Lakewood, CO Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)

Composting itself is legal inside Lakewood city limits in Jefferson County. Municipal Code Section 9.80.010 defines 'compost' as 'the mixing of shredded and decayed organic matter with soil for the purpose of fertilizing and conditioning soil to support plant growth.' The line the code draws is nuisance, not the pile itself. Section 9.80.170(A), inside Chapter 9.80 'Abatement of Nuisances,' declares it unlawful to maintain a compost pile or spread compost in a manner that injures or endangers the public's comfort, health or safety, expressly naming strong offensive odors and the presence of mice, rats, or other vermin as examples of that harm.

Enforcement runs through the Police Department's Code Enforcement Unit, headed by the Code Enforcement Supervisor. Under Sections 9.80.050 and 9.80.080, the city posts written notice on the property and mails a copy to the owner of record shown on the Jefferson County tax rolls; the nuisance must be abated, or a written appeal filed with the Code Enforcement Supervisor, within seven days of posting, and any timely appeal is heard within 30 days per Section 9.80.080(B). If the pile is not abated and no appeal is filed, Section 9.80.050 authorizes the Code Enforcement Supervisor to remove or abate it and assess the cost as a lien on the property under Section 9.80.090, or to issue a show-cause order returnable before the Lakewood Municipal Court under Section 9.80.060.

A Municipal Court nuisance order is final and can be appealed only to Jefferson County District Court under Colorado Rule of Civil Procedure 106(a)(4). Because Lakewood is a home rule city, this is a local nuisance standard, not a state odor statute, and it applies the same way in every zone district.