Lakewood's Parking Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles parking rules a little differently. In Lakewood, Colorado, there are 9 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Overnight Parking

Lakewood doesn't impose a citywide overnight parking ban; it only restricts streets the city has specifically posted against all-night parking. On those signed streets, Municipal Code Section 10.36.040 bars parking longer than 30 minutes between 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., with an exception for physicians and others on emergency calls. Violating it is a Class 4 traffic offense.

Key details: Governing section: Municipal Code § 10.36.040. Overnight window: 2:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.. Time limit on signed streets: 30 minutes max. Exception: physicians, other emergency-call responders. Applies only where: city has posted a sign.

A violation of Section 10.36.040 is a Class 4 traffic offense under Section 1.16.020(C), punishable by a fine of up to $200 with no jail time. Because the restriction only applies where the city has posted a sign, an officer must be able to point to the posted all-night parking restriction on that specific block to issue a citation, and a vehicle can still be ticketed under Lakewood's other parking rules even where no all-night sign exists.

Driveway Rules

Lakewood requires every driveway and vehicle parking area to be an all-weather improved surface, gravel, asphalt, or concrete, never bare dirt, grass, or landscaping.

Key details: Required: all-weather improved surface. Approved examples: gravel, asphalt, concrete. Banned: grass, landscaping, dirt parking. Banned materials: carpet, wood, cardboard. Governing chapter: 9.80 Abatement of Nuisances.

An unpaved driveway or parking area is a Chapter 9.80 nuisance violation: after notice, Code Enforcement can order abatement and assess a lien plus a $108-$216 minimum administrative fee.

Abandoned Vehicles

Any vehicle left unattended on a Lakewood roadway or right-of-way for 24 hours or more is presumed abandoned, and Lakewood Police may have it towed to an impound lot.

Key details: Presumed abandoned: 24 hours unattended. State standard cited: C.R.S. § 42-4-1202. Offense class: Class 4 traffic offense. Enforced by: Lakewood Police Department. Remedy: Tow to impound lot.

Abandoning a vehicle on a roadway or right-of-way is a Class 4 traffic offense, fined up to $200, plus towing and impound costs.

Loading Zones

Lakewood caps freight loading zone stops at 30 minutes and passenger loading zone stops at 5 minutes, restricted to actual loading or unloading activity.

Key details: Freight zone limit: 30 minutes maximum. Passenger zone limit: 5 minutes maximum. Offense class: Class 4 traffic offense. Governing chapter: L.M.C. Ch. 10.39.

Exceeding the time limit or using a loading zone for any other purpose is a Class 4 traffic offense under L.M.C. §§ 10.39.010 and 10.39.020.

EV Charging

Only plug-in electric vehicles actually charging may occupy a marked EV charging space in Lakewood under Municipal Code Section 10.33.020(A). A vehicle plugged in for more than 30 minutes without continuously charging loses the presumption of lawful use, and a peace officer can enforce the rule even on private property. Violating it is a Class 4 traffic offense.

Key details: Governing section: Municipal Code § 10.33.020. Who may park there: only actively charging plug-in EVs. Presumption trigger: unplugged/idle over 30 minutes. Overnight exception: lodging guests, airport lots, 11pm-5am. Enforcement reach: peace officers, even on private property.

Any violation of Section 10.33.020 is a Class 4 traffic offense under Section 1.16.020(C), carrying a fine of up to $200 and no jail time. Because the ordinance creates a rebuttable presumption rather than a strict timer, an officer can cite a vehicle that has occupied a charging space for more than 30 minutes without actively charging, and the driver bears the burden of proving the vehicle was genuinely charging to rebut the citation.

Preferential Parking Districts

Lakewood runs a two-location pilot letting residential blocks near a school, park, business, or festival petition for a Restricted Residential Parking Area requiring a permit to park.

Key details: Program type: Two-location pilot program. Petition threshold: 70% of households. Permit fee: $10/vehicle permit, annual. Minimum size: 40+ residences. Enacted: Ord. O-2024-17, 2024.

Parking without a valid RRPA permit in a posted no-parking zone is unlawful and a Class 4 traffic offense under L.M.C. § 10.38.060.

Street Parking Limits

Lakewood bans stopping or parking within five feet of any driveway and within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, on top of blanket no-parking zones on sidewalks, crosswalks, and intersections, under Municipal Code Section 10.33.010(A)-(B). Blocking a driveway or hydrant is a Class 4 traffic offense enforced by police agents and dedicated parking enforcement officials.

Key details: Governing section: Municipal Code § 10.33.010(A)-(B). Driveway buffer: no stopping within 5 feet. Hydrant buffer: no stopping within 15 feet. Crosswalk buffer: no stopping within 20 feet. Penalty: Class 4 traffic offense, up to $200 fine.

Any violation of Section 10.33.010 is a Class 4 traffic offense, carrying a fine of up to $200 and no jail time under Section 1.16.020(C). A vehicle blocking a driveway, hydrant, or crosswalk can also be ticketed repeatedly if it isn't moved, and a vehicle obstructing traffic for 24 hours or more can be towed to an impound lot.

Commercial & Oversized Vehicles

Lakewood bars parking commercial vehicles, commercial trailers, and trucks over 6,000 pounds empty weight on the public right-of-way, unless the vehicle is actively servicing a property within 200 feet.

Key details: Weight limit: 6,000 lbs empty weight. Length limit: 25 feet (or 8-ft width). Service exception: within 200 feet. Offense class: Class 4 traffic offense. Vessels/trailers: 6-hour daily limit.

Parking a prohibited commercial vehicle, truck or oversized trailer on the right-of-way is a Class 4 traffic offense, fined up to $200, and the vehicle may also be towed and impounded.

Compared to other cities, Lakewood takes a harder line on commercial & oversized vehicles. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

RV & Boat Parking

On single-family and duplex lots, Lakewood's Zoning Ordinance bars parking trailers, campers, camper shells or RVs on grass, weeds, mud or dirt: an approved all-weather surface is required.

Key details: Approved surfaces: concrete, asphalt, or rock. Minimum rock depth: 3 inches. Yard coverage cap: 50 percent. Cure period: 30 days after notice. Applies to: single-family, duplex lots.

Parking an RV, trailer or camper on an unimproved yard surface is a zoning violation; the property owner has 30 days after notice to install a conforming all-weather surface.

The Bottom Line

Lakewood's parking rules 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.

These rules come from Lakewood's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.