Quick Start: How Lakewood Works#

A primer on Lakewood’s government structure and planning framework for urbanists and advocates.

City Government#

Lakewood operates under a council-manager form of government. The City Council is the legislative body, and the Mayor serves as the chief executive.

City Council#

Lakewood City Council has seven members:

• 3 at-large members representing the entire city
• 4 ward members representing each of the city’s four wards

Councilmembers are elected in non-partisan elections and serve four-year staggered terms — every two years there is an election for either the at-large or ward positions. Council members serve part-time and typically maintain separate employment.

Meetings: General meetings are held the first and third Monday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at Lakewood City Hall, 12650 Detroit Avenue. All meetings are open to the public and livestreamed.

Key Boards and Commissions#

• Planning Commission — Five members (three appointed by the Mayor, two by Council) who review conditional use permits and other zoning matters. Members serve five-year terms.
• Board of Zoning Appeals — Hears variance requests and appeals of zoning decisions.
• Architectural Board of Review — Reviews exterior modifications in certain districts.
• Lakewood Heritage Advisory Board — Advises on historic preservation matters.
• Human Rights Commission — Established in 2016 as part of the city’s comprehensive Human Rights Ordinance protecting citizens from discrimination in housing, employment, education, and public accommodations.

Planning Framework#

The Community Vision#

Lakewood does not use a traditional master plan. Instead, the city follows the Community Vision, first passed by City Council and the Planning Commission in 2012 and updated with data refreshes in 2017 and 2019.

The Community Vision centers on six focus areas:

1. Commercial Development — Vibrant business corridors along Detroit and Madison Avenues
2. Housing — Stable housing market with diverse stock and moderate growth in values
3. Community Wellness — Public health, recreation, and quality of life
4. Safety — Public safety services and infrastructure
5. Mobility — Multi-modal transportation and walkability
6. Education and Culture — Schools, libraries, arts, and cultural institutions

Zoning Code#

Lakewood’s Planning and Zoning Code (Part Eleven of the Codified Ordinances) was last comprehensively updated in 1996 with piecemeal revisions since. In 2024, the city began seeking a qualified consultant to lead a comprehensive zoning code update aligned with the Community Vision and contemporary best practices for a dense, historic, urban community.

Key zoning districts include:

• Single-Family Residential
• Single- and Two-Family Residential
• Multiple-Family Residential
• Commercial Districts
• Industrial District
• Historic Preservation Districts (HPD)

The Lakewood Zoning Map is available on the city website.

Department of Planning and Development#

The Department of Planning and Development coordinates:

• Long-range planning and zoning
• Economic development
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) administration — as a city of 50,000+, Lakewood is a CDBG entitlement community receiving annual federal grants for housing and economic development

How to Participate#

1. Attend City Council meetings — First and third Mondays at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall
2. Watch the livestream — Meetings are broadcast live on the city’s website
3. Review Planning Commission agendas — Posted on the city website before meetings
4. Submit public comments — Available at Council meetings during the public comment period
5. Engage with community organizations — LakewoodAlive, Bike Lakewood, and neighborhood groups
6. Review the Community Vision — Understand the city’s goals at lakewoodoh.gov/community-vision

Key Facts#

Last updated: February 2026