Zoning Updates

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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:

Ask a question

Ask your question here, and city staff will respond within three business days. Questions and answers about this project can be visible to the public.  

For general questions and concerns about the city, please visit Lakewood.org/RequestLakewood, which is the city's online customer service hub available 24 hours a day. 

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  • Share In 1975, I acquired my Green Mountain residence due to the zoning designation for single-family dwellings, which I anticipated would endure. However, Lakewood is proposing a rezoning that would transform my property into a multi-family zoning. 1. Kindly elaborate on the specific grounds from which Lakewood asserts its authority to significantly alter zoning from single-family to multi-family. 2. Furthermore, has there been a substantial transformation of the neighborhood’s character that necessitates a rezoning for the public good? 3. Please provide a comprehensive explanation of the tangible benefits that would accrue to the public interest as a result of this rezoning. on Facebook Share In 1975, I acquired my Green Mountain residence due to the zoning designation for single-family dwellings, which I anticipated would endure. However, Lakewood is proposing a rezoning that would transform my property into a multi-family zoning. 1. Kindly elaborate on the specific grounds from which Lakewood asserts its authority to significantly alter zoning from single-family to multi-family. 2. Furthermore, has there been a substantial transformation of the neighborhood’s character that necessitates a rezoning for the public good? 3. Please provide a comprehensive explanation of the tangible benefits that would accrue to the public interest as a result of this rezoning. on Twitter Share In 1975, I acquired my Green Mountain residence due to the zoning designation for single-family dwellings, which I anticipated would endure. However, Lakewood is proposing a rezoning that would transform my property into a multi-family zoning. 1. Kindly elaborate on the specific grounds from which Lakewood asserts its authority to significantly alter zoning from single-family to multi-family. 2. Furthermore, has there been a substantial transformation of the neighborhood’s character that necessitates a rezoning for the public good? 3. Please provide a comprehensive explanation of the tangible benefits that would accrue to the public interest as a result of this rezoning. on Linkedin Email In 1975, I acquired my Green Mountain residence due to the zoning designation for single-family dwellings, which I anticipated would endure. However, Lakewood is proposing a rezoning that would transform my property into a multi-family zoning. 1. Kindly elaborate on the specific grounds from which Lakewood asserts its authority to significantly alter zoning from single-family to multi-family. 2. Furthermore, has there been a substantial transformation of the neighborhood’s character that necessitates a rezoning for the public good? 3. Please provide a comprehensive explanation of the tangible benefits that would accrue to the public interest as a result of this rezoning. link

    In 1975, I acquired my Green Mountain residence due to the zoning designation for single-family dwellings, which I anticipated would endure. However, Lakewood is proposing a rezoning that would transform my property into a multi-family zoning. 1. Kindly elaborate on the specific grounds from which Lakewood asserts its authority to significantly alter zoning from single-family to multi-family. 2. Furthermore, has there been a substantial transformation of the neighborhood’s character that necessitates a rezoning for the public good? 3. Please provide a comprehensive explanation of the tangible benefits that would accrue to the public interest as a result of this rezoning.

    JohnM asked 22 days ago

    John -- Thanks for your patience as we put together this information for you.

    The zoning designation on your home has already changed a number of times since 1975, and, as with those changes, the proposed updates changes nothing with your ability to live in it, sell it, or pass it on.

    1. Kindly elaborate on the specific grounds from which Lakewood asserts its authority to significantly alter zoning from single-family to multi-family. 

    According to the Lakewood city charter, Article 9.1(d): “For the purpose of promoting the health, safety, and general welfare of the City, the City Council shall provide for zoning regulations and restrictions within the City by ordinance.” 

    2. Furthermore, has there been a substantial transformation of the neighborhood’s character that necessitates a rezoning for the public good?

    The proposed changes are an effort to protect neighborhoods from the impact of new state laws. It will limit the size of new homes built in the future by making them match in size with the current homes while also addressing the need for new affordable housing.

    To understand why these changes are proposed, it’s important to understand how the city’s current zoning regulations and a new state law intersect and what potential impacts could result from that if the city takes no action.

    • Currently, Lakewood’s zoning regulations allow homes as large as 10,000-18,000 square feet, with up to three stories, to be built in residential areas. For context, houses most commonly found in Lakewood are about 1,200-1,500 square feet in single story, so a 10,000-18,000-square-foot house would be 8 to 14 times larger and two times taller at 35 feet high.
    • A new state law, HB24-1007, prevents cities from regulating the number of people living in a house. As a result, it abolishes Lakewood’s current zoning regulation that limits to five the number of people living in a home.
    • The 10,000-18,000-square-foot homes allowed under the city’s current regulations haven’t been built because there has been no demand for that size of house for one family. 
    • Under the new state law, however, those massive homes could be built, and they could be occupied by dozens of residents, potentially containing numerous individually rented bedrooms within the building.
    • These massive homes, with numerous residents living in them, would create significant changes in Lakewood’s neighborhoods.
    • To ensure that houses in the future are comparable with the existing homes in Lakewood neighborhoods, the Zoning Updates propose to combine the current eight residential zone districts into five and then limit the size of homes within each of those districts. Additionally, homes would be limited to 35 feet in all the districts but one:
      1. Low-Form Residential (R-L-A, R-L-B & R-L-C): Home size limited to 4,000 square feet for one or two units, 5,000 square feet for three or more units.
      2. Mobile Home District: Home size for mobile homes.
      3. Mid-Form Residential: Multifamily structures allowed up to 45 feet high.
    • These changes will significantly limit large multifamily buildings while also accommodating a large single-family home of 2,500 square feet or more.
    • The new districts, however, would no longer limit the number of units built within the square footage because of the new state law. As a result, more duplexes, town homes and affordable options could be built to foster housing affordability.

    3. Please provide a comprehensive explanation of the tangible benefits that would accrue to the public interest as a result of this rezoning.

    Zoning updates aren’t about dramatic changes overnight. It’s about balancing the need to protect the existing neighborhoods while planning responsibly for the future. It protects the character of neighborhoods and also creates more housing options for our kids, parents, teachers, firefighters and police agents to be able to afford to live here.  

    John -- Thanks for your interest in this project and contacting us. We are working on answering your questions, but staff has been tied up this week. We will respond to these next week.

    Sincerely,

    The Project Team


  • Share Lakewood, a Home Rule City, retains the authority to govern local land use and zoning. However, Lakewood has opted to relinquish its Home Rule right to zoning control and conform to the newly enacted Colorado zoning statutes. Kindly provide the following information regarding this decision: 1. The individual or entity responsible for making the decision to waive Lakewood’s right to exercise local control over zoning. 2. The date on which this decision was taken. 3. The methods and channels through which citizens were informed of Lakewood’s decision to transition from local zoning control to Colorado statutory control. 4. The procedures and opportunities provided for citizens to participate in public hearings regarding this shift from local control to Colorado statutory control. Seven Home Rule Cities contend that Colorado has exceeded its authority and have filed a lawsuit against Colorado in the Denver District Court to challenge the constitutionality of the new zoning statutes. 1. Why did Lakewood choose to align with the new Colorado zoning statutes rather than safeguarding its Home Rule rights to exercise local control over zoning? 2. Why is Lakewood proceeding with zoning modifications that may be deemed unconstitutional, particularly considering that Colorado’s courts have consistently recognized land use and zoning as fundamental concerns of local governance? on Facebook Share Lakewood, a Home Rule City, retains the authority to govern local land use and zoning. However, Lakewood has opted to relinquish its Home Rule right to zoning control and conform to the newly enacted Colorado zoning statutes. Kindly provide the following information regarding this decision: 1. The individual or entity responsible for making the decision to waive Lakewood’s right to exercise local control over zoning. 2. The date on which this decision was taken. 3. The methods and channels through which citizens were informed of Lakewood’s decision to transition from local zoning control to Colorado statutory control. 4. The procedures and opportunities provided for citizens to participate in public hearings regarding this shift from local control to Colorado statutory control. Seven Home Rule Cities contend that Colorado has exceeded its authority and have filed a lawsuit against Colorado in the Denver District Court to challenge the constitutionality of the new zoning statutes. 1. Why did Lakewood choose to align with the new Colorado zoning statutes rather than safeguarding its Home Rule rights to exercise local control over zoning? 2. Why is Lakewood proceeding with zoning modifications that may be deemed unconstitutional, particularly considering that Colorado’s courts have consistently recognized land use and zoning as fundamental concerns of local governance? on Twitter Share Lakewood, a Home Rule City, retains the authority to govern local land use and zoning. However, Lakewood has opted to relinquish its Home Rule right to zoning control and conform to the newly enacted Colorado zoning statutes. Kindly provide the following information regarding this decision: 1. The individual or entity responsible for making the decision to waive Lakewood’s right to exercise local control over zoning. 2. The date on which this decision was taken. 3. The methods and channels through which citizens were informed of Lakewood’s decision to transition from local zoning control to Colorado statutory control. 4. The procedures and opportunities provided for citizens to participate in public hearings regarding this shift from local control to Colorado statutory control. Seven Home Rule Cities contend that Colorado has exceeded its authority and have filed a lawsuit against Colorado in the Denver District Court to challenge the constitutionality of the new zoning statutes. 1. Why did Lakewood choose to align with the new Colorado zoning statutes rather than safeguarding its Home Rule rights to exercise local control over zoning? 2. Why is Lakewood proceeding with zoning modifications that may be deemed unconstitutional, particularly considering that Colorado’s courts have consistently recognized land use and zoning as fundamental concerns of local governance? on Linkedin Email Lakewood, a Home Rule City, retains the authority to govern local land use and zoning. However, Lakewood has opted to relinquish its Home Rule right to zoning control and conform to the newly enacted Colorado zoning statutes. Kindly provide the following information regarding this decision: 1. The individual or entity responsible for making the decision to waive Lakewood’s right to exercise local control over zoning. 2. The date on which this decision was taken. 3. The methods and channels through which citizens were informed of Lakewood’s decision to transition from local zoning control to Colorado statutory control. 4. The procedures and opportunities provided for citizens to participate in public hearings regarding this shift from local control to Colorado statutory control. Seven Home Rule Cities contend that Colorado has exceeded its authority and have filed a lawsuit against Colorado in the Denver District Court to challenge the constitutionality of the new zoning statutes. 1. Why did Lakewood choose to align with the new Colorado zoning statutes rather than safeguarding its Home Rule rights to exercise local control over zoning? 2. Why is Lakewood proceeding with zoning modifications that may be deemed unconstitutional, particularly considering that Colorado’s courts have consistently recognized land use and zoning as fundamental concerns of local governance? link

    Lakewood, a Home Rule City, retains the authority to govern local land use and zoning. However, Lakewood has opted to relinquish its Home Rule right to zoning control and conform to the newly enacted Colorado zoning statutes. Kindly provide the following information regarding this decision: 1. The individual or entity responsible for making the decision to waive Lakewood’s right to exercise local control over zoning. 2. The date on which this decision was taken. 3. The methods and channels through which citizens were informed of Lakewood’s decision to transition from local zoning control to Colorado statutory control. 4. The procedures and opportunities provided for citizens to participate in public hearings regarding this shift from local control to Colorado statutory control. Seven Home Rule Cities contend that Colorado has exceeded its authority and have filed a lawsuit against Colorado in the Denver District Court to challenge the constitutionality of the new zoning statutes. 1. Why did Lakewood choose to align with the new Colorado zoning statutes rather than safeguarding its Home Rule rights to exercise local control over zoning? 2. Why is Lakewood proceeding with zoning modifications that may be deemed unconstitutional, particularly considering that Colorado’s courts have consistently recognized land use and zoning as fundamental concerns of local governance?

    JohnM asked about 1 month ago

    Thank you for your question. To clarify, Lakewood has not waived its Home Rule authority over zoning. As a Home Rule city, Lakewood continues to make its own land use and zoning decisions. That said, there are some parts of the proposed zoning code update that align with new state laws, but these changes are being considered because City Council directed staff to create a zoning ordinance that best serves Lakewood’s needs while also reflecting state requirements.

    There has not been a decision to “transition” to state control. The zoning code update is a local process, with multiple opportunities for public input through hearings, study sessions, and engagement platforms like LakewoodSpeaks.org.

    On your question about the lawsuit filed by other cities: Lakewood’s City Council has chosen to move forward with the zoning code update in the way it believes is most appropriate for our community. If a court ultimately determines that any portion of state law is unconstitutional, Lakewood will make any adjustments needed to ensure our code complies with the law.

     Sincerely,

    The Project Team

  • Share Hello! Where can I find PDF documents that show the changes or the new amendments for the subdivision ordinance? on Facebook Share Hello! Where can I find PDF documents that show the changes or the new amendments for the subdivision ordinance? on Twitter Share Hello! Where can I find PDF documents that show the changes or the new amendments for the subdivision ordinance? on Linkedin Email Hello! Where can I find PDF documents that show the changes or the new amendments for the subdivision ordinance? link

    Hello! Where can I find PDF documents that show the changes or the new amendments for the subdivision ordinance?

    CDR asked 3 months ago

    Thanks for your interest in this project, and the updated documents with the new amendments are expected to take a couple more weeks. They will be posted as soon as they are available.

    Best regards,

    The Project Team

  • Share When will the 4th revision of the zoning code be available for viewing and where will we find it? on Facebook Share When will the 4th revision of the zoning code be available for viewing and where will we find it? on Twitter Share When will the 4th revision of the zoning code be available for viewing and where will we find it? on Linkedin Email When will the 4th revision of the zoning code be available for viewing and where will we find it? link

    When will the 4th revision of the zoning code be available for viewing and where will we find it?

    lenoreherskovitz asked 3 months ago

    Lenore -- The updates on the zoning amendments are expected to take a few more weeks, but they will be posted as soon as they are available.

    Best regard,

    The Project Team

  • Share Hello! I'd like additional clarification on the removal of minimum parking requirement in accordance with state law. Is the intent only to remove minimum parking requirements where state law requires it, or would this be a citywide update to simplify the zoning code by removing minimum parking requirements from all land uses to simplify the zoning code and create more balanced markets for land use? on Facebook Share Hello! I'd like additional clarification on the removal of minimum parking requirement in accordance with state law. Is the intent only to remove minimum parking requirements where state law requires it, or would this be a citywide update to simplify the zoning code by removing minimum parking requirements from all land uses to simplify the zoning code and create more balanced markets for land use? on Twitter Share Hello! I'd like additional clarification on the removal of minimum parking requirement in accordance with state law. Is the intent only to remove minimum parking requirements where state law requires it, or would this be a citywide update to simplify the zoning code by removing minimum parking requirements from all land uses to simplify the zoning code and create more balanced markets for land use? on Linkedin Email Hello! I'd like additional clarification on the removal of minimum parking requirement in accordance with state law. Is the intent only to remove minimum parking requirements where state law requires it, or would this be a citywide update to simplify the zoning code by removing minimum parking requirements from all land uses to simplify the zoning code and create more balanced markets for land use? link

    Hello! I'd like additional clarification on the removal of minimum parking requirement in accordance with state law. Is the intent only to remove minimum parking requirements where state law requires it, or would this be a citywide update to simplify the zoning code by removing minimum parking requirements from all land uses to simplify the zoning code and create more balanced markets for land use?

    zbholman asked 6 months ago

    Thank you for your interest in the project. Unfortunately, the staff members with the expertise to answer this question are out of the office this week. When they return, we'll get you an answer, and please attend the April 3 open house where you could ask this question as well.

    Sincerely,

    The Project Team

    Thanks for your patience in waiting for the experts in this to return to the office. The answer to your questions is that the draft proposed updates will maintain existing parking requirements for those properties not covered by the new state law. 

    Sincerely

    The Project Team

Page last updated: 11 Sep 2025, 04:22 PM