Loveland, CO Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing table
- UDC Table 18.04.02.03.A, § 18.04.02.03
- General lot front setback
- 15 ft building / 20 ft garage door
- General lot interior side
- 5 ft; Suburban and Large Suburban 6 ft
- Estate lot front setback
- 30 ft building and garage door
- Rear setback range
- 15 ft most types, more for larger lots
- Alternative setbacks
- Director may approve per Notes 2 and 3
Summary
Loveland's UDC sets single-family setbacks by lot type, not by zone alone. Table 18.04.02.03.A gives eight lot types, from Urban Cottage to Large Estate, each its own front, interior side, street side and rear setback, scaled to lot size and whether access is by alley or street.
Table 18.04.02.03.A. Single-Family Detached Lot and Building Standards ... Lot Type / Vehicular Access / Lot Area / Lot Width / Front Setback (Building / Garage Door) / Interior Side Setback / Street Side Setback / Rear Setback / Maximum Height1 ... General Any 5,500 sf. 50 ft. 15 ft. / 20 ft.6 5 ft. 15 ft. 15 ft.4 26/35 ft. Suburban Any 7,000 sf. 65 ft. 15 ft. / 20 ft.6 6 ft. 15 ft. 15 ft.4 26/35 ft. Estate Any 18,500 sf. 100 ft. 30 ft. / 30 ft.6 10 ft. 20 ft. 25 ft.4 26/35 ft. ... TABLE NOTES: 2 The first setback is the minimum setback; the second setback is the maximum setback. The Director may approve an alternative front setback in an established neighborhood to be consistent with the setback pattern of the block. ... 6 Setback is measured from the property line or the back of the sidewalk, whichever provides a greater setback.
Full Breakdown
A, which sorts every single-family lot into eight lot types classified by area, width and whether the home is served by an alley or a street. Setbacks scale up with lot type: a General lot (any access, 5,500 sf minimum, 50 ft minimum width) carries a 15 ft/20 ft front setback for the building and garage door respectively, a 5 ft interior side setback, a 15 ft street side setback and a 15 ft rear setback; a Suburban lot (7,000 sf, 65 ft wide) steps the interior side setback up to 6 ft while keeping the same front, street-side and rear figures; and an Estate lot (18,500 sf, 100 ft wide) requires a 30 ft front and garage setback, a 10 ft interior side setback, a 20 ft street side setback and a 25 ft rear setback.
Table Note 2 lets the front setback float between a minimum and maximum figure, and lets the Director approve an alternative front setback in an established neighborhood to match the block's existing pattern. C if access and maintenance easements are provided. Note 6 measures the front setback from the property line or the back of the sidewalk, whichever gives the larger setback. 03, Setbacks Along Alleys, Sidewalks, Trail or Access Easements, Ditches, and Waterbodies, per Note 4. 05.
Violations & Fines
Loveland's Building Division and Community Development staff check setbacks against Table 18.04.02.03.A at building-permit review; an addition, garage or accessory structure that encroaches into the required interior side, street side, rear or front setback can be denied a permit or subjected to a stop-work order, and an already-built encroachment can require a variance from the Board of Adjustment or removal of the offending portion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the front setback for a house in Loveland?
How close can I build to my side property line?
Does my garage need a bigger setback than the house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Loveland
Compare Loveland to another location·View the Colorado building setbacks & zoning overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Setback Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Larimer County handle setback rules.