Animal Ordinances in Longmont, CO: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Longmont or are thinking about moving there, animal ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Longmont has 7 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of animal ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Chickens & Livestock

Longmont allows up to 4 hens (no roosters) per residential lot under Ordinance O-2011-02, codified in LMC Title 7. A backyard chicken hen permit is required from Planning & Development Services; the city caps citywide permits at 50 active at any one time.

Key details: Hen Limit: 4 hens per property. Roosters: Prohibited (LMC § 7.04.130). Coop Setback: >= 6 ft from any structure and >= 6 ft from side/rear property line. Coop Height: Up to 7 ft, must be predator-proof. Permit Fee: $30.00.

Operating without a permit, keeping more than 4 hens, keeping any rooster, or violating coop setbacks is a violation enforceable by Longmont Code Enforcement and Animal Control. Penalty up to $999 fine and/or 180 days jail under the Longmont Municipal Court general penalty.

Dog Leash Laws

Longmont requires every dog off its owner's property to be under physical restraint by leash, and every dog and cat over 3 months of age must be licensed annually and currently vaccinated against rabies under LMC § 7.04.040.

Key details: Leash Required: All dogs off owner's property. License Required: Dogs & cats > 3 months, renewed annually. License Fee: $15 spayed/neutered; $25 unaltered. Rabies Vaccine: Required under LMC § 7.04.040. License Portal: longmont.docupet.com or 1-877-239-6072.

Running at large, no license, or expired rabies vaccination is enforceable by Longmont Police Animal Control. Impoundment fees plus general municipal penalty up to $999 and/or 180 days jail apply.

Beekeeping

Longmont does not have a dedicated beekeeping ordinance in LMC Title 7. Residential beekeeping is permitted as an accessory use; hives must not create a public nuisance under LMC § 7.04.130 (Prohibited Keeping of Animals) and the Colorado Department of Agriculture Apiary Program governs hive registration and disease control statewide.

Key details: Local Bee Ordinance: None in LMC Title 7. Hive Count Limit: Not set by city (HOA may restrict). Setback Requirement: Not set by city. Nuisance Standard: LMC § 7.04.130 (Prohibited Keeping of Animals). State Law: Colorado Bee Act, CRS Title 35 Article 25.

No bee-specific Longmont penalty; nuisance bee operations are enforced under LMC § 7.04.130 (general penalty up to $999 and/or 180 days jail). State-level Colorado Bee Act violations are enforced by the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

The rules around beekeeping in Longmont lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Breed Restrictions

Longmont has no breed-specific dog legislation. The city explicitly states: 'In Longmont there are no breed specific laws in place.' Dangerous-dog enforcement is handled under Colorado Revised Statute § 18-9-204.5 (which bars municipalities from regulating dangerous dogs by breed).

Key details: Breed Ban: None in Longmont. Pit Bull Restriction: None. State Law: Colorado Revised Statute § 18-9-204.5 (Dangerous Dog). State Preemption: CRS § 18-9-204.5(5)(b) bars breed-specific local laws. Local Enforcement: LMC Title 7, Chapter 7.04 (conduct-based).

Owning a dog adjudicated 'dangerous' under CRS § 18-9-204.5 is a class 1 misdemeanor or class 6 felony depending on the level of injury, in addition to any Longmont municipal animal-control action.

Longmont is more permissive than most cities when it comes to breed restrictions. That said, there are still limits.

Exotic Pets

Longmont restricts ownership of Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs to animals that have been inspected and issued a Colorado Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, and prohibits keeping animals not customarily domesticated under LMC § 7.04.130. Native Colorado wildlife is regulated by Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CRS Title 33).

Key details: Pot-Bellied Pig: Requires Colorado Certificate of Veterinary Inspection + city license within 30 days. Pig Licensing: Through Animal Control (not DocuPet). Rooster: Prohibited under LMC § 7.04.130. Native Wildlife: Prohibited as pets (CRS Title 33; 2 CCR 406-8). Prohibited Examples: Primates, exotic pigs, wildebeest, oryx.

Possession of an unpermitted exotic / wildlife species is enforceable by both Longmont Animal Control (LMC § 7.04.130) and Colorado Parks & Wildlife. Pot-bellied pig kept without the required Colorado Certificate of Veterinary Inspection or city license is a Longmont municipal violation: up to $999 fine and/or 180 days jail.

Wildlife Feeding

Colorado state law prohibits intentionally feeding big-game wildlife — deer, elk, pronghorn, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, mountain lions and bears — with a $100 fine. Longmont specifically discourages feeding geese and other waterfowl in city parks because it spreads disease and worsens overpopulation.

Key details: State Prohibition: Deer, elk, pronghorn, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, bears. State Fine: $100 per violation. Bear Luring Statute: CRS § 33-6-131. Geese: City discourages feeding in parks. Trash Containment: LMC Chapter 14.12 (Solid Waste).

Intentionally feeding big-game wildlife: $100 fine under Colorado Parks & Wildlife rules (CRS Title 33). Knowingly luring a bear: CRS § 33-6-131. Improper trash containment can be cited under LMC Chapter 14.12 (Solid Waste Collection).

Livestock

Within Longmont city limits, traditional livestock (cattle, horses, goats, sheep, swine) are not permitted in residential zoning districts. LMC § 7.04.130 (Prohibited Keeping of Animals) bars keeping animals outside their customary residential context; only 4 hens (no roosters) plus inspected pot-bellied pigs are explicitly allowed as residential 'farm' animals.

Key details: Cattle / Horses / Sheep / Goats: Not allowed in residential zones. Roosters: Prohibited citywide (LMC § 7.04.130). Hens: Up to 4, permit required (Ord. O-2011-02). Pot-Bellied Pigs: Allowed with vet inspection + city license. Larger Livestock Zoning: Limited to agricultural districts under Title 15.

Keeping prohibited livestock on residential property: LMC § 7.04.130 + zoning violation under Title 15. Longmont Code Enforcement / Animal Control may order removal. General penalty up to $999 and/or 180 days jail.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Longmont gives residents more room on animal ordinances. 2 of the 7 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Longmont can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.