How Longmont Handles Fire Regulations: A Practical Guide

Longmont maintains 106 local ordinances across all categories, and 8 of those deal specifically with fire regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Longmont falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Fire Pit Rules

Longmont allows recreational fires with a fuel area of three feet or less in diameter and two feet or less in height, burning only natural untreated wood, kept 25 feet from any structure or combustibles, and attended until fully extinguished. The rules are administered by Longmont Fire Services under the 2021 International Fire Code adopted by Ordinance O-2021-66 (LMC Chapter 16.32). Burning is prohibited on Red Flag days.

Key details: Max Fuel Area: 3 ft diameter x 2 ft height. Setback: 25 ft from structures/combustibles. Allowed Fuel: Natural untreated wood only. Permit: None for recreational fire; bonfire requires permit. Fire Code Cite: LMC Ch. 16.32 (2021 IFC, Ord. O-2021-66).

Longmont Fire Services Codes and Planning enforces recreational fire rules under the 2021 International Fire Code (LMC Chapter 16.32). Officers may order an unlawful fire extinguished. Violations of adopted fire code provisions are municipal offenses subject to LMC general penalty provisions; contact Fire Codes and Planning at 303-774-4471 for complaints.

Fireworks

Longmont follows Colorado state fireworks law (C.R.S. 24-33.5-2001, formerly Article 28 of Title 12). Any firework that leaves the ground or explodes is illegal. Only state-permissible devices (sparklers, fountains, ground spinners, snakes, smoke devices) may be used on private property. Fireworks of any kind are prohibited on Longmont city streets, parks, golf courses, and other public property. Fines run up to $500 and/or 90 days in jail.

Key details: State Statute: C.R.S. 24-33.5-2001 et seq.. Aerial/Explosive: Illegal in Longmont. Permissible Devices: Sparklers, fountains, ground spinners, snakes. Public Property: All fireworks banned. Max Fine: Up to $500 and/or 90 days in jail.

Longmont Police and Fire Services enforce the fireworks rules. Fines run up to $500 and/or 90 days in jail per the Longmont Fire Department. Illegal fireworks may also trigger a state petty offense under C.R.S. 24-33.5-2010 (up to 10 days jail and/or $300). Setting off illegal fireworks during a wildfire risk period may also expose the user to civil liability for damages and firefighting costs.

Compared to other cities, Longmont takes a harder line on fireworks. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Outdoor Burning

Open burning is prohibited within Longmont city limits unless specifically allowed by the burning regulations or permitted by the Longmont Fire Department. No burning of leaves, trash, yard debris, or household waste is allowed as a means of disposal. No burning of any kind is allowed on Red Flag warning days. The rule is enforced by Longmont Fire Services under the 2021 International Fire Code (LMC Chapter 16.32, Ord. O-2021-66).

Key details: Open Burning: Prohibited inside city limits. Red Flag Days: No burning of any kind. Allowed: Recreational fire (3 ft x 2 ft), permitted bonfire. Permit Required: For bonfires, not recreational fires. Code Cite: 2021 IFC via LMC Ch. 16.32 (Ord. O-2021-66).

Longmont Fire Services may order an unlawful fire extinguished and refer the violation for prosecution under the adopted 2021 IFC. Contact Fire Codes and Planning at 303-774-4471 or the Longmont Police Department non-emergency line at 303-651-8501 for complaints. Continuing violations may be cited daily.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Longmont actively enforces its outdoor burning requirements.

Brush Clearance

Longmont Municipal Code Chapter 9.32 (Weed Control) requires property owners to keep weeds and grasses cut to no more than 12 inches in height. Tall dry vegetation is the most commonly cited violation in Longmont. Longmont sits on the eastern plains and is not mapped as a state-defined Wildland-Urban Interface zone, so the city does not impose a foothills-style defensible-space requirement, but Chapter 9.32 functions as the operative grass and brush clearance rule.

Key details: Height Limit: 12 inches maximum. Citation: LMC Chapter 9.32 - Weed Control. Enforcement: Code Enforcement (303-776-6050). WUI Status: Plains city - not mapped in WUI. Remedy: Notice, abatement, lien.

Code Enforcement issues notices under LMC Chapter 9.32. If the owner fails to cut within the compliance period the city may abate the nuisance and recover costs as a lien. Contact Code Enforcement at 303-776-6050 for complaints. Each continuing violation may be charged separately.

Wildfire Zones

Longmont sits on the Front Range plains at roughly 5,000 feet of elevation. Per the Colorado State Forest Service and 2022 CO-WRA (Colorado Wildfire Risk Assessment) mapping, the developed core of Longmont is not within a state-defined Wildland-Urban Interface zone, unlike the foothills west of town in Boulder County. Longmont has not adopted the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC). The city participates in upstream watershed wildfire protection through the St. Vrain Creek Watershed forest health work and supports the Spillway Knoll Project around Longmont Reservoir.

Key details: Elevation: ~5,000 ft (Front Range plains). State WUI Mapping: Core city not in WUI (2022 CO-WRA). IWUIC Adopted: No. Watershed Work: St. Vrain Creek / Spillway Knoll Project. City Wildfire Tools: LMC 9.32 (vegetation) + LMC 16.32 (IFC).

Because Longmont has not adopted an IWUIC defensible-space ordinance, wildfire-related enforcement in the city happens through (1) LMC Chapter 9.32 weed/vegetation height (12 inches; abatement and lien), and (2) the 2021 IFC adopted by LMC Chapter 16.32 (recreational fire and open-burning rules). Red Flag warnings trigger a full burn ban.

Backyard Fires

Backyard fires in Longmont are limited to recreational fires (max 3 ft diameter, 2 ft height of natural untreated wood, 25 ft from structures, attended) or portable outdoor fireplaces operated per manufacturer instructions. Burning yard waste, leaves, trash, or household debris is prohibited. No burning of any kind is allowed on Red Flag warning days. Bonfires (up to 8 ft diameter, 4 ft height) require a permit and pre-ignition inspection by Longmont Fire Codes and Planning.

Key details: Max Recreational Fire: 3 ft diameter x 2 ft height. Max Bonfire (permit): 8 ft diameter x 4 ft height. Setback (recreational): 25 ft from structures. Setback (bonfire): 50 ft from structures. Banned: Yard waste, leaves, trash, plastics, treated wood.

Longmont Fire Services Codes and Planning enforces backyard fire rules under the 2021 IFC. Officers may order an oversized or unlawful fire extinguished. Burning prohibited materials, exceeding size limits, or burning on a Red Flag day may be prosecuted as a municipal offense. Contact Fire Codes and Planning at 303-774-4471 for complaints.

Smoke Detectors

Longmont enforces smoke alarm placement under the adopted 2021 International Fire Code (LMC Chapter 16.32) and follows Colorado state law (C.R.S. 38-45-101 et seq.) for carbon monoxide alarms. Smoke alarms are required in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level including the basement. A carbon monoxide alarm must be installed within 15 feet of the entrance to each room used for sleeping in any dwelling with a fuel-fired appliance, fireplace, or attached garage.

Key details: Smoke Alarm Code: 2021 IFC via LMC Ch. 16.32. Smoke Alarm Placement: Every bedroom + outside sleeping area + each level. CO Alarm Statute: C.R.S. 38-45-101 to -106. CO Alarm Placement: Within 15 ft of every sleeping room. Rental CO Trigger: Change of tenant occupancy.

Missing or inoperative smoke alarms are a violation of the adopted 2021 IFC (LMC Chapter 16.32). Missing or inoperative CO alarms in a covered dwelling are a violation of C.R.S. 38-45-102/103/104. Landlords who fail to install required CO alarms may be liable in civil court under C.R.S. 38-45-105. Longmont Fire Services contact: 303-651-8426.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Longmont actively enforces its smoke detectors requirements.

Propane Storage

Longmont follows the 2021 International Fire Code (LMC Chapter 16.32, Ord. O-2021-66) Chapter 61 for liquefied petroleum gas storage and use. Longmont Fire Services specifies that propane devices are not allowed on balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction, with exceptions for one- and two-family dwellings, fully sprinklered properties, and small LP-gas containers of 2.5 pounds or less. Natural gas appliances may be permanently installed per the Mechanical Code and manufacturer specifications.

Key details: Code Cite: 2021 IFC Ch. 61 via LMC Ch. 16.32. Balcony / 10-ft Combustible Setback: Required. Exception 1: 1- or 2-family dwellings. Exception 2: Sprinklered properties. Exception 3: LP-gas containers <=2.5 lbs.

Violations of LP-gas storage and use rules are enforced under the 2021 IFC (LMC Chapter 16.32) by Longmont Fire Codes and Planning. Property managers can be cited for grills/propane on apartment balconies. Larger commercial LP-gas installations without an IFC permit are subject to stop-work and citation. Contact Fire Codes and Planning at 303-774-4471 (jason.o'donnell@longmontcolorado.gov).

The Bottom Line

Longmont is tougher than many cities when it comes to fire regulations. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Longmont, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Longmont's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.