Home Occupation Permits: Fort Collins vs Loveland
How do home occupation permits rules compare between Fort Collins, CO and Loveland, CO?
Fort Collins, CO
Larimer County
No data available yet for Fort Collins.
Loveland, CO
Larimer County
Loveland UDC Division 18.02.06 treats home occupations as an accessory use to the dwelling. While there is no separate stand-alone 'home occupation permit' for every micro-business, operators should contact the Loveland Current Planning Division to confirm compliance before commencing operations, and may need a building permit if construction or change of occupancy is involved. Trade-specific Colorado state licenses (contractor, cosmetology, child care, food handler) apply separately. A Loveland sales/use tax license is required for any business making taxable sales.
View full Loveland rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fort Collins | Loveland |
|---|---|---|
| Stand-Alone Home Occupation Permit | - | Not separately required - compliance with UDC Division 18.02.06 standards |
| Loveland Current Planning | - | (970) 962-2523 - confirm compliance before starting |
| Loveland Building Division | - | (970) 962-2727 - building permit for construction/change of occupancy |
| Building Code | - | 2021 IRC / 2021 IBC (Loveland Title 15) |
| Loveland Sales Tax License | - | Required for retail sales (3.0% local rate) |
| Colorado State Sales Tax | - | 2.9% (MyBizColorado portal) |
| Larimer County Sales Tax | - | 0.8% |
| Colorado SOS LLC/Corp Filing | - | Required for entity formation |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Fort Collins FAQ
No FAQs available.
Loveland FAQ
What permits do I need to start a home business in Loveland?
It depends on the business. (1) Contact Loveland Current Planning (970-962-2523) to confirm your business complies with UDC Division 18.02.06 standards - there is generally no standalone 'home occupation permit' for every micro-business, but written confirmation avoids enforcement risk. (2) Get a building permit from Loveland Building Division (970-962-2727) if you are remodeling, adding floor area, or converting an accessory structure. (3) Obtain a Loveland sales/use tax license (3.0%) if you make retail sales, plus a Colorado state sales tax license through MyBizColorado (2.9% state + 0.8% Larimer County). (4) Hold any required state professional license (Colorado DORA, cosmetology, contractor, child care). (5) File LLC or corporation paperwork with the Colorado Secretary of State if you formed an entity.
Does Loveland require a general business license?
No general business privilege license. Loveland does not impose a separate municipal general business license. However, you do need a Loveland sales/use tax license if you make retail sales (current rate 3.0%), and you must hold any required Colorado state professional license. Trade-specific Colorado licenses (cosmetology, contractor, real estate, child care, food safety training under the Cottage Foods Act) operate on their own timelines and should be applied for in parallel through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) or other state licensing agency.
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