Common Violations | Enforcing The Codes | Solution Procedures (Abatement Actions)
This home has an orderly yard.
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Rubbish, storage and junk...oh my!
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Nuisance Hotline
There is one number you can call to report a variety of neighborhood issues like ones listed here. For more info visit the webpage.
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Nuisance, PNO, & Noise Violation Maps
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 2008 Nuisance, PNO, & Noise Violations Map
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2008 Nuisance Violations Map
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2008 PNO Violations Map
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2008 Noise Violations Map
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2007-2008 Occupancy Complaint Cases Map
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This refers to how we enforce the City codes and ordinances affecting the quality of life in our neighborhoods. As a City, we want all of our citizens to be able to live happily in their homes, whether as a renter or an owner. Each one of these codes and ordinances have been established to assist in sustaining the high quality of life we appreciate in Fort Collins. We strongly suggest you take time to read each one, understand the consequences, and know how to report a violation.
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1. Abandoned or Inoperable Motor Vehicles
Inoperable vehicles (vehicles not currently licensed or incapable of operating) may not be stored on your property unless screened from public view. If you would like to report a visible inoperable vehicle on private property call Code Enforcement at 970-224-6046. If there is an inoperable vehicle on a public street please report it to Police Services at 970-221-6540. View the Code (Sec. 20-91).
2. Outdoor Storage/Rubbish
Accumulations of rubbish such as vehicle parts, appliances, discarded household items, trash, branches and yard waste cannot be stored on your property (must be properly disposed of). The unscreened storage of materials not customarily stored outdoors in residential neighborhoods is restricted, including but not limited to: tires, construction materials, and household items. Broken toys and other miscellaneous house/yard debris must be shielded from public view or disposed of. No furniture designed and manufactured for indoor use can be placed in your yard, on an unenclosed porch/patio, or on the roof. These items can be a health or safety hazard, as well as an attractive nuisance for people and animals to disturb. View the Code (Sec. 20-41 and Sec. 20-42.6).
3. Parking
Motor vehicles may be parked on any part of the property as long as the surface is improved with a material such as gravel, rock, concrete or asphalt and bordered to define the parking area. Only 40% of the front yard may be improved unless on street parking is not allowed. Parking in front of a neighbor's house is not illegal. View the Code (Sec. 20-105).
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PNO takes affect on a property when the following occurs:
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2 tickets are issued for the same code violation within 6 months or;
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3 or more separate code violation tickets are issued within 12 months or;
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5 or more separate code violation tickets are issued within 24 months
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4. Public Nuisance Ordinance (PNO) for Multiple Violations
In 2000, the Public Nuisance Ordinance (PNO) was established to remedy chronic property problems. The City considers a property a problem when city code violations occur on a regular basis annoying or disturbing others, and tickets were issued. The City considers property owners accountable for the use of their properties. After the first ticket is issued, the violator, property owner and property manager receive a letter from the City explaining the PNO consequences, and encouraging positive resolution so no additional tickets are issued. Visit the Public Nuisance Ordinance webpage.
5. Smoke/Smoking
For info regarding wood burning, visit our Air Quality Department.
For info regarding smoking tobacco, visit our Smoking Ordinance webpage.
6. Unshoveled Sidewalks
Residents are required to shovel sidewalks within 24 hours after a snowfall ends. If a sidewalk is not completely cleared of snow and the City shovels or applies ice melt, there will be a cost to the property owner. The City will shovel driveways and sidewalks if they are buried by snowplowing after residents have cleared them. If your cleared driveway or sidewalk is covered by a snowplow, report it to the Streets Department at 970-221-6615. View the Code (Sec. 24-21).
7. Occupancy Ordinance and Enforcement
For detailed information about the ordinance and its enforcement, see fcgov.com/occupancy.
8. Trash & Yard Maintenence
The City has specific codes to address trash, grass, weeds, and outdoor storage. Please familiarize yourself with the following codes so you can help keep your neighborhood looking its best. If a complaint is made, the City's Code Enforcement inspectors will investigate and if warranted, send a violation notice to the property owner and, if applicable, the tenant of the property. The owner or tenant then has 7 days to correct the violation. If not corrected, the City will provide the services to correct the violation and assess the cost to the property owner. In some cases a summons may be issued, requiring a court appearance. To report a trash or yard maintenance problem in your neighborhood call Code Enforcement at 970-224-6046. View the Code (Sec. 12-18).
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Trash Disposal
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Trash must be stored in plastic or metal cans with tight-fitting lids, or in sealed plastic bags.
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Trash containers must be stored in areas screened from view of the street.
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Trash containers can be placed out for collection no earlier than 12 hours before scheduled pickup and cannot remain there for more than 12 hours after pickup.
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Trash cannot be placed on the street or sidewalk where it can interfere with bicyclists, pedestrians and vehicles.
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Yard Maintenence
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Accumulations of rubbish such as vehicle parts, tires, scrap lumber, construction materials, old appliances, or leaves and branches in your yard also violate nuisance codes.
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No furniture designed for indoor use can be placed in your yard or on an unenclosed porch.
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Leaves and branches may be piled temporarily providing they are being gathered for disposal, but cannot remain in your yard for an indefinite period of time.
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Weeds and grass cannot exceed a height of 6 inches in yards and alleys or 12 inches in fields or undeveloped lots within city limits.
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Brush piles and noxious weeds are prohibited in all areas, as they are easily spread through the air and underground. For a list of prohibited weeds, visit the Colorado Weed Management Association.
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Enforcement Timeframe for Most Violations
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Day 1
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Complaint is filed
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Days 1-2
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Inspection is performed, letter sent
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Day 8
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Re-inspection is performed
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Days 9-12
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If needed, work performed by contractor and/or ticket issued to property owner and/or tenant
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Inoperable Vehicle Timeframe
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Day 1-2
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Complaint is filed, inspection is performed, letter sent
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Day 31
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Re-inspection is performed
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Day 32
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If needed, ticket issued to property owner and/or tenant
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Unshoveled Sidewalks
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24-48 Hours After Snow Stops
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Complaints are inspected and Inspectors drive through neighborhoods. Courtesy warning (note on door) for first-time offenders.
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48+ Hours
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Snow removal is contracted and property owner is billed.
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Our policies and procedures were developed to encourage compliance. This is achieved both proactively and through complaints from citizens.
Proactive
Each day, we inspect neighborhoods throughout Fort Collins, in an attempt to catch any violations before someone needs to complain. There are 4 Code Compliance Inspectors responsible for different areas of Fort Collins (See the City Code Inspection Map). These inspectors drive through the neighborhoods, normally Monday through Friday, observing and noting any violations of the City Codes.
Complaints
When a complaint is received, that area's Code Compliance Inspector is dispatched and will conduct an inspection within one business day of the complaint.
When There is a Violation
Upon finding a violation, a letter is sent to the property owner and a courtesy copy may be sent to the tenants and/or a property management company informing them of the violation and giving a date by which the violation must be corrected. After the correction due date, the Code Compliance Inspector will revisit the property. If the violation has been corrected, the case is closed. If the violation has not been corrected, the City will resolve the problem with an abatement action.
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Downloads
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Request for Referee's Review
Complete this request form. You have several options to get it to us, please visit our contact page.
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Assessment and Abatement Review Policies and Procedures
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When a Violation is Not Corrected
When the second or follow-up inspection fails, the solution or abatement usually means a contractor is hired to correct the problem (i.e. remove the snow and ice, mow down the weeds, remove the trash, etc.) and the property owner will be billed for the work, along with associated inspection fees. If you feel the solution (abatement) was in error, you can request a Referee’s Review. Once the Referee enters a judgment, the property owner will receive word of that determination. You should be prepared to pay the full amount of judgement (if any) including fees/costs at the time the Referee enters judgement. Unpaid bills will be turned over to a collection agency.
Municipal Court
In some cases, a summons to Municipal Court is issued to the property owner and/or a tenant. The Fort Collins Municipal Court is responsible for administering the operations of the judicial branch of City government according to the ordinances adopted by City Council. Cases adjudicated in Municipal Court include misdemeanors and traffic violations. Generally, cases are brought to Municipal Court by Fort Collins Police Services, Colorado State University Police Department, Larimer Humane Society, City Attorney and other City departments. The fine schedule is set and periodically updated by the Municipal Judge. For municipal violations, the maximum penalty is $1000 and/or 6 months in jail. For the current fine schedule and contact information, visit the Municipal Court website.
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