The Community Planning & Permitting Department is responsible for enforcing Building Code, Noxious Weed, Rubbish, and Zoning regulations in unincorporated Boulder County, not in cities or towns.
Boulder County code enforcement is complaint driven. Once a complaint is received, staff will investigate by researching parcel information and conducting a site visit. Code compliance staff will not enter private property without prior consent from the landowner. If a violation exists, the County will contact the property owner with the necessary steps to abate the violation.
You may email us with a specific address, parcel number, or legal description at Ask a Planner Form. You may also call our office at 303-441-3930.
Yes, as the owner of the property you are responsible for correcting any code violations associated with the property.
In the majority of cases, the landowner voluntarily corrects the zoning violation(s) by getting a building permit, removing the weeds or rubbish, or otherwise abating the violation. Code compliance staff may work with a landowner to establish an abatement schedule if the violation will take an extended period of time to correct. Occasionally, cases are referred to the County Attorney and/or court for final resolution.
No. Code violation cases begin when a complaint is received from the public or when a matter is referred to code compliance staff during a land use process such as Site Plan Review. In some cases staff will perform an investigation without a complaint if there are immediate health and safety concerns evident.
Please view the Land Use regulations regarding Marijuana Licensing.
Grading involving more than 50 cubic yards of dirt requires a Grading Permit. It also requires review through the Site Plan Review Waiver process. Movement of more than 500 cubic yards requires Limited Impact Special Review. Please contact our office to schedule a pre-application meeting if your grading project will exceed 50 cubic yards. Grading associated with agriculture, permitted mining activities, and permitted foundational construction are exempt from these provisions.
Boulder County’s Noxious Weed List can be found on the Boulder County Noxious Weed List publication.
Yes. It is the duty of all property owners to implement a noxious weed management plan using integrated methods, if the weeds are likely to be materially damaging to the land of neighboring landowners.
You can visit the Boulder County Noxious Weeds and Invasive Species Management on Open Space webpage for more noxious weed information.
For assistance in creating a Noxious Weed Management Plan, please contact Steve Sauer, County Noxious Weed Coordinator, at 303-678-6110 or ssauer@bouldercounty.gov.
Cars must be licensed, operable, and owned by the individual(s) who reside on the property. Any unlicensed or inoperable vehicle is considered rubbish. Storage of any vehicle that is not owned by the individual(s) who reside on the property is prohibited. Cars may not be used for storage.
All items stored outdoors must meet the Outdoor Storage requirements of Article 4 of the Boulder County Land Use Code.
Yes, properties that are 2½ acres or smaller are required to be maintained in harmony with generally accepted neighborhood aesthetics. This includes keeping grasses, shrubs and brush cut to less than 9 inches in height. For issues concerning properties inside city limits, please contact the Municipality Contacts Within Boulder County.
Boulder County Code Enforcement
PO Box 471
Boulder, CO 80306
Phone: 303-441-3930
