Quick answer: Under Loveland’s building code, replacing nonstructural siding on a house is exempt from a building permit, as long as the siding isn’t part of a fire-rated wall. Roofing is different: a reroof over one square needs a permit, and asphalt shingles must be Class 4 impact resistant. We price siding by the square: $1,600 for primed James Hardie, $2,200 for Hardie ColorPlus and $1,500 for LP SmartSide.
Do You Need a Permit to Replace Siding in Loveland?
Usually not for a straight replacement. Loveland’s 2021 residential code amendments, in effect since June 1, 2023, exempt replacement and repair of nonstructural siding on houses, provided the siding isn’t part of a required fire-rated assembly. A permit can still be needed if the job changes structure, adds windows or doors, or includes electrical work. Call the City of Loveland Building Division to confirm for your address.
The exemption covers the permit, not the quality of the work. A siding job still has to meet code and the manufacturer’s installation instructions, including flashing and a water-resistive barrier, so the warranty holds.
Loveland’s Class 4 Rule for Roofs
Loveland requires Class 4 impact-resistant asphalt shingles on reroofs. Partial repairs up to one square can be done like-for-like without a permit, but larger repairs and full replacements need one, and the shingle specifications go to the city. We only install Class 4 shingles, Owens Corning Duration STORM or better, with all new metals and flashing, at $1,000 per square. See our Loveland roofing contractor page.
Best Siding for Loveland Homes
| Material | Hail resistance | Maintenance | Our price per square |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Hardie fiber cement (primed) | High | Paint every several years | $1,600 (+$500 painted) |
| James Hardie ColorPlus | High | Factory finish, no painting | $2,200 |
| LP SmartSide | High | Paint | $1,500 (+$500 painted) |
| Vinyl | Low, brittle in cold | Low until it cracks | Not our recommendation |
A square is 100 square feet of wall. A home with about 1,800 square feet of wall siding is 18 squares, or roughly $28,800 in primed Hardie and $39,600 in ColorPlus. We measure every wall before giving a written price. Painting primed siding with the install adds $5 per square foot.
Choosing a Siding Contractor in Loveland, CO
- Full tear-off, not overlay. Removing the old siding lets the crew find and fix rotted sheathing before it’s covered up.
- A real water barrier. Ask what goes behind the siding and how windows, doors and roof-wall intersections are flashed.
- Manufacturer installation specs. James Hardie and LP both publish installation requirements tied to their warranties.
- Pre-1978 homes. Siding and trim on older homes can carry lead paint. Contractors disturbing it must follow the EPA’s lead-safe work rules.
- Written price per square. A clear unit price makes bids easy to compare and change orders easy to check.
For everything we build in town, see our page for general contractors in Loveland, CO, including work as a siding contractor in Loveland, CO. More on product choices is on our James Hardie siding page.
Siding Replacement in Loveland: FAQs
Do I need a permit to replace siding in Loveland?
Usually not. Loveland’s code exempts replacement and repair of nonstructural siding on houses, unless the siding is part of a required fire-rated assembly. Work that changes structure, windows or electrical can still need a permit.
Does Loveland require Class 4 shingles?
Yes. Loveland’s residential code amendments require asphalt shingles to be Class 4 impact resistant, and reroofs over one square need a permit.
How much does siding replacement cost in Loveland?
We price per square, which is 100 square feet of wall: $1,600 for primed James Hardie, $2,200 for Hardie ColorPlus and $1,500 for LP SmartSide.
What is the best siding for hail in Loveland?
James Hardie fiber cement and LP SmartSide stand up to hail far better than vinyl, which gets brittle in cold weather and cracks on impact.
Can new siding go over old siding?
We recommend a full tear-off so the sheathing can be inspected and repaired and a proper water barrier installed.
Siding Estimates in Loveland
We measure every wall, quote per square in writing and install James Hardie and LP SmartSide to the manufacturer’s specs. Josh Brooks Construction and Renovation Inc. is a licensed general contractor based in Longmont with 30 years in construction, serving 46+ Front Range cities. Call 720-828-7997 or text 720-453-5095 for a free estimate.
Licensed. Local. Not a storm chaser.
Sources
- City of Loveland: Ordinance 6586, 2021 International Residential Code amendments
- City of Loveland: Building Permitting
- U.S. EPA: Renovation, Repair and Painting Program for Contractors
Related Services
Colorado Class 4 shingle insurance discount: what the law says
- Colorado law (CRS 10-4-110.8) requires insurers to factor impact-resistant roofing into their premium rates — the legal basis for the Class 4 discount.
- In June 2026, SB26-155 created the Strengthen Colorado Homes Enterprise; starting 2027, insurers must prove resilient-roof savings actually reach homeowners.
- Carrier discounts typically run 15–35% (about 28% on average), applied to the dwelling or the wind/hail portion of the premium.
- Class 4 is the top rating under UL 2218: a 2-inch steel ball dropped 20 ft must not crack the shingle.
- The upgrade typically pays for itself in roughly 3–7 years through premium savings.
Sources: Colorado Revised Statutes 10-4-110.8; Colorado SB26-155 (2026); UL 2218 standard; Colorado Division of Insurance / RMIIA (2026).
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