Loveland, CO Building Safety: Door Locking Hardware (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing code
- 2021 International Existing Building Code, as amended
- Key rule
- Egress doors must open without a key from inside
- Bolt lock rule
- Manual flush/surface bolts barred on egress doors
- Panic hardware trigger
- Group A occupant load over 50 in work area
- Adopted by
- Ordinance No. 6591, November 15, 2022
Summary
Loveland's Existing Building Code amendments require egress doors in altered work areas to open from inside without a key, ban twist-grasp hardware on accessible doors, and restrict flush and surface bolt locks, under Municipal Code § 15.52.020.
804.4.6 Door operations. Except as specifically permitted by this section, egress doors shall be readily openable from the egress side without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort.
804.4.7 Hardware. Door handles, pulls, latches, locks and other operating devices on doors required to be accessible by Chapter 11 shall not require tight grasping, tight pinching or twisting of the wrist to operate.
804.4.8 Locks and latches. Locks and latches shall be permitted to prevent operation of doors where any of the following exist:
1.Places of detention or restraint.2.In buildings in occupancy Group A having an occupant load of three hundred (300) or less, Groups B, F, M and S, and in places of religious worship, the main door or doors are permitted to be equipped with key-operated locking devices from the egress side provided:2.1.The locking device is readily distinguishable as locked.2.2.A readily visible durable sign is posted on the egress side on or adjacent to the door stating: "THIS DOOR TO REMAIN UNLOCKED WHEN THIS SPACE IS OCCUPIED."
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13).
Full Breakdown
4 by adding five new subsections that apply whenever a building undergoes Level 2 alterations covering exits or corridors. 6 requires that, except as specifically permitted, egress doors be readily openable from the egress side without a key, special knowledge, or effort. 7 bars door handles, pulls, latches, and locks on doors required to be accessible under Chapter 11 from requiring tight grasping, pinching, or wrist-twisting to operate. 8 permits locks and latches to prevent door operation only in narrow circumstances, such as detention facilities, or in Group A assembly occupancies of 300 or fewer, Groups B, F, M and S, and places of religious worship, where a key-operated lock is allowed on the main door only if it is readily distinguishable as locked and posted with a durable sign reading "THIS DOOR TO REMAIN UNLOCKED WHEN THIS SPACE IS OCCUPIED" in one-inch letters.
10 requires that unlatching any door take no more than one operation. 4 requires approved panic or fire exit hardware on required exit doors with latching devices in Group A assembly work areas with an occupant load over 50. These amendments were most recently readopted by Ordinance No. 6591 on November 15, 2022, carrying forward Ordinance No. 6379 from December 15, 2020.
Violations & Fines
Violating the amended existing building code, including the door hardware provisions, is a misdemeanor under § 15.52.030, punishable under the general penalty at § 1.12.010: a fine up to the state-law maximum under C.R.S. § 13-10-113, imprisonment up to 364 days, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a keyed deadbolt on my Loveland business's exit door?
Are surface bolts allowed on Loveland exit doors?
When is panic hardware required in Loveland?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Loveland
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