Agenda Date: 01/06/2026
Subject:
Title
Ordinance 01-2026: An ordinance on first reading amending Title 7, Chapter 1 of the Littleton City Code regarding Abatement Notice on Derelict/Unlicensed Vehicles
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Reid Betzing, City Attorney |
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Presentations: |
N/A |
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this ordinance is to amend Title 7, Chapter 1, Section 7-1-7 regarding abatement of derelict/unlicensed vehicles on public right-of-way and amending the required notice period prior to lawful abatement.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Safe Community; High-Quality Governance
DISCUSSION:
In August of 2024, the Littleton City Council passed on final reading Ordinance 20-2024 amending various titles and sections of the city code regarding nuisance and nuisance abatements. A policy related amendment was inadvertently omitted from Ordinance 20-2024 specifically regarding a specific notice period for derelict/unlicensed vehicles within the public right-of-way. This amendment seeks to resolve that omission.
BACKGROUND:
Currently, Section 7-1-6 of the municipal city code requires that when a nuisance is found, the Code Compliance Division shall post a notice providing responsible parties at least ten (10) days to take necessary action(s) to remove the nuisance. In the event that the nuisance is not removed by the responsible party, the Code Compliance Division may abate the nuisance, in accordance with Section 7-1-7, once the ten (10) day period has expired.
This ten-day notice period is currently being applied to derelict/unlicensed vehicles on private property and the public right-of-way. Staff is proposing the attached amendments to clarify and provide for a lesser notice period, specifically seventy-two (72) hours, for those derelict/unlicensed vehicles only on public right-of-way. This clarification was inadvertently omitted from the amendments in August of 2024 and the ten-day notice period is no longer operationally or administratively effective for derelict/unlicensed vehicles on public right-of-way.
Removal of these derelict/unlicensed vehicles on public right-of-way, after a lesser period of 72-hours, allows the Littleton Police Department to: i) ensure vehicles are brought into legal status (licensed/operable); ii) ensure unobstructed access for emergency vehicles, public works/utilities projects, and transportation in general; iii) prevent varying hazards such as overgrown vegetation and sight-line obstructions. This amendment will further allow the Littleton Police Department to better regulate and respond to citizen and community concerns regarding derelict/unlicensed vehicles on the public right-of-way. The current prescribed notice period for derelict/unlicensed vehicles on public right-of-way (10 days) is insufficient and may lead to greater public hazards on our right-of-way.
As a note, the proposed amendments do not amend the notice period for derelict/unlicensed vehicles on private property or any other nuisance outlined in Title 7.
Prior Actions or Discussions
City Council approved Ordinance 20-2024 on final reading in August 2024, which amended various titles and sections of the city code related to nuisances and nuisance abatements, including setting the ten-day notice period discussed herein.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
In cases where abatement is required, there would be upfront costs for the city to have the work performed.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of Ordinance 01-2026, amending Title 7, Chapter 1 allowing for a lesser notice period for derelict/unlicensed vehicles on public right of way.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council may choose to deny the motion or offer revisions to the currently proposed amendment.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve Ordinance 01-2026 on first reading amending Title 7, Chapter 1 of the Littleton City Code regarding Abatement Notice on Derelict/Unlicensed Vehicles and to set the second reading and public hearing for January 20, 2026.