Longmont Zoning & Land Use Guide
Key Zoning Facts
Longmont Zoning Overview
Longmont is a city of approximately 99,000 residents located in Boulder and Weld counties along the northern Front Range. The city has a diverse economy including technology, manufacturing, and aerospace, anchored by its growing downtown and Main Street corridor. Longmont's zoning code establishes residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use districts. The city's land use pattern includes a traditional grid-pattern downtown, established residential neighborhoods, and newer development on the city's edges. Longmont is notable for its municipal fiber-optic broadband network (NextLight), which has attracted technology companies and remote workers.
Longmont's Envision Longmont comprehensive plan guides future development with emphasis on a balanced transportation system, diverse housing options, and economic vitality. The city has been proactive in planning for housing affordability, including updating zoning regulations to accommodate a wider range of housing types. Longmont's recovery from the 2013 floods along the St. Vrain Creek involved significant floodplain management updates and resilient development standards.
Planning & Development Services manages zoning administration and building permits for the city.
Key Zoning Districts
Longmont's zoning includes R-SF (Single-Family), R-MF (Multi-Family), and Mixed Residential districts, along with Neighborhood Commercial (NC), Community Commercial (CC), and Regional Commercial (RC) districts. The city also uses Planned Unit Development districts for larger developments.
ADU Regulations
Longmont allows ADUs in residential zones under Colorado HB 24-1152. ADUs are limited to 800 square feet and 20 feet in height. No additional parking is required. Permits are processed within four to six weeks.
Development Process
Longmont uses administrative review for by-right development and Planning and Zoning Commission hearings for rezonings and conditional uses. Building permits are processed by the Building Division, with typical residential review times of four to six weeks.
Regulatory Layers That Apply in Longmont
Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.
Federal
- FEMA Flood Zones: Applicable
- View FEMA Flood Map
County — Boulder County
- Role: Property records, tax assessment, unincorporated area planning
City / Municipal
The city's zoning ordinance, building codes, and local permits form the primary layer of land-use regulation for your property.
Overlay Districts
No overlay districts identified.
Private Restrictions
- HOA / CC&Rs common: Yes
- Check HOA CC&Rs for additional restrictions.
Primary Zoning Districts
- Min Lot
- 6,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 20 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Rear Setback
- 15 ft
- Min Lot
- 6,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 45 ft
- Front Setback
- 20 ft
- Side Setback
- 10 ft
- Rear Setback
- 15 ft
- Min Lot
- None
- Max Height
- 40 ft
- Front Setback
- 10 ft
- Side Setback
- 0 ft
- Rear Setback
- 10 ft
ADU Rules in Longmont
- Max Size
- 800 sq ft
- Max Height
- 20 ft
- Rear Setback
- 5 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Parking
- No additional parking required
- Owner Occupancy
- Not required
- Permit Timeline
- 4-6 weeks
Permit Costs & Timelines
Permit Costs & Timelines
Specific permit fee schedules for Longmont are available from the local planning department. Fees vary based on project type, scope, and valuation.
Check Longmont permit fees →