A multicolor developing device having a plurality of developing mechanisms (136) for executing developing actions of colors different from each other. The developing device comprises a stationary frame member (2), a movable frame member (4) mounted on the stationary frame member to reciprocally move in a predetermined direction, and moving means for reciprocally moving the movable frame member. The plurality of developing mechanisms (136) are mounted on the movable frame member spaced apart in said predetermined direction, and any one of the plurality of developing mechanisms is selectively positionable at a developing zone depending on the movement of the movable frame member. The moving means includes a screw means (80) having a threaded shaft (82) extending in said predetermined direction and a nut (84) engaged with the threaded shaft, a stepping motor (114) for rotating the threaded shaft, and a nonexcited operation-type electromagnetic brake (134). A pair of racks (40) are disposed on the stationary frame member so as to be spaced apart in the lateral direction, and the movable frame member is provided with a rotary shaft extending in the lateral direction and a pair of pinions (74) fitted to the rotary shaft, the pair of pinions being engaged with the pair of racks. Each of the developing mechanisms (136) is provided with a pair of distance-setting rollers (156) which are brought into resilient contact with a rotary drum (160) in order to accomplish the positioning of the developing mechanisms relative to the rotary drum.