Longmont, CO Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Vacant lots, vacant buildings, residences
- Trigger
- City inspector infestation notice
- Deadline
- Set by inspector, case by case
- Backup enforcement
- City abatement plus county lien
Summary
Once Longmont's city inspector finds evidence of rat infestation on a vacant lot, vacant building or occupied residence, § 9.16.080 requires the owner or occupant to eradicate the rats and stop them from migrating to neighboring property.
Whenever the city inspector notifies the owner or occupant of a property that evidence of rat infestation has been found, whether it is a business building or private residence, vacant building or vacant lot; the owner or occupant shall be required to rid his or her property of rats, either by satisfactory extermination methods of his or her own or by contracting for the services of an exterminator, within a period of time prescribed by the city inspector. The owner receiving notice of an infestation shall eradicate the rats on the site and prevent their migration to adjacent properties.
(Code 1981, § 9-3-5; Code 1993, § 9.16.080; Code 2009, § 9.16.080; Ord. No. O-93-14, § 9)
Full Breakdown
Section 9.16.080 names vacant lots specifically alongside vacant buildings, private residences and business buildings: an empty parcel is not exempt from Longmont's rat control chapter. Once the city inspector gives notice of infestation, the owner or occupant must exterminate within the timeframe the inspector sets, either using their own methods or a contracted exterminator, and must keep rats from spreading to adjacent lots. Ignoring the notice shifts enforcement to § 9.16.090, where the city can eradicate the rats itself and bill the owner, with unpaid costs certified as a lien to the Boulder County or Weld County treasurer.
Violations & Fines
Failure to comply lets the city hire an exterminator under § 9.16.090 and add a 20 percent surcharge as a property lien, collected through the county treasurer like a tax bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply if my lot is empty, with no building on it?
What if I ignore the infestation notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Longmont
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Vacant Lot Maintenance in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Boulder County handle vacant lot maintenance.