Landscaping Around Fire Hydrants#
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.
Did You Know?
Fort Collins Utilities is community-owned. Because of that, our customers benefit from lower rates and revenues that stay here.
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