We strive to promote and maintain a safe and desirable environment in the city. Commerce City Code Enforcement addresses nuisance concerns like junk, trash, weeds, and junk motor vehicles on private property. We work to encourage and educate the community about ways to proactively keep the city clean.

How Code Enforcement Works

1. Notice of Violation
   This legal notice allows the city to take enforcement actions if violations are not corrected within a stated time period.
2. Assessment of Penalties
   Fines are issued for violations not in compliance upon re-inspection.
3. Abatement
   If violations are ignored or fines go unpaid, the city may order a clean-up at the property at owners’ expense.
4. Property Lien/Court Summons
   Can result from extended/repeated non-compliance or unpaid fines. 

I Received a Notice of Violation — How much time do I have to resolve it?

Most notices of violation include a grace period (stated on your notice of violation) to address the item(s) of concern identified except for the following violations: 

• Excessive Weed/Grass Growth (7-day grace period, unless stated otherwise)
• Obstruction of Right of Way (24-hour grace period, unless stated otherwise)

Code Enforcement inspectors will then check whether the issue has been resolved consistent with the city's code. If not, you will receive another notice that requires you to pay a fine until the issue is resolved. 

Fines, Fees and Notices of Violation

Payment of fines is expected unless you request a protest hearing and pay the docket fee.

• $100: 1st violation within a 12-month period
• $300: 2nd matching violation within a 12-month period
• $500: 3rd matching violation within a 12-month period
• $999: 4th matching violation within a 12-month period

Weeds greater than (One) Acre fines:

• $500: 1st violation within a 12-month period
• $999: 2nd matching violation within a 12-month period
• $2650: 3rd matching violation within a 12-month period

Visit eTRAKiT to find and pay for your Notice of Violation. 

Learn more about logging in for new and returning users and finding and paying for non-compliance fines. 

Protest Hearings

A property owner can request a protest hearing by the compliance date on the notice of violation. 

Protests must be received in by the City’s Code Enforcement Division by 5 p.m. on the later of

21 calendar days from the date of service of this Notice of Violation
The date required for correction indicated in this Notice of Violation or a formally extended.

Compliance with these time limits shall be jurisdictional prerequisite to any protest, and failure to comply with these time limits shall bar such protest. Protest Hearings determine only whether a Notice of Violation is incorrect. If you prevail at the Protest Hearing on one or more of the violations alleges in this Notice of Violation, such violation(s) will be dismissed, and no fines for such violation(s) will be assessed. If you are found liable at the Protest Hearing for any violation alleged herein, you will be responsible for paying all hearing costs (prorated in accordance with the number violations sustained), including the cost of the hearing officer, in addition to fines and any costs of abatement. 

• Request a Protest Hearing
• Withdrawal Request for Protest Hearing

Protest Hearings are held during business hours. If you request a Protest Hearing, but neither you nor your representatives/agent attends, a finding of liability and imposition of fines and hearing costs will be automatic. 

Abatement Hearings

If no protest is submitted regarding a violation, the city may, in its discretion, request that the hearing officer conduct an abatement proceeding for the limited purposes of authorizing the abatement of such violation and obtaining an award of costs of abatement in addition to other penalties or costs imposed as a matter of law. NOTICE: The abatement hearing previously scheduled on Thursday, March 14 will now take place on Tuesday, March 26 due to weather conditions.

Property Liens & Abatements

If a legal abatement is ordered against a property the property will be cleaned by the city or an outside contractor at the owner's expense. A lien will be filed against the property if the clean-up is not paid within 30 days. Please note that the city does not provide property clean-up services.

Compliance Assistance

A new program is now available, designed to assist Commerce City residents who are experiencing financial hardships or disabilities that make it difficult to comply with property code violations. Learn more.