Zoning Updates

Share Zoning Updates on Facebook Share Zoning Updates on Twitter Share Zoning Updates on Linkedin Email Zoning Updates link
Residents gathered around an information board during the April 3 Zoning Updates open house.

Sept. 11 Update: Answers to Frequently Asked questions

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:

Sept. 11 Update: Answers to Frequently Asked questions

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:

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:

Discussions: All (3) Open (0)

  • Walking and car access?

    3 months ago
    Share Walking and car access? on Facebook Share Walking and car access? on Twitter Share Walking and car access? on Linkedin Email Walking and car access? link
    15 Responses
    Discussion on this topic has now closed. To provide additional comments to City Council, please visit LakewoodSpeaks.org.

    Question to discuss: What areas of Lakewood should focus on more pedestrian access and what areas should remain primarily auto-oriented?

    Go to discussion
    Replies Closed

  • Commercial parking?

    3 months ago
    Share Commercial parking? on Facebook Share Commercial parking? on Twitter Share Commercial parking? on Linkedin Email Commercial parking? link
    33 Responses
    Discussion on this topic has now closed. To provide additional comments to City Council, please visit LakewoodSpeaks.org.

    Here's a new question for this Forum discussion. Please let us know your thoughts on this topic.

    BACKGROUND: The existing commercial parking requirements are somewhat complex and not easy to summarize, and the first version of this question wasn't worded precisely enough. We've reworded the question in a way that we think is more helpful for you to discuss.

    QUESTION: Do you think existing commercial uses in Lakewood are built with too much, too little, or the right amount of parking?”

    Go to discussion
    Replies Closed

  • Right size of homes?

    4 months ago
    Share Right size of homes? on Facebook Share Right size of homes? on Twitter Share Right size of homes? on Linkedin Email Right size of homes? link
    48 Responses
    Discussion on this topic has now closed. To provide additional comments to City Council, please visit LakewoodSpeaks.org.

    We liked your thoughts on an important question regarding the Zoning Updates, but it’s important to first understand the background on why we’re asking the question. Please join the discussion and share your ideas.

    BACKGROUND: A new state law, HB24-1007, could prompt changes to Lakewood’s neighborhoods, and the city is trying to determine how best to ensure that homes built in the coming years are as compatible as possible with the existing homes in Lakewood’s neighborhoods.

    • The new state law prevents cities from regulating the number of people living in a house. As a result, the state law abolishes Lakewood’s current zoning regulation that limits to five the number of people living in a home.
    • Lakewood’s current zoning regulations allow homes to be built as large as 10,000-18,000 square feet, with three stories at 35 feet high. These massive homes haven’t historically been built because there hasn’t been a demand for a single-family home that large. Most homes in Lakewood are 1,200-2,000 square feet.
    • The market demand for these massive homes, however, could change under the new state law. There could be a demand to build these supersized homes so they could be divided into multiple units, potentially even containing numerous individually rented bedrooms.
    • The city wants to address the unintended consequences of this new state law through Zoning Updates. The city’s proposal is to limit the maximum size of the homes to 2,500-3,250 square feet, depending on the type of residential area it would be built in, with a height limit of 2.5 stories at 25 feet high. The city still couldn’t limit the number of people living in houses built at a maximum of 2,500-3,250 square feet, which means the structure could have multiple units in it. Under the city’s proposal, houses built to a maximum of 2,500-3,250 square feet would be compatible with the size of most homes in Lakewood’s neighborhoods even if they contained multiple units, as compared to a house of up to 18,000 square feet with multiple units. 
    • There is a concern, however, that limiting the size of homes to a maximum of 2,500-3,250 square feet is too small.

     QUESTION: What is the right size limit on homes to be built in the future?

    Go to discussion
    Replies Closed
Page last updated: 11 Sep 2025, 04:22 PM