Frequently Asked Questions
1. When does my yard have to be landscaped?
City Ordinance 19.06.090 requires all residential lots to have front yards landscaped within (1) year and backyards within (2) years after receiving a Certificate of Occupancy.
2. What is the ordinance on weeds?
City Ordinance Section 19.16.040 (10b). Weeds shall not be permitted to reach a height of more than six inches at any time.
3. What are the rules about trailers and boats parked on the street?
City Codes in Section 19.16.080 (1 & 2). It shall be unlawful to park, place, store, abandon, or otherwise leave any non-motorized vehicle or any un-mounted or unattached camper, boat, boat trailer, utility trailer, camp trailer, or any type of trailer, on any public street, alley, sidewalk, or right-of-way at any time & It shall be unlawful to park or store any vehicle in a front or side yard, in residentially zoned neighborhoods, except on a driveway or a paved area intended and approved for parking or behind a solid fence or wall, six(6) feet in height.
4. What are the rules about motorized vehicles parked on the street?
City Code Section 11.3.010.f Any vehicle parked in the same place on any street or alley or upon public property continuously for 48 hours is subject to impound.
5. How many dogs and cats can I have?
City Code Section 9.1.180. Number of Animals. It shall be unlawful for any person to have charge, care, or custody of more than three (3) dogs. It shall be unlawful for any person to have charge, care or custody of more than four (4) Cats.
6. What are the rules about dogs barking?
City Code Section 9.1.150. Dogs which disturb neighborhood. No person shall own, keep, or harbor any dog which by loud, continued, or frequent barking, howling, yelping, or by noxious or offensive odors shall annoy, disturb or endanger the health or welfare of any person or neighborhood. A violation of this section shall be a class B misdemeanor and such is hereby declared a public nuisance, and each day the violation is permitted to exist or continue shall constitute a separate offense. This section shall not apply to the City Animal Shelter, Veterinary or medical laboratories.
7. What can I do about my neighbor’s dog running loose all the time?
City Code Section 9.1.050. Dogs running at large. 1. It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any dog to permit such dog to run at large. 2. It shall be unlawful for the owner of a dog to permit such dog to go upon the private property of any person without the permission of the owner or person entitled possession of such private property. 3. The owner of any dog running at large shall be deemed in violation of this section regardless of the precautions taken to prevent the escape of the dog and to prohibit it from running at large. 4. Any dog running at large in violation of the provisions of this section is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and a menace to public health and safety, and the dog shall be taken up and impounded as provided herein.
8. What about Commercial Truck Violations?
Spillage – This is a violation of State traffic laws and will be cited if discovered under State Code 72-7-409. Noise – City Ordinance Section 19.16.070(1e) and reads” It shall be unlawful to operate any motor vehicle within the city limits of Saratoga Springs with a Dynamic Braking Device engaged, except for the aversion of immediate and imminent danger”.
9. Can I ride my ATV or Motorcycle on the streets to get to the Mountains?– Operating off-road vehicles on streets and highways is a violation of State code (41-22-10.3). It is also a violation of State code for an adult to knowingly permit a minor to drive without a license or a vehicle not street legal (53-3-203 & 53-3-212). It is also a violation to drive any vehicle on the street without a driver’s license in possession (53-3-404), or if they have never had obtained a license (53-3-202).
10. What about dogs attacking my dog or cat?
City Code Section 9.1.100. “Attacking dogs. It is unlawful for the owner or person having charge, care, custody or control of any dog to allow such dog to attack, chase, or worry any person, any domesticated animal having commercial value, or any species of hoofed protected wildlife, or to attack domestic fowl. “Worry,” as used in this section, means to harass by tearing, biting, or shaking with the teeth.” For more information regarding animals, click here.
11. Does my dog need to be licensed?
City Code Section 9.2.010. “…. It is unlawful for any person to keep, or harbor or maintain any dog four (4) months or more old unless such dog has been registered and licensed in the manner herein. The owner or custodian of any dog shall obtain a license for the animal within thirty (30) days after the dog reaches four (4) months, or, in the case of a dog over four (4) months, within ten (10) days of the acquisition of the dog. Person seeking dog license shall be eighteen (18) years of age or older.” For more information regarding animals, click here.