Residential master models are a set of new home construction drawings that are reviewed and approved only once for building code compliance but can be used throughout the city without the need to resubmit a full set of plans for each individual location. Residential master models are generally used by production builders for the construction of new detached single family dwellings, townhouses or duplexes. 

Building Plans

The submitted building plans for a specific model must show all available options and elevations that will be applicable over its lifecycle and must meet or show the building code requirements of a New Home. The plans must include Fire Suppression path in the design criteria. The building plans are valid until the building code in which they were originally approved is no longer current. The process for each step of a residential master model's lifecycle is described below. 

New Master Models

Before a master model can receive an approval by the building department, it must first have been approved by the planning department for a specific subdivision/filing through a Master Model Elevation (ME) project review. Master model building approval is accomplished by applying for a Residential Master Model (RMSTR) building permit. First time submissions of master models require a building plan review to confirm building code compliance and a planning review to ensure the submission conforms to the ME project approval. When applying in the eTRAKiT portal, you must identify, where indicated, the following information:

• Master model name.
• Type of submission: choose "First-time submission of this model for current code cycle."
• Name of subdivision/filing.
• Master Model Elevation (ME) project record number. If you do not have the ME project record number, please contact the planner of the day at 303-289-3372.
• In the "Location" section of eTRAKiT:
  • Enter "master master" in the "Search Value" field.
  • Select "MASTER MODEL" from the resulting pulldown.

The submission package for the initial master model building permit must include the building plans, applicable reports or other code-related documents.

Master Model Transfers

Once approved for its initial subdivision/filing, the master model can be transferred to a new subdivision/filing provided it was previously approved by the planning department through an MME project for the new subdivision/filing. To accomplish this, you must apply for a new Residential Master Model (RMSTR) permit in eTRAKiT. Master model transfers are reviewed by the planning department only; building code reviews are not repeated. When applying for the transfer in the eTRAKiT portal, you must identify, where indicated, the following information:

• Model name.
• Type of submission: choose "Transfer of this model to new subdivision/filing."
• Building permit (RMSTR) record number for master model's first-time submission (see above)
• Name of new subdivision/filing.
• Master Model Elevation (ME) project record number.
• In the "Location" section of eTRAKiT:
  • Enter "master model" in the "Search Value" field.
  • Select "MASTER MODEL" from the resulting pulldown.

No new documents or plans are required for a master model transfer.

Master Model Code Updates

Updating an approved master model for a new code is not permitted. To accommodate a code update, you must apply for a new RMSTR permit; see above.

New Single-Family Dwellings Permitted From Master Models

When applying for a new single-family dwelling off of an approved subdivision's master model, you will be applying for a New Residential Construction (RNEW) permit. When in the eTRAKiT portal, you must identify, where indicated, the following information:

• Master model name.
• Residential Master Model (RMSTR) record number which must match for the subdivision/filing number below.
• Subdivision name and filing number.