Frequently Asked Questions

Bonfires are prohibited without a valid permit. A permit is issued by LFRA for 1 to 3 hours, and the permit must be applied for at least 48 hours in advance. The permit fee is a minimum of $350. For more information about a bonfire permit, please download the regulations, or call 970-962-2497.

View the Bonfire Regulations (PDF).

View the Keyed-Indicating Deadbolt Handout (PDF).

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If you are interested in using the Loveland Fire Training Center for your emergency services agency, please contact Battalion Chief Eric Klaas for more information. 

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LFRA does not provide radon testing and does not have tests to distribute to the public. Discounted radon tests can be obtained from Colorado's Department of Public Health and Environment. Radon tests are also available at hardware and retail department stores. Consumer Reports advises about selecting radon kits, as well.

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You do not need a permit to have a recreational fire in your backyard, as long as you follow these guidelines:

• Appliance Requirements: Your fire pit or chiminea must have a screen or spark arrestor and should not exceed three feet in diameter.
• Location: Ensure the appliance is at least 15 feet away from any combustible objects, such as your house or a fence.
• Fuel: Only burn clean, dry wood. The burning of rubbish, trash, construction materials, yard debris, leaves, or recyclable materials is strictly prohibited.
• Supervision: A responsible, non-impaired adult must monitor the fire at all times until it is completely extinguished. They should have a means to quickly extinguish the fire, such as water, a portable fire extinguisher, or a shovel and dirt.
• Restrictions: Recreational fires are not allowed when burn restrictions are in place by the Larimer County Commissioners. You can check for any current burn restrictions on the Larimer County Webpage.

For more detailed information, please refer to the complete list of regulations for Recreational Cooking Fires and Outdoor Fire Pit Guidelines (PDF).

Absolutely! If your smoke alarm is "chirping" and you're not comfortable using a ladder, we're here to help. Simply call our non-emergency dispatch line at 970-667-2151 and select the option for non-emergency calls to request assistance. We'll send a crew to your home to help you change the batteries, free of charge.

Yes, you can arrange a tour at any of our fire station locations. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Chaperone Requirement: For groups with children under the age of 10, we ask that there be one adult chaperone for every four children.
• Tour Availability: Our on-duty fire crews are happy to conduct station tours. However, please be aware that if there's a 911 emergency call, the crew may need to leave and might not be able to complete the tour.

To schedule a tour, you can either fill out a Request Form or give us a call at 970-962-2613. We strive to accommodate all requests, and our team is ready to assist you in planning your visit.

Please note that we request at least two weeks' notice to arrange your fire station tour. This advance notice helps us ensure that we can provide you with the best possible experience.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Yes, our Community Education and Engagement Specialist, along with on-duty fire crews, are available to speak to your group or class. They can provide public education presentations tailored to your needs. However, please be aware that if there's a 911 emergency call, the crew may need to respond and might not be able to complete the presentation.

To request a speaker, please fill out a request form or call us at 970-962-2613 for assistance.

Please remember to provide at least two weeks notice when scheduling a Community Outreach Event. This helps us ensure availability and provide the best experience for your group.

In most cases, yes, additional permits may be required. If you're planning to move your business into an existing building or construct a new one, your first step should be to contact the appropriate Planning and Zoning department. They will help you determine if the property is zoned for your intended use. You might need to obtain Planning approval before you can get your building permit.

Additionally, depending on your project, you may also need other permits or licenses, such as a liquor license, utility service approval, sign permit, or sales tax license. It's important to check all requirements to ensure a smooth process for your construction project.

The recently passed U.S. tax legislation includes an important incentive to significantly improve life safety in existing buildings - both commercial and residential. Included in the legislation are two provisions to incentivize the retrofitting of fire sprinklers in buildings.

Cost Recover Section 13201 allows fire sprinklers to be fully expensed. That means the property owner can immediately write off the full cost of the sprinkler system; this is in both commercial and residential buildings. Small Business Section 179 Expensing adds fire protection as an eligible expenditure to the tax code. Previously, qualified small businesses were allowed to fully expense purchases such as computers and other equipment up to an annual cap of $500,000; the cap was increased to a $1 million annual deduction and includes fire protection. This is for commercial buildings only.

Spearheading the fire-sprinkler initiative was Jim Langevin, who represents the district where The Station nightclub occurred in 2003 in West Warwick, RI. The fire, caused by pyrotechnics that ignited unapproved sound insulation on the ceiling and walls, killed 100 people and injured 230. Fire experts agree that most, if not all, of the deaths could have been prevented if the building had been equipped with a fire sprinkler system.

More information is available from your Congressional representative, licensed fire sprinkler contractors, and the National Fire Sprinkler Association website. You may also contact the LFRA Community Safety Division.

The International Building Code specifies that building permits are required to "construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system" regulated by the IBC (2018 IBC, Section 105.1). If you have questions, call the appropriate Building Division.

If your business is located within the LFRA's jurisdiction and your commercial building has a monitored fire alarm and/or fire sprinkler system, a Knox-Box is required by the adopted Fire Code. For more information on how to order a Knox-Box, please visit our webpage.

While LFRA does not actively solicit donations, we gratefully accept them from individuals and organizations who wish to express their appreciation. If you have a specific purpose in mind for your donation, please let us know. Otherwise, donations are used for a variety of important needs, such as purchasing and supporting fire and life safety equipment and providing educational materials to the community at no cost.

Donations have also been used to buy smoke alarm batteries and carbon monoxide and smoke alarms for low-income families. Larger donations, such as those left through wills and estates, have enabled us to acquire valuable rescue and firefighter safety equipment that was not included in our budget.

For more information on how to donate, please visit our Donations page.

Loveland Fire Rescue Authority offers a Ride-Along Program to encourage community awareness of the department's operations as well as allied professional cooperation and networking.

How to Get Started:

1. Request a Ride-Along: Submit a Ride-Along Scheduling Request form. 
   • Please Note: The date of ride along must be at least 2 weeks from ride along request date.
2. Select Your Preferred Shift: If you want to ride with a specific shift look at our Shift Calendar (PDF) to help choose the day and shift that works best for you.
3. Complete Necessary Forms: As part of the request process, you'll need to review and fill out the Guideline, Application, and Release Form (PDF). This form must be attached to your request submission.

Once you've submitted your request form with all the necessary attachments, we'll schedule your Ride-Along. We can't wait to have you join us for the day and see firsthand the work we do!

Please Note: ride-alongs will not be authorized for job applicants participating in a current LFRA Recruitment process. 

We do not sell our patches, but we are happy to trade them in person. If you're interested in trading patches, please visit us at the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority, located at 410 E 5th Street, Loveland, CO 80537.

Don't let winter's chill put your safety on ice! Download our guide (PDF) full of essential tips to prevent your fire sprinkler system from freezing. Keep your system operational and your property protected, even when the temperatures plummet.

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LFRA's engine companies can come to your home and provide an on-site assessment and recommend best practices for home hardening and creating/maintaining defensible space while living within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI).

In the event of a 911 request for emergency service, the crew may not be able to provide or complete the Home Assessment. If you would like to continue to make a request, please submit a request form, or call 970-962-2613. Once your request is received a staff member will contact you to schedule a time to come out and perform your assessment.

Please note, that assessments are one of the many things that LFRA firefighters complete and we will do our best to work with the homeowners to schedule these home assessments within a timely manner, a minimum of two weeks advanced notice is requested for scheduling Wildfire Home Assessments.

The International Fire Code (IFC) and International Building Code (IBC) require the posting of maximum occupant load signs for every room or space that is an assembly occupancy (2024, Section 1004.9). An "assembly occupancy" includes the use of a structure or portion thereof, for the gathering of people for purposes such as civic, social, or religious functions; recreation; food or drink consumption; or awaiting transportation. To be considered an assembly occupancy, the occupant load of a room or space must be 50 or more, or more than 750 square feet.

Some examples of assembly occupancies include movie theaters, restaurants and bars, churches, fitness centers, and transportation terminals. Areas that are not assemblies - such as offices, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities - are not required to have a posted occupant load sign.

During construction permitting, design professionals calculate an area's maximum occupancy by Section 1004 of the 2024 IBC or IFC, and fire and building plan reviewers verify the accuracy of the calculations. This number is used by fire and building departments to create an occupant load sign for the business owner. The sign is required to be posted in a conspicuous location and maintained by the owner.

If permit records are not available that provide the approved occupant load, LFRA's Community Safety Division will calculate an occupant load under Section 1004 (based on the room's use and size) so a maximum occupancy sign can be provided and posted.

LFRA will provide the occupant load sign as a convenience to the owner. While the calculated occupant load will be code-compliant, the calculation shall not be used for future permitting or construction, means of egress sizing, fire separation requirements, door hardware, etc.; this will require the submittal of documents by a licensed design professional. LFRA will issue signs simply to accurately estimate the maximum capacity for the room, area, or space.

To inquire about obtaining an occupant load sign from LFRA, call the Community Safety Division at 970-962-2498.

Ensuring your address is clearly visible is crucial for us to assist you quickly in an emergency. We offer custom reflective address markers for $14, which can be mounted on your mailbox or building. These signs are made from durable, 100% aluminum and are fade-resistant.

To order a reflective address marker, please fill out our Reflective Sign Order Form (PDF) and email it to eplan. 

If you need to know ISO rating, fire hydrant locations, fire station locations, or the types of apparatus that would respond to an address, please visit the ISO Rating Page. Specifically, you can download our Standards of Cover (PDF) document for apparatus response information. You can go to the Fire Stations page for the addresses of all fire stations. You can find the ISO Ratings Map and an Interactive Map for hydrant locations on the ISO Ratings Page, as well.

Zoning codes deal with social order and regulate how land is used - what type of uses are allowed on properties in various locations within a community. For example, a zoning code might not allow a bar or nightclub to be located near a school or senior housing development. Individual communities develop their own, local zoning codes, and these codes can vary a great deal from one city to the next.

The International Fire Code and the International Building Code deal with life safety: They both provide minimum safeguards for people at home, at school, and in the workplace. They regulate how buildings are constructed and used on properties. The IFC and IBC are part of the International Codes, or I-Codes, published by the International Code Council. All I-Codes are model codes and standards used to design, build, and maintain pro-safe, sustainable, affordable, and resilient structures.

Most communities in Colorado have adopted the IFC and IBC. The I-Codes are utilized by jurisdictions in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. While many jurisdictions approve local amendments (modifications) in their I-Codes, these codes are almost identical in every community.

The code provisions are intended to protect public health and safety while avoiding both unnecessary costs and preferential treatment of specific materials or methods of construction. By having known, consistent codes throughout a region, construction professionals can save time and money on their projects.

View the Landscape Care Around Fire Hydrants Graphic (JPEG).

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• City of Loveland Building Division
  Phone: 970-962-2505
• Larimer County Building Department
  Phone: 970-498-7700
• Town of Johnstown Building Department
  Phone: 970-587-4664

These documents are available from the applicable Building Division once the permit has received all final inspections and all Conditions of Approval have been met. The contractor or owner can bring the permit card to building officials with all required engineered letters to have a staff member verify completion. Once all inspections are approved and conditions are met a Certificate of Occupancy or Letter of Completion can be issued at your request.

Call 970-962-2537 at least 48 hours in advance of when you want the inspection. Make sure you've met all permit Conditions of Approval (written requirements for design and construction) and look at any redlined drawings, before scheduling the inspection.

• City of Loveland Planning Department
  Phone: 970-962-2523
• Larimer County Planning Department
  Phone: 970-498-7679
• Town of Johnstown Planning and Zoning
  Phone: 970-587-4664

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To report a fire code violation, contact our Fire Marshal, Battalion Chief Carie Dann, at 970-962-2518 or email Carie Dann.

Visit the About Us page for an overview, including our Annual Report and Strategic Plan.

For more information about applying for a job, please visit our Careers page.

For wildfire preparedness information and LFRA's Community Wildfire Preparedness Plan (CWPP) view our Wildfire webpage.

If you are a citizen, visit the website for Plan Ahead for the Disaster.

If you are a business, visit the website to Ready the Business.

Businesses may request assistance with emergency planning by calling 970-962-2614.

The Colorado Safe Haven law passed in 2000, defines the emergency possession of certain abandoned children. The National Safe Haven Alliance states, "You can leave your baby, up to 3 days old, with a hospital worker at any hospital, or with a firefighter at any fire station in Colorado."

Visit the website to read the Colorado Safe Haven Law.

To register for notifications and receive Emergency Alerts, commonly referred to as reverse 911, visit the website of the Larimer Emergency Telephone Authority.

To keep an eye on unfolding emergency events in Loveland, Visit the website for the City of Loveland's Emergency Communication links.

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Loveland Fire Rescue Authority does not service, refill, or dispose of fire extinguishers.

If you have an extinguisher that needs to be serviced or re-filled, you will need to contact a qualified fire extinguisher technician, which you can find in the yellow pages or online by searching "fire extinguisher service". Fire extinguishers in commercial occupancies must be annually inspected, serviced, and properly tagged by a qualified fire extinguisher technician.

Empty fire extinguishers can be dropped off for recycling at:

• City of Loveland's Recycling Center,
  400 N Wilson Avenue Loveland,
  CO. 
  Phone: 970-962-2529
• Larimer County Landfill 
  5887 S Taft Hill Road, 
  Fort Collins, CO. 
  Phone: 970-498-5771

Visit the website to be taken to Car Seat Resources on this website.

Be sure to utilize both the child safety seat's manual and the vehicle's manual when installing the car seat. Most car seat manufacturers also have videos available on their websites to demonstrate how to properly install the various models of child safety seats.

To find installation information and installation videos, visit the website for the Car Seats and Booster Seats.

If you still need assistance, you can seek help to evaluate and correct installation issues. Visit the official website for a List of Car Seat Installation Resources in Larimer and Weld Counties.

To find out if you are eligible for a low-cost car seat from Safe Kids Larimer County, visit Car Seat Installation Resources in Larimer and Weld Counties or call 970-495-7508.

LFRA has partnered with BidNet as part of the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System and will post their bid opportunities to this site. As a vendor, you can register with the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System to view all current bids and opportunities. To receive automatic notification of future bid opportunities that match your company's business, you can select automatic bid notification.

Loveland Fire Rescue Authority looks forward to providing you with more bid information and simplifying the entire bid, proposal, and quote processes for everyone involved. We appreciate your cooperation and welcome your participation. If you need help registering, please call the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System support department toll-free at 800-835-4603.

LFRA has partnered with BidNet as part of the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System and will post their bid opportunities to this site. As a vendor, you can register with the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System to view all current bids and opportunities. To receive automatic notification of future bid opportunities that match your company's business, you can select automatic bid notification.

Loveland Fire Rescue Authority looks forward to providing you with more bid information and simplifying the entire bid, proposal, and quote processes for everyone involved. We appreciate your cooperation and welcome your participation. If you need help registering, please call the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System support department toll-free at 800-835-4603.

Fire Station 2, Fire Station 6, Fire Station 7, and Fire Station 10 have community meeting rooms available for non-profit organizations by appointment only. 

Before to submitting your request, please review the Community Room Use Rules (PDF). After reviewing the Rules, please Submit Your Request. Once your request has been scheduled by LFRA staff, you will receive a confirmation email stating the date, time and location of your reservation.

Please note: Two weeks minimum advanced notice is required for submitting your reservation request.

Please note the occupancy limits for each room:

• Fire Station 2 (3070 W 29th Street) - 40 occupants for chairs only, 18 for tables and chairs
• Fire Station 6 (43215 McWhinney Boulevard) - 40 occupants for chairs only, 18 for tables and chairs
• Fire Station 7 (2629 N County Road 27) - 50 occupants for chairs only, 20 for tables and chairs
• Fire Station 10 (4301 Ronald Reagan Boulevard) - 80 occupants for chairs only, 55 for tables and chairs

The Loveland Fire Rescue Authority encompasses the Loveland Rural Fire Protection District, so any information, resources, and procedures found on this website, apply to the residents and businesses of the Rural District, also.

Documents and plans can be submitted to Eplan Fire.

LFRA's Fire Code Development Guide (PDF) provides basic information about emergency vehicle access, firefighting water supply, and property address. The DRG can be downloaded from our Getting Started page.

Visit the Permits, Applications and Fees webpage to download the LFRA Fee Estimator Worksheet, or call the Community Safety Division at 970-962-2497 for an estimate.

Please note that these are estimates only and not cost quotes, as the project valuation can change, fee schedules may change, etc. It is the responsibility of the applicant or contractor to confirm the actual permit fees with CSD if desired, before payment and issuance of the permit.

Prior to starting your burn, you will need to notify our dispatch center at 970-962-2800. Be ready with your burn permit number to give the dispatchers.

Where a hydrant water-flow test is used for the purposes of fire-sprinkler system design, the test must be conducted no more than 12 months before working plan submittal, unless otherwise approved by the authority having jurisdiction (NFPA 13 4.6.1.1, 2019 edition).

LFRA is served by five water districts. To schedule hydrant flow testing, contact the water district that serves the property. Approved documentation of the test shall be provided to LFRA before final approval of the water supply system.

• City of Loveland Water
  Phone: 970-962-3000
• Town of Johnstown Utilities
  Phone: 970-587-4664
• Little Thompson Water District
  Phone: 970-532-2096
• Fort Collins-Loveland Water District
  Phone: 970-226-3104
• North Carter Lake Water District
  Phone: 970-776-8212

View the City of Loveland Hydrant Flow Report Request Form (PDF)

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When calling 911, the dispatcher will ask you three questions:

• "911, what is the address of the emergency?"
• "What's the phone number you're calling from?"
• "Ok, tell me exactly what happened."

It is important to answer all of the dispatchers' questions. Doing so does not delay when help arrives, but can help speed up their response.

Knox-Boxes should be installed 5 to 6 feet above grade, but please confirm installation location with the Community Safety Division ahead of time to find the best location.

Once you receive and install your Knox Box, contact the Community Safety Division at 970-962-2537 to schedule an inspector to meet you on-site to lock keys or other contents in the Knox Box.

For more information visit the Ordering a Knox-Box page.

When Planning and Building drawings are reviewed, LFRA issues comments and corrections based on requirements from the International Fire Code. These are called Conditions of Approval and it is an industry standard. It means, "We approve this project for a permit, provided these conditions are met." Examples of Conditions could be that all doors other than the main entrance are required to have panic hardware and all doors must swing outward. These Conditions are like a map that provides direction to the general contractor, to make sure the building is built to IFC, NFPA, and IBC requirements. LFRA issues the Conditions of Approval along with the building permit and any redlined drawings. The general contractor must read and comply with all Conditions of Approval and any redlined comments on the drawings. By meeting all the Conditions, the contractor will be prepared for LFRA's inspections.

Numerous variables come into play when determining if a building needs fire sprinklers a fire alarm, or other fire protection systems. Some of these variables are the size of the building, occupancy group, occupancy use, type of construction, available fire flow, and emergency vehicle access to the building. Your design professional will complete a Code Analysis based on requirements from the International Fire Code and International Building Code. This Code Analysis, typically completed during the Planning and Building permit processes, provides the information necessary to determine what fire-protection systems, if any, are required by the IFC.

LFRA is currently enforcing the 2018 IFC and locally adopted amendments.

It is an International Fire Code that is adopted and enforced all over the world to ensure that structures in which we live, work, and play meet recognized minimum standards for protection against fire, explosion, or dangerous conditions in new and existing buildings, structures, and premises, and to provide safety for firefighters and other emergency responders.

A Knox Box is a specially designed key-storage box or vault that is used to gain access to many of the commercial occupancies within our fire district. All Knox Boxes in our fire district are keyed to a unique key design made specifically for LFRA by the Knox Corporation. Keys to access the Knox-Boxes in Loveland are electronically secured and monitored. Most fire agencies in the United States utilize Knox Boxes.

The City of Loveland and the State of Colorado have restrictions on the types of fireworks that are considered to be legal. There are also laws in place that regulate the use of legal fireworks. These laws can vary from one jurisdiction to another, so be sure to check with your local law enforcement or other applicable city or county government agencies. Permissible (legal) fireworks include items such as sparklers, fountains, smoke balls, items with crackle and strobe effects, wheels and spinners, and various novelty items. These types of fireworks are allowed to be sold (with a permit only) and used within the Loveland city limits and unincorporated Larimer County, however, there are age restrictions to consider. Fireworks are not to be possessed or used by children under the age of 16 without direct adult supervision.

Non-permissible (illegal) fireworks are those that explode or leave the ground, such as firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman Candles, aerials, missiles, and other similar items. These items are not permissible for either sale or use within the State of Colorado, except for commercial-grade pyrotechnics used by licensed and permitted pyrotechnics technicians for public and private displays. Permits for these displays must be obtained from the applicable local government agencies.

The City of Loveland has established a hotline for citizens to call for information related to the City's 4th of July Festival and fireworks show, as well as information about how to report the use of illegal fireworks. The hotline number is 970-962-2110.

Burn permits ensure the use of open burning is done legally and in a coordinated manner with the Fire Departments. Most open burning in Larimer County requires a permit which can be obtained through the Larimer County Website. Every burn permit requires calling dispatch centers so that fire engines will not be dispatched unnecessarily to investigate the smoke produced from the burn. Click to download more information about Burn Permits or Open Burning Regulations. On the day of your burn, please notify us before starting by calling 970-962-2800.

• View the Open Burning Regulations (PDF).

Restrictions for Loveland Fire Rescue Authority's Jurisdiction

Lower than 6,000 feet in elevation, burn permits are valid for 90 days.

Lower than 6,000 feet in elevation, agricultural burn permits are valid for 90 days.

Above 6,000 feet, the burn season is from October 1 to May 1: please view the Larimer County Website for additional restrictions for this elevation.

LFRA is dispatched by the Loveland Emergency Communications Center, located in the Loveland Police Department at 810 E 10th Street, Loveland, CO 80537.

For a list of our fire stations and their address, visit the Fire Station Locations and Apparatus website. Visit the website and Download a map of fire station locations.

To learn what your ISO rating is, visit the ISO Rating page.

For planning and resources, visit the Prepare Your Pets for Disasters website.

During an emergency that requires an evacuation, there may be one or more emergency shelters ready to receive you. Visit the official website to obtain information on which shelter is open.

Visit the website to view shelter maps.

Stay connected with LFRA through social media

• Twitter
• Facebook

It is normal for most children to have a mild interest in fire. Children exhibiting fireplay or firesetting behaviors may need education and intervention. The Loveland Fire Rescue Authority has a youth firesetting intervention program to help families experiencing issues with child fireplay and firesetting issues. For further information, please visit our Juvenile Fire-Setting Intervention page.

LFRA is now offering Safe Sitter® Essentials class. Safe Sitter is designed to prepare students in grades 6-8 to be safe when they’re home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. The Instructor-led class is filled with fun games and role-playing exercises. The Class fee is $50.00 and includes a Safe Sitter Kit.

To sign up please use this form to request more information on our next class.