Loveland, CO Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

010(C). 5 feet above that datum, giving Loveland a foot-and-a-half of freeboard above FEMA's base flood elevation. 030 requires a floodplain development permit, obtained from the Public Works Department Stormwater Division, before any construction begins in an area of special flood hazard. 080. Manufactured homes must be elevated on a permanent foundation to the regulatory flood protection elevation and anchored with over-the-top and frame ties capable of carrying 4,800 pounds of force. Critical facilities face a higher bar: they must sit outside the special flood hazard area entirely or have their lowest floor elevated at least two feet above the regulatory flood datum.

074, and only on a showing of good and sufficient cause, a determination that denial would cause exceptional hardship, and a finding that the variance will not raise flood heights, endanger public safety, or create a nuisance; an applicant who receives one must be given written notice that flood insurance costs will rise because the lowest floor sits below the base flood elevation. No variance can be issued anywhere the base flood discharge would rise as a result.