Longmont's Relaxed Approach to Solar Energy: What's Allowed

If you live in Longmont or are thinking about moving there, solar energy are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Longmont has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of solar energy, and some of them might surprise you.

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. Applications run through the CitizenAccess online portal, and Longmont Power & Communications handles the separate interconnection on the utility side.

Key details: Permit Fee Cap: $500 residential / $1,000 commercial (HB 11-1199). Cap Authority: Colorado Fair Permit Act, extended by HB 21-1284 to Dec 31, 2029. Expedited Review: 5 business days (Solar ABC's). Application Portal: Longmont CitizenAccess online. Building Code: Per LMC Title 16 / current adopted IBC + IRC.

Installing solar PV without a permit violates the city's adopted building code and LMC Title 16 (Buildings); it is prosecutable in Longmont Municipal Court at up to $999 and/or 180 days per LMC Title 1 general penalty. The city can issue a Stop Work order, require after-the-fact permitting (typically at doubled fees), and require the system be powered down until inspected. Energizing an unpermitted system on Longmont Power & Communications' grid violates the LPC interconnection tariff and can result in service disconnection.

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

HOA Restrictions

Colorado state law strictly limits what a Longmont HOA may do to a solar installation. C.R.S. 38-30-168 voids any covenant, condition, or restriction in a deed or HOA governing document that effectively prohibits or restricts the installation or use of a solar energy device. HOAs may apply reasonable aesthetic standards but cannot impose any rule that significantly increases cost or significantly decreases performance. Decisions on a complete application are deemed approved if the HOA does not act within 60 days.

Key details: Controlling Statute: C.R.S. 38-30-168 (HB 09-1149). Common-Interest Rule: C.R.S. 38-33.3-106.7. Void Restrictions: Any rule effectively prohibiting solar. HOA Decision Window: 60 days — auto-approved if no action. Allowed Rules: Aesthetic only — no significant cost/performance hit.

An HOA that enforces a void restriction or fails to decide a complete application within 60 days has violated C.R.S. 38-30-168 / 38-33.3-106.7. Remedies sit in Boulder County District Court: declaratory judgment, injunction directing the HOA to approve, damages, and the homeowner's reasonable attorney's fees. Complaints can also be filed with the Colorado HOA Information Office under C.R.S. 12-10-803. Longmont itself does not enforce HOA covenants — the city's building permit process is independent.

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

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Longmont gives residents more room on solar energy. 2 of the 2 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 Longmont'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.