Lakewood Zoning & Land Use Guide
Key Zoning Facts
Lakewood Zoning Overview
Lakewood is the fifth-largest city in Colorado and the most populous city in Jefferson County, situated immediately west of Denver. The city was incorporated in 1969 and operates under a council-manager form of government. Lakewood's zoning code is codified in Title 17 of the Lakewood Municipal Code and uses a traditional zoning district framework with residential, commercial, industrial, and planned development categories. The city's land use patterns reflect its suburban origins, with large areas of single-family housing interspersed with commercial strips along major arterials like Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Lakewood has experienced significant redevelopment activity, particularly along the West Corridor light rail line that connects the city to downtown Denver. The city's comprehensive plan, Lakewood 2025, emphasizes transit-oriented development around light rail stations, revitalization of aging commercial corridors, and preservation of open space. The Federal Center, a major federal office complex within Lakewood's boundaries, is another significant land use influence.
Development review in Lakewood is managed by the Community Planning and Development department. The city processes building permits, zoning approvals, and development applications through both administrative and public hearing processes depending on project type and scale.
Key Zoning Districts
Lakewood's zoning districts include R-1 through R-3 for residential uses at varying densities, C-1 and C-2 for commercial uses, and industrial districts for employment areas. The R-1 district requires minimum 12,500-square-foot lots, while R-2 allows duplexes on 7,500-square-foot lots. Lakewood also has Mixed Use zone districts along transit corridors and Planned Development districts that allow customized zoning for larger sites.
ADU Regulations
Lakewood permits ADUs in residential zones consistent with Colorado HB 24-1152. ADUs are limited to 800 square feet and 20 feet in height. No additional parking is required, and owner-occupancy mandates are not imposed. Building permits for ADUs are processed administratively with typical timelines of four to eight weeks.
Development Process
Lakewood's development process begins with a pre-application meeting for most projects. By-right construction requires a building permit reviewed by the Building Division. Rezonings, special use permits, and major site plans require Planning Commission review and, in some cases, City Council approval. The city offers online permitting and plan submission through its development services portal.
Regulatory Layers That Apply in Lakewood
Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.
Federal
- FEMA Flood Zones: Applicable
- View FEMA Flood Map
County — Jefferson County
- Role: Property records, tax assessment, unincorporated area planning
City / Municipal
The city's zoning ordinance, building codes, and local permits form the primary layer of land-use regulation for your property.
Overlay Districts
No overlay districts identified.
Private Restrictions
- HOA / CC&Rs common: Yes
- Check HOA CC&Rs for additional restrictions.
Primary Zoning Districts
- Min Lot
- 12,500 sq ft
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 30 ft
- Side Setback
- 7.5 ft
- Rear Setback
- 25 ft
- Min Lot
- 7,500 sq ft
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 25 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Rear Setback
- 25 ft
- Min Lot
- None
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 15 ft
- Side Setback
- 0 ft
- Rear Setback
- 10 ft
ADU Rules in Lakewood
- Max Size
- 800 sq ft
- Max Height
- 20 ft
- Rear Setback
- 5 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Parking
- No additional parking required
- Owner Occupancy
- Not required
- Permit Timeline
- 4-8 weeks
Permit Costs & Timelines
Permit Costs & Timelines
Specific permit fee schedules for Lakewood are available from the local planning department. Fees vary based on project type, scope, and valuation.
Check Lakewood permit fees →