Framing in Longmont, CO

Framing in Longmont is where a remodel either stays inside the walls the house already has, or crosses into structural territory that the city reviews differently. Apollo Construction treats that line as the first design decision on any project that touches a wall, beam, or post, because Longmont’s permit process, engineering requirements, and inspection sequence all change once framing becomes structural rather than cosmetic.

When Longmont Requires Structural Plans

Structural changes such as removing or modifying a load-bearing wall, or adding significant weight to a ceiling or roof, require structural plans and structural calculations as part of the permit submittal. That requirement applies whenever the framing scope goes beyond finish carpentry into something that changes how loads move through the building.

We separate the framing scope into structural and non-structural work at the first walkthrough. A closet wall coming out is a different conversation than a wall between the kitchen and living room, and pricing, timeline, and permit path diverge from that point forward.

The Engineer Letter Requirement for Beams, Posts, and Foundations

Longmont’s published guidance is specific on this point: an engineer letter from a licensed Colorado engineer is required any time a project cuts new windows into a foundation wall, widens an existing window opening in concrete, changes a structural beam or post, or cuts into an existing foundation wall. This rule appears in the city’s basement finish guidance, and it is the clearest published residential trigger for when framing needs an engineer’s sign-off rather than a contractor’s field judgment alone.

We treat any beam removal, post relocation, or foundation penetration as an engineer-letter item from the start of design, not as a step added after framing is already opened up. Getting that letter before demolition begins keeps the schedule from stalling mid-project while a stamped detail is worked out around exposed framing.

Snow, Wind, and Seismic Loads Longmont Framing Must Meet

Longmont’s published structural design criteria set the loads every framed structure in the city has to be designed against: a ground snow load of 30 psf, a frost line depth of 30 inches for foundation design, seismic design category B, and a nominal wind speed of 110 mph (with an ultimate design wind speed of 139 mph for Risk Category II structures). These figures apply to new framing, additions, and any structural modification, not just new construction.

We use these published values as the baseline for any framing design, whether it’s a new roof structure, an addition, or a reworked floor system, and we flag to the owner when a scope’s engineering needs to account for one of these loads directly rather than by rule-of-thumb framing.

Code Edition in Transition

Longmont has adopted the 2024 International Building Code and International Residential Code, with an implementation date of July 1, 2026. Until that date, the previously adopted code editions govern a given permit. Because several of the city’s published residential guides, including the basement finish handout that contains the engineer-letter rule above, predate this change, we confirm the code edition that will actually govern a specific permit date with Building Services rather than assuming an older guide is still the final word once the new edition takes effect.

This matters most for framing because structural requirements are exactly the kind of detail that shifts between code editions. A beam size or connection detail that satisfied an earlier edition is not guaranteed to satisfy the 2024 edition once it applies, so we build a code-edition check into design for any project that could straddle the July 2026 changeover.

Framing Inspections Happen Before Drywall Goes Up

Longmont’s inspection sequence places framing in a specific slot: footing, then foundation, then a rough inspection that covers framing together with rough plumbing, mechanical, and electrical, followed by insulation and drywall cover. Inspection requests made before 4:00 pm are scheduled for the next business day, with no same-day scheduling, and the city’s rule is direct — no work should be covered before it has passed inspection.

We schedule the framing portion of the rough inspection once every trade sharing that inspection slot is actually ready, because Longmont reviews framing alongside plumbing, mechanical, and electrical rough-in rather than as a separate stand-alone stop. A framing crew that finishes early still waits for the other trades before the inspector is called.

How We Sequence a Longmont Framing Project

We start by identifying every wall, beam, or post the scope touches and sorting them into structural and non-structural categories. Anything structural gets an engineer letter or full structural plans before demolition opens the space, and we confirm which code edition governs the permit given the July 2026 changeover. Foundation-related cuts and beam or post changes go to a Colorado-licensed engineer early enough that the stamped detail is in hand before framing crews are on site.

Framing proceeds against the snow, wind, seismic, and frost criteria the city publishes, with connections and bracing built to the governing code edition. We hold the rough inspection until plumbing, mechanical, and electrical rough-in are also ready, since Longmont reviews them together, and nothing gets covered with insulation or drywall until that inspection has passed.

Common Questions

Does removing a wall in my Longmont home need an engineer?
If the wall is load-bearing, or if the change touches a beam, post, or foundation wall, Longmont’s guidance requires an engineer letter from a licensed Colorado engineer, and structural plans and calculations are part of the permit submittal.

What loads does framing in Longmont need to be designed for?
The city’s published design criteria set a 30 psf ground snow load, a 30-inch frost line depth, seismic design category B, and a nominal wind speed of 110 mph, with an ultimate wind speed of 139 mph for Risk Category II structures.

Which building code applies to my framing project?
Longmont has adopted the 2024 IBC and IRC, effective July 1, 2026. Until that date, earlier adopted editions apply. We confirm the governing edition for the actual permit date with Building Services, since it can affect structural details.

When does the city inspect framing?
Framing is inspected as part of the rough inspection, which the city groups together with rough plumbing, mechanical, and electrical, after the footing and foundation inspections and before insulation and drywall cover.

Talk to Us About Your Project

Tell us which walls, beams, or posts are changing, and whether the project touches the foundation. We will identify what needs an engineer letter or full structural plans, confirm the governing code edition, and sequence the framing work against Longmont’s rough inspection.