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Parties |
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If you are planning a party, the Police Department recommends the following preparations:
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Trash |
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Trash, old furniture, appliances, car parts and other junked items that are not in a trash can are considered a public nuisance and a threat to the health and safety of the community. If your neighbor's trash is everywhere but in the trash can, talk with them first. They might not perceive it as bothersome, but would be willing to deal with it to be a good neighbor. If talking does not resolve the issue, call the Health and Safety Department at 221-6615. An inspector usually can come out within 24 hours to assess the situation and may write a warning at that point. If no action is taken by the property owner within 7 days, the City can re-inspect and either write a ticket or have the items removed, billing the property owner. In some cases, the resident could be summoned to court. |
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Yard Maintenance |
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Noxious weeds and brush piles are prohibited. Other weeds and grass can be up to 6 inches tall. If a neighbor's yard is growing out of control, talk with them. They may have some special circumstances. If the situation doesn't improve, call the Health and Safety Department at 221-6615. An inspector will come out and investigate within 24 hours, and if a problem is found, will give a 7 day warning to the owner. If after 7 days, no action has been taken by the owner, the City could choose to issue a ticket or have the property mowed and bill the owner. |
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Trees and Shrubs |
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Our city has lots of great trees and yards! Although beautiful, trees and shrubs can be hazards for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. Corners can be a particular problem. Shrubs and trees must be trimmed so that you can easily see around the corner when approaching it. This means a corner must have a clear field of vision from 2 1/2 to 8 feet above the ground. Near the sidewalk, the bottom branches of trees must be at least 8 feet high so it is easy to walk under them. If a tree hangs out over the street, the bottom branches must be at least 14 feet high for vehicle clearance. All shrubs and low growing vegetation must be kept back from the edge of the sidewalk so it is completely open. Is your neighbor's tree "trespassing" into your yard? If so, talk with your neighbor about how to handle this. You do have the right to trim their tree back to the edge of your property line as long as you do not damage the health or aesthetics of the tree. The City will maintain trees in the strips between the sidewalk and the street. Call the Forestry Department with any questions at 221-6660. |
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Snow Removal |
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Residents are required to shovel their walks within 24 hours of a snowfall. If your neighbor's walk hasn't been shoveled, take the time to talk with them. Perhaps they need some help. If the walk remains unshoveled, call the Health and Safety Department at 221-6615. The resident can either be ticketed, or billed, if the city hires someone to remove the snow. The City is not liable for blocking your driveway by snowplowing the street. However, if City crews have buried your sidewalk by snowplowing after you have already shoveled it, call the Health and Safety Division of the Streets Department at 221-6615. |
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House and Apartment Zoning |
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Some zoning districts do not allow houses to be converted into duplexes or apartments. No more than 3 unrelated persons are allowed to live in one dwelling unit. If this is a concern in your neighborhood, call the Zoning Department at 221-6760 to discuss it. |
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Cars and Parking |
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Sometimes there just aren't enough parking spaces! Especially in older neighborhoods where driveways for individual homes may not exist. Talk with your neighbors to see if you can work out a parking plan that is mutually agreeable. It isn't illegal for someone to park in front of your home, because the street is public property. Currently it is not illegal to park an operable motor vehicle in a private front yard. On the other hand, it is illegal to store an unsheltered inoperable or unlicensed motor vehicle on private property for more than 30 days. Call the Streets Department with questions about this at 221-6615. If a car is parked on the street in one place for more than 72 hours, or if it is parked facing the wrong way, or blocking a driveway, it may be ticketed and towed at the owner's expense. Call the Police Department at 221-6540. |
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Speeding and Traffic |
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These are major issues for most Fort Collins neighborhoods! We forget that while we may be in a hurry to get home, we are speeding through someone's neighborhood to get there. The speed limit in all unmarked neighborhoods is 25 mph, and is enforced in a variety of ways. Citizens can check out a radar gun to monitor speed in their neighborhoods. The City now uses speed cameras as well as radar detection by a police officer. If you have a problem with speeding or other traffic issues in your neighborhood, contact Traffic Engineering at 221-6842 to discuss some possible solutions. |
