We get that it's hard to understand all these proposed changes, particularly if you haven't been part of the conversation since it started in February. These are complex and detailed proposals, which is the nature of writing regulations. To help you better understand them, we have added and updated these resources:

• A map legend to understand the zoning district abbreviations on the zoning maps.
• Quadrant Map to allow you to see individual street names and better identify the proposed zoning for properties by breaking up the map of the city into four individual quadrants.
• A Table of Contents that outlines the specific topics covered by each article in the Zoning Ordinance(External link).
• Redline version of the proposed changes in Spanish(External link). This is available along with a redline version in English and the zoning code as it is currently -- all on one city webpage(External link).
• New maps, one showing the full city and four quadrant maps, that show the transit corridors through Lakewood.

Additional resources that can help you understand the proposals:

• Q&A for Zoning Updates or the Looking@Lakewood article(External link) from May.
• Video presentation(External link) about the updates.
• Staff memo outlining the work that has been done by City Council and the Planning Commission during the last few months.
• City Council's 2024 resolution about its priorities(External link).

City Council approved new meeting dates for the public hearings on the proposed Zoning Updates and separated the proposed changes into four parts. Council believes this will provide additional time for residents to learn and ask questions about the proposed changes.

A new Quadrant Map has also been posted in the Important Documents section so that residents can see individual street names and better identify the proposed zoning for properties. The Quadrant Map breaks up the map of the city into four individual quadrants.

New public hearing schedule

• Aug. 25 for Articles 6-14 of the proposed zoning code.
• Sept. 8 for Articles 1, 2, 4 and 5.
• Sept. 22 for Article 3.
• Oct. 13 for the zoning map.

Now that City Council has approved the updated Comprehensive Plan to set the vision for Lakewood for the next 15 years, it’s time to complete the work through the Zoning Updates that will implement that vision. City Council and the Planning Commission have spent the last few months working on the new draft zoning code following consultation with residents and advisory groups in preparation for the Aug. 11 and Aug. 25 meetings.

Because the discussion will now shift to the City Council meetings, the Forum discussions, quick polls and the tool to share your ideas on this project page have been closed. Please provide any additional comments on LakewoodSpeaks.org for the Aug. 11 and Aug. 25 meetings.

Review new proposed version of the Zoning Updates:

• New staff memo.
• New redlined version of proposed updates.
• New draft zoning map.

New information is available for you to review. After numerous meetings, City Council is in the final stages of reviewing and adopting changes to the zoning code. All the work that City Council has done, along with the Planning Commission, has resulted in a new proposed version of the Zoning Updates:

• New staff memo.
• New redlined version of proposed updates.
• New draft zoning map.

Both City Council and Planning Commission have had multiple public meetings to review proposed updates to the zoning code. City Council had workshops on May 2, May 16 and June 2 in addition to a March study session. Planning Commission had hearings on April 16 and May 21 in addition to a February study session. These amendments reflect the items that the Planning Commission approved for the changes or City Council requested in the final draft for City Council to review during its upcoming meetings.

The City Council meetings to consider the proposed Zoning Updates have been changed to Aug. 11 when City Council will set the public hearing date, which has been proposed for Aug. 25. See the Timeline on this page. That means there's time for one more Forum discussion and quick poll, so please participate in those.

Keep up the discussion by participating in the newest question in the Forum about commercial parking requirements. Please also also take the newest quick poll, and spread the word to your family and friends to join in as well.

We are trying to get as many of you, whether you are a resident, a business or a community member, involved in the discussion about the city's Zoning Updates, so we've added the Forum discussion for you to respond to a specific question and a quick poll on a quick topic. Join the Forum discussion and take the quick poll!

This Q&A in the important document section provides an outline of the Zoning Updates by answers to some of the most fundamental questions:

• Why are the updates occurring?
• Why are they important?
• What’s changing?

Proposed Zoning Updates

This outlines the Zoning Updates the city is proposing for approval in the coming months.

Technical changes
These will involve numerous changes to update language, make cross-references clear and ensure that previously inaccurate or outdated information, definitions or terms are removed.

Council requested changes
On Dec. 9, 2024, the Lakewood City Council passed a resolution outlining its intentions, values, and top policy priorities. The Zoning Updates Staff Report outlines these items.

State law requirements
Changes to state law are requiring several of the significant updates to the city's Zoning Ordinance, and these are outlined here:

1. HB24-1152: This new state law now requires cities to allow 500-750-square-foot accessory dwelling units (ADUs) wherever single-family homes are allowed.
2. HB24-1304: This new state law prohibits cities from requiring minimum parking requirements for multifamily complexes built in the future in areas considered a "transit service area." The law defines these transit service areas as within one-quarter mile of bus stops with buses operating on at least a 30-minute frequency or within one-quarter mile of a light rail station.
3. HB24-1313: This new state law now requires cities to increase the overall density of allowable residential units to 40 units per acre in certain transit service areas. In this law, transit services areas are defined as within one-quarter mile of bus stops with buses operating with at least a 15-minute frequency or within one-half mile of a light rail station.
4. HB24-1007: State law now prohibits cities from limiting the number of people who may live in a dwelling except based on health and safety as determined by the number of bedrooms and other physical aspects of the home.