How Lakewood Handles Tree Protection: A Practical Guide
Lakewood maintains 126 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with tree protection. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Lakewood falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Protected Tree Species
Lakewood, Colorado protects existing trees with trunks over 8 inches in caliper on development sites under Zoning Ordinance § 17.6.5.8, but exempts a named list of nuisance species, including Cottonwoods, Siberian Elms, Russian Olives and Female Box Elders, from that protection. Protected trees need a fenced buffer at the drip line during construction, and removed trees must be replaced at 100 percent of the caliper lost.
Key details: Protection trigger: trunk over 8-inch caliper, 1 ft above grade. Exempt nuisance species: Cottonwoods, Siberian Elms, Russian Olives, Female Box Elders. Drip-line disturbance limit: no cut/fill over 4 inches without Forester OK. Utility trench depth near roots: bored at minimum 24 inches. Replacement rate: 100% of caliper removed.
Failing to erect the required drip-line protection fencing or disturbing a protected tree's root zone without City Forester approval violates § 17.6.5.8(E). Under this landscaping chapter's bonding provisions, the City may require a surety of 150 percent of the landscaping value or hold the certificate of occupancy to temporary status until all required landscaping, including replacement trees, is installed and verified.
Parkway Planting
New construction and residential additions over 20 percent in Lakewood must plant one deciduous street tree for every 35 linear feet of street frontage, under Zoning Ordinance § 17.6.5.2. Placement depends on whether the sidewalk is detached or attached, and trees can't block sidewalks below 8 feet or interfere with utilities.
Key details: Governing law: Lakewood Zoning Ordinance § 17.6.5.2. Trigger: new construction or additions over 20%. Planting ratio: 1 tree per 35 linear feet of frontage. Detached-sidewalk placement: between curb and sidewalk. Attached-sidewalk placement (SF/duplex): 4-8 feet behind sidewalk.
Street tree placement is enforced as part of Lakewood's zoning and building permit review for new construction and additions exceeding 20 percent of a home's size: a project that doesn't provide the required one deciduous street tree per 35 feet of frontage, sited per Section 17.6.5.2, can be held up at plan review or final inspection until the required landscaping is installed as approved.
The Bottom Line
Lakewood's tree protection 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.
All of the above reflects Lakewood's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.