Landscaping Safely: safety: City of Fort Collins

Keep Fire Hydrants Clear

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; and
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 Fire Hydrant guidelines:

never paint a fire hydrant;
keep plants to a minimum; and
avoid hiding fire hydrants with fencing, bushes, earthen berms, rocks or other objects.

Landscaping Around Electric Meters and Other Equipment

All above-ground Fort Collins Utiltiies equipment, such as electric meters, switchgear, transformers and oval or round vaults (installed at ground level), must remain visible and accessible. The following guidelines help ensure the safety of crews and eliminate delays when restoring electric service during outages. Homeowners and businesses are required to maintain at least:

2 feet of clear space to the side and 3 feet of space to the front for electric meters and service-entrance equipment;

3 feet of clearance around oval and round vaults; and

8 feet of clearance from the front of transformers and switchgear and 3 feet of clearance to the sides and rear.

When landscaping around electrical equipment:

keep plants to a minimum;

contact Fort Collins Utilities before painting transformers or other electrical equipment; and

avoid ‘hiding’ the equipment with fencing, bushes, earthen berms or other objects.