City of Greeley Municipal Code
The full Municipal Code can be read online. Recent ordinances can be found here.
Recodification Adopted, Goes into Effect May 11, 2021
To keep a municipal code up to date and current with changes in state statutes and case law, recodification is recommended at regular intervals. The last time the Greeley Municipal Code was recodified was in 1994. A recodification has been underway since 2018, and was adopted by the Council on April 6, 2021. The new 2021 Greeley Municipal Code will be effective on May 11, 2021 and will replace the 1994 Code on that day online and in application.
Below are links to information about the recodification in progress, including:
- 2021 Code in full for adoption: The full 2021 Code as presented to the City Council for final adoption on April 6, 2021.
- Final Proofs from 9-16-2020: This document is a mark up of the changes being made to standardize Code titles, articles, catchlines, and terms; rearrange or combine sections to improve flow; and clarify and update language and rewritings of specific sections, including reconciling penalty classifications.
- 2021 Code Comparative Table: Because the new code includes changes to the numbering structure, this table provides links between the 1994 Code sections and the 2021 Code sections.
Frequent Topics for Questions
These topics include some of the sections of the code most frequently asked about.
Smoking and Vaping in Public Places in Greeley
In 2015, the City of Greeley amended its smoking
ordinance to include electronic cigarettes and
other vaping devices. All smoking activity is
prohibited in public places and common areas.
The smoking ban was put in place to protect the
health and safety of the community.
- Smoking and vaping are not allowed in
restaurants, bars, banks, theaters, businesses,
schools, government buildings, and public
transportation vehicles. The law also
includes some outdoor areas such as public
ball fields, pools or arenas and must be at
least 50 feet away from the seating area.
- Smoking and vaping are prohibited within
15 feet of an entrance of a building that is
open to the public.
- Smoking means placing a smoking or
vaping device in one’s mouth or holding a lit
device. “Lit” is defined as illuminated by
electricity, battery, or fire.
- Greeley’s no smoking laws include any
device which can be used to deliver
substances including, but not limited to
nicotine, tobacco, or marijuana. This
includes cigarettes, cigars,
e-cigarettes, pipes, and hookahs.
- A private residence or vehicle is not subject
to Greeley’s smoking regulations.
- There are penalties for disobeying Greeley’s
smoking laws.
Pets in Greeley
Any person residing in the City of Greeley owning, keeping, harboring or having custody of a dog or cat needs to obtain a license for such animal. Applications for dog or cat licenses are taken at the City of Greeley Finance Department, 1000 10th Street, Greeley, CO 80631 between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.
For lost and found animals, please contact the Weld County Humane Society at 970-506-9550 or WeldCountyHumane.org.
Additional information on owning pets in Greeley can be found on the Greeley Police Animal Control Unit page.
Code Related to Neighborhoods
Our most frequently asked about codes are detailed below. For complete information, please reference the full Greeley Municipal Code. To report violations, please refer to the Code Compliance page.
Community Development Code Compliance
Fences
Fences 6 foot and under do not need a permit. The following standards need to be followed: fences in the front setback or in front of the Front Building Line cannot be taller than 42", and cannot be located in the public right-of-way. Please see GMC 24-502(e) for additional information.
Garage Sales
Each residence in Greeley may have up to 2 garage sales in a calendar year for the purpose of disposing of common household items that tend to accumulate over time. Each event may last up to 3 consecutive days. These limits are in place to prevent undue traffic and impacts in residential areas while allowing for the occasional yard sale.
Landscaping
In addition to not having weeds or bare dirt, a yard cannot be all rock or hard surface. At least 50% of each yard area (front, side, back, parkway) must be covered with approved live plants such as grass, perennial flowers, shrubs, and trees. Additional information on water conservation, xeriscape, soil amendment requirements and landscaping rebates is available on the Water Conservation page.
Artificial turf is only acceptable as ground cover for areas not visible from public rights-of-way and streets, and may be subject to other engineering specifications subject to grading or drainage plans.
Noxious Weeds
Certain plants are designated as
noxious weeds. Management of these plants often requires a defined management plan. If you are required to develop a Weed Management Plan for your property
this document provides a guide to creating one. Complete
this form to create the management plan for your property.
Outdoor Furniture
Furniture designed for indoor use cannot be kept on porches, roofs, lawns or other areas exposed to weather conditions. (Sec. 20-974)
Overgrown Vegetation
Trees and shrubs must be trimmed so that they are contained behind the inside edge of sidewalks and curbs. All vegetation must be trimmed to a height at least 8' over the sidewalk or no lower than 14' over street levels. On corner lots “clear vision zones” (the triangle created by two intersecting streets) must also be kept clear of vegetation which may obstruct views for pedestrians and vehicles. All trimming on public rights-of-way must be done by a licensed contractor. The Greeley Forestry Division can require trimming or removal of trees or other plant growth where there is an immediate danger to persons or property. The costs of such trimming is billed to the landowner. If you have questions or would like more information visit the
Forestry Division pages. You may also call the department for information or to report a vegetation problem at 970-339-2405. You may leave a message 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Parking and vehicles
- All vehicles parked on the street or on the property must have current registration and be in working order. (Sec. 12-410)
- Parking is not permitted on lawn or landscaped areas or unpaved surfaces (does not include approved gravel driveways or parking lots) (24-704(f)(6)) Recreational Vehicles (24-706).
- Recreational vehicles, trailers, boats, motorhomes, and the like must be parked on a hard surface (asphalt, concrete, recycled asphalt that is compacted, gravel enclosed within a 6" wide solid collar to keep the gravel in place or concrete pavers that the wheels drive and park on).
- Recreational vehicles are permitted to park in front yard driveways if located at least 3 feet behind the sidewalk, or front property line where no sidewalk exists, for loading, unloading, or emergency repairs for a maximum of 48 hours on the properties which the principal use is either single-family or two-family residential.
- If stored on the property, the equipment MUST be behind the habitable portion of the house and be at least 3' from the structure. The equipment can be up-to the property line on the interior side setback, within the side on-street setback if located no closer than 10 feet to the property line and no closer than 5 feet of the rear property line.
- Recreational vehicles or equipment stored on a property where the principal use is either single-family or two-family residential may not be used for temporary or permanent living purposes on the site.
- Inoperable vehicles are cars, trucks, RVs, boats, campers, or similar motorized vehicles which are broken down in some way, not connected to a motorized vehicle or not properly licensed. It is illegal to keep such vehicles on a public street or right-of-way or on a residential property unless it is completely enclosed within a garage.
Signs
Most signs, including temporary banners, require permits. Sign permits are available at 1100 10th St. Planners are available for assistance between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call (970) 350-9780 to schedule an appointment.
Trash
It is the responsibility of each property owner to keep their property in a neat and orderly manner. Trash may be placed at the curb for one 24-hour period each week for removal but may otherwise not accumulate on a property. Trash includes such items as garbage, discarded items, couches and other furniture intended for indoor use, organic yard waste and inoperable vehicles.
Weeds
Every property in the City must be kept free of weed growth. Weeds include nuisance plants, and noxious plants considered a particular threat due to their invasive growth tendencies. Each developed lot is required to have plant material free of weed growth. Vacant lots must be maintained with weeds cut frequently to prevent spreading to other properties.
Yard Maintenance
The landscape needs to be maintained. This means regular watering, mowing, pruning, fertilizing, clearing of debris and weeds (24-804(e)). Refuse and trash must be placed in appropriate containers and removed on a weekly basis. (12-269) Snow must be removed from sidewalks within 24 hours (18-195). Animal feces must be cleaned up weekly (12-8)