How Longmont Handles Property Maintenance: A Practical Guide

Longmont maintains 106 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with property maintenance. 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.

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. Carts must keep 3.5 feet (one cart-width) clearance from vehicles, mailboxes, and fire hydrants and 2 feet between adjacent carts. Carts may not block the sidewalk.

Key details: Code Chapter: LMC Chapter 14.12 Solid Waste Collection. Set-Out Time: By 7:00 a.m. on collection day. Clearance from Objects: 3 1/2 feet (one cart width). Clearance Between Carts: Minimum 2 feet. Sidewalk: Carts must not block.

Carts placed late, blocking sidewalks, or violating clearance rules may be skipped or tagged for re-service. Persistent non-compliance: civil penalty schedule of $100 / $200 / $500 under LMC Chapter 14.12.

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

Property Blight

LMC Chapter 6.44 (Code Enforcement's stated citation) requires that any trash, scrap material, appliances, dismantled machinery, or old furniture on private property be stored inside a completely enclosed structure or removed. Code Enforcement issues a Notice of Violation; non-compliance triggers civil penalties of $100 / $200 / $500 and the city may abate (clean up) and bill the property owner.

Key details: Code Chapter: LMC Chapter 6.44 (junk/debris on property). Storage Rule: Inside a completely enclosed structure or removed. Civil Penalty: $100 / $200 / $500. Abatement: City contractor cleanup billed to owner. Weeds Limit: 12 inches max (LMC Chapter 9.32).

Notice of Violation issued first. Civil penalties: $100 / $200 / $500. City may abate (clean up) and bill owner for full contractor costs. Report violations at 303-651-8695.

Vacant Lot Maintenance

Longmont applies its property maintenance code uniformly to vacant and occupied lots. Under LMC Chapter 9.32, weeds and grasses on any lot may not exceed 12 inches in height, and accumulated trash, dumped materials, or debris must be removed (LMC Chapter 6.44). The city may abate non-compliant vacant lots and bill the owner; civil penalties run $100 / $200 / $500.

Key details: Weed Height Limit: 12 inches (LMC Chapter 9.32). Debris Storage: Prohibited outdoors (LMC Chapter 6.44). State Weed Law: Colorado Noxious Weed Act, Title 35 Article 5.5 C.R.S.. Civil Penalty: $100 / $200 / $500. Abatement: City contractor; full cost billed to owner.

Notice of Violation followed by city abatement and contractor billing. Civil penalty schedule: $100 / $200 / $500. Reports to Code Enforcement at 303-651-8695.

Garage Sale Rules

Under LMC 6.44.090 (cited by Longmont Code Enforcement), no garage sale in Longmont may run for more than 3 consecutive days, and no more than 12 total days of garage sales may take place at the same location in any calendar year. Garage sales do not require a city permit. Off-premise directional signs are prohibited in the public right-of-way under LMC Chapter 15.06.

Key details: Code Section: LMC 6.44.090 (per Code Enforcement). Max Consecutive Days: 3 days per sale. Max Days per Year: 12 days at the same location. Permit Required: No. Sales Tax: Not collected on personal household items.

Civil penalties $100 / $200 / $500 for exceeding 3-day or 12-day limits, or for prohibited off-premise signs. Code Enforcement: 303-651-8695.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Longmont gives residents more flexibility on garage sale rules.

Snow & Sidewalk Clearing

Under LMC § 9.04.130, Longmont requires the owner, agent, or tenant of any lot to clear snow, sleet, ice, or other obstruction from the public sidewalk abutting their property within 24 hours after snow stops falling. Violations are subject to Longmont's civil-penalty schedule: $100 first violation, $200 second, $500 third or subsequent.

Key details: Code Section: LMC § 9.04.130. Deadline: Within 24 hours after snow stops falling. Coverage: All sidewalks abutting your property. Responsible Party: Owner, agent, or tenant. Civil Penalty: $100 first / $200 second / $500 third or subsequent.

Notice of Violation; civil penalty schedule $100 / $200 / $500; city may abate (contract shoveling) and bill owner. Report at 303-651-8695.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Longmont gives residents more room on property maintenance. 2 of the 5 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.

This guide is based on Longmont's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.