DESIGN · BUILD · AUTOMATE
LAKEWOOD SERVICES
Demolition & Haul-Off in Lakewood
Licensed demolition & haul-off services for Lakewood and Jefferson County. Clean, controlled removal.
- Full Design Lifecycle
- Construction & Tenant Finish
- Smart Home · A/V · Edge Compute
Clean, controlled removal
EVERY PROJECT STARTS WITH DESIGN
Local Service
Demolition & Haul-Off Services in Lakewood, Colorado
Autotelic provides professional demolition & haul-off services throughout Lakewood and the surrounding Jefferson County area. Selective and full demolition across the Denver metro — interior strip-out, structural demo, concrete removal, and haul-off with proper disposal and recycling. Whether you're in Lakewood (Jefferson County's largest city) or nearby communities, our team delivers quality workmanship backed by Colorado licensing and full insurance coverage.
Permits & Licensing
Permits in Lakewood
Lakewood building and construction permits are issued through the Public Works Department, and contractors must be registered with the city and hold a Lakewood contractor account before pulling permits. Permitting and inspections run through the city's eTRAKiT online system. Authority: City of Lakewood — Public Works Department (Building and Construction Permits).
Permit Thresholds
Lakewood permit thresholds
- Code reference
- Permits are generally required for residential remodel work in Lakewood, Colorado, unless the work falls under specific exemptions listed in the city’s adopted Building Code (referenced as § 105.2 in secondary sources and detailed in the official exemptions list). There are no broad valuation th§ 105.2
- Code reference
- One-story detached accessory buildings (tool/storage sheds, pergolas, playhouses, etc.) ≤ 120 sq ft (commercial) or ≤ 200 sq ft (residential), with additional placement rules.
- Code reference
- Moveable cases, cabinets, counters, and partitions ≤ 5’9” high.
- Code reference
- Retaining walls ≤ 30 inches high (unless supporting surcharge or impounding flammables).
- Code reference
- Private walks/driveways ≤ 30 inches above grade (not over basement/story below, not part of accessible route).
- Code reference
- Prefabricated non-heated swimming pools < 24 inches deep without circulation system.
- Code reference
- Window awnings on Group R-3 occupancies projecting ≤ 54” from exterior wall.
- Code reference
- Roof covering repairs < 100 sq ft (unless removing mechanical/electrical equipment).
Codes are amended regularly — verify current requirements with City of Lakewood — Public Works Department (Building and Construction Permits).
Energy Code
Lakewood energy code quick facts
- Code reference
- 2021 IECC (with Colorado Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready Code amendments required by state law HB22-1362; Lakewood has also adopted solar-ready provisions via Appendix RB).
- Code reference
- Lakewood’s adopted codes document explicitly lists the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (no major local energy-specific amendments noted beyond state-mandated additions).
- Code reference
- Climate zone is 5 (5B for the Denver-metro area).
- Code reference
- Key prescriptive requirements (from 2021 IECC Table R402.1.2 and related sections for Climate Zone 5, applicable to new construction, additions, and alterations/remodels where triggered; existing buildings and additions must comply with envelope and other provisions unless exempted):
- Ceiling/attic insulation
- R-60 (or equivalent U-factor).
- Adopting reference
- 2021 IECC Table R402.1.2 (R402.1 prescriptive requirements).
- Wood-frame wall insulation
- R-20 + R-5ci or R-13 + R-10ci (or equivalent U-factor).
- Adopting reference
- 2021 IECC Table R402.1.2.
Codes are amended regularly — verify current requirements with City of Lakewood — Public Works Department (Building and Construction Permits).
Zoning & Dimensional Standards
Setback & dimensional standards in Lakewood
Zone-district dimensional standards for Lakewood, quoted verbatim from the Lakewood Zoning Code (2025). Knowing your lot's district — and its setbacks, height, and coverage limits — is where every feasibility conversation starts.
C-Lsetback & dimensional standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Setback (min) | 15 ft. |
| Side Setback (min) | 5 ft. |
| Rear Setback (min) | 5 ft. |
| Building Height (max) | 45 ft. |
| Open Space (min %) | 25% |
Lakewood Zoning Code (2025) C-L setback standards (Article 5 Tables 4 & 8 Dimensional Standards (§17.5)) — effective 2025-03-24 · View the code
C-Rsetback & dimensional standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Setback (min) | 15 ft. |
| Side Setback (min) | 5 ft. |
| Rear Setback (min) | 5 ft. |
| Building Height (max) | 90 ft. |
| Open Space (min %) | 25% |
Lakewood Zoning Code (2025) C-R setback standards (Article 5 Tables 4 & 8 Dimensional Standards (§17.5)) — effective 2025-03-24 · View the code
LIsetback & dimensional standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Setback (min) | 15 ft. |
| Side Setback (min) | 5 ft. |
| Rear Setback (min) | 5 ft. |
| Building Height (max) | 60 ft. |
| Open Space (min %) | 25% |
Lakewood Zoning Code (2025) LI setback standards (Article 5 Tables 4 & 8 Dimensional Standards (§17.5)) — effective 2025-03-24 · View the code
R-L-Asetback & dimensional standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Setback (min) | 25 ft. |
| Side Setback (min) | 10 ft. |
| Non-Primary Frontage Front Setback (min) | 20 ft. |
| Rear Setback (min) | 15 ft. |
| Building Height (max) | 35 ft. |
| Minimum Lot Size | 7,000 sq. ft. |
| Minimum Lot Width | 75 ft. |
| Open Space (min %) | 50% |
Lakewood Zoning Code (2025) R-L-A setback standards (Article 5 Tables 4 & 8 Dimensional Standards (§17.5)) — effective 2025-03-24 · View the code
R-L-Bsetback & dimensional standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Setback (min) | 25 ft. |
| Side Setback (min) | 5 ft. |
| Non-Primary Frontage Front Setback (min) | 20 ft. |
| Rear Setback (min) | 15 ft. |
| Building Height (max) | 35 ft. |
| Minimum Lot Size | 5,000 sq. ft. |
| Minimum Lot Width | 60 ft. |
| Open Space (min %) | 50% |
Lakewood Zoning Code (2025) R-L-B setback standards (Article 5 Tables 4 & 8 Dimensional Standards (§17.5)) — effective 2025-03-24 · View the code
R-L-Csetback & dimensional standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Setback (min) | 25 ft. |
| Side Setback (min) | 5 ft. |
| Non-Primary Frontage Front Setback (min) | 20 ft. |
| Rear Setback (min) | 15 ft. |
| Building Height (max) | 35 ft. |
| Minimum Lot Size | 1,500 sq. ft. |
| Minimum Lot Width | 25 ft. |
| Open Space (min %) | 50% |
Lakewood Zoning Code (2025) R-L-C setback standards (Article 5 Tables 4 & 8 Dimensional Standards (§17.5)) — effective 2025-03-24 · View the code
R-L-MHsetback & dimensional standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Setback (min) | 25 ft. |
| Side Setback (min) | 5 ft. |
| Non-Primary Frontage Front Setback (min) | 20 ft. |
| Rear Setback (min) | 15 ft. |
| Building Height (max) | 25 ft. |
| Minimum Lot Width | 35 (SW) 40 (DW) |
| Open Space (min %) | 25% |
Lakewood Zoning Code (2025) R-L-MH setback standards (Article 5 Tables 4 & 8 Dimensional Standards (§17.5)) — effective 2025-03-24 · View the code
R-Msetback & dimensional standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Setback (min) | 10 ft. |
| Side Setback (min) | 5 ft. |
| Non-Primary Frontage Front Setback (min) | 10 ft. |
| Rear Setback (min) | 15 ft. |
| Building Height (max) | 45 ft. |
| Minimum Lot Width | 18 ft. |
| Open Space (min %) | 30% |
Lakewood Zoning Code (2025) R-M setback standards (Article 5 Tables 4 & 8 Dimensional Standards (§17.5)) — effective 2025-03-24 · View the code
Verify current requirements with the jurisdiction — informational reference only. Standards vary by overlay, lot, and use; we confirm the exact rules for your property during feasibility.
text
What Demolition & Haul-Off Covers
Demolition and haul-off prepares a property for renovation, addition, or new construction by removing unwanted structure and clearing the debris. In the Denver metro, projects typically fall into full demolition (complete structure removal), partial demolition (selective removal of roofs, walls, or exterior sections while keeping the rest of the building), and non-structural interior prep demolition (finishes, cabinetry, flooring, ceilings, and fixtures that do not affect structural members or fire-suppression systems). Haul-off is part of every job. Debris is sorted where required, loaded into roll-off containers or trucks, and taken to approved recycling facilities or landfills. A clean, safe site at the end of the work is as important as the tear-out itself.
text
Common Project Types
Homeowners and property managers in Denver commonly need demolition for residential tear-downs ahead of new builds, kitchen and bath gut jobs, basement or addition prep, fire- or flood-damaged finish removal, commercial white-box remodels, and selective structural openings for renovations. Exterior work may include roof tear-off, porch or garage removal, and exterior wall demolition tied to additions. Scope is defined by what stays, what goes, how materials will be separated, and what the finished site condition should be—bare slab, open lot, broom-clean interior, or ready for the next trade.
text
Permits, Approvals, and Inspections in Denver
For work in the City and County of Denver, demolition permits are generally issued through Community Planning and Development. Full or partial demolition of a structure typically requires a permit. Smaller freestanding structures at or under 200 square feet and 8 feet in height may be exempt unless the property is a designated landmark or in a historic district. Before a Denver demolition permit is issued, several related approvals are often required: - Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) asbestos review and approval (application and fee are required even when inspection finds no asbestos) - Verified utility disconnects for water (Denver Water), wastewater (DOTI), and gas/electric (Xcel Energy) - Written and posted neighbor notification at least 10 calendar days before demolition - Landmark Preservation review on total demolition of primary structures - Office of the City Forester review and inspected tree protection for protected trees and setback areas - Construction engineering approval from DOTI when equipment, materials, or fall zones affect the public right-of-way - Floodplain review when the property sits in a regulatory floodplain Inspections can include forestry/tree-protection checks, safe-site reviews, and final inspections. Outside Denver city limits, suburban jurisdictions have their own permit paths; local rules still apply and should be confirmed for the project address.
text
Methods, Materials, and Haul-Off
Crews match method to scope. Manual demolition with hand tools suits selective interior work and material salvage. Mechanical demolition with excavators and related equipment is common for larger structural removal. Many jobs combine both. Typical debris streams include concrete, asphalt, clean wood, scrap metal, corrugated cardboard, drywall, brick, porcelain, rock, dirt, and mixed construction debris. Haul-off usually uses sized roll-off dumpsters or direct trucking to recycling centers and approved landfills. Facilities in the metro area process recyclable concrete, asphalt, metal, and wood; non-recyclable material goes to approved disposal sites.
text
Codes, Recycling, and Environmental Rules
Denver enforces adopted building and existing-building codes that set minimum standards for how demolition is performed and how the site is left. Environmental rules are equally important. Denver’s Waste No More ordinance requires most construction and demolition projects to submit a recycling and reuse plan before permitting. At minimum, concrete, asphalt, clean wood, scrap metal, and corrugated cardboard must be separated and recycled on covered projects. A Recycling and Reuse Compliance Form is typically due before final inspection. Coverage generally includes new construction and demolition larger than 500 square feet and interior remodels larger than 2,500 square feet within the City and County of Denver. Asbestos work is regulated by CDPHE. Buildings constructed before 1978 may also require lead-safe work practices under federal rules. Hazardous materials identified during assessment must be handled through proper abatement channels before general demolition proceeds.
text
What to Evaluate When Hiring
Look for experience with your project type—full tear-down, partial structural demo, or interior non-structural prep—and clear examples of similar Denver-metro work. Confirm municipal general-contractor licensing where required, bonding capacity for the job size, and liability insurance that expressly covers demolition operations, including explosion, collapse, and underground (XCU) exposure. Ask who will manage CDPHE asbestos steps, utility cut-offs, neighbor notice, forestry/landmark reviews, and the city demolition permit. Review the recycling and reuse plan, hazardous-material screening process, safety plan, communication point of contact, schedule assumptions, and final site-clean standard. Request a transparent scope breakdown rather than a single lump number with vague exclusions. On larger projects, ask whether a performance bond is available.
text
How Our General Contracting Team Coordinates Demo
As a municipally licensed Denver general contractor, we coordinate demolition and haul-off within the full project—not as an isolated trade in a vacuum. That includes aligning scope with the renovation or rebuild plan, scheduling specialty partners when asbestos, lead, or other hazardous materials are present, sequencing utility disconnects, and routing debris through recycling and disposal channels that match local rules. You get one accountable project lead for schedule, site protection, inspections, and turnover to the next phase of work.
FAQ
Common questions
Do I need a demolition permit in Denver?
In the City and County of Denver, full or partial demolition of a structure generally requires a permit through Community Planning and Development. Structures 200 square feet or less and 8 feet or less in height may be exempt unless they are landmarks or in a historic district. Interior non-structural demo and suburban addresses can have different thresholds, so the project address and scope should be confirmed before work starts.
Who handles the demolition permits and licensing?
A municipally licensed Denver general contractor coordinates the demolition permitting path and the licensed specialty trades involved. State asbestos approval runs through CDPHE; utility disconnects involve Denver Water, DOTI, and Xcel Energy as applicable; and city reviews may include Landmark Preservation, the Office of the City Forester, construction engineering, and floodplain staff before the demolition permit is issued.
What is Denver’s Waste No More requirement for demolition?
Waste No More requires covered construction and demolition projects in Denver to submit a recycling and reuse plan and to separate and recycle at least concrete, asphalt, clean wood, scrap metal, and corrugated cardboard. A compliance form is typically submitted before final inspection. It generally applies to demolition/new construction over 500 square feet and interior remodels over 2,500 square feet.
Is asbestos testing required before demo?
CDPHE asbestos approval is part of the Denver demolition permitting sequence. An application and fee are required even when inspection finds no asbestos. If asbestos-containing materials are present, certified abatement must be completed under state rules before general demolition continues.
What is the difference between full, partial, and interior demolition?
Full demolition removes the entire structure and clears the site. Partial demolition removes selected portions—such as a roof, addition, or exterior wall—while preserving the rest of the building. Interior non-structural prep demolition removes finishes and fixtures without altering structural components or existing fire-suppression systems.
How is haul-off handled on a typical project?
Debris is loaded into roll-off dumpsters or trucks, separated for recycling when required, and taken to approved recycling facilities or landfills. Concrete, asphalt, clean wood, metal, and cardboard are common recyclable streams; mixed or non-recyclable debris goes to approved disposal sites. Final cleanup standards should be defined in the scope before work begins.
What affects the cost of demolition and haul-off?
Cost is project-specific. Major drivers include structure size and type, full versus selective scope, access and protection needs, hazardous-material abatement, utility disconnects, permit and inspection requirements, recycling versus landfill volumes, tree or right-of-way constraints, schedule, and the required final site condition. Detailed scope and site conditions are needed before any meaningful estimate.
Service Area
Serving Lakewood and Jefferson County
We serve Lakewood, CO and all surrounding Denver metro communities. Our team is based in Denver and operates throughout the Front Range, from Castle Rock to Longmont and everywhere in between. Contact us for a free estimate on your Lakewood project.
How It Runs
01
Survey
02
Design
03
Build
04
Verify
DESIGN SERVICES
Discovery & Site Analysis
Needs + preference programming, site survey, as-built documentation, feasibility.
We walk, measure, and photograph your property — existing conditions, utilities, structure, and constraints. You get the as-built documentation and feasibility read that every later decision rests on.
Learn more →Concept Design & Space Planning
Schematic design, floor plan studies, layout options.
Your scope becomes schematic floor plans you can compare side by side — circulation, daylight, adjacencies, and what each option does to the budget. Layout decisions happen on paper, where changes are cheap.
Learn more →Architectural Design & 3D Renderings
Design development, materials + finishes, photorealistic visualization.
The chosen concept resolves into materials, finishes, fixtures, and lighting — with the automation layer drawn in. Photorealistic renderings let you walk the space and adjust before anything is priced.
Learn more →Construction Documents & Permitting
Full CD sets, structural + MEP engineering coordination, permit-ready drawings.
Approved designs become coordinated architectural, structural, and MEP sheets — the set your jurisdiction permits from and trades build from. We submit, track, and answer review comments.
Learn more →CONSTRUCTION
New Construction & Custom Homes
Ground-up homes and light commercial, dirt to keys.
Ground-up residential and light commercial builds — foundations through finishes, including modular and steel construction. One accountable builder from dirt to keys.
Learn more →Remodels & Additions
Kitchens, baths, basements, pop-tops, whole-home.
Kitchens, baths, basements, pop-tops, and whole-home renovations that respect the house you already have. We handle structure, permits, and the dust.
Learn more →Commercial Tenant Finish & Build-Outs
Shells to working spaces — retail, office, restaurant, school.
Raw shells become working spaces — showrooms, offices, restaurants, schools. Dealer-spec finishes, code compliance, and opening dates held.
Learn more →ADUs & Modular Construction
Backyard cottages, garage conversions, factory-built homes.
Backyard cottages, garage conversions, and factory-built homes — zoning, design, permits, and set. Denver’s ADU rules are a specialty, not a surprise.
Learn more →Outdoor Living & Patio Structures
Decks, pergolas, and dining patios built for Colorado weather.
Decks, pergolas, and dining patios engineered for Colorado sun, snow, and hail — structure, shade, and drainage done right the first time.
Learn more →TECHNOLOGY
Smart Home Automation
Lighting, shades, climate, audio, security — one interface.
Whole-home control of lighting, shades, climate, audio, and security from a single interface — Crestron, Lutron, Savant, and Control4 designed in, not bolted on.
Learn more →A/V Systems
Theaters, distributed audio, video walls, commercial sound.
Theaters, distributed audio, video walls, and commercial sound — designed, installed, and tuned by the same team for over 20 years.
Learn more →Control Systems
Custom programming — scenes and schedules that fit the space.
Every subsystem brought into one elegant interface — custom programming for homes and venues, with scenes and schedules that match how the space is actually used.
Learn more →Networking & Edge Compute
Enterprise Wi-Fi, structured cabling, racks, on-prem compute.
Enterprise-grade Wi-Fi, structured cabling, racks, and on-premise compute — the backbone that makes everything else reliable, including our own Barbot platform.
Learn more →Solar & Energy Storage
Solar arrays, Tesla Powerwall, EV charging — certified install.
Solar arrays, Tesla Powerwall, and EV charging designed and installed by a Tesla Energy Certified team — roof, electrical, and app in one scope.
Learn more →TRUSTED TO BUILD FOR
- Punch Bowl SocialFirst four locations
- Spectrum RetirementSenior living communities
- Denver HighlandsFirst modular custom home
Explore
Also serving
Explore