Preliminary Results Show Lakewood Voters Repealing New Zoning Code

Overview

• Lakewood voters, following Tuesday's special election, backed repealing the new zoning code by roughly 13,800 yes to 7,500 no on each of four questions in preliminary returns, with official results due by April 17.
• The ballot asked whether to overturn Ordinances 2025-27 through 2025-30, which had replaced major sections of the zoning code and the citywide zoning map.
• The council's October 2025 overhaul allowed duplexes and other small multi-family homes in all neighborhoods and also cut minimum parking rules and capped house size.
• City leaders said a repeal could put Lakewood out of step with a new state law that requires higher housing density, and if the vote holds the old rules would come back.
• Opponents argued growth would strain streets and utilities and lacked any affordability requirement, while supporters said the updates would open more housing choices for today’s households.