Oct. 14 Update: New video

Lakewood City Council gave final approval to updates for the city’s zoning code on Oct. 13, marking the first major update since 2012. These updates align our code with the community’s vision for Lakewood’s future by ensuring thoughtful and gradual growth, supporting affordable housing options, and reflecting new state laws, all while protecting the character of our neighborhoods. The updates will go into effect in January 2026.

Watch this video of Mayor Wendi Strom and Director of Sustainability and Community Development Travis Parker answer questions that have come up in the community about what’s changing and what it means for Lakewood.

We've added a new map that shows both the current and proposed residential zoning districts. To understand the legend on the map, use the Legend for Current Residential Districts and the Legend for Zoning Map for the proposed districts.

The proposed Zoning Updates involve complex and detailed information because they are land-use regulations, and we've added answers to frequently asked questions, where you can learn more through detailed answers.

It's also important to know that not all properties will experience changes under the proposed updates even though the zoning code affects every property. To help residents with these complex regulatory proposals, we are adding to the numerous resources that have been available on this page:

• A map legend to understand the zoning district abbreviations on the zoning maps.
• A Table of Contents that outlines the specific topics covered by each article in the Zoning Ordinance.
• Redline version of the proposed changes in Spanish. This is available along with a redline version in English and the zoning code as it is currently -- all on one city webpage.
• New maps, one with 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 from May.
• Video presentation 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.

Other additions to the page posted this week:

• Quadrant Map to allow residents 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.

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.

As a refresher, the Zoning Updates are changes proposed to regulations that execute the community's vision set in the Comprehensive Plan, which is an advisory document that informs decisions about housing, transportation, sustainability, parks and more for the next 15 years. The zoning changes are a major component of implementing the Comprehensive Plan and promoting its goals.

Why are zoning updates important?

Zoning is a set of laws that regulate how land can be used in a specific area, and cities create these regulations to promote the health and safety of the community. Over the years, these zoning laws need to be updated, and Lakewood is in the process of updating its Zoning Ordinance.

The proposed changes that the Planning Commission and City Council will discuss in the coming months cover three main areas outlined below. Visit the News feed to learn about these different areas of updates:

• Technical changes that clean up, clarify and modernize the zoning regulations.
• City Council requested changes that will address housing needs.
• Modifications required under new state laws.

Follow this discussion and stay up to date on this work:

• Watch a presentation about these updates.
• Review the Q&A for Zoning Updates or the Looking@Lakewood article.
• Check the News feed to learn more.
• Read the Zoning Update Staff Report.
• Review the City Council's 2024 resolution about its priorities.
• Review the timeline for upcoming meetings and public hearings to find out when to participate in the discussion.
• Sign up to follow the project.