Quality of Life Concerns

Rules

1215 – Parking in Residential Districts

No person shall park in a residential district on any surface other than a driveway or other approved parking area or on that portion of the street where parking is permitted. No person shall park immediately in front of a home that is not their own residence for more than five (5) hours. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the private enforcement of any private covenant within any residential district as between parties to such private covenant.

Recommendation

• Park in driveway, designated parking spots on within the boundary lines of your own residence.
• Avoid parking on non-improved surfaces, laws or other non-traditional location.
• Assist your guests with possible parking locations
• Speak to your neighbors about having longer-term guests parking in the neighborhood while being considerate of potential space limitations.
• Consider the implications of parking large vehicles, campers or trailers within residential areas for extended periods of time.

Associated Fines and Penalties

• Verbal warnings
• Parking tickets
• Vehicle towing for repeated or egregious violations.

Animal Complaints

Rules

Section 4-2003. Maximum Number of Household Pets

Unless a hobby breeder license has been obtained , no person shall own, keep, possess, harbor or maintain within the city on a single residential property or within a single residential unit more than four (4) dogs or cats or combination thereof over the age of six (6) months.

Recommendations

Owners be aware of when your animals are becoming a nuisance. A potential alternative is to bring your animals inside your residence.

Section 4-2004. Disturbance

• No owner of any animal or animals shall allow such animal or animals to disturb the peace and quiet of any person by making audible sounds, including without limitation barking, howling, yelping, whining, or squawking, where such audible sound is:
• Plainly audible beyond the premises on which the animal is kept;
• Persistent, frequent or habitual, provided persistence shall be presumed if continued for more than ten (10) minutes at any time; and
• Made without provocation.
• No summons shall be issued for a violation of this section unless:
• A written warning was served by a police officer or animal control agent for the premises or animal in question within the twelve (12) months preceding the offense, provided the warning shall have been personally served on the owner of the animal, a person over the age of eighteen (18) present on the property, or posted on the property); and
• The summons is signed by a police officer or animal control agent who personally witnessed the violation or based upon either (1) the signed, written complaints of at least two (2) witnesses from separate households who witnessed the violation and are willing to testify at trial; or (2) the signed, written complaints of at least one (1) witness who witnessed the violation and is willing to testify at trial and other competent evidence that would be admissible at trial to prove a prima facie case of a violation of this section.
• No person shall be convicted for a violation of this section unless:
• At least two (2) witnesses from separate households having firsthand knowledge testify at trial as to all elements of the violation;
• A city agent who witnesses firsthand the violation of this section and at least one (1) witness having firsthand knowledge testifies at trial as to all elements of the violation; or
• At least one (1) witness having firsthand knowledge testifies at trial as to all elements of the violation and other competent evidence is admitted at trial to prove a prima facie case of a violation of this section.

(d) This section shall not apply to animal hospitals or clinics engaged in providing medical treatment to animals.

Recommendations:

Owners be aware of when your animals are becoming a nuisance. A potential alternative is to bring your animals inside your residence.

Section 4-2005. Animals at large; damage to property

• No owner of any animal shall fail to keep such animal on the premises of the owner unless such animal is under the control of the owner under one (1) of the following conditions:
• The animal is on a leash, cord or chain no longer than ten (10) feet in length, held by a competent person who is:
• Physically able to control the animal; and
• Maintaining physical control of the animal.
• Within a vehicle, or similarly physically confined to ensure that the animal will not escape, and without access to passersby.
• It is unlawful for the owner of any animal to permit such animal, whether running at large, to destroy, damage or cause injury to any shrubbery, plants, flowers, grass, lawn, fence or other property whatsoever upon any public or private premises not owned or occupied by the owner of such animal.
• This section shall not apply to dogs running off leash within the physical confines of an area designated by the city as an off-leash dog park site. It shall be an affirmative defense to this section that the animal was contained entirely upon private property with the consent of the person in lawful possession of such property.

Recommendations

This is Commerce City’s version of a “leash law”, this includes all public and publicly accessible parks.

Associated Fines and Penalties:

Verbal Warning, Written Warning, Citation (Mandatory Court Appearance)

Section 4-2008. Prohibited and Regulated Animals

• It is unlawful for any person to own, keep, possess, harbor or maintain within the city any vicious animal. This prohibition shall not apply to any animal being transported in a securely confined manner through the city to a destination outside the city.
• It is unlawful for any person to own, keep, possess, harbor or maintain within the city any dangerous animal except in accordance with the conditions established by this chapter and any additional conditions imposed by the municipal court. This prohibition shall not apply to any animal being transported in a securely confined manner through the city to a destination outside the city.
• With the exception of livestock or as otherwise expressly set forth in this code, it is unlawful for any person to own, possess, harbor, sell or in any manner traffic in any animal that is not a domestic animal, except when in transit through the city to a destination outside the city.
• Except when in transit through the city, no person shall own, keep, possess, harbor or maintain any livestock within the city except when such use is allowed by the applicable zoning ordinance.
• In addition to the requirements of this chapter, Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs may be kept within the city only as follows:
• At a farming operation zoned for agriculture purposes;
• At a veterinarian hospital;
• At an educational facility licensed by the State of Colorado;
• At a commercial enterprise licensed as a pet shop; or
• On any single parcel of property under the following conditions:
• Not more than one (1) such animal shall be kept on any single parcel of property;
• Such animal shall be domesticated;
• Such animal shall not exceed seventy (70) pounds in weight; and
• Such animal shall be spayed or neutered by six (6) months of age.

Recommendations:

Understand your specific zoning before buying any animals that could constitute as prohibited or livestock.

Associated Fines and Penalties:

Mandatory Court Appearances

Section 4-2009. Guard Dogs

• It is unlawful to place or maintain on any premises any animal that has been specifically trained to attack for the protection of persons or property unless the animal is under complete and absolute control of the owner, or under the following conditions:
• Such animal is physically confined to the premises;
• Adequate safeguards exist to prevent entry thereto by children or accidental or unintentional entry by any person; and
• The premises is conspicuously posted with warning signs bearing letters not less than two (2) inches in height declaring the danger at every door, gate or entrance thereto and at intervals of every one hundred (100) feet of fenced enclosure.
• No vicious animal or dangerous animal shall be used as a guard dog.
• Any animal kept in violation of this section may be seized and impounded by an animal control agent.

Section 4-2010 Animal Attacks

• It is unlawful for any person to own, keep, possess, harbor or maintain within the city any animal that, without provocation, attacks a person or domestic animal, thereby causing physical injury or serious physical injury to that person or domestic animal.
• It is unlawful for any person to negligently or willfully cause, instigate, encourage or promote any animal to threaten, attack, attempt to bite or bite any person or other animal within the city.
• The owner of any animal that has been reported to have attacked a person thereby causing physical injury shall:
• Advise the animal control agent of such event within twenty-four (24) hours; and
• On demand of an animal control agent produce such animal for impoundment pending a hearing as described in this chapter.
• Exceptions. No violation of this section shall be found to have occurred solely based on any the following circumstances:
• The animal was being used by a law enforcement officer while engaged in the performance of law enforcement duties;
• At the time of a behavior or attack against a domestic animal, such domestic animal was at large and entered upon the property of the alleged attacking animal's owner and the behavior or attack began on such property;
• At the time of a behavior or attack against a domestic animal, such domestic animal was in the process of biting or attacking the alleged attacking animal or its owner or any other person.
• At the time of a behavior or attack against a person, the person was committing or attempting to commit a criminal offense against the alleged attacking animal's owner or upon such owner's property;
• At the time of the behavior or attack against a person, the person tormented, provoked, abused or inflicted injury upon the alleged attacking animal in such a manner that resulted in the threat, behavior or attack;
• At the time of a behavior or attack against a person a domestic animal, the person or domestic animal entered into or upon a fenced or enclosed portion of the premises upon which the alleged attacking animal was kept or upon any automobile or other vehicle parked or stored upon the premises; or
• At the time of a behavior or attack against a person, the person was attempting to capture the alleged attacking animal in the absence of the owner or attempting to stop an animal fight involving the alleged attacking animal.

Recommendations:

Please report animal attacks even if they occur within the home so that the incident is documented, and appropriate precautions can be taken

Associated Fines and Penalties

Mandatory court appearance

Section 4-3000. Vaccination and Testing

• Rabies. No person shall keep or possess within the city any dog, cat, or ferret that has not been vaccinated against rabies or for which proof of such vaccination is not provided.
• Every owner of a dog, cat, or ferret six (6) months of age or older shall have such animal vaccinated against rabies. Such vaccination shall be re-administered prior to the manufacturer's listed expiration date for the vaccine use.
• Any person moving into the city shall comply with this section within thirty (30) days after having moved into the city. If a dog, cat, or ferret has inflicted a bite on any person causing an abrasion of the skin or on another animal within the last ten (10) days immediately preceding the date of moving into the city, the owner shall report such fact to a veterinarian and no rabies vaccine shall be administered until after the ten-day observation period.
• The owner shall cause to be attached to the collar or harness of the vaccinated dog, cat, or ferret a metal tag serially numbered to correspond with the vaccination certificate number and bearing the year of issuance. The owner shall ensure that such tag is worn by the dog, cat, or ferret at all times.

ATVs/Go-Karts & Golf Carts

Section 11-2100. Motorized devices on public property

• Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following words shall have the meaning ascribed to them herein:

All-terrain vehicle or ATV means a motorized flotation-tired vehicle riding on no less than three (3) but no more than six (6) low-pressure tires having an engine displacement of at least one hundred (100) but less than one thousand two hundred (1,200) cubic centimeters, and total dry weight of less than one thousand two hundred (1,200) pounds.

Motorized device means any mechanism intended for the transport of one (1) or more persons that is operated by means other than human or animal power, such mechanism not meeting the lighting, engine capacity, and/or safety feature requirements for licensing as a motor vehicle in the State of Colorado.

Public property means all lands, sidewalks, trails, parking lots or other properties owned, leased or otherwise operated by the city, excluding streets and highways.

• Prohibition. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motorized device upon any public property unless the public property has been specifically designated for such use.
• Exemptions. Exempt from the prohibition of this section are the following:
• Motorized devices that are designed, intended, and being used for the conveyance of a disabled person.
• Golf carts operated within the confines, or on public property within one (1) mile, of the Buffalo Run Golf Course.
• Any motorized device authorized by the city manager.
• ATVs operated on a public sidewalk for the limited purpose of snow removal, provided the following requirements are met:
• The landowner adjacent to the sidewalk on which the ATV is operated has granted permission;
• A snow removal device is attached to the ATV;
• The operator of the ATV is sixteen (16) years of age or older;
• There is one (1) or more illuminated yellow lights, which are flashing or rotating and visible for three hundred sixty (360) degrees, displayed on the ATV;
• The engine displacement of the ATV is no more than eight hundred (800) cubic centimeters and the ATV total dry weight is less than six hundred (600) pounds;
• The ATV's headlights are on at all times and not obstructed by the attached snow removal device;
• The operator is actively engaging in snow removal on the property and not exceeding a speed of five (5) miles per hour; and
• The operator of the ATV yields the right-of-way to any pedestrian, bicyclist, or motor vehicle approaching on the street, sidewalk, or alley.

Recommendations:

Review local restrictions on all-terrain vehicles, golf carts and go-carts prior to operating the vehicles within Commerce City. Most of the vehicles categorized here are NOT permitted on the public roadway.

Associated Fines and Penalties:

• Verbal warnings
• Parking tickets
• Vehicle towing for repeated or egregious violations.

Speeding Issues

11-1202 (H)(3). High Traffic Hazard Routes

• The city may designate streets and highways within its jurisdiction as high traffic hazard routes based upon relevant factors, including, but not limited to, history of traffic accidents, history of traffic violations, or conditions on the street or on adjacent property that might contribute to causing hazards, such as limited sight distance, side street traffic, pedestrian traffic, construction area, school zone, truck traffic, number of driveways opening onto the street or other hazardous conditions.
• Upon designation of a street or highway or portion thereof as a high traffic hazard route, the city shall erect or place an appropriate sign in a conspicuous place immediately preceding the commencement of a high-traffic hazard route notifying the public that increased penalties for traffic violations are in effect in such zone. A second sign shall be erected after such zone indicating that the increased penalties for traffic violations are no longer in effect.
• Any person who commits a moving traffic violation in a designated high-traffic hazard route shall be subject to twice the fine that would otherwise be imposed High hazard routes shall be designated pursuant to Resolution of City Council.

This is a separate charge and an “Enhancer” to violations in the areas.

The enhancer does make it a mandatory court no matter the initial charge.

The “High Traffic Hazard Routes” are the following:

Zone 1. Highway 2 E. 72nd Ave. – E. 79th Ave.

Zone 3. Highway 2 E. 88th Ave. – E. 95th Ave.

Zone 2. Tower Road E. 81st Ave. – E. 87th Ave.

Zone 4. Tower Rd E. 96th Ave. – E. 103rd Ave.

Associated Fines and Penalties

Double the fine if you receive a ticket in these high traffic hazard routes.

Oversized Vehicles

Notices and Tickets

• What is a Notice?
• A “notice” is a notification that allows the owner/operator of such vehicle to take action prior to vehicle being impounded.
• A “notice” is typically given in the manner of an orange form placed on a visible part of the vehicle.
• What is a Ticket?
• A ticket is a fine for the parking infraction which will be issued to the registered owner of the vehicle.
• Parking tickets are placed on the vehicle.

11-2102 Oversized Vehicles in Residential Areas

• Parking on private property. It shall be unlawful to park, keep, or store or allow the parking, keeping, or storing of any vehicle in excess of one-ton carrying capacity, excluding pick-up trucks, recreational vehicles, motor homes, travel trailers, sport utility vehicles and camp trailers on any private property that is in a residentially zoned district or on or directly adjacent to any property which is legally used for residential purposes, regardless of the zoning, without a valid city permit. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the private enforcement of any private covenant within any residential district as between parties to such private covenant.
• Parking permit. The city manager may issue a permit to allow an oversized vehicle to park on private property that is in a residentially zoned district or that is legally used for residential purposes if the city manager determines that the parking is not detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of the neighborhood or of the general public. The city manager may impose reasonable conditions and establish a fee for such permit. The permit may be revoked by the city manager at any time.
• Violations. In the event any motor vehicle is found parked in violation of this section in excess of two (2) times within any period of twelve (12) consecutive months, the city may, in addition to any other enforcement mechanism authorized by this Code or by state law, order such vehicle be towed and dealt with as provided for a public tow of motor vehicles.

11-2105. Parking of Large Vehicles, Recreational Vehicles, and Utility Trailers

• Definitions. Terms used to describe vehicles and trailers in this section shall have the meanings provided in the Model Traffic Code as adopted and amended by this Code, except as follows.
• Large vehicle means a trailer, a truck tractor or semitrailer (laden or unladen and regardless of size), a vehicle having a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of eight thousand one (8,001) pounds or more (except for a pick-up truck or sports utility vehicle with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of fourteen thousand (14,000) pounds or less), a food truck or trailer, a tow truck or vehicle equipped to provide towing services, a bus, a farm tractor, construction equipment, or any other vehicle exceeding twenty-five (25) feet in length (including any attached gear, bumpers, racks, or similar items).
• Recreational vehicle means a camper trailer, camper coach, motor home, recreational vehicle, or trailer coach as each term is defined in the Model Traffic Code as adopted and amended by this Code; any recreational vehicle or recreational park trailer as defined in C.R.S. § 24-32-902; and watercraft (on or off trailers).
• Utility trailer means any wheeled vehicle weighing two thousand (2,000) pounds or less, without motive power, which is designed to be drawn by a motor vehicle and which is generally and commonly used to carry and transport personal effects, articles of household furniture, loads of trash and rubbish, or not to exceed two (2) horses over the public highways.
• Large vehicles, recreational vehicles and utility trailers. It shall be unlawful to park a large vehicle, recreational vehicle, or utility trailer on any public street within a residentially zoned area or on any part of a public street immediately adjacent to a lot upon which there is a residence in any zoned district.
• Exemptions. This section shall not apply to any of the following:
• Recreational vehicles or utility trailers when parked for less than a 48-hour period during a seven-day period for the purposes of loading and unloading, provided such vehicle or trailer shall not be occupied by any person while parked, after which time the recreational vehicle or utility trailer must be removed from the public right-of-way in the city for at least seventy-two (72) hours.
• Vehicles and trailers owned or used by governmental entities parked for governmental purposes;
• Between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and the later of 6:00 p.m. or sunset, a large vehicle or utility trailer while the vehicle is being used in conjunction with construction adjacent to the location of such vehicle;
• A large vehicle, recreational vehicle, or utility trailer is stopped for emergency repairs;
• A large vehicle or utility trailer being utilized as an on-call response vehicle by a public utility or for construction, operation, removal or repair of utility or public utility property or facilities or public streets and rights-of-way;
• A large vehicle or utility trailer being actively loaded or unloaded;
• A large vehicle or utility trailer for which the city has issued a license or permit for parking in such location under any other provision of this code; and
• A food truck or trailer operating pursuant to an outdoor vendor license issued under .
• No effect on private covenants. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the private enforcement of any private covenant within any residential district as between parties to such private covenant.
• Minimum fine. Any person convicted, including without limitation a plea of guilty or no contest, of a violation of any provision of subsection (b) shall be subject to a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each offense, which shall be increased to two hundred dollars ($200.00) if not paid within thirty (30) days, in addition to any other applicable penalty, fee, or cost imposed pursuant to this Code.

Fireworks

7-1008. Fireworks, Explosives, Firearms, and Missiles

• It is unlawful to possess fireworks, explosives, firearms, BB guns, pellet guns, air guns, cross bows, long bows or slingshots while upon any park property except in areas specifically authorized in writing by the city; provided, however, that persons possessing a valid permit or license to carry a concealed firearm, which license or permit was issued pursuant to applicable state or federal law, shall be allowed to possess a firearm, only in accordance with such permit, while upon park property.
• It is unlawful to discharge or use fireworks, explosives, firearms, BB guns, pellet guns, air guns, cross bows, long bows or sling shots while upon any park property except in areas specifically authorized in writing by the city.

Recommendations

• Attend local professional firework shows.
• Know that personal fireworks are only allowed in city limits on July 3-4 and Dec. 31 until 11 p.m. and on private property.
  • Only fireworks that are permissible under Colorado law are allowed in Commerce City on the dates above.

Associated Fines and Penalties

Any person convicted, including without limitation a plea of guilty or no contest, of a violation of any provision of this Code, including without limitation any edition of the International Fire Code adopted by reference, relating to the unlawful possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling, discharge or use of fireworks shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for a first offense and two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) for each subsequent offense in addition to any other applicable penalty, fee, or cost imposed pursuant to this Code, provided however, that if the offender is a juvenile, alternative penalties, such as diversion or community service may be offered in lieu of the above-referenced fines. The minimum monetary fine under this subsection shall not be suspended.

Fireworks Violation Reporting

This website's intended use is for the reporting and documenting of illegal fireworks usage complaints for future enforcement action. Please Do NOT call 911 to report illegal fireworks. It's important that we keep 911 telephone lines clear for life-threatening emergencies. You may call (303) 288-1535, the police non-emergency number, to report the use of fireworks in your neighborhood. ADCOM911 asks for your patience when calling the non-emergency number on busy nights like the Fourth of July or New Year's Eve when call volume is high.

Report Illegal Fireworks - English   Report Illegal Fireworks - Spanish

6-2011. Unreasonable Noise

• Unreasonable noise defined. Any sound of such level and duration as to be or tend to be injurious to human health or welfare, or that would unreasonably interfere with the enjoyment of life or property, is deemed unreasonable. City agents are authorized to make a prima facie determination as to whether a noise is unreasonable, which determination may be based upon, but need not be limited to, a consideration of the following factors:
• The time of day;
• The size of any gathering of persons creating or contributing to the noise;
• The neighborhood or area in which the noise is occurring;
• The presence or absence of noise amplification equipment; and
• Any other factors tending to show the magnitude and/or disruptive effect of the noise.
• Unreasonable noise prohibited. It shall be unlawful to make, continue or cause to be made or continued any unreasonable noise and no person shall knowingly permit such noise upon any premises or in or upon any vehicle owned or possessed by such person or under such person's control or operation. For purposes of this section, proof that the owner or occupant of the premises upon which the unreasonable noise occurred was present at the time of the violation shall constitute prima facie evidence that such person was in control of the premises and knowingly permitted the violation to occur.
• Exemptions. The limitations of this section shall not apply to:
• Authorized emergency vehicles;
• Construction equipment operating between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.;
• Any activity that has been authorized by the city, through the zoning process, with a specific condition authorizing the exemption or variance from the requirements of this section;
• Activities conducted or sponsored by the city;
• Church or school chimes or bells; and
• Events specifically exempted by the terms of a city permit or by the written authorization of the city manager.

Recommendations

This ordinance applies to vehicles as well, not just residences, be respectful and courteous of your neighbors to what is reasonable.

Associated Fines and Penalties

Unless indicated otherwise, a violation of any provision of this chapter shall be deemed a civil infraction and, as such, may be prosecuted in the municipal court or through the city's administrative hearing process. In either event, the city shall be required to prove the violation only by a preponderance of the evidence except when a defendant is charged with committing multiple civil infractions, as that term is used in of this Code, and incarceration is a possible penalty. In such event, the city shall be required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the violation occurred.

7-1004. Closed areas; Curfew

• It is unlawful for any person to enter into or trespass upon any enclosed areas of a park property, including, but not limited to, fenced swimming pools, tennis courts, ball fields, city trails, the Buffalo Run Golf Course and any related buildings, whenever such enclosed areas are closed to the public by locked gates, doors or barricades or where any park property, including ball fields, trails or the Buffalo Run Golf Course, is posted with a sign restricting the use of such area.
• Except for government employees engaged in official business or when specifically authorized by the city, it is unlawful for any person to be present within any park property, including any streets, parking areas, or roadways located therein between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
• Additional restrictions—Buffalo Run Golf Course.
• It is unlawful for any person to enter or remain within the boundaries of the Buffalo Run Golf Course when the golf course is open to the public unless upon arrival such person registers with staff at the golf course pro shop and such person adheres to the golf course rules, regulations and policies.
• It is unlawful for any person to enter or remain within the boundaries of the Buffalo Run Golf Course when the golf course is closed to the public.

Park Hours

5am – 10pm Sunday-Thursday

5am-11pm Friday and Saturday

Eagle Pointe Recreation Center

5am-9:30pm Monday- Friday

7am-7pm Saturday

8am-6pm Sunday

Bison Ridge Recreation Center

5am-9:30pm Monday- Friday

7am-7pm Saturday

8am-6pm Sunday

7-1010. Camping; Tents

• It is unlawful to camp overnight, or to park a trailer or camper for overnight camping purposes, on any park property without the prior authorization of the city.
• It is unlawful to camp, or to park a trailer or camper, in any designated area for a period of time in excess of the posted or permitted limits without the prior authorization of the city.
• It is unlawful for any person to erect any type of tent or other shelter or structure on any park property without the prior authorization of the city.

Recommendations:

Generally if you see individuals camping on park property contact the non-emergency line.

Associated Fines and Penalties

Verbal warnings, issuance of summons.

"Private property code violations, or "public nuisances" are handled by the City's Code Enforcement unit"

Code Enforcement | City of Commerce City, CO (c3gov.com)