Denver requires trash, recycling, and compost carts to be at the curb or alley no later than 7 AM on pickup day and returned to storage within 24 hours after collection. Carts must be spaced at least 3 feet apart and kept out of public view between pickups.
Denver Solid Waste Management (DOTI) rules require residents to place carts at the designated collection point — either the curb (front-service neighborhoods) or alley (rear-service neighborhoods) — by 7 AM on the scheduled pickup day. Carts must have lids fully closed, be spaced at least 3 feet apart from other carts, vehicles, mailboxes, fire hydrants, and utility poles, and face the pickup lane with handles toward the property. After collection, carts must be retrieved within 24 hours and stored out of view from the street or alley (DRMC §49-240 neighborhood preservation). Carts left in the right-of-way for extended periods trigger code enforcement. Downtown and high-density areas use communal dumpsters or compactors under commercial contracts. Alley neighborhoods in older parts of the city (Capitol Hill, Park Hill, Washington Park) rely on rear collection that requires clear alley access — blocking dumpsters with parked cars is a citable offense.
Carts left out beyond 24 hours: $25 to $150 warning then citation under DRMC §49-240. Blocking alleys: $50 to $200 plus towing. Repeat storage violations: escalating fines.
Denver County, CO
Denver DRMC Chapter 36 sets quiet hours 11 PM–7 AM in residential zones. Residential limit is 55 dBA daytime, 50 dBA nighttime. Violations can reach $5,000/day.
Denver County, CO
Denver has no outright ban on leaf blowers but phases in restrictions on gas-powered commercial landscape equipment. DRMC Chapter 36 noise limits apply, and ...
Denver County, CO
Denver requires driveways to meet setback and width standards. Blocking the public sidewalk is prohibited. Curb cuts require a permit from DOTI.
Denver County, CO
Denver limits large commercial vehicle parking on residential streets to 2 hours. A 2023 ordinance expanded restrictions citywide. Trucks used for active wor...
Denver County, CO
Denver requires a zoning permit for fences between 4–6 feet. Over-height (6+ ft) fences require an additional over-height fence permit. Historic properties r...
Denver County, CO
Colorado's Good Neighbor Fence Act (C.R.S. §35-46-112) applies. Denver does not mandate cost-sharing, but neighbors may negotiate. Disputes over boundary fen...
See how Denver County's bin placement rules rules stack up against other locations.
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