Code Compliance

Handled by NOCO Humane:

• Barking dogs
• Off-leash animals
• Pet waste
• Animal bites

Call NOCO Humane at 970-226-3647 (extension 7).

• People noise (loud parties, idling vehicles): Call non-emergency police dispatch 970-419-3273 (extension 3).
• Construction noise: Allowed 7 a.m.-8 p.m. unless a variance is granted. Report to Code Compliance online or at 970-416-2350.

View Noise Code Sec. 20-21

• Vehicles and trailers must be parked on gravel, concrete, asphalt or similar hard improved surfaces.
• Inoperable vehicles must be kept in a garage or screened from view.

View Code Sec. 20-91

See also Trash and Recycling

Ban on Single-Use Plastic Carryout Bags

• Large retailers (grocery, convenience, liquor and department stores) may not provide plastic carryout bags to customers
• Paper bags may be provided for $0.10 each, paid by the customer
• Retailers must:
• • Remit 60% of bag fees to the City on a quarterly basis
  • Use the remaining 40% to reduce plastic use in their business operations

Ban on Polystyrene (Styrofoam®) Food Containers

• Applies to all retail food establishments
• Includes items such as polystyrene (Styrofoam®) plates, bowls, cups, trays and other food service products

Residential Trash and Recycling

Service:

• Residents must use the City-contracted hauler for trash, recycling and yard waste collection.
• Multiple trash cart sizes and price tiers must be offered.
• Recycling and seasonal yard waste service are included at no additional cost.
• Residents opting out of the City’s service must pay an opt-out fee.

Storage:

• Must be in sealed containers or bags.
• Must be stored out of view (behind the front of the house or behind a screen) on non-collection days.
• Can be set out no earlier than 12 hours before pickup.
• Must be collected within 12 hours after pickup.

Commercial and Multi-Family Recycling

• Businesses and multi-family properties must subscribe to single-stream recycling service.
• Recycling volume must be at least 33% of total waste service.
• Haulers are required to provide the minimum level of recycling service and charge accordingly.
• Customers who decline service must still pay for the required minimum unless they’ve received a City-approved variance.

Grocer Composting Requirements

• Grocery stores generating 96 gallons or more of food scraps per week must subscribe to composting service.
• Collection of food scraps must occur at least once per week.

Required Recycling – All Sectors

The following materials are required to be recycled:

• Electronic equipment
• Cardboard
• Household hazardous waste
• Construction and demolition debris, including:
• • Aggregates and concrete
  • Metal
  • Untreated wood
  • Cardboard

• Sidewalks must be cleared within 24 hours after snow stops falling
• Applies to all properties, including homes, apartments and businesses
• Ice should be treated with sand or other traction materials
• If not cleared, the City may remove snow after 48 hours and bill the property owner

Outdoor Residential Burning

• Fires must be at least 15 feet from property lines
• Must be extinguished by 10 p.m.
• Only clean, dry wood is allowed (burning leaves, branches, or other yard waste is prohibited)
• Talk with neighbors beforehand if they may be affected

Indoor Residential Burning

• Appliances installed or modified after 1991 must be EPA-certified
• Only clean, dry, untreated wood may be burned
• Burning garbage or treated wood is prohibited
• Smoke must be less than 20% opacity (barely visible) after the first 15 minutes of startup

• It’s illegal to leave a vehicle running unattended
• Trucks over 14,000 lbs may not idle for more than five minutes

Tips to reduce idling:

• Turn off your engine if idling for more than 30 seconds
• Avoid idling while waiting at train crossings or school pickup/drop-off zones
• Warm your engine by driving slowly, not by idling
• Park and go inside instead of using long drive-thru lines

Contact Police (non-emergency) at 970-419-3273 (extension 3) to report a violation while it’s occurring.

For reports of past idling, report the details through Access Fort Collins. The alleged violator will be sent an educational letter.

• Dust from construction or landscaping must not leave the property
• Sites larger than five acres must have a Dust Prevention and Control Plan on site
• Required control measures include:
• • Covering trucks hauling dirt or debris
  • Reducing speeds on unpaved roads
  • Minimizing the drop height of excavator buckets
  • Stopping work when wind speeds exceed 30 miles per hour (mph)
  • Restricting site access to authorized vehicles only
  • Locating stockpiles at a distance equal to 10 times the pile height from property boundaries

Refer to the City Council-adopted Dust Prevention and Control Manual(PDF, 3MB) for more information and guidance on developing a Dust Control Plan.

This document is provided for printing purposes. For assistance viewing or reading this document, please contact the City's ADA Coordinator via email adacoordinator@fortcollins.gov or phone: 970-416-4254.

See our Graffiti Removal webpage.

General Violations

• Days 1–2: Inspection and notice sent
• Day 8: Re-inspection
• Days 9–12: Citation or contractor may be assigned

Inoperable Vehicles

• Days 1–2: Inspection and notice
• Day 31: Re-inspection
• Day 32: Citation possible

Construction Site Dust

• Days 1-2: Inspection and notice
• Day 3: Re-inspection
• Day 4: Notice of Violation / Citation possible

Unshoveled Sidewalks

• 24 Hours After Snowfall: Inspectors patrol; courtesy warning may be issued
• 48+ hours: City may remove snow and bill property owner

If a violation remains after the deadline:

• The City may hire a contractor to fix it (snow removal, mowing, trash removal, etc.)
• Property owner is billed for the work and additional administrative fees

You Can Request:

1. An administrative review by City staff, or
2. A formal hearing before a Referee

Download the Required Forms:

• Request for Administrative Review(PDF, 336KB)
• Request for Referee Hearing(PDF, 330KB)

Completed forms can be submitted to via email or dropped off at the City's Code Compliance office: 281 N. College Ave.

These documents are provided for printing purposes. For assistance viewing or reading these documents, please contact the City's ADA Coordinator via email adacoordinator@fortcollins.gov or phone: 970-416-4254.

Some violations may result in a court summons. Fort Collins Municipal Court handles:

• Misdemeanors
• Traffic violations
• Code compliance cases

The maximum penalty is $3,000 per day of the violation and/or six months in jail. 

The City may take action on conditions that qualify as a public nuisance — anything that significantly affects public health, safety or quality of life. This can include:

• Accumulated junk or debris
• Dangerous structures or conditions
• Offensive smells or pollutants
• Overgrown vegetation

Not sure if something qualifies? Contact us at 970-416-2350 or use Access Fort Collins.

Fastest and easiest option.

• Go to CitizenAccess
• Select Code Compliance > Search Cases
• Enter your case number
• Under Payments, click View/Pay Fees
• Follow the prompts to pay

Fees:

• Credit Card: 2.75% processing fee
• eCheck: $0.50 flat fee

• Call 970-416-2350
• Available Monday-Friday, before 3:30 p.m.

• Make checks payable to: City of Fort Collins
• Write your case number on the check
• Mail or deliver to the address at the top of your invoice