Arvada, CO Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Sit-Lie Rules (2026)

Adopted by Ordinance No. 4838 § 2 on March 20, 2023, § 62-52(a)(1) defines "obstruct" to mean rendering a passageway "impassable or ... unreasonably inconvenient or hazardous," and specifically includes "to place furniture or other personal property upon a passageway unless incidental to the lawful use of the passageway," as well as standing in a crosswalk longer than reasonably necessary to cross. Section 62-52(a)(2) defines "passageway" broadly to cover "an alley, building entrance, public elevator or entrance to a public elevator, sidewalk, stairway, stairwell or stairwell landing, railway, creek, creek bank or other waterway, or any other public place used for the passage of persons, vehicles, or conveyances." Section 62-52(b) makes it unlawful to "intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly" obstruct a passageway, whether acting alone or with others, or to "disobey a reasonable request or order to end or discontinue an obstruction" issued by a "person with authority to control the use of the premises," defined in § 62-52(a)(3) as a uniformed peace officer, EMT, paramedic, firefighter, or city employee acting in the course of their duties.

Section 62-52(c) exempts an obstruction "caused by a medical emergency," or by attendance at a "parade, festival, performance, rally, demonstration, meeting, or similar event" held under a city permit or license. Section 62-52(d) sets the penalty at a fine or imprisonment up to the limits in § 1-5.