Loveland, CO Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit trigger
- Permit required for construction, excavation or work in ROW
- Security
- Letter of credit: construction cost or $5,000, minimum
- Insurance
- Liability insurance: $1M bodily injury, $500K property
- Unpermitted work
- Working without a permit draws a civil penalty
- Appeal
- Permit revocation appealable to city manager in 15 days
- Snow permits
- Emergency snow-removal permits renew annually April 1-June 30
Summary
Anyone doing construction, excavation or other work in a Loveland public right-of-way needs a permit under Municipal Code § 12.16.040. The permit fee is set by council resolution and tied to the actual cost of managing the right-of-way, and applicants must typically post a letter of credit equal to their construction cost or $5,000, whichever is greater.
No person shall undertake or permit to be undertaken any construction, excavation, or work in the rights-of-way without first obtaining a permit from the city as set forth in this chapter, except as provided in Section 12.16.210. ... Before a permit is issued pursuant to this chapter, the applicant shall pay to the city a permit fee, which shall be determined in accordance with a fee schedule adopted by the city council by resolution. Fees will be reasonably related to the costs inherent in managing the rights-of-way.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13).
Full Breakdown
A requires a city permit before any person undertakes construction, excavation or other work in a Loveland right-of-way, with narrow exceptions for initial development under city development standards, city-approved capital projects, and routine maintenance that does not require lane closures or traffic control. S. Means standards, proof the applicant isn't delinquent on prior city work, and copies of any state or federal permits or licenses needed. 060 sets the permit fee by council resolution, calibrated to the city's actual costs of permitting, mapping, inspecting and administering right-of-way work, with reduced degradation fees when multiple unrelated entities share one excavation or when the work happens within 24 months of a scheduled repaving.
070 requires the permittee to carry commercial general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and $500,000 per occurrence for property damage, plus workers' compensation coverage. 080 requires a letter of credit equal to the full construction cost or $5,000, whichever is greater, before the permit issues, though the city may waive it if the applicant shows financial stability and in-state assets. 230.
Violations & Fines
Working in a Loveland right-of-way without a permit requires the person to immediately cease all activity except emergency stabilization, obtain the permit before restarting, and pay a civil penalty set by council resolution on top of the normal permit fees (§ 12.16.040.E). Any violation of Chapter 12.16 is also punished under § 12.16.250 as provided in § 1.12.010, with each day of a continuing violation charged as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to dig in a Loveland street or sidewalk right-of-way?
How much does a Loveland right-of-way encroachment permit cost?
What security does Loveland require before issuing an encroachment permit?
Sources & Official References
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Encroachment Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Larimer County handle encroachment permits.