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Lakewood, CO Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Trigger threshold
2,500 sq ft of floor area
Max EDM points
150 pts, over 150,000 sq ft
Certification option
LEED or NGBS Gold+
Exempt
single-family & duplex homes
Fee-in-lieu cap
points above 50

Summary

Lakewood's Zoning Ordinance requires most new development of 2,500 square feet or more to earn Enhanced Development Menu sustainability points, with projects over 150,000 square feet required to reach LEED or NGBS green building certification or hit alternate benchmarks.

The EDM shall be applied to all development projects with cumulative gross floor area of 2,500 square feet or greater for all proposed buildings and parking structures... Development projects over 150,000 square feet in proposed gross floor area must obtain 150 points pursuant to section 17.13.2.2, and shall select from the following menu items...: 1. Green Building Certification (EDM Item 1); OR 2. Earn a minimum of 40 points - 20 points from each category...

View official code

Full Breakdown

Article 13's Enhanced Development Menu (EDM), § 17.13.2, applies to nearly all Lakewood, Jefferson County, Colorado development projects of 2,500 square feet or more, scaling from 10 required points at the low end to 150 points for anything over 150,000 square feet. Single-family and duplex construction is exempt. Once a project crosses 150,000 square feet, § 17.13.2.3 forces a choice: earn LEED or National Green Building Standard certification at the Gold/Emerald tier (or Silver at reduced credit), or hit a mix of renewable-energy or electrification points plus streetscape or social-connection points. Projects can pay a fee-in-lieu for points above 50, capped at 1.5 times the standard rate for the prerequisite tier.

Violations & Fines

Projects that don't earn the required EDM points or certification can't get Major Site Plan approval, and broader Zoning Ordinance violations are prosecutable under the Municipal Code (§ 17.1.11).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every new building in Lakewood need LEED certification?
No. Only projects over 150,000 square feet must choose LEED/NGBS certification or an alternate mix of renewable-energy and social-impact points; smaller projects just earn Enhanced Development Menu points.
Are single-family homes subject to the green building points system?
No. Zoning Ordinance § 17.13.2.2.B.1 exempts individual single-family and duplex construction from the Enhanced Development Menu.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Lakewood

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All Lakewood rules

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