COMMON CODE ENFORCEMENT QUESTIONS

Question #1: Lost or Found Animal?
Answer #1: If you are missing an animal or find a lost animal, contact Federal Heights Police Department Dispatch at 303-428-8833 or Adams County Animal Shelter at 303-288-3294. Lost pet signs are only allowed on your own property. Please provide your animals with current identification and city tags for a faster return.

Question #2: Are Rabies and City Tags Required?
Answer #2: All dogs and cats six (6) months of age or older are required to be vaccinated annually for rabies. All dogs and cats six (6) months or older are required to have an annual city license. Both tags are required to be attached to the animal's collar.

Question #3: What are the Pet Limits?
Answer #3: It is unlawful for any person to own, keep harbor or shelter more than three (3) animals (dogs, cats, or Vietnamese potbellied pig).

Question #4: What is Meant by Animal at Large?
Answer #4: All dogs and cats shall be considered as unlawfully "at large" if they are off the premise of their owner or not in effective control by a leash. Leash laws are strictly enforced in city parks and open space areas.

Question #5: What are Requirements Regarding Animal Waste or Damage to Property?
Answer #5: The owner of any animal shall remove animal waste from the yards, pens, or premise where such animals are kept. The accumulation of animal waste upon any premise shall be considered a public nuisance and is unlawful.

Question #6: What is Considered Cruelty to Animals?
Answer #6: It shall be unlawful for any person to commit or to cause or to be committed of any act of cruelty, mistreatment, neglect, harassment, abandonment or torture of any animal. No person shall antagonize, agitate, provoke or beat. No person shall leave an animal unattended in a vehicle for an extended period of time without adequate ventilation or sustenance. All pet owners are required to provide adequate and accessible food, water and shelter at all times. Owners are also required to provide any necessary sustenance to maintain life, health, and welfare. This includes, but is not limited to medical treatment, current vaccinations, grooming and adequate space for the animal to live in.

Question #7:How Should I Report a Wild Animal?
Answer #7:The City’s Animal Control does not handle wild animals.If you come across wildlife, do not try to trap and relocate but contact the Colorado Division of Wildlife or a private animal removal service for more information. Feeding ferel cats or other wildlife in the city is prohibited.

Question #8: Can I Hang Yard/Estate Sale Signs Around Town?
Answer #8: Garage/Yard/Estate Sale and even lost pet signs are only allowed on your own property.

More Questions? Refer to the City of Federal Heights Municipal Code or from 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. contact Code Officer Marci Rusin at (303) 412-3552 or Kell Straits at (303) 412-3543. After hours contact the Police Department Dispatch at (303) 428-8539.

WEED AND JUNK CONTROL

Shown below are the ordinances in the City of Federal Heights Municipal Code:

Weed Control

7-5-1.1.1 Weeds definition-as used in this article, is construed in its ordinary, customary and accepted sense, and includes, but is not limited to the following brushy, natural or cultivated plants or grasses or other vegetation grown in a rank or unsightly fashion, or which is noxious or detrimental to public health and safety or a public nuisance.

7-5-1.1.2 Weeds prohibited- It shall be unlawful for any person who is an owner, lessee or occupant or any servant, agent, representative or employee of such parcel of land in the city including without limitation, public and utility easements and drainage ways within such property line and the traveled portion of any street or roadway commonly known as the 'planters strip', to permit or maintain on such lot, or parcel of land, any growth of weeds or rank vegetation that is more than six (6) inches in heights within 100 feet of building or street, or more than 15 inches in heights in all other areas.

Junk in yards

7-3-1.5 Junk definition- means any new, used, or second hand material of any kind which is not presently being used, including, but not limited to: scrap metal and their alloys, bones, rags, clothing, paper, rubber pieces, rope, tinfoil, tires, bottles, tools, fixtures, utensils, lumber, boxes, crates, pipe or pipe fittings, furniture, refrigerators, freezers and all other appliances, machinery, used motor vehicles or the parts there of or there from; any apparatus of contrivances, and parts there of which are no longer in use, any used building material, boards or other lumber. 

Questions?  Contact Code Officer Marci Rusin at (303) 412-3552 or Kell Straits at (303) 412-3543.