Building, Right-of-Way and Rental Code Concerns

Planning and Development Services investigates possible code violations and concerns related to residential and commercial building safety, right of ways, rental housing licensing, marijuana retail and growing facilities and zoning.

To report a Planning and Development Services code concern, see below or call 303-441-3173.

  • All other code concerns that are not listed on this page and affect public safety and quality of life in the City of Boulder are handled by the Police Code Enforcement Unit, part of the Boulder Police Department.

Report a Building Code Concern

Identify

Code violations and concerns related to building safety include:

  • Interior and exterior structural integrity;
  • Handrails and guardrails;
  • Doors and windows;
  • Interior sanitation (accumulation of rubbish and garbage);
  • Plumbing and electrical system integrity;
  • Hot water and heating requirements; and
  • Work being performed without permits.

Report

  1. Commercial building code concerns
  2. Residential building code concerns

Report a Right-of-Way Code Violation

Identify

Work associated with residential construction projects within the public right-of-way must be performed by a licensed right-of-way contractor and be permitted by the city.

  • Because rights-of-way are the property of the city and not the adjacent land owner, they cannot be fenced off for private use.
  • Property owners are responsible for some maintenance of the right-of-way adjacent to their property, including removing snow from sidewalks and mowing grass.
  • Structural encroachments into the right-of-way are prohibited, and storage of construction materials requires a permit.

Examples of public right-of-way construction:

  • Utility mains and services

  • Fire Hydrants

  • Water meters

  • Sidewalks

  • Street cuts

  • Driveways

  • Curb cuts

  • Curb and gutter

  • Street & Alley paving

Report

  1. Online

    Make an online request.

  2. Phone

    Call 303-441-1880.

Report a Rental Housing Licensing Code Violation

Identify

The Boulder Revised Code requires all rental properties (short term and long term) to maintain a valid rental license. The purpose of the rental license is to ensure minimum standards for safe use and occupancy of dwellings is maintained to protect, preserve, and promote residents’ physical and mental health.

View frequently asked questions about rental housing licensing in Boulder.

Code violations related to rental licensing include:

  • Renting a property without a license or affidavit of exemption.
  • Advertising a property for rent without a license or affidavit of exemption.
  • Failure to display a rental license number in an advertisement to rent a dwelling.
  • Advertising a dwelling for a occupancy level over the allowed limit per zoning district.

Obtaining a rental license is the responsibility of the property owner and the discovery of an unlicensed rental property will result in legal action.

Report

  1. Online

    Make an online request.

  2. Phone

    Call 303-441-3173.

Report a Zoning Code Violation

Identify

The City of Boulder zoning code promotes coordinated sound development, effective use of land, and high quality site planning considering and complementing the City’s unique geographic setting, amenities of view and open space. Enforcement of this code preserves the character and stability of neighborhoods and conserves property values by encouraging the most appropriate uses of land within zoning districts.

Examples of zoning violations include:

  • Over occupied dwellings
  • Illegally established dwelling units
  • Sign code violations
  • Home occupation violations
  • Accessory dwelling unit violations
  • Sales from mobile vehicles, tents or in an inappropriate district
  • Outdoor lighting
  • Use of recreational vehicles or campers on private property

Report

  1. Online

    Make an online request.

  2. Phone

    Call 303-441-3173.

Get an Enforcement Activity Summary

Types of enforcement activity

This summary shows enforcement activity by the city occurring within the past 24 months relating to quality of life violations on a specific parcel. The information provided in the report is updated daily.

The summary provides information from:

  • Planning and Development Services (P&DS) Code Compliance investigations
  • Boulder Police Department (BPD) Code Enforcement investigations
  • Boulder Police Department County Court summonses
  • Municipal Court citations

Get a report

  1. Address search

    The easiest and fastest way to obtain a report of enforcement activity on a specific parcel is by going to Property Search by Address page and following instructions from there.

  2. Map search

    To obtain a report of activity on a certain parcel using a map, go to eMapLink and search by address.

    • The map will zoom into the parcel.
    • Click on View Enforcement Summary Report link to view the report.

    If there is more than one address associated with the parcel:

    • Turn on the "Address Points" layer on the map
    • Make sure the pop-up window with the main address reports is closed
    • Select the appropriate address point on the map
    • Click on View Enforcement Summary Report link to view the report

Disclaimer

  • All information listed is from the previous 24 months only.
  • It does not imply an official disposition, finding of fault or an inference that the resident or owner of the listed address is criminally responsible for any violation or concern at this location.
  • The actual recorded address may be approximate and may relate to an incident occurring in the adjacent right-of-way or in the vicinity of the actual recorded location.
  • The information is subject to revision.

Contact

  • Boulder Police Department 303-441-3300
  • Municipal Court 303-441-1842
  • P&DS Code Compliance Office 303-441-3173

Resources

Related Services