Our neighborhoods are the environment in which we live and raise our families. Blight and nuisances can devalue, detract, and degrade the quality of any neighborhood. Therefore, the city has adopted codes (or standards) that govern the use and maintenance of private property in order to ensure that property across the community is maintained to the same standard.
Our Vision
To be recognized as the standard and leader in Code Enforcement. We will accomplish this by leading in personal and professional development, engage the community through effective partnerships and collaborative problem-solving to ensure compliance with adopted City ordinances.
Our Mission
To maintain and promote a safe and desirable community for all residents and visitors of Thornton. As a team, we strive to make a difference through proactive enforcement, education, communication and impartial enforcement of the adopted municipal codes with respect, empathy and excellent customer service.
We Value Integrity/Safety/Teamwork/Customer Service/Excellence in all we do.
City Code
Code Compliance informs and enforces the city codes for development and nuisances. We encourage you to use these pages to learn about code violations for the outside of your home, business or property and the city's free graffiti removal program.
There are some other neighborhood guidelines or issues that do not fall under the city's jurisdiction.
- Homeowners Associations (HOAs): Many subdivisions are regulated by Home Owners Associations that impose covenants, which are monitored and enforced by the property management. The city does not enforce HOA covenants. For information on what covenants may apply to your residence, or to report a covenant violation, contact your HOA property management company. You can find a list of property management companies for Thornton HOAs on the right side of this page.
- Manufactured Home Parks: Colorado law requires manufactured home parks to have rules and regulations on the use of the park facilities and other items such as yard and home maintenance, parking, and homesite improvements. Residents must follow these rules and regulations as well as the city code; the property management of the park enforces these regulations. To get a copy of the rules and regulations for your manufactured home park, contact your park's property management. The list to the right has a link for the Manufactured Home Park Residents handbook, which explains the Colorado laws applying to manufactured home parks.
- Neighbor Disputes: The City cannot handle neighbor disputes or civil problems that do not violate public law. Examples of neighbor disputes include leaves falling in your yard from a neighbor’s tree or sprinkler water that runs from one yard into another. These conditions are private matters between the two property owners.
- Aesthetics: The City cannot handle complaints about a condition that is simply "ugly" or "unattractive." Visual attractiveness does not violate a city code.
Below are some examples of the types of problems that the Code Compliance Division can address.
- Trash and Debris: Any accumulation of garbage, trash, appliances, old furniture, or scrap material must be removed from the property. Trash containers should be stored in areas away from the front yard or driveway, like inside a garage or shed, behind a fence or alongside the back of a house. Note: City trash container storage concerns are addressed by Environmental Services staff.
- Vehicles: Cars and trucks that are not licensed or are not in running condition must be parked in an enclosed garage. Large commercial vehicles and construction equipment may not be parked in residential areas without a valid permit. There are specific criteria that must be met before a permit can be issued. Contact the Code Compliance team directly for further information.
- Parking in Yards: You may park your cars, campers, trucks, boats, or RVs in your driveway if they are in running condition and have valid license plates. They may not be parked on the lawn or on a dirt area.
- RVs, Trailers and Motor Homes: RVs, trailers and motor homes may only be parked on the street when actively loading or unloading the vehicle. However, four three-day permits are available at no charge per calendar year. Permits are applied for online. A copy of the registration for the recreational vehicle, motor home or trailer is required at the time of application.
- Home Operated Businesses: Some businesses that do not generate customer traffic, noise, or require storage of material outside the home may be allowed to operate from a residence. City Code Sections 18-167 and 18-901 define home occupations and outline the provisions of the code. Home occupations may require a City Sales and Use Tax Business License. Please contact the Sales Tax Division at 303-538-7400 for additional information. To learn how to establish a home operated business contact the Economic Development Department at 303-538-7605 or business@thorntonco.gov.
- Fences: Fences along City streets must be maintained so that they do not lean or have more than one missing picket. Most back and side yard fences may not be more than six feet tall. Front yard fences may not be more than four feet tall. A fence exceeding 30 inches requires a permit. Properties that have swimming pools, spas, or hot tubs are subject to regulation on the type of fencing and must have self-closing and self-latching gates to prevent accidents.
- Garage Sales: Four garage sales per year, each lasting no more than three consecutive calendar days, are allowed and no permit is required. Signs advertising the sale may be placed at the location of the sale. There are requirements for sign placement in the public rights-of-way, and additional information is available on the Temporary Signs page.
- Weeds: Weeds cannot exceed eight inches in height anywhere on a lot.
- Signs: Signs are allowed to be displayed along public streets (in the public rights-of-way) provided they meet specific criteria.
- Snow and Ice: Within 24 hours of the last accumulation, residents must remove the snow and/or ice from sidewalks adjacent to their property.
- Street and Sidewalk Obstructions: Streets and sidewalks are designed to allow people, pets and vehicles to travel safely. Do not block the street or sidewalk with basketball hoops, soccer or hockey goals, landscaping materials, overgrown bushes, or other items.
- Graffiti: Graffiti must be removed within ten days of notification from the City. Homeowners, Homeowners Associations (HOA), and commercial businesses can request to have the City remove the graffiti for you. In order to participate in this program, the homeowner, HOA Board president or business owner, or representative must sign a City of Thornton consent and waiver form and submit it to Code Compliance. Waivers can be filled out under the Graffiti Removal section on this web page.
- Landscaping: Areas of a lot not occupied by other structures or driveways must be landscaped. The City offers a variety of resources and tips pertaining to landscaping.
What to do if you receive a notice: Follow the instructions given on the notice to correct the violation by the required date. If you do not understand the violation or have questions, call the officer whose name and phone number is provided on the notice.
Requesting additional time: If you cannot correct the violation by the date required on your notice, you must contact the issuing officer before that date. The officer will review your case to determine if there are any options for assistance or a possible extension. Extensions are not guaranteed but may be granted when need can be demonstrated.
If you choose not to comply
- A Notice of Hearing to Show Cause may be issued. If you receive this you will be issued a date and time to appear for a hearing to discuss your case. The Hearing Officer will determine if there is a violation and establish a new compliance date after which abatement action may occur.
- An Abatement may be scheduled. Abatement means that the City will take action to correct a violation, such as towing a vehicle, mowing a lawn, taking down a fence, or picking up trash and junk. Abatement action may occur immediately or may be the result of an order issued by the Associate Judge. In all cases of abatement, the violator will be charged for the cost of the work performed by the City and/or contractor, administrative fees and any applicable hearing costs. The City allows 30 days to pay for the abatement or a lien may be filed against your property.
- A summons to appear in Municipal Court may be issued. Once this occurs, it is up to the Judge to determine the outcome of the case, which may include fines, restitution if applicable, and costs associated with the court process. If you receive a summons and have questions, call the Municipal Court at 720-977-5400 or contact the officer that issued you the summons.
Code Compliance Programs
Property owners are eligible to take advantage of the City of Thornton's free graffiti removal program. *If you see someone tagging graffiti call Thornton Police at 9-1-1.
The City Code allows the city to remove graffiti from specific property with the written permission of the property owner. The city will remove graffiti on buildings, houses, fences, walls, and signs that are accessible by the city's equipment. The graffiti removal program operates Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Authorization Waivers
To participate in the city's Graffiti Removal program, the property owner must complete and sign the waiver and consent form, which can be found under Graffiti Removal links on this page. This waiver allows a city staff or its contractor to step onto the property to remove the graffiti.
The property owner must sign a waiver that gives the City consent to step onto the property to remove the graffiti. This waiver will authorize one-time or ongoing removal. If the waiver is not signed, the property owner will be responsible to remove the graffiti within 10 days.
Hosting a garage or yard sale is a fun way to clear out unwanted household items and allow them to have a new life with a different family. Residents may choose to organize a single-family garage sale or invite additional families for a neighborhood yard sale. Garage or yard sales must follow the City Code:
- Garage or yard sales are allowed in all residential areas in the city.
- Each sale may last no longer than three consecutive days.
- Each residence is limited to four garage sales within a 12-month period.
Your HOA or manufactured home park may have regulations or guidelines on yard or garage sales as well. Contact the property manager of the subdivision or park to learn more about those guidelines.
Signs Advertising Yard Sales: These types of signs are called temporary signs. To learn the allowed sizes of temporary signs and where and when these signs can be placed visit our web page on temporary signs.
Yard Sale Tips:
- Plan out the event. About two to three weeks in advance, begin gathering the items you will sell, designate responsibilities among participants, and begin making signs. Also, consider what you will do with unsold merchandise after your sale. If you plan to donate unsold items to a local charity or nonprofit, contact the organization beforehand to see which items will be accepted. If you would like to dispose of large items, visit the Trash & Recyling page under the Services menu to learn about the City's special collection service.
- Team up! Neighborhood yard sales or multiple family sales draw more traffic.
- Advertise effectively. Post signs that can be read easily. Newspaper and online ads are also great sources to use.
- Think like a customer. Is the sale inviting and easy to browse through? Are things clearly marked? Are items priced to sell? Make sure your garage sale is set up like one you would want to attend.
- Don't forget the lemonade! Refreshments such as lemonade, juice, or coffee help people feel invited and they may browse longer.
Snow and Ice: Within 24 hours of the last accumulation, residents must remove the snow and/or ice from sidewalks adjacent to their property.
Sec. 70-106. - Obstruction of Streets and Sidewalks
- It shall be unlawful for any owner or the agent or the tenant of such owner of any lot, block, or parcel of land within the city to allow any snow, sleet, ice, or other obstruction to accumulate or remain upon any sidewalk adjoining such lot, block, or parcel of land within the city for longer than 24 hours from the time of the last accumulation of such snow, sleet, ice, or other obstruction.
- The director shall have the authority to remove any obstruction from a public street or sidewalk which has been deposited in violation of this section at the cost of the owner or agent or tenant of such owner of the lot, block, or parcel of land from which the accumulation or deposit originated.
(Code 1975, § 61-27; Ord. No. 2310, § 1, 3-21-94; Ord. No. 2500, § 1, 3-16-98; Ord. No. 3022, § 1, 12-18-07)
Short-term rentals, or STRs, are a form of temporary lodging where all or a portion of a home is rented for less than 30 days at a time. Many people are familiar with this concept under the marketing names of Airbnb and Vrbo, although there are dozens of other similar platforms.
In 2020, City Council approved an ordinance that allows STRs in Thornton with specific conditions and requirements. The ordinance was effective February 1, 2021. A copy of the ordinance can be found below.
Short Term Rental Ordinance [PDF/776KB]
License Required
Any person operating a short-term rental in Thornton must have a valid short-term rental license as required in Thornton City Code Sections 18-54 and 18-174. A business license is also required, and operators must collect and remit lodging taxes to the city. The annual fee for a short-term rental license is currently $180.
The city uses an online system operated by MUNIRevs to process and issue short-term rental licenses. Licenses are available only to property owners for a home they inhabit at least 50 percent of each year. To begin the application process for the required license, please contact Thornton Short Term Rentals at str@thorntonco.gov or MUNIRevs at support@munirevs.com or call 888-751-1911
Reporting Concerns
A telephone hotline is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week to accept complaints and concerns about short-term rentals. An online reporting option is also available.
Hotline: 303-538-7578
Online: Report Concern (choose "Thornton" from the city list)
Note: Reports of violence, incidents involving weapons, and other emergencies should be reported immediately to the Thornton Police Department by calling 9-1-1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit Thornton's Munirevs.com Website and follow the FAQ link to view answers to frequently asked questions about Thornton's short-term rental licensing program.
To facilitate the reporting of abandoned shopping cart locations, we have established a website convenient for the City of Thornton residents to utilize:
- Visit the website at https://www.keptcompanies.com/cart-report to submit a request of abandoned shopping cart locations.
- Once submitted the resident will receive an acknowledgement.