Moving to Centennial, CO?

Centennial regulates construction noise through its general noise ordinance and building regulations under Chapter 18. Construction activities are generally permitted during daytime hours consistent with Colorado state noise limits. After-hours construction creating excessive noise may be cited under the noise ordinance.

Centennial's Municipal Code Chapter 10, Article 12 prohibits excessive noise that endangers personal or real property. The city relies on a general 'excessive noise' standard rather than specific decibel limits, supplemented by Colorado's state noise statute (CRS §25-12-103) which sets 55 dB daytime / 50 dB nighttime for residential areas.

Centennial's animal regulations address incessant barking as a noise disturbance that violates the peace and quiet of a neighborhood. Dogs found creating excessive noise may result in fines for the owner. Animal Services handles complaints.

Centennial's STR ordinance requires hosts to maintain general liability insurance for the rental property. The application process under Ord. 2021-O-14 calls for documentation as part of the licensing package. Standard homeowners policies typically exclude commercial STR activity, so a dedicated STR endorsement or commercial policy is generally needed.

Centennial caps short-term rental occupancy at two renters per bedroom, with a hard maximum of 8 renters per property regardless of bedroom count. Children under 16 are exempt from the per-bedroom count. Gathering size is limited to no more than twice the occupancy limit, restricting parties and events.

Centennial STR hosts must post Neighborly Renter Rules near the front door and ensure guests comply with the city's noise ordinance. The same citywide noise standards apply, and hosts are responsible for guest behavior. Repeated noise complaints may jeopardize the STR license.

Centennial administers its own sales tax and STR hosts must collect and remit applicable state and local taxes on all rental transactions. The annual STR license fee is $150 per property. Colorado's 3.9% state sales tax on accommodations applies in addition to local taxes.

Centennial's STR regulations require hosts to communicate parking expectations to guests. Standard residential parking rules apply: street parking limited to 14 days, RV/trailer parking limited to 48 hours at a time on the street. No specific STR parking mandates exist beyond general rules.

Centennial requires an active short-term rental license for all properties offering lodging for 1-29 days. The annual license fee is $150 per property with a one-time $50 application fee. Owner occupancy (185 days/year) is typically required. Ordinance No. 2021-O-14 established the licensing framework.

Recreational fire pits are permitted in Centennial when no burn ban is in effect. Fire pits must not exceed 3 feet in diameter with 2-foot maximum flame height. A 15-foot clearance from structures is required. Gas/propane fire pits are typically exempt from burn bans.

Centennial prohibits the sale of all fireworks within city limits. Only limited 'permissible fireworks' that do not explode, leave the ground, or fly through the air (sparklers, cones, snakes, fountains) may be used and possessed. All fireworks are prohibited in parks and open spaces. Maximum penalty: $1,000 per offense.

Centennial prohibits burning of trash, rubbish, construction materials, yard debris, leaves, or recyclable materials at all times. Recreational fires in approved fire pits (no larger than 3 ft diameter, 2 ft flame height) are permitted when no burn ban is in effect. Arapahoe County manages burn ban enforcement.

Centennial's Land Development Code regulates driveway design and parking surfaces. The city rejected a 2019 proposal to limit yard parking area percentages. Vehicles should not block sidewalks or encroach on public right-of-way when parked in driveways.

Centennial limits RV and trailer street parking to 48 hours at a time with at least 24 hours between parking periods. RVs must park in front of and on the same side of the street as the owner's home. A proposal to restrict RV parking on private property failed in 2019.

Centennial regulates commercial vehicle parking through the Land Development Code and Vehicles and Traffic chapter. Large commercial vehicles are generally restricted in residential areas. Specific weight and size thresholds are established in the municipal code.

Centennial approved a 14-day street parking limit for regular vehicles in residential areas. After 14 days, the vehicle must be off the street for 7 consecutive days. RVs and trailers have a separate 48-hour limit with 24 hours between parking periods.

Colorado's Good Neighbor Fence Law (CRS §35-46-112) applies in Centennial. Fences may be built on the property line with the neighbor's consent. Written notification of fence plans with a 30-day response period is recommended. Colorado has no shared-cost requirement.

Centennial's Land Development Code limits residential fences to 6 feet, with variances required for taller fences. Front yard fences must be at least 50% open (picket, split rail, wrought iron). Visibility triangles near intersections limit fences to 3 feet. Screening fences may reach 14 feet in certain districts.

Centennial requires a fence permit for all new fences and replacement fences where height, location, or materials are changing. Permits can be applied for through the city's online permitting portal. A same-for-same replacement typically does not require a permit.

Centennial's municipal code addresses animal keeping including bees under Chapter 7. Beekeeping is subject to local regulations and may require compliance with setback and nuisance standards. Colorado's statewide Bee and Bee Products Act provides the regulatory framework for apiaries.

Centennial regulates animal ownership under Chapter 7 of the Municipal Code. Colorado state law (Chapter 11, Code of Colorado Regulations) prohibits possession of native wildlife and restricts certain exotic species. Some exotic pets like bearded dragons, ball pythons, and sugar gliders are legal with proper permits.

Centennial requires dogs to be on a leash not more than 10 feet long when off the owner's property, held by a person of sufficient age and ability to restrain the animal. Dogs running at large may be impounded and owners fined. Designated off-leash dog parks are exempt.

Centennial may allow backyard chickens with limits. Roosters typically banned in residential areas. Livestock requires agricultural zoning or minimum lot size.

Centennial does not have breed-specific legislation. No dog breeds are banned. Colorado SB 04-079 provides partial preemption limiting breed-specific restrictions for insurance purposes. The city focuses on individual dog behavior and owner responsibility rather than breed bans.

Centennial enforces property maintenance standards through Code Compliance. Grass, weeds, and vegetation must be maintained at reasonable heights. Overgrown properties may receive violation notices with compliance deadlines.

Centennial residents served by Denver Water face strict drought restrictions. As of 2026, Stage 1 drought restricts outdoor watering to two days per week: even-numbered addresses on Sunday/Thursday, odd on Wednesday/Saturday. Colorado SB24-005 prohibits nonfunctional turf on commercial and common interest community property.

Centennial requires property owners to maintain trees and vegetation that do not obstruct sidewalks, streets, or sightlines. Trees overhanging public right-of-way must be trimmed to appropriate heights. The city coordinates with Arapahoe County on tree-related development standards.

Centennial does not have a citywide tree removal ordinance for private property. Property owners may generally remove trees on their own land. Development projects must comply with landscaping standards in the Land Development Code. HOA covenants may restrict tree removal.

Centennial's Land Development Code regulates signage. Home-based businesses in residential areas are generally not permitted to display commercial signs, as the business must remain incidental to residential use and not alter the neighborhood character.

Centennial encourages home-based businesses that don't negatively affect neighborhood character. A business license is required for all home-based businesses. The activity must be incidental and accessory to the residential use. Specific standards limit external impacts.

Centennial's home-based business standards require that the business not generate traffic beyond normal residential levels. Customer visits, deliveries, and employee activity must not disrupt neighborhood character or parking availability.

Centennial requires building permits for pool construction with multiple inspections. Pools must comply with the Colorado-adopted IRC including drain safety (VGB Act), electrical bonding, and barrier requirements. Property owners have premises liability for pool safety.

Centennial follows Colorado's adopted building codes requiring pool barriers. The Colorado code requires a minimum 60-inch (5-foot) barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates. Gate latches must be at least 54 inches high. Picket spacing cannot exceed 4 inches. Building permits and inspections are required.

Above-ground pools in Centennial must meet the same barrier and safety standards as in-ground pools. Pool walls may serve as part of the 60-inch barrier. Ladders must be removable or secured when not in use. Hot tub covers meeting ASTM F1346 may substitute for barriers.

Centennial regulates detached carports under Land Development Code Section 12-3-603 as accessory structures. Detached carports serving attached single-family or multifamily dwellings must be set back at least 20 feet from a building setback line on adjacent lots of a different dwelling type. General accessory structures have 5-foot rear and interior side setbacks and a 17-foot height cap.

Centennial approved ADU regulations unanimously in 2024. Interior ADUs are limited to 50% of the primary residence. Detached ADUs cannot exceed 800 sq ft. ADUs must match the primary home's design. Under HB 24-1152, owner occupancy cannot be required, and STRs in ADUs are prohibited except in PUDs.

Centennial regulates accessory structures through the Land Development Code. Small sheds typically do not require building permits but must comply with setback requirements. Structures over 50 sq ft in certain districts require screening with a 6-foot fence. HOA approval may also be needed.

Centennial permits garage conversions as a form of ADU under its 2024 ADU ordinance and Colorado HB 24-1152. Conversions require building permits and must meet residential code including 7'6" ceiling height. Under state law, cities should not require replacement parking for garage-to-ADU conversions.

Centennial participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and regulates development in FEMA-mapped flood zones. Building in the 100-year floodplain requires a floodplain development permit and compliance with elevation requirements. The city coordinates with Arapahoe County on floodplain management.