Lakewood, CO Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard deadline
- 1 week to secure
- Danger deadline
- 24 hours
- City can
- Hire contractor, bill owner
- Commercial buildings
- Must remove graffiti, debris
Summary
Lakewood requires owners to secure or board up an abandoned building within a week, or within 24 hours if it's a danger, or the City hires a contractor and bills the owner.
Securing and/or Boarding-up Buildings. Whenever a building is abandoned and/or vacated, it shall be the owner's responsibility to secure or board-up the structure within one week of notice of violation. If the Code Enforcement Supervisor and/or city's Building Official determines the building is a danger to the public health, safety, or welfare, the building shall be secured or boarded up by the owner within 24 hours of notice of violation. If the owner fails to do so, the city, through Code Enforcement, has the authority to hire a contractor to secure or board-up the building and the owner shall be responsible for the cost.N.[Owner Responsibility.] Whenever a commercial building is abandoned and/or vacated, it shall be the owner's responsibility to maintain the building façade and structure, including the removal of all graffiti from the property, and keep the property clear of excessive debris and any dangerous conditions. (Ord. O-2019-40 § 1(Exh. A), 2020; Ord. O-2015-4 § 12, 2015; Ord. O-98-20 § 2, 1998; Ord. O-93-1 § 1 (part), 1993).
Editor's note— Ord. O-2019-40 § 1(Exh. A), adopted Jan. 13, 2020, amended and renumbered former § 9.80.150 as § 9.80.170.
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's declared-nuisance list makes it the owner's responsibility to secure or board up any building that is abandoned or vacated, within one week of a notice of violation. If the Code Enforcement Supervisor or the Building Official determines the building is a danger to public health, safety, or welfare, that deadline shortens to 24 hours. If the owner does not act, the City may hire a contractor to secure the building and bill the owner for the cost. A related provision requires owners of abandoned commercial buildings to maintain the facade, remove graffiti, and keep the property free of excessive debris and dangerous conditions.
Violations & Fines
Failure to secure a vacant building is a declared nuisance under Chapter 9.80, enforceable through the notice-and-abatement or show-cause procedures, with abatement costs and a lien collectible against the owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast must a vacant Lakewood building be boarded up?
What happens if the owner doesn't secure it?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakewood
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