Lakewood, CO Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Lakewood, CO, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Protected threshold
- over 8-inch caliper
- Measured
- 1 foot above grade
- Reviewer
- Director with City Forester
- Applies to
- trees within a development site
Summary
Trees over 8-inch caliper on a development site in Lakewood, Colorado are 'protected' and must be preserved unless they meet a listed removal exemption.
Existing trees with trunks greater than 8-inch caliper, measured 1 foot above grade, within a development shall be preserved to the extent reasonably feasible and will help satisfy the landscaping requirements of this Section. Such trees shall be considered "protected" trees within the meaning of this Section. Streets, buildings, and lot layouts shall be designed to minimize the disturbance to protected trees.
B. The Director shall determine through consultation with the City Forester when it is not feasible to preserve and retain protected tree(s) or to transplant them to another on site location. If it is determined that it is not feasible to preserve or transplant protected tree(s), the applicant shall replace such tree(s) according to this section. Replacement trees shall be used to satisfy the tree planting standards of this Section.
Full Breakdown
In Lakewood, Colorado (Jefferson County), the Zoning Ordinance treats any existing tree with a trunk over 8-inch caliper (measured 1 foot above grade) within a development site as a protected tree that must be preserved to the extent reasonably feasible, with streets, buildings and lot layouts designed to minimize disturbance. A protected tree may be removed only if it meets a listed exemption: dead, dying, hazardous, or naturally fallen; obstructing visibility at a driveway or intersection; a listed nuisance species; or determined by the Director to prohibit reasonable use of the site (in which case replacement under the tree replacement standard is required). The Director makes infeasibility determinations in consultation with the City Forester.
Violations & Fines
Removing a protected tree outside a listed exemption without City sign-off risks stop-work action and required tree replacement under the companion replacement standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove any tree over 8 inches in Lakewood, CO?
Who decides if a protected tree can come down?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakewood
Compare Lakewood to another location·View the Colorado landscaping rules overview
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Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Jefferson County handle tree removal & heritage trees.