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 utility, created under Chapter 13.18 of the Municipal Code, designs, builds, and maintains the city's drainage system. Every parcel containing an impervious surface pays a stormwater utility fee set by city council resolution, and any new stormwater facility that will connect to the city system must meet the City of Loveland Storm Drainage Criteria and Storm Drainage Standards before the city accepts it.
Loveland Stormwater Management & Drainage
Some RestrictionsLoveland Municipal Code § 13.18.100
All stormwater facilities that are to become part of or be connected with the city's stormwater utility shall be designed, constructed, and connected in accordance with the "City of Loveland Storm Drainage Criteria" and the "City of Loveland Storm Drainage Standards." See Title 18 of the City Code for further detail.
Erosion Control
Loveland requires a Stormwater Quality Permit from the city's Public Works Department before any land disturbance of one-half acre or more, or smaller parcels within a larger development plan reaching that threshold. Builders must post Performance Security covering estimated erosion-control costs plus a 15 percent contingency, and install Best Management Practices such as silt fence and inlet filters before grading begins.
Loveland Erosion & Sediment Control Permit
Some RestrictionsLoveland Municipal Code § 13.20.060
A. Permit required. It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct any activity resulting in a land disturbance activity equal to or greater than one-half acre or for land disturbance activities less than one-half an acre that are part of a larger common plan of development or sale that would disturb one-half acre or more without first obtaining a Stormwater Quality Permit from the city. Total ...
Flood Zones
Any grading, filling, dredging, utility work, or construction inside Loveland's Floodplain Overlay Zone needs a City floodplain development permit first. The zone tracks Larimer County's FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map dated February 6, 2013, and the floodway itself bars most new structures outright.
Loveland Requires Floodplain Development Permits
Significant RestrictionsLoveland Unified Development Code § 18.09.03.05
A. Generally. A floodplain development permit is required for all development, including but not limited to, cutting, filling, dredging, grading, storage, utility installation, street work, or construction, within the Floodplain Overlay Zone. B. Exception. Routine or major maintenance of irrigation ditches does not require a floodplain development permit, provided that such routine or major mai...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New and substantially improved buildings in Loveland's floodway and flood fringe zoning districts must set their lowest floor at the city's "regulatory flood protection elevation," defined as 1.5 feet above the base (100-year) flood elevation. The Public Works Department Stormwater Division administers floodplain development permits and can grant variances only on a showing of hardship.
Loveland Requires 1.5-Foot Flood Freeboard
Some RestrictionsLoveland Municipal Code § 15.14.020
Regulatory flood datum means the reference elevation above mean sea level which represents the peak elevation of the 100-year return frequency flood. Regulatory flood protection elevation means the elevation 1½ feet above the regulatory flood datum.
Looking for Larimer County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Loveland city rules.
Environmental Rules in Larimer County →