Environmental Rules in Loveland, CO (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Loveland, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Loveland's stormwater quality program is codified in LMC Chapter 13.20 (Stormwater Quality) and administered by the Public Works Department Stormwater Utility Division. The city operates under a Colorado Phase II MS4 General Permit (COR090000) issued by CDPHE. A Stormwater Quality Permit is required for any land disturbance of one-half (1/2) acre or more — or for smaller disturbances that are part of a larger common plan of development of one-half acre or more. The receiving water is the Big Thompson River and its tributaries.
Stormwater Quality in Loveland
Heavy RestrictionsErosion Control
Construction sites in Loveland must install and maintain temporary erosion and sediment control BMPs to keep soil out of the MS4 and the Big Thompson River. Authority comes from LMC Chapter 13.20 (Stormwater Quality) and the Loveland Storm Drainage Criteria, which adopt the Mile High Flood District Urban Storm Drainage Criteria Manual Volume 3 Chapter 7 for BMP design. Sites disturbing 1/2 acre or more need a city Stormwater Quality Permit; sites of 1 acre or more also need the State CDPS Stormwater Construction Permit.
Erosion Control in Loveland
Heavy RestrictionsFlood Zones
Loveland's floodplain regulations are codified in Title 18 Unified Development Code, Division 18.09.03 (Floodplain Regulations). The Big Thompson River runs through the heart of the city — the 1976 Big Thompson Canyon Flood killed 144 people and the September 2013 flood caused $35 million in damage in Loveland. Construction or development inside the FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) requires a Floodplain Development Permit issued by the city Floodplain Administrator. FEMA issued updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps for the Big Thompson corridor effective in 2022 after post-2013 re-mapping.
Flood Zones in Loveland
Heavy RestrictionsGrading & Drainage
Loveland reviews grading and drainage through Title 18 Unified Development Code plus the Loveland Storm Drainage Criteria (LSDC), which is an addendum to the Mile High Flood District Urban Storm Drainage Criteria Manual. New development must submit a Drainage Report demonstrating that on-site conveyance safely passes the 100-year event and historic runoff to adjacent properties is not increased. Sites disturbing one-half (1/2) acre or more also need a Stormwater Quality Permit under LMC Chapter 13.20.
Grading and Drainage in Loveland
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Larimer County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Loveland city rules.
Environmental Rules in Larimer County →