Fort Collins, CO Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)

Fort Collins Municipal Code Sec. 20-105, in the general Municipal Code (not the Land Use Code), prohibits parking or storing any unsheltered motor vehicle, trailer or recreational vehicle (other than one motorcycle or moped) in the yard of a residential lot except to wash it, unless the vehicle belongs to the resident and sits in one of three configurations: on a portion of the lot giving direct garage access from the street; on an improved surface of asphalt, concrete, rock, gravel or similar inorganic material with a permanent border that keeps loose material off the street or sidewalk; or in a side or back yard screened by a solid fence, masonry wall or shrubbery at least six feet high.

Sec. 20-104 defines 'yard' as the open space between buildings and property lines, with the front yard running along the building's front edge to the side lot lines (the shorter frontage on corner lots). Subsection (b) separately bars parking that blocks pedestrian or vehicle traffic or sightlines at intersections or traffic-control devices. Subsection (d) caps any yard area improved after October 10, 2002 for vehicle parking at no more than 40 percent of the front yard, unless the improved area touches only a street where parking is already prohibited.

Subsection (c) declares a violation a nuisance. Sec. 20-106 lets code enforcement officers and police enter yards (excluding dwelling interiors) to affix a summons to a vehicle parked in violation, and a default judgment can enter under Sec. 19-73 if the owner never responds.