Building Setbacks & Zoning in Lakewood, CO

If you live in Lakewood or are thinking about moving there, building setbacks & zoning are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Lakewood has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of building setbacks & zoning, and some of them might surprise you.

Setback Rules

Lakewood's Zoning Ordinance sets a 25-foot minimum front setback and a 15-foot minimum rear setback across every residential zone district, from R-1-43 down to R-MH, under Table 17.5.1's dimensional standards.

Key details: Min front setback: 25 feet, all R zones. Min rear setback: 15 feet, all R zones. Min side setback: 5-15 feet by zone. Front measured from: back of curb. Governing section: Zoning Ordinance § 17.5.1.2.

Building or placing a structure without meeting these setbacks is a Zoning Ordinance violation prosecutable under the Municipal Code, with each day of noncompliance after written notice to abate a separate offense (§ 17.1.11).

Structure Height Limits

Lakewood, Colorado caps residential building height at 35 feet in every single-family and duplex zone district and 45 feet in the R-MF multifamily district, under Zoning Ordinance Table 17.5.1. Height is measured from average grade to the roof's highest point, and only a defined list of architectural features, like chimneys, spires and elevator penthouses, may exceed the limit.

Key details: Primary structure height, R-1 districts: 35 feet. Primary structure height, R-MF: 45 feet. Accessory structure height: 20 to 35 feet by district. Height measured from: average grade to highest roof point. Exempt architectural features: chimneys, spires, elevator penthouses, skylights, more.

This Article sets no fixed fine; instead § 17.5.1.4(A) makes any structure exceeding its district's height table nonconforming unless it fits one of the listed architectural exceptions in § 17.5.1.4(B)-(D). The Director may grant additional exceptions "similar to those listed" under § 17.5.1.4(E), but the section builds in no general variance for ordinary over-height construction.

Lot Coverage Limits

Lakewood's Zoning Ordinance caps how much of a residential lot can be covered by buildings, porches, parking and drives by setting a minimum open-space percentage in Table 17.5.1, ranging from 65% in R-1-43 estate lots down to 30% in R-MF multi-family zones. Detached accessory structures carry their own separate 10%-of-lot coverage sub-limit.

Key details: R-1-43 min. open space: 65% (35% max coverage). R-1-18/12/9 min. open space: 60% (40% max coverage). R-1-6 / R-2 min. open space: 50% (50% max coverage). R-MF min. open space: 30% (70% max coverage). Accessory structure cap: 10% of total lot area.

Violating any Zoning Ordinance provision, including the Table 17.5.1 open-space/coverage standards, is enforced under Section 17.1.11 and may be prosecuted under the Lakewood Municipal Code; each day a violation continues after written notice to abate constitutes a separate violation. A property owner who cannot meet the coverage standard can apply for a variance under Section 17.2.5: a deviation of 20% or more from the numeric standard is a major variance decided by the Board of Adjustment, while anything under 20% is a minor variance the Director can approve, with denied requests barred from resubmission for six months.

The Bottom Line

Lakewood's building setbacks & zoning rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Lakewood is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Lakewood can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.