Every city and state have a unique set of laws (or ordinances), If you’re renting in Fort Collins, knowing about the occupancy laws and ordinances can be incredibly useful and help you avoid potential fees. Occupancy laws and ordinances are put into effect to avoid over-occupancy and make sure homes condos, apartments, and neighborhoods aren’t overflowing with people. City occupancy limits aren’t uncommon across Northern Colorado; Greeley and Loveland follow them as well. Reputable property management services, including All Property Services, Inc, abide by these laws and ordinances.
Here are five things you need to know, according to the City of Fort Collins:
- Fort Collins follows the “U plus 2” occupancy standard, which states that only a family or two adults and their dependents can live in a single home, duplex, or apartment. A family is defined as any number of related people living together in a shared space. An approved living situation can include a family of any size, a family and their nanny, or a family and an exchange student. However, a family can’t have both a nanny and an exchange student living with them.
- The other “U plus 2” allowance is for two adults and their dependents with up to one additional person. This means that two siblings and one friend can live in the same home or apartment, or two single parents and their kids can live with a friend in the same unit; but two siblings and two friends aren’t allowed, nor are two couples.
- Guests are allowed to stay overnight, but a guest that spends more than 30 nights in a unit over the course of 12 months is considered an occupant and counts in the “U plus 2” regulations. That means you may need to find other arrangements or accommodations for long-term guests or frequent overnight visitors.
- When you sign a lease or buy a house in Fort Collins, you’ll be required to complete an occupancy disclosure form that you and your landlord should keep in your files. This form states how many people are living in your unit and how you are all connected.
- Any member of the community can report an over-occupancy violation, which launches an investigation by the city. Officials will give tenants in over-occupied units time to correct the situation, after which the tenants may receive a citation and a penalty up to $1,000.
Knowing occupancy laws and ordinances is an important part to living in Fort Collins. When you follow the rules, you don’t need to worry about the stress of an investigation, and you can spend more time enjoying all the area has to offer.
