Hey House Hackers! Denver's Changing its Occupancy Limits

[James Carlson]

Good news for those house-hacking types within the city limits of Denver. The city is considering increasing the number of unrelated adults who are allowed to live together. With Denver facing an affordable housing crisis, this change falls under the category of "Duh, about time." 

(And props to @John Mayer & @Savanna Mayer for following this issue as they embark on their first house hack.)

A few highlights:

What's the current limit? What's the proposed new limit?
Currently, Denver allows 2 unrelated adults to live together, one of the worst. This is nuts. The proposal would increase that to 8, one of the most liberal in the state.

What do other cities allow?
Denver's the stingiest. (Along with Englewood, who also only allows two unrelated people to live together.) 

Allow 3 unrelated people
Wheat Ridge, Littleton and Commerce City

Allow 4
Aurora, Golden, Northglenn, Thornton, Westminister

Allow 5
Castle Rock, Colorado Springs, Arvada, Lakewood & Parker

What's this mean for me?
You know, the city of Denver had bigger fish to fry than to go scouting potential violations of the unrelated occupancy law. So in practice, it might not mean a lot. But if you're someone looking to house hack or just do a rent-by-the-room model in Denver, this could give you peace of mind that you're not going to get shut down. 

Timeline?
Short answer: Possibly June of this year for full passage.

Long answer: The proposal is going to face some open house/public comment sessions. (Check this link, halfway down for a list of the sessions where you can make your voice heard.)

It then has to go to the planning board and then the city council

More info please?
You can find more info the group studying the issue here. (Check out the "'Questions on Household Definition" about a quarter of the way down.) Or read the presentation here.