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Arvada, CO Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
§18-482 (IPMC §111.2)
Listed categories
11 named violation types
Appeal body
Board of adjustment (not building board)
Notice rule
Written notice required, §18-473

Summary

Arvada's property maintenance code names a specific set of the most-cited violations, from weeds and inoperable vehicles to vacant structures, graffiti, and rubbish accumulation. Section 18-482 lists these categories because they follow their own appeal track to the board of adjustment rather than the general building code advisory board.

(A) The following violations are exclusively appealable to the board of adjustment subject to those limitations as set forth in Section 111.1:

301.3Vacant Structures and Land;302.1Misc. Standing/Stagnant Water;302.3Sidewalk/Driveway Maintenance;302.3.1Parking Lots/Potholes;302.4Weeds/Noxious Weeds;302.7Maintenance of Fences;302.8Inoperable/Unlicensed Vehicles;302.8Vehicle Repairs on Street;302.9Graffiti;302.10Storage of Building Materials;303.1Swimming Pools-Maintenance;303.2Swimming Pool Enclosures; or308All offenses involving the Accumulation and Disposal of Rubbish and Garbage as well as its Removal.

(B) Those violations of the IPMC not listed above in subsection (A) shall be appealable to the building code advisory board subject to those limitations in section 111.1."

(Ord. No. 4738, § 12, 9-14-2020)

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: City Council Policy Manual: Supplement 1 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 67).

Full Breakdown

C. 2), and all offenses involving accumulation, disposal, and removal of rubbish and garbage (308). Every other International Property Maintenance Code violation instead goes to the building code advisory board under subsection (B). Enforcement starts with notice under Section 18-472, which routes each category to its own chapter: weeds and noxious weed nuisances follow Article V of Chapter 38, graffiti follows Article IV of Chapter 38, rubbish and garbage follow Article III of Chapter 90, and general nuisance property proceedings follow Article III of Chapter 38.

The notice itself must be in writing, describe the property, state the violation, and give a reasonable correction period under Section 18-473, and can be served personally, by certified or first-class mail, or by posting on the structure if mail is returned undelivered under Section 18-474.

Violations & Fines

Noncompliance with a correction notice on any of these listed violations is punishable under Section 18-475 by the penalty limits in Section 1-5 of the Arvada City Code, and the city may separately pursue nuisance abatement or corrective legal action under Section 18-471. Because these eleven categories are carved out of the general building code advisory board's jurisdiction, an aggrieved property owner instead appeals the notice or order to the board of adjustment, under the process referenced in Section 18-481.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as a 'common' code violation in Arvada?
Section 18-482 names eleven categories that go straight to the board of adjustment: vacant structures, standing water, sidewalk and driveway maintenance, parking lot potholes, weeds and noxious weeds, fence maintenance, inoperable or unlicensed vehicles, street vehicle repairs, graffiti, stored building materials, and swimming pool maintenance and enclosures, plus rubbish and garbage accumulation.
Where do weed and rubbish violations get appealed in Arvada?
Both are on the Section 18-482 list, so they go to the board of adjustment rather than the building code advisory board that hears most other property maintenance appeals; the underlying nuisance proceedings still follow their own chapters, Article V of Chapter 38 for weeds and Article III of Chapter 90 for rubbish and garbage.
How is a code violation notice served in Arvada?
Section 18-474 allows personal delivery, certified or first-class mail to the owner's last known address, or, if mailed notice comes back undelivered, posting a copy in a conspicuous place on the structure itself.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Arvada

All Arvada rules

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