HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 204, 2025-1-
ORDINANCE NO. 204, 2025
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING SECTION 20-42 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADJUSTING WEED
AND GRASS REMOVAL REQUIREMENTS
A. For many years, Section 20-42 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins
declared weeds and unmowed grasses exceeding a height of six inches to be a nuisance
and menace to the health and safety of the inhabitants of the city.
B. Staff has determined that it is in the public interest to increase the allowable
height of weeds and unmowed grasses under City Code to support pollinator species and
provide more flexibility for property owners who are unable to maintain their yards during
wetter seasons when grasses grow more quickly.
C. At the same time, maintaining aesthetic limits on the heights of weeds and
unmowed grasses helps prevent nuisance conditions within the city.
D. Staff has recommended this Ordinance to increase the maximum allowable
height for weeds and unmowed grasses under City Code Section 20-42 to nine inches.
E. This Ordinance is anticipated to reduce overall contractor costs and case
management responsibilities for the City’s Code Compliance team.
In light of the foregoing recitals, which the Council hereby makes and adopts as
determinations and findings, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS that Section 20-42 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 20-42. - Weeds, unmowed grasses, refuse and rubbish nuisances prohibited.
. . .
(c) It shall be unlawful for the owner or occupant of any property to permit weeds
to grow upon such property to a height of more than nine (9) inches.
(d) Except as is provided in Subsection (e), (f) or (g) of this Section, it is unlawful
for the owner or occupant of any property to permit grasses to grow upon such
property to a height of more than nine (9) inches; provided, however, that this
Subsection shall not be applicable to any ornamental grass so long as it is used
solely or in combination with any other ornamental grass or grasses, as a
supplement to the property's overall landscaped area and does not constitute
in square footage more than twenty (20) percent of the property's overall
landscaped area.
. . .
-2-
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading on December 2, 2025, and
approved on second reading for final passage on December 16, 2025.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk
Effective Date: December 26, 2025
Approving Attorney: Madelene Shehan
Exhibit: None