Know the Code
Pet Licenses
The Town of Mead requires dogs and cats to be licensed. Dog and cat owners should get a license within 30 days of:
- Acquiring a dog/cat that is over six months old
- The dog/cat turning six months old
- Moving into the city with the dog/cat
- The expiration of a pet license
Pet licenses are $10 for an unaltered pet and $5 for a neutered/spayed pet. Licenses last one year and must be renewed by December 31 of each year.
Animal Impounds
In most cases, the dog will be held at the Mead Police Department for a few hours while an Official attempts to contact the owner of the animal. If an owner cannot be reached or is not identified, the Town of Mead contracts with the Longmont Humane Society for the care and safekeeping of these animals. The Humane Society charges a fee when redeeming your pet. Please contact them with any questions (303-772-1232). Humane Society's lost and found hours of operation: 7 days a week, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Please call ahead as their hours may be subject to change. In addition, you will also receive a bill from the town that is collected pursuant to Code § 7-6-340 (redemption of dogs or cats; impoundment charges).
The first impoundment is $80; second impoundment is $130; the third impoundment is $180; four or more impoundment violations in one calendar year requires a court appearance. The fee includes $30 per day for maintenance and feeding of the animal. These services are provided to help our community and pets stay safe.
Lost and Found Pets
Animal control, through the Town of Mead, is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. If your pet comes up missing, you may file a report here. If your pet has been impounded, the Town of Mead will notify you. Residents are encouraged to call shelters in the area, as pets can roam a significant distance from their home.
Excessive Noise
A constant disruption in our quiet evenings can cause unwanted stress that no one needs. Handling a noise complaint (barking dogs, loud music) is something that Code Enforcement deals with daily.
Per Section 10-13-10 of the town municipal code, the purpose is too“…establish standards that will eliminate and reduce unnecessary and excessive traffic and community noise which are physically harmful and otherwise detrimental to individuals and the community in the enjoyment of life, property and conduct of business”
When we are dispatched to a noise complaint, the standard procedure is for Code Enforcement to park in the area nearby with the windows rolled down and listen. The official can then verify that the problem is occurring. The Code Enforcement Official will confirm the address for the noise complaint and will check to see if that residence has received a warning for noise violation within the past 12 months. If so, then a summons will be issued. If not, then the resident will be issued a written warning for the violation. A notice will be left on the door if there is no answer.
Weeds & Rubbish
It is not always convenient for people to cut and maintain their lawns. However, when weeds become excessive, invasive species can bloom and cause issues for other locations nearby. If not attended to quickly, invasive weeds and their seeds can spread into nearby agricultural lands, causing crops to become worthless for farmers.
Section 7-4-20 of the Mead Municipal Code on “Lawn grasses, weeds, brush, rubbish” reads:
“It shall be the duty of each and every person, corporation or association owning any lot, parcel and tract of real property within the Town to cut and maintain to a height not to exceed five (5) inches from the ground level to the point where cut, all lawn grasses, weeds and brush, and to remove same, together with all rubbish of any kind, from his, her, property”
When residents and business owners do not stay on top of keeping their lawns and landscape it can lead to warnings, citations, and eventually abatement. Each year, our Public Works Department goes through a lengthy abatement process where workers enter a property to cut the lawns and fields themselves. Warnings and abatement involve a large amount of paperwork and time for both public works and the police department. And landowners are not happy when they receive a bill afterward for the work done on their behalf. Please do your part and keep the weeds to a minimum and your land in compliance.
Trim Your Limbs
According to Section 11-1-30, trees and shrubs with limbs overhanging a sidewalk or a street or alley shall be kept trimmed to a clear height of no less than nine (9) feet above a sidewalk and twelve (12) feet above a street or alley. A 12-foot clearing is especially necessary for the removal of snow from public streets. Tree and shrub limbs that are too long can cause damage to Public Works vehicles, such as snow plows, and they are at risk of being damaged by passing vehicles.
Clear Your Sidewalk
It is the responsibility of every owner or occupant of any premises within the Town to remove snow and ice on public sidewalks within 24-hours of accumulation. This incudes homes with public sidewalks in the front and/or sides of their property. Removal of snow and ice cannot be deposited on adjacent sidewalks, on the driving lanes of adjacent streets, on stormwater inlets or drainage swales, blocking the driveway access of adjacent properties, or on or against fire hydrants.
Junk Vehicles
Broken down, unsightly vehicles parked in driveways, streets and sometimes front lawns can be a common problem in neighborhoods. Section 8-2-10 of the town municipal code defines an abandoned as "any vehicle or equipment left unattended on private property for a period of seventy-two (72) hours without the consent of the owner." Junk or inoperable vehicles include those without valid license plates and registration or "wrecked, damaged, burned or dismantled to the extent that such vehicle or equipment is inoperable or immobile." Abandoned or junk vehicles can be removed or impounded by our Code Enforcement Official. We understand that bad things happen from time to time. The Town of Mead will work with you during these hardships. However, it’s essential to do your part in keeping our neighborhoods looking their best by getting these problems fixed quickly.
