Loveland regulates retaining walls under the adopted I-Codes at LMC Title 15. The City has adopted the 2021 International Residential Code (LMC Chapter 15.10, effective June 1, 2023) and is processing adoption of the 2024 IBC. Under IRC R105.2 (Work exempt from permit), retaining walls not over 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall are exempt from permit, provided they do not support a surcharge. Any retaining wall that retains a surcharge (slope, driveway, structure) requires a permit and engineered design at any height. UDC Title 18 also regulates wall location and sight-distance.
Retaining walls in Loveland fall under two layers of regulation: the building code (LMC Title 15, adopting the IBC and IRC) and the UDC (Title 18, especially Section 18.04.07.06 for visual standards and 18.05 for sight triangles at intersections and driveways). LMC Chapter 15.10 adopts the 2021 IRC with local amendments (effective June 1, 2023); LMC Chapter 15.08 adopts the IBC. IRC R105.2 lists 'Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge' among 'Work exempt from permit.' IBC 105.2 contains a parallel exemption for commercial retaining walls. Any wall retaining a surcharge - sloped soil above, a driveway or parking area, a structure - requires a building permit and engineered stamped plans at any height. Walls above 4 feet require engineered design under IBC and IRC structural provisions. UDC Section 18.04.07.06 height and material standards apply to retaining-wall-plus-fence combinations measured as a single feature. Site Development Performance Standards (12-27-17) discourage long monotonous walls and require variation in materials, height, and style. Permits and inspections from Loveland Building Division, 410 E. 5th Street, (970) 962-2505.
Building a retaining wall over 4 feet (or any wall with surcharge) without a permit and engineered drawings can result in stop-work, removal/re-engineering, re-inspection fees, and citations under LMC 15.04.230. Walls violating UDC sight-distance triangles must be lowered or removed.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Loveland, CO
On March 3, 2026, the Loveland City Council amended the Title 18 Unified Development Code (effective March 17, 2026) to implement Colorado Senate Bill 24-005...
Loveland, CO
Loveland does not mandate native plants in private landscapes but actively encourages drought-tolerant and Colorado-adapted species through the City of Lovel...
Loveland, CO
Loveland does not designate municipal food-truck zones; mobile vendors operate on private property with owner permission (consistent with the UDC zoning dist...
Loveland, CO
All mobile food vendors (food trucks, carts) operating within the City of Loveland must obtain an annual mobile vendor license from the Loveland City Clerk's...
Loveland, CO
Federal law (FAA Part 107 and 49 U.S.C. 44809 for recreational flyers) governs U.S. airspace and Loveland cannot regulate altitude or flight paths. Loveland ...
Loveland, CO
Loveland regulates garage sales under LMC Chapter 5.44 (Garage Sales) within Title 5 - Business Licenses and Regulations. The chapter sets frequency and dura...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Larimer County.
See how other cities in Larimer County handle retaining walls.
See how Loveland's retaining walls rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.