Denver Plan Would Allow Duplexes and Fourplexes To Serve the 'Missing Middle'

"The city's “Unlocking Housing Choices” proposal would open single-family zones across Denver to duplexes, fourplexes, and other small multi-unit buildings-allowing them by right, without requiring special permits or variances. A new analysis from Root Policy Research estimates the change could produce between 249 and 2,025 new “missing middle” housing units citywide each year. But those numbers depend heavily on interest rates, construction costs, and land availability-and researchers caution that policy response typically takes time."

"Researchers identified seven neighborhoods where 72% of Denver's single-family-to-missing-middle conversions already happened between 2010 and 2024: Berkeley, Highland, Jefferson Park, Overland, Sloan Lake, Sunnyside, and West Colfax. That figure tracks redevelopment of lots that held single unit dwellings in 2010-not all housing change citywide. Jefferson Park leads the city with a 26% cumulative redevelopment rate-meaning more than a quarter of the lots that held single-family homes in 2010 had already converted to multi-unit housing by 2025. West Colfax follows at 19%, and Overland at 12%."

"Those neighborhoods, and their adjacent communities, are where the analysis expects missing-middle construction to be the dominant activity under the new policy-with as many as 11 single-family lots converting to duplexes or fourplexes per year in each of those areas. In wealthier, single-family-dominant neighborhoods like Hilltop, Washington Park, and Belcaro, the analysis projects the opposite: larger replacement single-family homes will continue to dominate, with only about 2 missing-middle conversions per year on average."

Denver’s “Unlocking Housing Choices” proposal would permit duplexes, fourplexes, and other small multi-unit buildings in areas currently zoned for single-family homes. These buildings would be allowed by right, without special permits or variances. A Root Policy Research analysis estimates the policy could generate 249 to 2,025 missing-middle units each year across the city. Outcomes depend on interest rates, construction costs, and land availability, and housing policy effects may take time to materialize. Conversions are expected to concentrate in neighborhoods where single-family lots have already been redeveloped, including Berkeley, Highland, Jefferson Park, Overland, Sloan Lake, Sunnyside, and West Colfax. Jefferson Park shows the highest cumulative redevelopment rate, with West Colfax and Overland also elevated. Wealthier neighborhoods are projected to see fewer missing-middle conversions and more continued single-family replacement construction.

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