Longmont, CO Public Conduct: Loud Party Ordinance (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger window
- 10 p.m.-7 a.m., 15+ minutes
- Audibility threshold
- 25 feet from source, or inside neighbor's home
- Who's liable
- anyone who makes, permits or assists the noise
- Special-event exception
- permitted events, amplified sound 80 dB or less
- City remedy
- citation plus city attorney nuisance suit, § 10.20.110
Summary
A gathering of people engaged in loud, continuing activity between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. that runs 15 minutes and is audible 25 feet away, or inside a neighbor's home, is presumed unreasonable noise under Longmont Municipal Code § 10.20.090(D), and the city attorney can sue to shut it down as a public nuisance.
Notwithstanding section 10.20.110, it is unlawful to intentionally, knowingly or recklessly make, permit or assist another to make unreasonable noise in a public place or near a private residence that a person has no right to occupy, which, under all of the circumstances presented, would cause a person of ordinary sensitivities significant annoyance and irritation. The following noises and circumstances shall be deemed as prima facie unreasonable...D.A gathering of persons engaged in loud and continuing activities continuing for a minimum of 15 minutes between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and audible 25 feet from the source of the sound or within a private residence that the person responsible for the sound has no right to occupy...Except that amplified sound of 80 decibels or less as measured from the perimeter of the area covered by a use of public places permit for a special event issued pursuant to chapter 13.37 and city operations such as mowing and maintenance shall not constitute an unreasonable noise.
Full Breakdown
090 bars intentionally, knowingly or recklessly making unreasonable noise in a public place or near a residence the noisemaker has no right to occupy, wherever it would cause a person of ordinary sensitivities significant annoyance and irritation. , audible 25 feet from the source or inside a neighbor's home (D); and motor vehicle engine, exhaust or brake noise from a non-commercial vehicle audible 300 feet away (E). 37, and routine city mowing and maintenance, are carved out of the ban entirely. Because the ordinance targets anyone who "makes, permits or assists another to make" the noise, it reaches a host who allows a gathering to keep going, not just the loudest guest.
Violations & Fines
Longmont Police can cite a violation of § 10.20.090 under the Title 1.12.010 general penalty, up to a $500 fine and up to 90 days, since the noise chapter sets no separate criminal fine of its own. Separately, § 10.20.110 deems a violation of §§ 10.20.090 and 10.20.100 a public nuisance and authorizes the city attorney to sue in any court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin it, a tool aimed at a chronically loud address rather than a single citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How loud does a party have to be to violate Longmont's noise ordinance?
Can the host be held responsible, not just loud guests?
What can the city do about a repeatedly loud house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Longmont
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Loud Party Ordinance in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Boulder County handle loud party ordinance.