Lakewood Site Plan Parking & EV Charging Rules
Lakewood, Colorado requires projects to address parking supply, layout, accessible spaces, and electrical infrastructure for electric vehicle (EV) charging as part of site plan review for new development and significant redevelopment. This guide summarizes what applicants and property owners should expect in Lakewood site plan submissions, which departments enforce the rules, permitting pathways, common violations, and practical steps to obtain approvals and resolve disputes.
Permitting & Site Plan Parking Requirements
Site plans in Lakewood are reviewed by the Planning Division for conformance with land development and zoning rules, including parking counts, loading, and ADA standards. Applicants should consult the Planning Division application checklist for submittal requirements and applicability to residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects. Planning Division[1]
- Site plan must show curb cuts, parking layout, space dimensions, access aisles, and accessible stalls.
- Include phasing and construction timelines when parking is altered during development.
- Fees for plan review and parking studies are set by the city fee schedule; verify current fees with Planning.
- Provide calculation of required parking ratios by use type and any requested reductions or shared-parking analyses.
EV Charging Infrastructure
EV charging equipment and dedicated parking stalls are reviewed during site plan and by the Building Division for electrical compliance. Electrical permits, inspection requirements, and contractor licensing apply to charger installation; check the Building Division for permit forms and inspection scheduling. Building Division[2]
- Include EV stall locations, signage, conduit routing, and metering/energy management details on construction drawings.
- Electrical permit fees, if any, are published by the Building Division or fee schedule.
- Installations require electrical inspection and must meet the National Electrical Code as enforced by Lakewood inspectors.
- For public charging on private property, include access and maintenance agreements if the stalls are counted toward required parking.
Penalties & Enforcement
Enforcement for parking violations, improper construction without permits, and noncompliant site conditions involves the Municipal Court and relevant city departments. Specific fine amounts or civil penalty schedules for land-use or parking-related violations are not listed on the general Municipal Court or department overview pages and therefore are not specified on the cited page. Municipal Court[3]
- Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page.
- Escalation for repeat or continuing offences: not specified on the cited page; penalties often increase with continued noncompliance.
- Non-monetary sanctions: stop-work orders, correction notices, permit suspensions, or civil court actions may be used by enforcement officers.
- Enforcer and complaint pathway: Planning Division and Building Division handle plan and permit compliance; Municipal Court processes citations and hearings; contact links are in Resources below.
- Appeals/review: appeal routes typically proceed to administrative review or Municipal Court; specific time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited pages.
Applications & Forms
The city provides planning and building permit application forms through the Planning Division and Building Division; some fee amounts and form numbers are listed on department pages or fee schedule PDFs. If a specific named form or fee is required for EV chargers or parking reductions and is not published on the department pages, it is not specified on the cited page.
- Site plan and land-use application forms: obtain from the Planning Division online or in person.
- Electrical permit application: obtain via the Building Division; contractors often submit on the owner's behalf.
- Fees and deposits: check the current fee schedule linked in Resources.
How-To
- Prepare a site plan showing parking counts, EV locations, ADA stalls, and phasing.
- Submit site plan and application to the Planning Division for review and follow any planner comments.
- Apply for electrical permits through the Building Division for charger installation and schedule inspections.
- Complete required inspections, correct any deficiencies, and obtain final approvals before placing chargers or parking into service.
- If cited, follow the notice instructions, pursue administrative appeals if needed, and document corrective work.
FAQ
- How many parking spaces are required for a new commercial site?
- The required number varies by land use and is determined during zoning/site plan review; see Planning Division guidance for ratios. See the Planning Division for specifics and ratio tables.[1]
- Do EV charging stalls count toward required parking?
- EV charging stalls may count if they meet dimension, access, and availability rules described during site plan review; confirm with a planner on whether counted stalls must remain available to site users.[1]
- Is an electrical permit required to install a charging station?
- Yes, electrical permits and inspections are generally required; obtain the permit from the Building Division prior to installation.[2]
- What happens if work is done without permits?
- Unpermitted work can lead to stop-work orders, penalties, and requirements to remove or remediate installations; specific fines are not specified on the cited pages.[3]
Key Takeaways
- Integrate parking and EV plans early to avoid costly redesigns and permit delays.
- Obtain required electrical permits and inspections for chargers through the Building Division.
- Contact Planning or Building before construction if in doubt; prompt correction limits enforcement escalation.
Help and Support / Resources
- Planning Division - City of Lakewood
- Building Division - City of Lakewood
- Municipal Court - City of Lakewood
- Lakewood Police Department