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

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

Dog Leash Laws

LMC § 6.20.010 prohibits any owner from allowing an animal to be 'at large' anywhere in Loveland — meaning unleashed and not within a fence or enclosure. All cats, dogs, pot-bellied pigs, and dwarf goats four months and older must be licensed annually through NOCO Humane Society under LMC §§ 6.08.010-060.

Key details: Leash Law: LMC § 6.20.010 — no animal at large anywhere in city. License Required: Cats, dogs, pot-bellied pigs, dwarf goats ≥ 4 months. License Citation: LMC §§ 6.08.010-060. Goats: Enclosure must be inspected before licensing. Enforcement: NOCO Humane (970) 226-3647 ext. 7.

Violating the leash law (LMC § 6.20.010) or licensing rule (LMC § 6.08) is enforced by NOCO Humane Animal Protection & Control with impoundment plus boarding fees. Loveland's general penalty (LMC § 1.12.010) provides for fines up to the state-law maximum (~$2,650 adjusted for inflation) and/or up to 364 days in jail.

Breed Restrictions

Loveland has no breed-specific dog legislation — pit bulls and all other breeds are legal. Dangerous-dog conduct is regulated under Colorado Revised Statute § 18-9-204.5, which preempts municipalities from regulating dangerous dogs by breed. Loveland enforces conduct-based dangerous-dog rules through LMC Title 6 and NOCO Humane investigations.

Key details: Breed Ban: None in Loveland. Pit Bull Restriction: None. State Law: CRS § 18-9-204.5 (Dangerous Dog). Statewide BSL Preemption: CRS § 18-9-204.5(5)(b) — no breed-specific local laws. Local Enforcement: LMC Title 6 (conduct-based) + NOCO Humane.

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 Loveland municipal animal-control action under LMC Title 6.

The rules around breed restrictions in Loveland lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Livestock

Within Loveland city residential zones, traditional livestock (cattle, horses, sheep, swine) are not permitted as accessory uses. LMC § 6.28.010 limits pet animals to what can be properly maintained without nuisance; only chickens/domesticated fowl, pot-bellied pigs (licensed), and dwarf goats (licensed with inspected enclosure) are explicitly accommodated on residential lots. Larger livestock require agricultural zoning.

Key details: Cattle / Horses / Sheep / Full-Size Goats: Not allowed in residential zones. Chickens / Fowl: Allowed under LMC § 6.28.010 (no permit, no fixed cap). Pot-Bellied Pigs: Allowed with annual NOCO Humane license. Dwarf Goats: Allowed with license + inspected enclosure. Larger Livestock Zoning: Agricultural districts only (or unincorporated Larimer Co.).

Keeping prohibited livestock on Loveland residential property: LMC § 6.28.010 nuisance + zoning violation. NOCO Humane Animal Protection & Control and Loveland Code Enforcement may order removal. General penalty under LMC § 1.12.010: up to ~$2,650 fine and/or 364 days jail.

Chickens & Livestock

Loveland uses a performance-based standard rather than a hard hen cap. LMC § 6.28.010 (Pet Animal Limitations) allows chickens, ducks, geese and other domesticated fowl on residential property so long as they can be 'properly maintained in a healthy condition' without becoming a health, safety or nuisance issue to neighbors. No city permit is required; coop placement is set by the property's zoning.

Key details: Hen Limit: No fixed numeric cap (performance-based under LMC § 6.28.010). Roosters: Not categorically banned; nuisance complaints likely. Permit Required: No city chicken permit. Coop Setbacks: Per underlying residential zoning accessory rules. On-Site Slaughter: Prohibited except by veterinarian or Animal Control.

Excessive flock counts, unsanitary coops, or rooster noise are enforced as nuisance violations under LMC § 6.28.010 by NOCO Humane Animal Protection & Control. Loveland's general penalty (LMC § 1.12.010) applies: fines up to the maximum allowed under state law (~$2,650 adjusted) and/or up to 364 days jail.

Loveland is more permissive than most cities when it comes to chickens & livestock. That said, there are still limits.

Exotic Pets

Loveland licenses pot-bellied pigs and dwarf goats (with enclosure inspection) under LMC §§ 6.08.010-060. LMC § 6.28.010 (Pet Animal Limitations) prohibits keeping any animal in a manner that creates a health, safety, or nuisance hazard. Native Colorado wildlife (deer, bears, raccoons, mountain lions, etc.) cannot be kept as pets under Colorado Parks & Wildlife rules (CRS Title 33).

Key details: Pot-Bellied Pig: Must be licensed annually (≥ 4 months) under LMC § 6.08. Dwarf Goat: Must be licensed + enclosure inspection (LMC § 6.08). Native CO Wildlife: Prohibited as pets (CRS Title 33; 2 CCR 406-8). Prohibited Exotic Examples: Primates, exotic pigs, wildebeest, oryx, certain frogs. Nuisance Lever: LMC § 6.28.010 (Pet Animal Limitations).

Possession of an unpermitted exotic / wildlife species is enforceable by both NOCO Humane Animal Protection & Control (LMC § 6.28.010) and Colorado Parks & Wildlife. Unlicensed pot-bellied pig or dwarf goat is a Loveland municipal violation under LMC § 6.08, subject to the general penalty: up to ~$2,650 fine and/or 364 days jail.

Beekeeping

Loveland Municipal Code Title 6 has no beekeeping-specific provisions. The Northern Colorado Beekeepers Association's municipal-codes index lists Loveland as 'Nothing specific to beekeeping.' Residential beekeeping is treated as an accessory use governed by general nuisance law and the Colorado Bee Act (CRS Title 35, Article 25) administered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

Key details: Local Bee Ordinance: None in LMC Title 6. Hive Count Limit: Not set by city (HOA may restrict). Setback Requirement: Not set by city. Nuisance Standard: LMC § 6.28.010 (pet-animal nuisance). State Law: Colorado Bee Act, CRS Title 35, Article 25.

No bee-specific Loveland penalty. Nuisance bee operations are enforced under LMC § 6.28.010 by NOCO Humane Animal Protection & Control with the general penalty under LMC § 1.12.010 (up to ~$2,650 fine, up to 364 days jail). State-level Colorado Bee Act violations are enforced by the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

Loveland is more permissive than most cities when it comes to beekeeping. That said, there are still limits.

Wildlife Feeding

Colorado state law prohibits intentionally feeding big-game wildlife — deer, elk, pronghorn, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and bears — anywhere in the state, including Loveland, with a $100 fine. CRS § 33-6-131 separately criminalizes knowingly luring a bear. Loveland sits in Front Range bear country; bird feeders, unsecured trash, and pet food are the top human-bear conflict sources.

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. Loveland Bear-Resistant Trash Ordinance: None citywide (unlike Estes Park). Larimer County Ordinance: Only applies in Estes Valley Planning Area.

Intentionally feeding big-game wildlife: $100 fine under Colorado Parks & Wildlife rules (CRS Title 33). Knowingly luring a bear: CRS § 33-6-131 (criminal). City of Loveland has no separate bear-attractant ordinance; nuisance trash can still be cited under city solid-waste rules.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Loveland gives residents more room on animal ordinances. 3 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.

All of the above reflects Loveland's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.