Property Development
Planner of the Day
The Planner of the Day (POD) can assist you with any questions on a particular topic. Our goal is to meet early on in your project when recommendations, suggestions and requirements can be discussed with minimal cost or time impacts. Smaller projects such as decks, fences and detached accessory buildings can typically be reviewed at the permit counter, and a permit can be issued within a 24-hour timeframe.
Larger projects like expanding or constructing a new building, rezoning a property or subdividing lots require more time to process. Please contact the POD to schedule a planning consultation where we can give you accurate information to allow you to decide what you need to do to make your project as successful as possible.
Please contact the POD by stopping in at the front counter next to the Building Department’s Permits Counter, calling 303-987-7571, or emailing any inquiries to POD@lakewood.org. The Planner of the Day is available to assist you Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is my zoning?
How do I change the zoning of my property?
Do I need a fence permit?
Do I need a temporary banner permit?
How do I pay for a permit?
Can I submit my fence or sign application on-line?
Can I operate a busines from my house?
Where do I report overgrown weeds, inoperable vehicles, junk and or debris problems?
Can I keep horses on my property?
Do I need a permit for a shed?
What are the standards for a detached garage?
What are the standards for an attached garage?
What is my zoning?
To obtain zoning information please click on this EZ Map link. Hint: In the "address" box you may type in only the street name or address number. You will then be given a selection of streets with the address number or all addresses associated with a street name. There is a drop menu that you can use to see an aerial photograph of the property and a list of information, including zoning for that particular property. There are also links in blue that will take you to the Jefferson County Assessor website for the property, zoning classification information from Article 5 of the Zoning Ordinance, and City Council webpage.
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How do I change the zoning of my property?
The rezoning of a property can be a complex process that involves the public and requires public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council. It may or may not be appropriate for your property to be rezoned. The Rezoning Handout describes the criteria for a rezoning and the rezoning process. if you are considering a rezoning, please contact us at 303-987-7571 to schedule a time to meet with a staff planner to discuss your plans.
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Do I need a fence permit?
The replacement of construction of eight (8) or more linear feet of fence requires a building permit. Typically, the Planner of the Day will review and approve your Fence Application the same day it is received. Please review Article 5, District Regulations, and Article 8, Fences, Walls and Obstructions to View of the Zoning Ordinance for standards concerning fences. Please see the Fence Process Handout for detailed information on submitting a fence permit.
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Do I need a temporary banner permit?
Yes. Temporary signs, including placement of banners require a permit. The Sign Application may be submitted in person or sent by mail to the attention of Walter Jauch, Planning and Public Works Department. In general, one temporary banner is allowed at a time and a property is only allowed 90-days for temporary banner use, a temporary banner may be a maximum of 40 square feet in size, and located flush against the building to which it is affixed. Please review Article 10, Signs, for more specific sign regulations that apply to your property. Please see the Sign Process Handout for detailed information on submitting a sign permit..
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How do I pay for a permit?
Permit fees are based on the value of the project. The fee includes a permit fee and use tax. you will need to provide a valuation for the job including materials and labor. The use tax is based on the value of the materials and labor for a job. The permit fee will be determined when your application is reviewed and ready for approval. Cash, check, Visa, MasterCard and Discover card payments are accepted. Unfortunately, we do not accept American Express payments.
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Can I submit my fence or sign application on-line?
At this time, we do not accept applications on-line. You may bring it in person or send it by mail to the following address:
Planning and Public Works Department
Attn: Walter Jauch
480 S. Allison Parkway
Civic Center North
Lakewood, CO 80226
Once your application has been reviewed and ready for approval you may come into the City for payment or mail in the application fee to the address above. If you mail in the application be sure to call the planner processing your permit to obtain the correct permit fee. You may either come to the City to make payment or mail in the payment to the address above. If you mail in the payment be sure to include the permit number and address of the job on the check. To process a credit card payment, please complete a Credit Card Authorization form.
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Can I operate a business from my house?
In order to provide residents of the City with an option to utilize their residence as a space to fulfill personal economic goals, home occupation is permitted and regulated by Article 13 of the Zoning Ordinance. Article 13 allows for specific home occupations. If the home occupation that you are contemplating is not listed you will need to contact the Planner of the Day to determine whether the proposed home occupation is acceptable. You may contact the Planner of the Day at 303-987-7571.
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Where do I report a overgrown weeds, inoperable vehicles, junk and/or debris problems?
For any Zoning Violation, please contact Code Enforcement at 303-987-7566.
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Can I keep horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and llamas on my property?
Horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and llamas may be kept on properties zoned R1A, RR, and 1-R. To find zoning of your property please use the EZ MAP application. In addition, there are performance standards for R1A, RR, and 1-R Zone District that you can find in Article 5 of the Zoning Ordinance that you will be required to meet in order to keep horses and other allowable livestock. Please contact the Planner of the Day at 303-987-7571 with any questions.
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Do I need a permit for a shed?
If the detached shed is 120 square feet in size and taller than ten (10) feet then you will need to pull a building permit and meet all setback requirements. Please note that no accessory structure is allowed in the primary front setback of a property. If you have any questions please contact the Planner of the Day at 303-987-7571.
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What are the standards for a detached garage?
Any combination of detached garages, storage sheds, private non-commercial recreation facilities, and workshops within 1-R, 2-R, or 3-R Zone Districts shall not exceed ten (10) percent of the lot area, up to a maximum of eighteen hundred (1,800) square feet. Please note that the square footage of any such use, which is attached to the main building, shall be deducted from the maximum square footage permitted in detached accessory structures. Detached accessory structures within the 1-R, 2-R, and 3-R Zone Districts have a maximum height of twenty (20) feet and side and rear setback requirement of 5 feet and/or outside all easements. All accessory structures must be located in the side or rear yard. If you have any questions please contact the Planner of the Day at 303-987-7571.
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Whate are the standards for an attached garage?
An attached garage within residentially zoned districts must be smaller than the habitable portion of the main building which it is attached. The height and setback standards are the same as the main building. Please use the EZ Map application to determine your zone district and regulations for the main structure. If you have any questions please contact the Planner of the Day at
303-987-7571.
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