Planning, Development & Transportation

Community Development & Neighborhood Services

281 N. College Ave.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.416.2350
970.224.6134 FAX
www.fcgov.com

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING OVER OCCUPANCY

IN THE AVERY PARK NEIGHBORHOOD
Occupancy Investigations to be Initiated without a Formal Complaint

August 17, 2015

Dear Residents, Property Owners, Tenants, and Property Managers,
We are writing to inform you of a coming change in the way we enforce the occupancy
ordinance for the City of Fort Collins. Starting January 1 st, 2016, we will begin enforcing
this ordinance on a proactive basis. This means that we will no longer require a formal
complaint to initiate an occupancy investigation and, instead, will be regularly inspecting
areas and identifying potential violations just as we do with other codes. The Citys over
occupancy program, commonly referred to as U+2 (you plus two) or the three unrelated
rule, has been actively enforced for nearly nine years. While this program has
experienced success in managing over occupancy citywide, the impacts of over
occupancy in and around the Avery Park neighborhood continue to be problematic.
This area is a high priority for the City and we have received many requests from
current residents in this area asking us to increase efforts in this regard. In response,
the City is amending its investigative and enforcement actions to help reduce the
frequency of over occupancy by implementing this pilot program specific to this area.
For the purposes of this program, we are defining the Avery Park pilot area as the
section of the City bordered by Shields Street on the east, Prospect Road on the south,
Taft Hill Road on the west, and Elizabeth Street on the north.
The Avery Park pilot will include the following:

A significant educational and outreach component prior to the start of proactive

investigations and enforcement. This will include distribution of brochures and
other educational materials given to tenants, property owners, and property
managers, website updates, newspaper articles, and social media campaigns
including Facebook and NextDoor posts. We will also take every opportunity to
share the information as part of events such as Community Welcome which will
occur at the end of August.

Active monitoring of properties with a prior history of over occupancy. If a

violation is suspected, outreach will occur to the tenants, property owner, and
property manager to determine if a violation exists and to bring the property into
compliance. To check for prior history on a property, call Neighborhood Services
at 970-224-6046.

Active processing of any formal complaints received. Complaints originating in

Avery Park will continue to receive the highest priority.

Proactive enforcement of pilot area starting January 1, 2016.

The City enforces occupancy codes to help ensure the health and safety of residents
and to help protect the quality and character of neighborhoods. Voluntary compliance is
our preferred method of enforcement. Citations are issued when violations persist. Per
City Code all owners, tenants, and property managers may collectively share liability for
any over occupancy violation meaning all parties will likely receive citations and could
incur a costly fine.
For more information on the Citys occupancy ordinance or related processes and
procedures, visit www.fcgov.com/neighborhoodservices/occupancy. Anyone
suspecting over occupancy at a property is encouraged to file a complaint with the City.
Complaints can be made through Access Fort Collins at www.fcgov.com, by calling 970224-6046.
Please let us know if you have any questions. Thank you,
Neighborhood Services