Lakewood, CO Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit trigger
- 1+ acre of disturbance
- Governing chapter
- Ch. 13.14, Stormwater Quality
- Enforcement officer
- Environmental Manager
- Violation period
- each day is separate
Summary
Lakewood, Colorado bans discharging polluting materials into its municipal storm sewer system and requires a Stormwater Discharge Permit for development or redevelopment sites that disturb an acre or more.
The term "significant" as it relates to the City of Lakewood's Stormwater Discharge Permit requirements for development and redevelopment is defined as: A. Sites that disturb an area of one acre or more. B. Sites that disturb less than one acre of total land area that are part of a larger common plan of development or sale, if the larger common plan will ultimately disturb one acre or more.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 14 | Zoning Ordinance: ?).
Full Breakdown
Lakewood Municipal Code § 13.14.040 makes it unlawful to discharge or place polluting materials, including petroleum products, solvents, fertilizers and pesticides, so they enter the municipal storm sewer. Under § 13.14.100, the city defines a 'significant' site triggering Stormwater Discharge Permit requirements as one disturbing one acre or more, or a smaller site that is part of a larger common plan of development that will ultimately disturb an acre or more. The Environmental Manager enforces the chapter as a peace officer under § 13.14.090.
Violations & Fines
Discharging polluting material into the storm sewer or developing a qualifying site without a Stormwater Discharge Permit violates §§ 13.14.040 and 13.14.100, exposing the violator to a cease-and-desist order, a municipal court summons, or nuisance abatement, with each day a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every Lakewood, CO construction site need a stormwater permit?
Can Lakewood inspect private property for stormwater violations?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakewood
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Stormwater Management in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Jefferson County handle stormwater management.