Lakewood, CO Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Time limit
- 24 hours on public land
- Covers
- Tents, tarps, sleeping bags
- Applies to
- City-owned public property
- Parks carve-out
- Chapter 9.32 property excluded
Summary
Lakewood bans storing tents, tarps, sleeping bags or other shelter materials on city-owned public property, including undeveloped land, for 24 hours or more.
It is unlawful for any person to place, maintain, or store any materials, structure, shelter, enclosure, or other personal property on public property for a period of 24 hours or more that is owned or used by the City of Lakewood including undeveloped land. This section shall not apply to any City of Lakewood property that is regulated pursuant to Chapter 9.32 of the Lakewood Municipal Code.B.For the purposes of this section, the term "shelter" includes, without limitation, any tent, tarpaulin, lean-to, sleeping bag, bedroll, blankets, or any form of cover or protection from the elements other than clothing. (Ord. O-2019-24 § 4, 2019; Ord. O-2013-16 § 3, 2013).
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
Under Municipal Code Section 9.30.040, it is unlawful to place, maintain or store any materials, structure, shelter, enclosure or other personal property on public property owned or used by the City of Lakewood, including undeveloped land, for 24 hours or longer. The ordinance defines shelter broadly to include a tent, tarpaulin, lean-to, sleeping bag, bedroll, blankets or any other cover or protection from the elements besides clothing. Property regulated separately under Chapter 9.32 (parks and recreation) is carved out of this section. The rule gives the city a clear trigger to clear unauthorized encampment materials from sidewalks, medians and other public land after the 24-hour mark.
Violations & Fines
A general penalty under Municipal Code Section 1.16.020(A) applies: up to a $2,650 fine, up to 365 days in jail, or both, for storing shelter or property on public land past the 24-hour limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone camp on Lakewood public property?
Does this rule cover city parks too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakewood
Compare Lakewood to another location·View the Colorado homelessness & encampment rules overview
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