions through revisions to the UDC. The former UDC was primarily developed and adopted in 2004 and was not comprehensively revised since its inception.

CodeNext ensured that Englewood’s Unified Development Code, core policy documents and land use regulations were congruent with the community’s goals and values for a sustainable city. Additionally, the process followed these guiding principles during the revision:

Provided a comprehensive framework for development;
Ensured that the UDC is user-friendly and modernized;
Gathered community support from a broad range of stakeholders;
Strived to make the right things easy with streamlined approval processes with standards that align with desired development patterns;
Employed local and national best practices with a focus on peer Colorado communities;
Maintained flexibility and certainty for consistency of outcomes;
Minimized nonconformities; and
Community stakeholders will be engaged throughout the process.

Comments and Questions

We want to hear from our Englewood residents and business owners, Ask a question or leave us a comment.

Unified Development Code Adopted by City Council on September 25, 2023

Below is a link to the adopted Unified Development Code. Previous drafts may be found HERE.

Adopted Unified Development Code (UDC)