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Loveland, CO Cannabis Regulations: Buffer Zones (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
Loveland Municipal Code § 8.10.090
School/youth buffer
1,000 feet from any youth populated area
Other business buffer
One mile from another marijuana business
Residential restriction
Not allowed inside a residential unit
Youth populated area includes
Schools, childcare, public library, public playground
Last amended
Ordinance No. 6804 § 10, Dec. 16, 2025

Summary

Loveland's Local Licensing Code bars a marijuana business license within 1,000 feet of any 'youth populated area,' defined to include schools, licensed childcare and preschool facilities, public libraries and public playgrounds, plus vocational schools, colleges and drug-treatment facilities. The same section bars locating within one mile of another marijuana business or inside a residential unit.

A. No marijuana business shall be issued a license if, at the time of application for such license, the proposed location is: 1. Within 1,000 feet of a youth populated area; a vocational or trade school, college, university, or seminary; or an alcohol or drug treatment facility; 2. Within one mile of another marijuana business licensed pursuant to this Title 8; or 3. Inside of a residential unit.

View official code

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

090, 'Location criteria,' prohibits the City from issuing a marijuana business license if the proposed location sits within 1,000 feet of a 'youth populated area,' or a vocational or trade school, college, university, or seminary, or an alcohol or drug treatment facility. The same section bars a location within one mile of another marijuana business already licensed under Title 8, and bars locating inside a residential unit altogether. 'Youth populated area' is defined earlier in Title 8 to include a private or public licensed commercial childcare center, preschool, kindergarten, elementary, middle, junior high, or high school not located in a residence; a library open to the public; a playground open to the public; and a youth center serving children.

B extends the same location criteria to all proposed marijuana business license applications, not just first-time ones. 2, and it was most recently amended by Ordinance No. 080.

Violations & Fines

A marijuana business license application for a site inside the 1,000-foot youth-populated-area buffer, the one-mile business-spacing buffer, or a residential unit must be denied under Section 8.10.090. An existing licensee found to have obtained or held a license in violation of the location criteria faces denial, suspension, or revocation of the license under Title 8's licensing enforcement provisions, in addition to any applicable UDC nuisance enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far must a Loveland marijuana business be from a school or park?
At least 1,000 feet from any 'youth populated area' under Municipal Code Section 8.10.090. That defined term covers licensed childcare centers, preschools, elementary through high schools not in a residence, public libraries, public playgrounds, and youth centers, so the effective buffer covers more than just K-12 schools.
Can two marijuana businesses operate close together in Loveland?
No. Section 8.10.090.A.2 bars issuing a license within one mile of another marijuana business already licensed under Title 8, measured the same way as the buffer from youth-populated areas. The Unified Development Code repeats this one-mile spacing rule for zoning purposes at Section 18.02.04.06.D.2.
Can a marijuana business operate out of a house in Loveland?
No. Section 8.10.090.A.3 flatly bars issuing a marijuana business license for a location inside a residential unit, regardless of distance from schools or other businesses.

Sources & Official References

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