Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In a small bowl, combine the sugar and lemon zest. Rub together with your fingers until fragrant.
Using a mixer, beat together butter and sugar until smooth and creamy.
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Mix until combined. Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Don't over mix.
Roll rounded tablespoons of dough into balls and roll in sugar. Place on prepared baking sheets, about 1 1/2 inches apart.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until cookies are slightly brown around the edges and set. Let cookies sit on the baking sheets for two minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Notes
*To keep cookies soft, store cookies with a slice of bread in an airtight container.