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CODE ENFORCEMENT

What is code enforcement? Code enforcement is the systematic enforcement of the City of Fort Lupton’s maintenance and appearance code. It addresses a multitude of issues throughout the City—from eliminating trash and litter, to controlling animals at large and removing snow from sidewalks. Code enforcement is responsible for all the following issues:

ABANDONED / INOPERABLE VEHICLES
Any vehicle on a street in Fort Lupton, as well as all vehicles on private property, must be currently registered, licensed, insured and operable to be considered road-worthy. An inoperable vehicle is defined as a vehicle that is in a condition of being junked, wrecked, wholly or partially dismantled, discarded, abandoned or unable to perform the function or purpose for which it was originally constructed. Generally, an inoperable vehicle is owned and located on private property, and in order to be in compliance with the City code, such vehicles must be removed entirely from the property or completely enclosed in a garage. The police department, without notice, can immediately tow any vehicle that creates a nuisance.

ANIMAL CONTROL more...
OUTSIDE STORAGE more...
PARKING more...
SNOW / ICE REMOVAL more...
TRASH & LITTER more...
WEEDS, TREES & VEGETATION more...
YARD SALES/GARAGE SALES more...
Why have code enforcement? The City’s code enforcement officer(s), working from the Fort Lupton Police Department, patrol the City regularly looking for violations of the City’s code. In addition to complaints received by phone or by walk-in citizens at our location at 130 S. McKinley Avenue, some complaints are anonymous. The Code Enforcement Officer(s) will investigate all complaints and enforce codes once complaints are deemed valid. On validating a complaint, be it animal, code or parking, the officer will typically issue either a Notice of Violation or a Parking Citation to the occupant and/or owner of the property or vehicle. Most of the time, the problem exists simply because the owner is unaware of the provisions of the code. For an animal violation, an immediate Summons may be issued. For code violations, the violator is normally given a period of time to correct the problem, usually seven (7) days. However this is at the officer’s discretion and the violator may be issued a citation immediately if the situation dictates immediate action to be necessary. If the problem is not resolved, the officer may issue a Summons for the violator to appear in Municipal Court for an Arraignment. For a parking citation, the fines are specified on the ticket, and the violator can pay the fine to the City, or request a hearing with the court.

What penalties can the Municipal Court impose? The desired result of code enforcement is voluntary compliance with the code. While a court appearance is in no one’s best interest, the Code Enforcement Officer will not be reluctant to pursue court cases. For those cases referred to court, penalties can include up to $1000 in fines, up to 90 days in jail, or useful community service. Any combination of the above can be imposed for each day a violation exists. In addition, the judge can order the City to abate the problem at the expense of the property owner, and add an administrative fee to the actual cost of clean up.