Improving Sustainable Development Standards

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Consultation has concluded

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This consultation has concluded.

City Council recently adopted amendments to the Lakewood Zoning Ordinance to update and expand sustainable development standards so new development in the coming years reflects our community’s adopted Comprehensive Plan and Sustainability Plan goals. Watch the public hearing and learn more about the new standards at LakewoodSpeaks.org.

The guiding principle for these standards is the expectation that upcoming new development should minimize unwanted impacts on the community while also contributing its share to the collective effort to conserve our natural resources, minimize pollution, and support the community’s vision for a vibrant and sustainable city. Read more about the benefits on the Good News Blog.

The new standards will go into effect on August 1, 2022. Please visit Lakewood.org/SustainableDevelopment for resources, guides, forms, and additional information about sustainable development in Lakewood. 

This project page will no longer be updated, but a summary of the adopted standards is shown below, and a PDF of the archived page is available in the Important Documents section to the right.

The potential 2030 impact of the Article 13 updates include: 200 development projects investing in the community through the Enhanced Development Menu; 200,000 metric tons of avoided GHG emissions (10% reduction); Potential for more than $20 million in utility bill savings for building occupants; Reduction of other air pollutants (ozone, SO2, N2O, particulates, and more); 65% landfill diversion rate for Construction & Demolition waste; and funding to support sustainability of existing buildings and infrastructure.


This consultation has concluded.

City Council recently adopted amendments to the Lakewood Zoning Ordinance to update and expand sustainable development standards so new development in the coming years reflects our community’s adopted Comprehensive Plan and Sustainability Plan goals. Watch the public hearing and learn more about the new standards at LakewoodSpeaks.org.

The guiding principle for these standards is the expectation that upcoming new development should minimize unwanted impacts on the community while also contributing its share to the collective effort to conserve our natural resources, minimize pollution, and support the community’s vision for a vibrant and sustainable city. Read more about the benefits on the Good News Blog.

The new standards will go into effect on August 1, 2022. Please visit Lakewood.org/SustainableDevelopment for resources, guides, forms, and additional information about sustainable development in Lakewood. 

This project page will no longer be updated, but a summary of the adopted standards is shown below, and a PDF of the archived page is available in the Important Documents section to the right.

The potential 2030 impact of the Article 13 updates include: 200 development projects investing in the community through the Enhanced Development Menu; 200,000 metric tons of avoided GHG emissions (10% reduction); Potential for more than $20 million in utility bill savings for building occupants; Reduction of other air pollutants (ozone, SO2, N2O, particulates, and more); 65% landfill diversion rate for Construction & Demolition waste; and funding to support sustainability of existing buildings and infrastructure.


Consultation has concluded
  • Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    The proposed Construction & Demolition Waste Recycling Supplemental Standards are intended to increase compliance with the existing requirements in the building code. There is no proposed change to the existing standards in the building code, which apply to all demolition projects and all construction projects greater than 2,500 square feet. The standards require recycling of concrete, asphalt, metal, untreated wood, cardboard, and interior fixtures/salvageable items. The proposed supplemental standards would include:

    • Ability to collect a deposit on any project required to comply with construction and demolition standards in the building code.
    • Requirements for a comprehensive waste management plan (CWMP) and ongoing material tracking for projects to be reviewed under the EDM. Specific requirements of the CWMP would include:
      • Designating a single on-site waste manager.
      • Projecting types and volumes of waste materials likely generated.
      • Identifying haulers and disposal and recycling facilities for all materials hauled from the site.
      • Planning for on-site waste stream separation.
      • Training plan for employees and subcontractors.
      • Final reporting requirements including material specific waste receipts.
    • A deposit to be paid prior to issuance of building or demolition permit in the amount of $1 per square foot (minimum $2,500 – maximum $100,000).
      • Deposits to be refunded in full upon successful compliance with waste management plan and reporting requirements.
      • Deposits to be partially refunded or forfeited for non-compliance with waste management plan or incomplete reporting.