Lakewood, CO Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Minor tier size
- Up to 25% of floor area
- Major tier size
- 25%-50% of floor area
- Minor employees
- 2 residents + 1 employee/volunteer
- Major review
- Special-use permit via Article 2
- Major location
- Within 150 ft of arterial intersection
Summary
Lakewood zones minor home businesses (up to 25% of floor area) as an accessory use with resident/employee caps, while major home businesses (25-50%) need special-use approval and an arterial-intersection location.
Where identified as an accessory use, minor home business shall be subject to the following: ... 3. Minor home businesses shall be conducted by no more than two residents of the dwelling unit. One additional employee or one volunteer is permitted in the residence at any one time. Within multifamily units, additional employees or volunteers shall be prohibited. ... 10. Motor vehicle repair, heavy equipment repair, contractor shops, and medical marijuana businesses shall be prohibited as home occupations.
Full Breakdown
Lakewood, Colorado's Zoning Ordinance (Article 4, as amended June 10, 2024) splits home businesses into two tiers under § 17.4.3.1.O-.P. Minor home businesses (up to 25% of the dwelling, garage, and accessory-structure floor area) are an accessory use, limited to two resident operators plus one additional employee or volunteer, and barred from outdoor storage and from retail sales except incidental to a service. Major home businesses (25%-50% of floor area) are a special use needing City review under Article 2, must sit within 150 feet of an arterial/collector intersection, employ no more than two non-resident workers, and keep an owner or employee living on site. Motor vehicle repair and marijuana businesses are barred from both tiers.
Violations & Fines
Running a home business beyond its size tier's employee cap, storing inventory outdoors, or operating a major home business without City special-use approval violates Lakewood's Zoning Ordinance and can draw code enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to run a home business in Lakewood, CO?
Can a Lakewood home business sell products from the house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakewood
How Lakewood compares: Easiest Cities to Run a Home Business·Compare Lakewood to another location·View the Colorado home business overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Jefferson County handle zoning & home occupation permits.