Larimer County, CO Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in Larimer County, CO, also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time, define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Key Facts
- County night limit
- 50 db(A), 7 p.m.–7 a.m.
- County day limit
- 55 db(A), 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
- Fort Collins night
- 50 dB(A), 8 p.m.–7 a.m.
- Short spike allowed
- +10 db(A) up to 15 min
- First fine
- $30 (county)
Summary
Nighttime quiet runs 7:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m. in unincorporated Larimer County (limit drops to 50 db(A) residential) and 8:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m. in Fort Collins (50 dB(A) residential). Daytime residential ceilings are 55 db(A).
8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. 50. [Residential/mixed-use zones: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 55.] A noise... at a level which is in excess of the dB(A) established for the time period and zoning districts listed in this Section is hereby declared to be a noise disturbance and is unlawful.
Full Breakdown
In unincorporated Larimer County, Ordinance No. 97-03 sets residential limits of 55 db(A) from 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. and 50 db(A) from 7:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m.; daytime levels may rise 10 db(A) for up to fifteen minutes per hour. Fort Collins Municipal Code § 20-23 mirrors this with a 55 dB(A) residential cap 7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. and 50 dB(A) from 8:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m. Incorporated cities (Fort Collins, Loveland, Estes Park) enforce their own codes; the county rule governs only unincorporated land.
Violations & Fines
Larimer County fines escalate: $30 first violation, $60 for a second within 30 days, then $300 for each successive violation. Fort Collins issues a summons under § 20-29 / § 1-15.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are quiet hours in unincorporated Larimer County?
Do the county hours apply inside Fort Collins?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Larimer County
How Larimer County compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·Compare Larimer County to another location·View the Colorado noise ordinances overview
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