The Boulder City Council on Thursday, July 25, gave initial approval to a new ordinance that would allow the city to issue tougher penalties to property owners for repeated violations of city code and state laws.
The proposed “chronic nuisance” ordinance is the latest code update aimed at addressing “quality of life” issues in residential areas. Since 2022, the city has updated its code to make it easier to fine people for noise, trash and weeds violations.
The new ordinance seeks to make it easier for the city to hold property owners accountable for repeated violations, according to city officials. Under the proposed ordinance, the city would be able to issue escalating fines — up to $2,000 for the fourth violation within a single year — and potentially revoke a property owner’s rental license. “Only verified and cited violations qualify (as opposed to calls for service, complaints, warnings, etc.),” a city staff memo states.
“Staff estimates that 20 properties or less a year will actually qualify as ‘chronic nuisance’ candidates, and of those, all would first be given the opportunity for compliance through an abatement agreement,” the memo says.
A second reading and public hearing are scheduled for Aug. 8, 2024.