Development and Design Standards

“Development” means any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to the alteration, construction, reconstruction, conversion, or enlargement of any structure; any change in use of a property, building, or structure; and any mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving excavation or drilling operation. The term “development” shall include the act of subdivision, unless otherwise expressly excluded.

The City of Longmont oversees preparation of plan sets and construction of the public improvements associated with new residential and commercial developments.

Public Works; Parks, Recreation and Open Space; Planning; Water/Wastewater; Longmont Power and Communications; and Public Safety departments work together to ensure that the public improvements are designed and installed according to the City of Longmont Design Standards and Construction Specifications, answer questions about the development process in Longmont, and work with developers and contractors to resolve problems that may arise during design and construction.

Public Works is responsible for coordinating the Public Improvement Agreements (PIA) and monitoring construction and final acceptance, processing securities and payments, and scheduling inspections.

View information regarding development permits – the City issues several different types of permits that are required before construction activity may begin.

For water and sewer tap information (New Development/Outside the building) please call 303-651-8304.

For water and sewer tap information (Inside the building) please call 303-651-8332.

Construction/Final Acceptance Process – For more detailed information on the Construction Acceptance Process, please call 303-651-8304.

Design Standards

The City of Longmont Design Standards and Construction Specifications, originally adopted in 1993, includes the design criteria and construction standards for public streets, storm drainage systems, water systems, sanitary sewer systems, arterial landscaping and greenways, electric, and Urban Neighborhood Design.

The 2007 update was approved by City Council and effective as of July 1, 2007.

The City Council approved the following updates in 2025 –

Section 800 – Urban Neighborhood Design
Section 100 – General Requirements
Section 700 – Longmont Power and Communication (LPC)
Appendix

The City Council approved the following updates in 2026 –

Section 400 – Wastewater Collection
Section 500 – Water Distribution
Section 600 – Landscape and Irrigation

For additional information, please refer to the Land Development Code (Title 15 of the Longmont Municipal Code).

DESIGN STANDARDS AND CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS

Download The Whole Set of Files

Download Individual Sections

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

STREET SECTION:

STORM DRAINAGE SECTION:

WASTEWATER SECTION:

WATER DISTRIBUTION SECTION:

Section 500 – Water Distribution – Text
Section 500 – Water Distribution – Details – A copy of the details document is available upon request. Please email Public Works at PWEng@longmontcolorado.gov to request a copy.

PARKS SECTION:

Section 600 – Landscape and Irrigation – Text
Section 600 – Landscape and Irrigation – Details – A copy of the details document is available upon request. Please email Public Works at PWEng@longmontcolorado.gov to request a copy.

LONGMONT POWER & COMMUNICATION SECTION:

URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD DESIGN SECTION:

APPENDIX:

Table of Contents

Appendix A– Construction Plan Requirements

Appendix B– Construction Plan Notes

Appendix C – Report Templates and Checklists

Appendix D – Stormwater Quality (SEE LONGMONT STORM DRAINAGE CRITERIA MANUAL)

Appendix E – Acceptance Forms

Appendix F – Floodplain Information (SEE LONGMONT STORM DRAINAGE CRITERIA MANUAL)

Appendix G – Miscellaneous

Appendix H – Ken Pratt Blvd Landscaping Guidelines

Appendix I – Approved Materials Lists

APPROVED MATERIALS LISTS:

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