Water and Sewer Connection Permit in Denver, Colorado (2026)
Without a Water and Sewer Connection Permit from Denver Water and the City and County of Denver, you cannot legally connect to municipal water and sewer infrastructure—leaving your restaurant unable to operate or obtain occupancy approval. The Water and Sewer Connection Permit (also called a utility connection authorization or water service permit) certifies that your location meets plumbing and utility standards for food service operations. Key facts:
- 26 fields — ApronPrep auto-fills 22
- $0–$0 government filing fees — contact Denver Water for current connection charges
- 4–8 weeks processing time, depending on site complexity and inspection scheduling
Analyzed from Water and Sewer Connection Permit
85% from one compliance interview
Manual entry or document upload required
Why You Need a Water and Sewer Connection Permit
A Water and Sewer Connection Permit from the Denver Department of Transportation & Infrastructure (DOTI) is a mandatory compliance document before opening any new restaurant or facility that discharges wastewater. The legal basis for this requirement is found in the Denver Revised Municipal Code (DRMC) § 53-50 governing water connections and DRMC § 49-4 related to sewer use and disposal. These ordinances grant DOTI and Denver Water the authority to regulate all new connections to the city's mains to ensure they meet current standards for pressure, backflow prevention, and material compatibility. Furthermore, discharge is strictly controlled under local sewer use regulations which specify limits for fats, oils, and grease (FOG) and other pollutants to protect the municipal treatment system.
Operating without this permit or failing an inspection can trigger significant and costly consequences. Based on common enforcement actions for non-compliance, you could face:
- Daily fines and service disconnection – The city can impose administrative penalties and physically disconnect your water service until violations are corrected, halting all operations.
- Required remediation and permit revocation – If unauthorized connections or non-compliant discharge is discovered, you may be forced to excavate and redo work at your own expense, and your permit can be revoked.
- Lender and lease complications – Proof of a valid connection permit is often a prerequisite for final construction loan draws and certificate of occupancy issuance. Without it, your opening timeline and financing are at risk.
Legal code: Local sewer use regulations, water connection requirements, road/sidewalk ordinances, grease discharge limits
Recent update: As of 2026, Denver DOTI has fully integrated its application portal with the city's building permit system, requiring all connection permit applications for new construction to be submitted electronically through the same platform.
Who Needs a Water and Sewer Connection Permit?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | Required as any new or remodeled commercial kitchen must connect to Denver Water’s municipal system for potable water and wastewater disposal, per Denver Revised Municipal Code § 49-70. |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Required because these establishments generate wastewater from restrooms and, if serving food, from sinks and dishwashing areas, mandating a formal connection approval. |
| Food Truck | Not Required | Typically exempt from a physical connection permit; instead, they must use an approved commissary for water and waste disposal, as outlined in Denver’s Mobile Food Unit regulations. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Required due to the installation of plumbing fixtures for espresso machines, sinks, and restroom facilities, which constitutes a new connection to the municipal sewer system. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (26 Fields)
22 of 26 auto-filledRestaurant Property Address
textEnter the complete street address of the property where you plan to connect water and sewer service, exactly as it appears on your lease or deed.
COMMON MISTAKE: Submitting a P.O. Box, mailing address, or an incomplete address (e.g., missing unit/suite) – the Denver Department of Transportation & Infrastructure (DOTI) requires the precise physical location for utility mapping.
Property Ownership Type
textSelect or enter 'Owner' if you hold the property deed, or 'Tenant/Lessee' if you are leasing the space.
COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting 'Owner' when you are a tenant, which requires submitting a lease agreement instead of a deed; this mismatch is a primary reason for application rejection.
Property Deed (if owned)
textIf you selected 'Owner' above, enter the official document number or recording reference from your property deed here.
COMMON MISTAKE: Leaving this field blank when 'Ownership Type' is set to 'Owner', or entering an informal document name instead of the official county-recorded deed reference.
Lease Agreement (if leased)
textIf you selected 'Tenant/Lessee' above, provide the lease agreement document name or reference number that grants you authority to make utility connections.
COMMON MISTAKE: Failing to attach a signed copy of the full lease agreement when referencing it here, leading DOTI to reject the application for insufficient proof of tenant authority.
Building Permits Completed
checkboxCheck this box only if all necessary building permits for your restaurant's construction or renovation have been approved by the Denver Community Planning & Development department.
COMMON MISTAKE: Checking this box prematurely before building permits are fully issued, which causes automatic rejection as water/sewer connections cannot be scheduled without approved construction plans.
Building Permit Numbers
textIf the box above is checked, list all relevant building permit numbers issued for your project, separated by commas.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering application numbers instead of issued permit numbers, or omitting this field after checking the box above, which creates a data inconsistency that triggers a manual review and delay.
Service Availability Confirmed
checkboxCheck this box only after you have confirmed with Denver Water and the City's Wastewater Division that public water and sewer mains are accessible at your property line.
COMMON MISTAKE: Assuming service is available without verification; checking this box without a formal capacity check from the utilities is a major reason for permit denial, as it commits the city to a connection that may not be feasible.
Distance to Existing Infrastructure
textEnter the measured distance in feet from your proposed building connection point to the closest public water main and sewer lateral.
COMMON MISTAKE: Estimating or guessing the distance instead of providing a surveyed measurement; inaccuracies here can lead to incorrect fee calculations and require a revised application.
Detailed Site Plan
textProvide the name or reference number of the stamped, engineered site plan that shows the property boundaries, building footprint, and proposed utility trench lines.
COMMON MISTAKE: Referencing an architectural floor plan instead of a civil-engineered site plan, which lacks the grading and utility details required by DOTI for construction approval.
Connection Point Locations Description
textDescribe the exact points where water and sewer lines will connect to the building (e.g., '3 feet north of southeast corner, 4' below grade'), referencing the site plan.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using vague descriptions like 'front of building' or failing to match the description to callouts on the submitted site plan, which forces reviewers to request clarification and delays the permit.
ApronPrep auto-fills 22 of 26 fields from a single compliance interview — no re-typing, no guessing what the government expects.
Top 5 Water and Sewer Connection Permit Mistakes
1. Mistake Title
Based on ApronPrep's analysis of Water and Sewer Connection Permit applications in Denver, the most common error is submitting an incomplete set of construction drawings. Applicants often provide only the site plan without the required cross-section, plumbing riser, and detailed utility connection diagrams as specified in the Denver Public Works & Transportation (DPWT) Technical Standards Manual. This omission triggers an immediate 'deficient' status, adding 2–4 weeks for plan resubmission and re-review.
2. Mistake Title
Incorrectly calculating the water meter size based on the International Plumbing Code (IPC) fixture unit count is a frequent mistake. Restaurant owners may default to a standard 1" meter without performing the full fixture unit calculation for their specific kitchen, restrooms, and bar layout. An undersized meter leads to a rejected application, requiring a full re-design and re-submission of the plumbing plans, delaying the project by 3–5 weeks.
3. Mistake Title
Failing to obtain and attach a Denver Wastewater Enterprise (DWE) 'Will Serve' letter prior to submitting the connection permit application causes automatic rejection. This separate letter, confirming the municipal sewer system's capacity for the new restaurant, must be acquired first. Submitting the permit packet without it results in a 1–2 week administrative delay while the application is returned and you must restart the process.
Skip the Paperwork on Your Water and Sewer Connection Permit
ApronPrep auto-fills 22 of 26 fields from one compliance interview.
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Water and Sewer Connection Permit by City in Colorado
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora | Contact authority for current fees - refer to Fee Schedule 1, 2, or 3 available on aurora.gov Development Center | 2-4 weeks for permit issuance pending inspection scheduling and approval (timelines vary based on application completeness) |
| Colorado Springs | Water Development Charge (WDC) ranges from $5,297 to $889,224 depending on property type, lot size, and meter size. Water Resource Fee (WRF) ranges from $3,847 to $645,790. Wastewater Permit Fees (2025): Single-family residential new construction $160, multi-family per service line $200, non-residential without interceptor $200, non-residential with interceptor $350. Additional Install/Repair/Alteration: Single-family $200, multi-family $240, non-residential without interceptor $240, non-residential with interceptor $390. Wastewater Development Charges range from $1,868 to $460,049 depending on property type and meter size. Return trip fees (2025): Single-family $100, multi-family $140, non-residential without interceptor $140, non-residential with interceptor $290. Outside-city limit charges are 50% higher than inside city. | |
| Denver | Contact authority for current fees. Denver Water charges connection fees; sewer permit fees vary by local authority | 4-8 weeks from application to final approval, depending on site complexity and inspection availability. May extend if modifications required. |
Government Filing Fees
- Contact authority for current fees.
- Denver Water charges connection fees
- sewer permit fees vary by local authority
Timeline: Varies
Step 1: Contact Denver Water at 303-893-2444 to initiate new water service connection request and obtain contractor requirements
Call Denver Water's New Taps division during business hours (Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–4 p.m.) to notify them of your restaurant location and request a new water meter. Have your property address, parcel number, and expected service date ready. Denver Water will provide you with a list of approved contractors and the specific requirements for your location — this call typically takes 10–15 minutes but is essential to avoid ordering work that doesn't meet their specifications.
Step 2: Download and complete the New Tap Installation Requirements Checklist from Denver Water website
Visit denverwater.org and locate the New Tap Installation Requirements Checklist — this 1-page form lists 8–10 mandatory items your contractor must provide (site photographs, permit copies, certification of installation). Download, review, and share it with your selected contractor so they understand Denver Water's exact submission requirements. Contractors familiar with Denver Water's process can typically complete this within 2–3 business days of finishing the physical tap installation.
Step 3: Prepare site plans showing connection point to municipal water/sewer lines and location relative to building
Work with your contractor or a licensed engineer to create a site plan (typically 8.5" × 11" or 11" × 17") showing the restaurant building footprint, the municipal water and sewer main line locations, the proposed tap point, and distances from the building to the connection. Denver Water and the sewer authority both require this plan — it must be drawn to scale and include a north arrow and legend. Most contractors can prepare this for $150–$400; ApronPrep does not auto-fill this document.
Where to Apply
Applications are handled by your local department of public works (dpw) in each city. Select your city below for authority details, fees, and processing timeline.
Other Requirements You'll Need
This is one of 13 requirements for opening a restaurant in Colorado.
ADA Compliance Self-Certification
federal
Alarm System Permit/Registration
local
Application for Employer Identification Number
federal
Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (Corporation)
state
See all co-required forms and how they connect to your compliance dossier.
See All RequirementsTimeline varies depending on whether your project requires a simple connection to existing infrastructure or new main line installation, per the Denver Water and Department of Public Works guidance. Most standard residential or small commercial connections are processed within 2–4 weeks from application submission to permit issuance, though this does not include the time required for the actual physical connection work by a licensed contractor. Contact Denver Water's Customer Service at (303) 628-6000 or visit their website to confirm current processing timelines for your specific project scope.
Denver Water and the Department of Public Works do not charge a government filing fee for the water and sewer connection permit itself; however, you will incur substantial costs for the actual infrastructure work performed by licensed contractors, which typically range from $500 to $5,000+ depending on distance from existing lines and site conditions. Before applying, you may also need to obtain a Building Permit if your project involves structural modifications. Contact Denver Water's New Customer Service team to request a formal estimate for connection costs specific to your property address — not legal advice; verify all fees directly with the authority.
Water and sewer connection permits are location-specific and tied to a particular property address and meter, so they cannot be transferred to a different location. If you are relocating your restaurant, you will need to submit a new water and sewer connection permit application for the new address and discontinue service at the old location. Contact Denver Water to initiate service termination at your current location and begin the application process for your new site.
Water and sewer connection permits do not require renewal; once approved and the physical connection is complete, your water and sewer service continues indefinitely as long as you maintain active utility accounts with Denver Water. However, if your restaurant undergoes significant remodeling, expansion, or changes to water/sewer usage (such as adding a grease trap or increasing fixture count), you may need to file amended or supplemental permits — contact Denver Water to determine if your modifications trigger a new application. Additionally, ensure you maintain your City Business License/Registration and comply with all utility billing obligations to keep service active.
Denver Water and Department of Public Works inspectors verify that the installed water and sewer connection meets city code standards, including proper pipe sizing, slope, material compliance, and isolation from contamination sources. The inspection typically occurs after your licensed contractor completes the physical connection work and before final approval is issued; you must schedule this inspection through Denver Water's inspection division and ensure the site is accessible. If the inspection fails, the inspector will document deficiencies and require corrections before re-inspection — contact the inspector's office to understand the specific requirements and timeline for remediation.
About This Data
This guide is generated from ApronPrep's compliance dossier system, which uses 53 parallel AI authority experts to discover requirements, then downloads actual forms and generates field-level intelligence for each one.
For Colorado specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Aurora, Colorado Springs, Denver), generating Rich FILs (Form Intelligence Layers) with 26 form fields analyzed for this requirement. Fee data is sourced from actual county department fee schedules, not estimates.
Our data is verified against official government sources and updated when regulatory changes are detected. If you find an error, please report it — accuracy is our core commitment.
Sources
- Local sewer use regulations, water connection requirements, road/sidewalk ordinances, grease discharge limits
- Aurora — Department of Public Works (DPW)
- Colorado Springs — Department of Public Works (DPW)
- Denver — Department of Public Works (DPW)
This Form Is One of 60+ Requirements.
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