By Amber McIver-Traywick

The Surveyor

The town of Berthoud is a beautiful community in large part due to the good citizens that call it home. Every town across the land, however, have rules and regulations set in place to keep things running as smoothly as possible. Awdhesh Singh in his book “31 Ways to Happiness” said, “Everything moves in this world according to some rules and ignorance of these rules is the cause of our failures and misery,” so to help avoid the potential misery of being ignorant to the Town of Berthoud’s rules below are many of the Municipal Code’s that are more frequently found to be violated.

Garage/Yard Sales:  No garage sale can continue for more than 3 consecutive days.

Graffiti: Any property that has been defaced on public or private property is considered a nuisance.  The abatement of such graffiti is the responsibility of the property owner.

Inoperable Vehicles on Private Property:  Vehicles must be in working condition with all tires inflated and must bear valid license plates on private property.  Inoperable vehicles on private property must be screened from public view by a fence or structure built in accordance with the Berthoud Municipal Code.

Junk / Junkyards: The accumulation of junk is prohibited unless it is screened from public view.  Such accumulation cannot create a condition that is a threat to public health.  Any accumulation of junk that is not a threat to public health, safety and welfare must be screened from public view by a fence or structure built in accordance with the Berthoud Municipal Code.

Burning waste: You can’t burn or cause to be burned any junk, rubbish, or trash within the corporate limits of the town.

Snow and Ice:  Within 24 hours after any snow stops falling, residents are required to remove snow and ice from any public walks adjacent to their property.

Vehicles on Public Streets:  Vehicles parked on public streets must be in working condition with all tires inflated and must bear valid license plate.  Detached trailers on Town right of way are not permitted. Campers, coaches and other vehicles designed for sleeping or dwelling may not be parked on Town right-of-way for longer than four days. Inoperable Vehicles on Town right-of-way are prohibited and are considered a nuisance.

Weeds and Unsightly Vegetation:  Weeds and non-decorative grasses cannot exceed 12 inches in height. Vegetation in your yard shouldn’t obscure traffic signs or impede pedestrian or vehicular travel. Brush must be trimmed or maintained to be a minimum of eight feet above any sidewalk or 14 feet above any street

Other ordinances of interest:

Restrictions on water: No irrigation is permitted between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. with the exception that micro-irrigation using hand watering, soaker hoses, drip irrigation and irrigation of newly seeded lawns.

Confining animals in a vehicle: No person shall confine any animal within a parked, closed vehicle without allowing sufficient cross-ventilation to prevent the animal from suffering heat exhaustion, heat stroke or death. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no person shall confine any animal within a parked, enclosed vehicle if the external ambient temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit or greater.

Cats have free reign: All animals, except domestic cats, shall be kept under leash control by the keeper of the animal when not on the property of the owner.