Colorado's Right to Farm Act under CRS 35-3.5-102 shields agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits when they follow generally accepted practices and predate complaints.
The Colorado Right to Farm Act, codified at CRS 35-3.5-102, protects ranches, farms, and other agricultural operations from nuisance claims when they have been in operation for at least one year, comply with applicable laws, and use generally accepted agricultural practices. The protection extends to noise, dust, odors, smoke, and lights normally associated with farming. Subsequent residential development next to existing operations does not create a nuisance claim under the law. Counties must include right-to-farm disclosures in real estate transactions in many areas. Operations that change substantially may lose protection.
Right-to-farm protection is a defense rather than a penalty, but improper claims may result in dismissal of nuisance suits and award of attorney fees to farmers.
Adams County, CO
Adams County does not set its own decibel-based noise ordinance for unincorporated areas; instead, Colorado state law at C.R.S. 25-12-103 applies. In residen...
Northglenn, CO
Northglenn's Unified Development Ordinance (Article 11-4) caps single-family driveways at 40% of the lot width and 50% of the front-yard area, with no single...
Adams County, CO
In unincorporated Adams County, any fence or wall taller than 42 inches (3.5 ft) requires a building permit through the Adams County E-Permit Center. Fences ...
Adams County, CO
Adams County Ordinance No. 6 (Pet Animal Licensing and Control), updated by Resolution 2022-043 (Animal Control Code), requires dogs in unincorporated Adams ...
Adams County, CO
Only 'permissible fireworks' under Colorado C.R.S. 12-28-101(8) - sparklers, ground spinners, fountains, and snakes - are legal in Colorado. All aerial devic...
Adams County, CO
Unincorporated Adams County does not impose STR-specific parking minimums. The Development Standards and Regulations Chapter 4 off-street parking rules for t...
See how Northglenn's farm nuisance protection rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.