When landscaping around fire hydrants, Fort Collins Utilities and Poudre Fire Authority require:

• 3 feet of clearance around hydrants so fire crews can locate hydrants quickly and connect fire hoses.
• 15 feet of clearance above hydrants for maintenance.
• 18 inches of vertical clearance from the hydrant's base to the center of the large-cap so crews can connect fire hoses quickly and/or conduct maintenance.

Additional Guidelines

• Never paint a fire hydrant.
• Keep plants and landscaping to a minimum near hydrants.

Examples of good landscaping around hydrants:

Can you find the hydrants in the photos below? It might take you a minute.

If the fire department cannot find the hydrant quickly enough, it will take them longer to locate a viable water source in case of an emergency.

Note: If needed, City of Fort Collins Utilities and Poudre Fire Authority crews have the right to cut back landscaping to work in the area.