What Colorado Springs Regulates: A Complete Ordinance Overview

Colorado Springs is a mid-sized city in El Paso County, Colorado, with about 479000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 135 ordinances across 30 categories that affect daily life in Colorado Springs.

Animal Ordinances

Wildlife Feeding: Colorado Springs strictly prohibits intentional feeding of bears, mountain lions, deer, elk, coyotes, raccoons, and foxes under City Code Chapter 6 Article 7 and Colorado Parks and Wildlife rules (CRS 33-6-131). Bird feeders must be seasonally managed (taken down April 15 through November 15) in bear country or brought in nightly to prevent attracting bears..

Also covered: Pet Limits (moderate), Breed Restrictions (permissive), Livestock (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Fence Regulations

Material Restrictions: Colorado Springs permits masonry, solid wood, and chain-link with permahedge inserts or opaque slats, but prohibits tarps, plastic sheeting, and polypropylene when visible off-site, and tightly restricts barbed wire, razor wire, and electric shock fencing..

Also covered: Permit Requirements (moderate), Fence Requirements (moderate), Pool Barriers (strict). See the full fence regulations guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Landscaping Rules

Water Restrictions: Colorado Springs has permanent year-round watering rules: sprinkler irrigation is limited to any three days per week of the customer's choosing, and from May 1 to October 15 sprinklers cannot run between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Also covered: Weed Ordinances (moderate), Rainwater Harvesting (moderate), Native Plants (permissive). See the full landscaping rules guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Noise Ordinances

Amplified Music & Events: Colorado Springs City Code section 9.8.102 makes it unlawful to operate a motor vehicle sound amplification system that creates excessive or unusually loud noise audible without a meter, with escalating mandatory fines from $75 up to $500 and forfeiture of the equipment on a third offense. General amplified noise that exceeds the section 9.8.104 dB(A) limits for the zone is also unlawful..

Also covered: Vehicle Noise (moderate), Outdoor Music (moderate), Industrial Noise (strict). See the full noise ordinances guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Parking Rules

RV & Boat Parking: City Code prohibits parking a recreational vehicle on any public right-of-way (street, alley, or roadway) longer than the time needed to load or unload, citywide; violators face tickets and impoundment. On private residential property, RVs and boats must be stored in a side or rear yard or on a driveway set back at least ten feet from the sidewalk, on an improved surface..

Also covered: Street Parking Limits (moderate), Overnight Parking (moderate), EV Charging (permissive). See the full parking rules guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Night Caps: Non-owner-occupied short-term rentals in Colorado Springs are capped at 185 rental nights per calendar year under City Code Chapter 7 Article 5. Owner-occupied STRs have no annual night cap.

Also covered: Occupancy Limits (moderate), Insurance Requirements (moderate), Registration Rules (strict). See the full short-term rentals guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Environmental Rules

Stormwater Management: Colorado Springs City Code Section 7.4.701 and the Stormwater Criteria Manual (SCM) impose comprehensive stormwater management requirements for all development and redevelopment. The city operates under a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit from CDPHE.

Also covered: Erosion Control (strict), Coastal Development (permissive), Flood Zones (strict). See the full environmental rules guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Tree Protection

Tree Ordinances: Colorado Springs regulates street trees and public park trees under City Code Chapter 13 Article 2 but does not comprehensively regulate private-property trees on single-family lots. Permits are required to plant, prune heavily, or remove trees in the public right-of-way (typically the strip between sidewalk and curb).

Also covered: Heritage & Protected Trees (permissive), Tree Removal Permits (moderate), Tree Replacement Requirements (moderate). See the full tree protection guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Fire Regulations

Brush Clearance: Colorado Springs imposes strict defensible space requirements under the Wildfire Mitigation Program, mandating 30 to 100 feet of vegetation management around structures in designated Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) zones. Zone 1 (0 to 5 feet) must be non-combustible, Zone 2 (5 to 30 feet) must have thinned and limbed vegetation, and Zone 3 (30 to 100 feet or to property line) requires reduced fuel loads..

Also covered: Smoke Detectors (moderate), Backyard Fires (moderate), Wildfire Zones (strict). See the full fire regulations guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Home Business

Home Daycare: Home-based childcare in Colorado Springs requires state licensing through the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. Family childcare homes (up to 6 children under 13, including provider's own) and large family childcare homes (up to 12 children with qualified assistant) have separate licensing tracks.

Also covered: Cottage Food Operations (moderate), Home Occupation Permits (moderate), Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate). See the full home business guide for Colorado Springs for details.

HOA Rules

Assessment & Dues: Colorado HOAs may levy regular and special assessments under CCIOA (CRS 38-33.3-315 and 316) with protections for owners. The 2022 HOA reform law (HB 22-1137) caps late fees at 25 dollars or 5 percent of the overdue amount, requires 30-day notice before assessment lien filing, mandates payment plans for delinquent owners, and restricts foreclosure to assessments of at least 6 months delinquent or 2,500 dollars owed..

Also covered: Board Procedures (moderate), Dispute Resolution (moderate), Architectural Review (moderate). See the full hoa rules guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Street Vending

Vendor Permits: Street vending in Colorado Springs requires a mobile vendor license from the City Clerk under City Code Chapter 7 Article 8, plus Colorado sales tax registration and El Paso County Public Health Department licensing for food vendors. Annual fee is 150 dollars for the mobile vendor license.

Also covered: Vending Zones (moderate), Cart & Stand Rules (moderate). See the full street vending guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Outdoor residential pools and spas in Colorado Springs must be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching, outward-opening gates, under the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) Section 305 enforced by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department..

Also covered: Pool Permits (moderate), Hot Tub Rules (moderate), Safety Rules (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Filming & Production

Production Noise: Film production noise in Colorado Springs is subject to the general noise ordinance (City Code Chapter 9 Article 8) unless the film permit specifically authorizes elevated levels. Permits can waive residential decibel limits for limited windows, typically 7 AM to 10 PM, with neighborhood notification required 72 hours before filming and hard stops enforced..

Also covered: Location Permits (moderate). See the full filming & production guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Accessory Structures

Tiny Homes: Tiny homes on foundations in Colorado Springs must comply with the full International Residential Code as adopted, including a minimum 120-square-foot habitable room under IRC Appendix Q (tiny house appendix) where adopted. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) are treated as recreational vehicles and cannot be permanently occupied as primary residences in most residential zones..

Also covered: Carport Rules (moderate), ADU Owner Occupancy (permissive), ADU Rental Restrictions (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Time Restrictions: Colorado Springs does not impose specific hourly time restrictions for garage sales beyond general noise ordinance compliance. Sales typically operate during reasonable daytime hours, generally between 7:00 AM and sunset.

Also covered: Frequency Limits (moderate), Garage Sale Permits (permissive). See the full garage & yard sales guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: Colorado Springs bans recreational marijuana dispensaries. Voters rejected recreational sales in a 2017 ballot measure, and the city has maintained the ban.

Also covered: Home Cultivation (moderate). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Light Trespass: Colorado Springs regulates light trespass through its outdoor lighting standards and nuisance provisions. Outdoor lighting on commercial and multi-family properties must be directed downward and shielded to prevent light spillover onto adjacent properties.

Also covered: Dark Sky Rules (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Solar panel installations in Colorado Springs require a building permit through the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD). Residential rooftop solar systems must meet structural, electrical, and fire code requirements.

Also covered: HOA Restrictions (moderate). See the full solar energy guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Outdoor Cooking

Outdoor Kitchen Permits: Built-in outdoor kitchens in Colorado Springs require building, gas, electrical, and plumbing permits through the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD). Structures must comply with UDC § 7.4 accessory structure setbacks (typically 5 ft side, 15 ft rear).

Also covered: BBQ & Propane Rules (moderate), Smoker Rules (moderate). See the full outdoor cooking guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Holiday Decorations

Holiday Light Rules: Colorado Springs has no city ordinance setting installation dates, removal deadlines, or brightness limits for residential holiday lights. Amplified outdoor audio must comply with City Code Ch.

Also covered: Inflatable Display Rules (permissive), Lawn Ornament Rules (permissive). See the full holiday decorations guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Colorado Springs requires door-to-door solicitors and peddlers to obtain a solicitor's permit from the city before going door-to-door. Applicants must undergo a background check and carry their permit visibly while soliciting.

Also covered: No-Knock Registry (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: Colorado Springs regulates building setbacks through the Unified Development Code (UDC), Table 7.4.2.E and related sections. Setback requirements vary by zone district.

Also covered: Structure Height Limits (moderate), Lot Coverage Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Rental Property Rules

Rent Control: Colorado Springs does not have rent control or rent stabilization ordinances. Colorado state law (C.R.S.

Also covered: Just Cause Eviction (permissive), Rental Registration (moderate). See the full rental property rules guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Sign Regulations

Political Signs: Colorado Springs allows political signs on private property without a permit under the Unified Development Code sign regulations. Political signs are considered noncommercial speech and are protected under both the First Amendment and Colorado state law.

Also covered: Garage Sale Signs (moderate), Holiday Displays (permissive). See the full sign regulations guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Property Maintenance

Property Blight: Colorado Springs aggressively enforces property blight and nuisance conditions through the Neighborhood Services Division. Common violations include accumulation of junk, debris, and trash on property; abandoned or inoperable vehicles; overgrown weeds and grass exceeding 10 inches; deteriorated structures; and illegal dumping.

Also covered: Trash Bin Storage (moderate), Garage Sale Rules (moderate), Vacant Lot Maintenance (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Trash & Recycling

Pickup Rules & Schedules: Colorado Springs operates a privatized trash collection system where residents must contract with a licensed private hauler for pickup service. The city does not provide municipal trash collection.

Also covered: Bin Placement Rules (moderate), Bulk Item Disposal (moderate), Recycling Requirements (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: Recreational drone operation in Colorado Springs is heavily restricted due to the presence of multiple military installations including Fort Carson Army Post, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, and the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Also covered: Commercial Drones (strict). See the full drone rules guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Food trucks operating in Colorado Springs must obtain a Mobile Vendor License from the city and a food service license from El Paso County Public Health. Vehicles must pass health department inspections and comply with all food safety regulations.

Also covered: Vending Zones (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Colorado Springs for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Colorado Springs enforces a juvenile curfew under the city code. Minors under 18 are prohibited from being in public places during curfew hours without a parent, guardian, or authorized adult.

Also covered: Park Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for Colorado Springs for details.

What to Do With This Information

Whether you are renting, buying, or renovating in Colorado Springs, knowing the local rules upfront saves headaches later. Dig into the individual ordinance pages linked above for the complete picture, including fines and exemptions.