Boulder County, CO Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing code
- Land Use Code Article 14
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Boulder County
- State authority
- C.R.S. 30-15-401
- Abatement time
- Ordinarily 30 days
- Inspection fee
- Up to 5% of abatement cost
Summary
Article 14 of the Boulder County Land Use Code bans rubbish, junk, garbage and inoperable vehicles on unincorporated land when they cause a public hazard or nuisance. The county can order removal and, on failure, abate the property at the owner's cost.
Rubbish: Garbage, trash, and junk including, but not limited to, unwanted or discarded household items; waste from building construction, remodeling, and repair; ... motor vehicle parts or tires, or abandoned, unlicensed, or inoperable motor vehicles ... which causes or is likely to cause a public hazard or nuisance.
Full Breakdown
Boulder County regulates blight on unincorporated land through Article 14 (Rubbish, Weeds & Brush, & Unsafe Structure), adopted under C.R.S. 30-15-401. 'Rubbish' includes discarded household items, construction waste, yard waste, motor-vehicle parts or tires, abandoned or inoperable vehicles, packaging, and any unsightly material likely to cause a public hazard or nuisance. Industrial parcels of 10+ acres and active agricultural land are exempt. Enforcement is complaint-based: the Director verifies the violation, gives written notice (ordinarily 30 days to abate), and allows an appeal to the Board of County Commissioners. Inside cities like Boulder or Longmont, the city's own code applies instead.
Violations & Fines
Owner ordinarily gets 30 days to abate. If not, the county obtains a court warrant and removes the rubbish, billing the owner plus up to a 5% inspection fee; unpaid bills add a 10% penalty via the tax rolls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this cover my property inside Boulder city limits?
Is an inoperable car in my yard a violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boulder County
Compare Boulder County to another location·View the Colorado property maintenance overview
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