Moving to Longmont, CO? Here Are the Local Rules You Should Know

Longmont, Colorado may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 106 tracked ordinances across 23 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Noise Ordinances

Quiet Hours: Longmont's quiet hours run from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Also covered: Barking Dogs (moderate), Amplified Music & Events (moderate), Industrial Noise (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Longmont for details.

Fire Regulations

Fireworks: Longmont follows Colorado state fireworks law (C.R.S. 24-33.5-2001, formerly Article 28 of Title 12).

Also covered: Fire Pit Rules (moderate), Outdoor Burning (strict), Brush Clearance (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Longmont for details.

Noise from Specific Sources

HVAC & Mechanical Noise: Longmont does not have a dedicated HVAC noise ordinance. Air conditioners, heat pumps, and pool equipment are regulated as fixed noise sources under the general decibel limits in LMC § 10.20.110: 50 dB(A) residential at night and 55 dB(A) residential during the day, measured 25 feet from the unit..

Short-Term Rentals

Taxes & Fees: Short-term rentals in Longmont collect a stack of state, regional, county, and city sales/lodging taxes plus a separate City of Longmont Lodger's Excise Tax. The City's lodger tax rate is 2.00% on the full asking price (including cleaning and other fees) for any rental of less than 30 consecutive days.

Also covered: Noise Rules (moderate), Parking Rules (moderate), Permit Requirements (strict). See the full short-term rentals guide for Longmont for details.

Parking Rules

RV & Boat Parking: Longmont prohibits parking a sleeper vehicle (camper coach, camper trailer, motor home, multi-purpose trailer, trailer coach, or recreational vehicle) on any public street, alley, or right-of-way without a temporary permit. The ban was adopted by the City Council in November 2020 and took effect January 1, 2021, codified in Longmont Municipal Code (LMC) Chapter 11.12.

Also covered: Abandoned Vehicles (moderate), Snow Removal Parking Rules (moderate), Street Parking Limits (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Longmont for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Dark Sky Rules: Longmont regulates outdoor lighting through Chapter 15.05 of the Land Development Code (Development Standards). The base standard caps outdoor lighting intensity at an average of 5 foot-candles, with additional rules for fueling areas, drive-up windows, ATMs, car wash bays, and business loading/service areas added in the 2014-2015 update.

Animal Ordinances

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..

Also covered: Dog Leash Laws (moderate), Beekeeping (permissive), Breed Restrictions (permissive). See the full animal ordinances guide for Longmont for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: All swimming pools deeper than 24 inches and all hot tubs and spas must be enclosed by a fence at least 4 feet tall with openings no larger than 4 inches, per the Building Services 'Fences' guide implementing LMC 15.05.100 and the adopted 2021 International Codes. Gates must have a latch meeting the adopted code, or, for hot tubs/spas, a lockable safety cover meeting the 150-pound load standard may substitute..

Also covered: Permit Requirements (strict), Height Limits (moderate), Neighbor Fence Rules (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Longmont for details.

Invasive Plant Rules

Bamboo Restrictions: Longmont has no bamboo-specific ordinance. Bamboo is not listed on the Colorado Noxious Weed list and does not appear in Longmont's Integrated Weed Management Plan (2016).

Landscaping Rules

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: Removal of a healthy, high-value tree on City property or in the public ROW requires a Forestry Services permit and triggers appraisal and mitigation under LMC 13.24.110. The City Forester sets the appraised value, and equivalent replacement value must be paid or planted.

Also covered: Grass Height Limits (moderate), Tree Trimming (moderate), Weed Ordinances (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Longmont for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Pool Permits: Longmont requires a building permit for any swimming pool (in-ground or above-ground over 24 inches deep), spa, or hot tub. Permits are issued by Building Services at 385 Kimbark Street under the city's adopted 2021 International Codes (effective January 1, 2022).

Also covered: Safety Rules (strict), Fencing Requirements (strict), Hot Tub Rules (strict). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Longmont for details.

Tree Protection

Tree Replacement Requirements: When a healthy high-value City or ROW tree is removed, LMC 13.24.110 requires mitigation equal to the appraised value (ISA trunk-formula method) either as in-kind replacement trees or payment in lieu. Replacement trees in the ROW must be from the City's recommended species list, minimum 1.5-inch caliper, 15-gallon size, with two years of homeowner watering committed..

Also covered: Tree Removal Permits (strict), Tree Ordinances (strict), Heritage & Protected Trees (strict). See the full tree protection guide for Longmont for details.

Home Business

Zoning Restrictions: Longmont permits home occupations as an accessory use in residential zones under the Land Development Code (Title 15), provided the activity stays clearly subordinate to the dwelling, is conducted by at least one resident, has no more than one non-resident employee, and does not adversely affect surrounding properties. A Home Occupation Affidavit is required..

Also covered: Signage Rules (permissive), Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate), Home Daycare (moderate). See the full home business guide for Longmont for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rules: Longmont adopted new ADU regulations on June 3, 2025, in LMC § 15.02.080.E to comply with Colorado HB24-1152. ADUs are allowed in R-RU, R-SF, R-MN, R-MF, MU-D, and N-AG zones; an ADU is capped at 800 sq ft unless it does not exceed 50% of the principal dwelling's above-ground floor area; the owner must reside in the main house or the ADU; sale of the ADU separately from the main home is prohibited..

Also covered: Garage Conversions (moderate), Shed Rules (permissive), Carport Rules (permissive). See the full accessory structures guide for Longmont for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: Longmont sets residential building setbacks by zoning district in the Land Development Code (LMC § 15.03.080). In R-SF: 15 ft front yard dwelling (10 ft with alley garage, 20 ft for front-facing garage), 5 ft side yard, 20 ft rear (6 ft if abutting an alley).

Environmental Rules

Stormwater Management: Longmont's stormwater program is governed by LMC Chapter 14.26 (Stormwater Quality) and the city's NPDES MS4 permit issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Any development disturbing more than one acre — or that is part of a larger common plan of development — must design, construct, and permanently maintain on-site Permanent Stormwater Control (PSC) measures to keep pollutants out of the St.

Also covered: Flood Zones (strict), Erosion Control (strict), Grading & Drainage (strict). See the full environmental rules guide for Longmont for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: Longmont has opted IN for retail marijuana sales — but on a tightly limited basis. Under LMC Chapter 6.70, the city caps retail marijuana stores at four citywide and prohibits any single entity from owning more than one.

Also covered: Home Cultivation (moderate). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Longmont for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Longmont permits residential and commercial solar PV through Building Services with fees capped under Colorado HB 11-1199 (the Fair Permit Act) — $500 for a residential system and $1,000 for a non-residential system. Complete applications that meet the city's 'Solar ABC's Expedited Permit Process' are turned around in 5 business days.

Also covered: HOA Restrictions (permissive). See the full solar energy guide for Longmont for details.

Trash & Recycling

Pickup Rules & Schedules: Longmont Waste Services is a city-operated utility regulated by LMC Chapter 14.12 (Solid Waste). Service is structured as Pay-As-You-Throw: a small 48-gallon yellow-lid cart on every-other-week pickup runs $7.10/month, a medium 48-gallon weekly cart is $14.10/month, and a large 96-gallon weekly cart is $26.30/month.

Also covered: Bulk Item Disposal (moderate), Bin Placement Rules (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Longmont for details.

Sign Regulations

Garage Sale Signs: Longmont prohibits placing any signs — including garage-sale, yard-sale, and similar temporary signs — in the public right-of-way. All signs are regulated by LMC Chapter 15.06; off-premise garage sale signs on utility poles, traffic signs, hydrants, or trees are subject to removal by the City and to the civil penalty schedule of $100 / $200 / $500..

Also covered: Political Signs (permissive), Holiday Displays (permissive). See the full sign regulations guide for Longmont for details.

Property Maintenance

Trash Bin Storage: Longmont (which provides municipal trash service under LMC Chapter 14.12) requires residents to place trash, recycling, and composting carts at the curb or designated alley side by 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day.

Also covered: Property Blight (moderate), Vacant Lot Maintenance (moderate), Garage Sale Rules (permissive). See the full property maintenance guide for Longmont for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Operating a food truck or pushcart in Longmont requires an annual Mobile Retail Food Vending Permit from the Building Services Division, plus a Longmont business license, a Longmont sales-and-use tax license, and a Boulder County Public Health Mobile Retail Food Establishment license. Operational rules are set in LMC § 15.04.050(D)(4) of the Land Development Code..

Also covered: Vending Zones (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Longmont for details.

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: Federal law (FAA Part 107 and 49 U.S.C. § 44809 for recreational flyers) governs U.S.

What to Do With This Information

Think of this as a map of the regulatory landscape in Longmont. For any rule that directly affects a decision you are making, click through to the full ordinance page for penalty details and exceptions, and confirm with the city if the stakes are high.