Unincorporated Larimer County has no countywide dark-sky ordinance, but mountain-gateway Estes Park applies exterior-lighting standards under Section 7.9 of its Development Code, including for new development and vacation rentals, to protect the night sky near Rocky Mountain National Park.
Larimer County itself does not impose a general dark-sky lighting ordinance on existing rural homes; lighting is governed mainly by nuisance rules and, for new subdivisions, site-lighting standards. The strongest local dark-sky rules are in the Town of Estes Park, the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, whose Development Code Section 7.9 sets exterior-lighting requirements for new development. Estes Park expressly applies those Section 7.9 standards to vacation homes and bed-and-breakfast inns (new or existing) to limit light spill and glare and preserve dark skies. Fort Collins similarly regulates exterior site lighting under Land Use Code §3.2.4. Confirm requirements with the relevant town before installing exterior fixtures.
In Estes Park and Fort Collins, non-compliant exterior lighting can be cited under the applicable development/land use code, requiring shielding or replacement.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Larimer County, CO
Larimer County addresses hoarding through its pet-quantity and care standards. Sec. 6-80 requires proper food, water, shelter, and veterinary care, and Sec. ...
Larimer County, CO
Feeding wild ducks and geese is prohibited in unincorporated Larimer County after a written warning. Feeding bears and other wildlife is discouraged, and the...
Larimer County, CO
Larimer County sets no ordinance banning backyard composting, and it is encouraged for waste reduction. It must not become a nuisance. Fort Collins allows ho...
Larimer County, CO
Larimer County sets no specific ban on artificial turf, and Colorado law now protects nonvegetative turf grass from HOA prohibition. Check your city's landsc...
Larimer County, CO
Larimer County does not require native plants, and Colorado law protects your right to xeriscape. Under C.R.S. § 38-33.3-106.5, HOAs cannot ban xeriscape, dr...
Larimer County, CO
Colorado law lets a single-family or small multi-family household collect rooftop rainwater in up to two rain barrels holding no more than 110 gallons combin...
See how Larimer County's dark sky rules rules stack up against other locations.
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