A City Code is a collection of laws established by the City Government to define standards for citizen behavior, guidelines for hazard prevention, and property maintenance requirements. Although many of these ordinances are based on state statutes, most are customized to address the specific needs and goals of the communities they serve. The Code Compliance Officer regularly inspects properties within city limits and issues warnings or notices for any violations of the City Code. If you have any questions about the Idaho Springs Municipal Code or need assistance resolving a city code violation, the officer is available to help.
If you have received a notice of violation, we encourage you to contact the City Code Enforcement Officer immediately. If you decide not to contact the Code Enforcement Officer, the City expects you to resolve the violation by the specified compliance date. Failure to comply may result in a summons, fine, or the City acting to correct the violation, with the costs billed to the property owner.
Common Parking Mistakes That Result in Tickets:
- Parking within 5 feet of a driveway, alley, or fire hydrant.
- Parking within 20 feet of or blocking a crosswalk or corner (this applies to both marked and unmarked crossings apply).
- Blocking a sidewalk.
- Occupying more than one parking space (you must park within the designated markings).
- Parking more than 12 inches from the curb.
- Parking in a loading zone without visibly loading or unloading (simply using blinkers or having an open trunk does not qualify).
- Parking in a handicapped parking space without a valid permit.
- Parking facing the wrong direction.
Dispute a Parking Ticket:
If you’ve received a parking ticket and believe it was issued unfairly, it’s important to know that neither the Police Department nor City Hall staff have the authority to dismiss tickets. However, you do have the option to dispute the ticket. To do so, you can schedule a court appearance by contacting the courtclerk [at] idahospringsco.com (Court Clerk’s) office. They will guide you through the process of setting a date and time for your hearing, where you can present your case.
Over the Phone Payment:
Please wait 5 business days after the violation date before contacting us to pay parking or traffic tickets. Parking ticket fines must be paid within 15 days of the violation date. For municipal traffic tickets, payment is required at least 3 days before your scheduled court date.
In this section, you will find a range of common code violations.
Property Owners and/or occupants are responsible for removing snow and ice from public sidewalks adjacent to their property within 24 hours of the last snow accumulation.
No items or vehicles may be placed or parked on sidewalks if they obstruct the normal flow of pedestrian traffic. Additionally, nothing should be left on the street that could hinder the normal flow of vehicular traffic, including landscaping materials, traffic cones, and similar objects.
No camping or overnight parking is permitted in Idaho Springs, and it is illegal for anyone to camp or remain in a travel trailer within the city limits.
Dead or diseased trees and shrubs must be removed to protect the health of other plants and avoid hazards to people or property.
Idaho Springs Code Chapter 16-43: Trees and shrubs Overhanging Public Rights-or-Way.
Property owners must provide adequate, well-maintained trash containers that are bear-proof and prevent leakage. This is not just a choice. It is essential for every property owner to provide adequate trash containers that are well-maintained, prevent leakage, and are designed to be bear-resistant. This practice not only enhances the cleanliness of the environment but also reflects a conscientious approach to property management. It’s a necessary responsibility to ensure a clean and welcoming environment!
Property owners and occupants must maintain their property, ensuring that all areas up to the curb or property line do not become overgrown with weeds, particularly noxious weeds, and that grass does not exceed 12 inches in height.
All vehicles located on private or public property within city limits must display current license plates and be operable, or they must be stored in a completely enclosed structure, such as a garage.
Oversized vehicles, semi-trailers, and commercial trailers are prohibited from parking on public property except for the specific purpose of making deliveries, constructing, or loading and unloading in a prompt manner within 200 feet of the destination.
It is prohibited to abandon a motor vehicle on public or private property without obtaining the owner's consent.
Idaho Springs Code Chapter 15-55:Abandoned Vehicles
Idaho Springs Code Chapter 15-56: Parking of Certain Vehicles Limited
All properties must be maintained free of litter, junk, trash, garbage, and refuse. This includes, but is not limited to, appliances, furniture, motor vehicle parts, boxes, cans, used lumber, and spare tires. Discarded refrigerators, washers, dryers, and other appliances may not be stored in accessible areas such as yards, lots, carports, or residential garages.
Storage is not permitted in the front yard, on the front porch, or in the driveway of any residence. Any storage on other parts of the property must be shielded from public view.
Idaho Springs Code Chapter 16-32: Junkyards and Dumping Grounds
All properties with dogs, chickens, ducks, geese, or other animals must be kept free of excrement and any other odorous materials, as these are considered nuisances.
Any noise complaints regarding animals on a property are also classified as a nuisance.
All dogs off-property must be on a leash in Idaho Springs and Clear Creek County.
Property owners are responsible for promptly removing all graffiti from the exterior surfaces of their property, typically within 24 hours, unless there are extenuating circumstances. In such cases, please contact Code Enforcement.