Zoning Library › Colorado › Denver, CO
Denver, CO zoning: where a drive-thru restaurant is allowed
Is a drive-thru allowed in Denver, CO?
A drive-thru restaurant is allowed by right (no conditional use permit, special exception or rezoning) in these zoning districts: C-MS-5, C-MS-8, C-MS-12, C-MX-3, C-MX-5, C-MX-8, C-MX-12, C-MX-16, C-MX-20, E-CC-3, E-CC-3X, E-MS-2, E-MS-2X, E-MS-3, E-MS-5, E-MX-2, E-MX-2A, E-MX-2X, E-MX-3, E-MX-3A, G-MS-3, G-MS-5, G-MX-3, S-CC-3, S-CC-3X, S-CC-5, S-CC-5X, S-MX-2, S-MX-2X, S-MX-3, S-MX-5, S-MX-8, S-MX-12, U-MS-2, U-MS-2X, U-MS-3, U-MS-5, U-MX-2, U-MX-2X, U-MX-3.
It is not allowed in 53 districts (mostly residential; see the table).
77 districts are not confirmed yet.
Drive-thru restaurant rule by zoning district
| District | Drive-thru restaurant | What the code says | Section | Source | Read on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-1 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| B-2 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| B-3 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| B-4 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| B-5 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| B-8 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| B-8-A | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| B-8-G | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| B-A-1 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| B-A-3 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| B-A-4 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| C-CCN-4 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| C-CCN-5 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| C-CCN-7 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| C-CCN-8 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| C-CCN-12 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| C-MS-5 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| C-MS-8 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| C-MS-12 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| C-MU-10 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| C-MU-20 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| C-MU-30 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| C-MX-3 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| C-MX-5 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| C-MX-8 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| C-MX-12 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| C-MX-16 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| C-MX-20 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| C-RX-5 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| C-RX-8 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| C-RX-12 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| CCN | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| CMP-EI | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| CMP-EI2 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| CMP-ENT | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| CMP-H | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| CMP-H2 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| CMP-NWC | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| D-AS | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| D-C | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| D-CV | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| D-GT | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| D-LD | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| D-TD | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| DIA | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| E-CC-3 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| E-CC-3X | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| E-MS-2 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| E-MS-2X | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| E-MS-3 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| E-MS-5 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| E-MU-2.5 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| E-MX-2 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| E-MX-2A | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| E-MX-2X | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| E-MX-3 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| E-MX-3A | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| E-RX-5 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| E-SU-B | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| E-SU-D | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| E-SU-D1 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| E-SU-D1X | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| E-SU-DX | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| E-SU-G | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| E-TH-2.5 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| E-TU-B | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| E-TU-C | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| G-MS-3 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| G-MS-5 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| G-MU-3 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| G-MU-5 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| G-MU-8 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| G-MU-12 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| G-MU-20 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| G-MX-3 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| G-RH-3 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| G-RO-3 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| G-RO-5 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| G-RX-5 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| GTWY | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| H-1-A | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| H-1-B | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| H-2 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| I-0 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| I-1 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| I-2 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| I-A | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| I-B | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| I-MX-3 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| I-MX-5 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| I-MX-8 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| M-IMX-5 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| M-IMX-8 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| M-IMX-12 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| M-MX-5 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| M-RH-3 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| M-RX-5 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| M-RX-5A | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| MS-1 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| MS-2 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| MS-3 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| O-1 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| O-2 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| OS-1 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| OS-A | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| OS-B | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| OS-C | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| P-1 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| PUD | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| PUD-G | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| R-0 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| R-1 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| R-2 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| R-2-A | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| R-2-B | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| R-3 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| R-3-X | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| R-4 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| R-4-X | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| R-5 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| R-MU-20 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| R-MU-30 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| R-X | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| S-CC-3 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| S-CC-3X | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| S-CC-5 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| S-CC-5X | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| S-MU-3 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| S-MU-5 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| S-MU-8 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| S-MU-12 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| S-MU-20 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| S-MX-2 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| S-MX-2X | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| S-MX-3 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| S-MX-5 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| S-MX-8 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| S-MX-12 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| S-SU-A | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| S-SU-D | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| S-SU-F | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| S-SU-F1 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| S-SU-FX | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| S-SU-I | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| S-SU-IX | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| S-TH-2.5 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| T-MU-30 | Not confirmed | Not read closely enough to state a rule. | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 | |
| U-MS-2 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| U-MS-2X | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| U-MS-3 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| U-MS-5 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| U-MX-2 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| U-MX-2X | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| U-MX-3 | By right | Drive Thru Restaurant building form (Eating/Drinking primary use with accessory drive thru) Lane location by form option; 12 ft max lane, garden wall screening. Source 2014 amendment text. | DZC 3.3.3/4.3.3/5.3.3/6.3.3/7.3.3 | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| U-RH-2.5 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| U-RH-3A | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| U-RX-5 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| U-SU-A | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| U-SU-A1 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| U-SU-B | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| U-SU-B1 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| U-SU-B2 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| U-SU-C | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| U-SU-C1 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| U-SU-C2 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| U-SU-E | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| U-SU-H | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| U-TU-B | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| U-TU-B2 | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
| U-TU-C | Not allowed | No drive-thru form in residential families | DZC | denvergov.org | 2026-11-14 |
"By right" means permitted with site plan and building permit review only. Overlay districts, planned developments (PD/PUD) and conditions attached to a past rezoning can change the answer for a single parcel.
Official zoning map layer
To find the district for a parcel, query the jurisdiction's own GIS zoning layer: https://services.arcgis.com/ue9rwulIoeLEI9bj/arcgis/rest/services/Denver_zoning/FeatureServer/0 (district field: ZONE_DIS_1)
Sources
How to confirm before you buy
- Look up the parcel on the official zoning map to get its district and any overlay.
- Open the code section linked in the table and read the use table and the drive-thru standards.
- Call the planning office and ask whether a drive-thru restaurant needs anything beyond site plan review at that address.
Why this library exists
I'm Luke Smith. I find land for drive-thru brands like 7 Brew, Ellianos Coffee and Starbucks, sign the tenant, build the shop and sell it as a net lease property. Every deal starts with the same question: is the use allowed here without a rezoning? Getting that answer takes too long, so we read the codes (with AI research help), and I publish what we find with a link back to every source so you can check it yourself.
If you have a site that fits a drive-thru, or you want to learn how these deals are put together, join the free Reverse Deal Finder community on Skool, see cap rates and land prices by brand, or call 1-760-392-1525. Brokers welcome: I pay commissions.