How Arvada Handles Landscaping Rules: A Practical Guide

Arvada maintains 140 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with landscaping rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Arvada falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Composting

Arvada exempts composting, defined as mixing shredded, decayed organic matter with dirt or earth to fertilize and condition soil, from the city's dumping and nuisance ban, unless the compost pile itself creates a foul odor or other nuisance condition.

Key details: Definition: Mixing shredded, decayed organic matter with dirt/earth. Purpose required: Fertilizing/conditioning soil for plant growth. Protected unless: Creates foul odor or nuisance condition. Bin/setback rule: None written into subsection. Abatement notice: 24 hours (§38-124) if it becomes a nuisance.

A compost pile that fits the Section 38-141(c) definition is not a violation on its own; enforcement only reaches a pile that 'creates a nuisance by means of a foul odor, or other miscellaneous condition.' Once that happens, it is treated like any other Article III nuisance: a 24-hour abatement notice under Section 38-124, then a fine or imprisonment, or both, under Section 38-125, up to Section 1-5's $2,650.00 and 364-day limits.

Arvada is more permissive than most cities when it comes to composting. That said, there are still limits.

Water Restrictions

Arvada bans wasting water under Sec. 102-106: no runoff from irrigation onto streets or sidewalks, no leaking sprinkler systems left unrepaired, and no watering of driveways or building exteriors. The utilities director can also set watering hours and days by rule, with fines climbing from a warning to $500 for repeat violations.

Key details: 1st violation: Warning notice only. 2nd violation (12 mo): $100.00 added to bill. 3rd violation: $250.00 added to bill. 4th+ violation: $500.00 + possible shut-off device. Service restoration deposit: $500.00, held 12 months.

Penalties escalate per property within a rolling 12-month period: first offense is a warning only, second offense adds $100.00 to the water bill, third adds $250.00, and a fourth or later offense adds $500.00 plus possible mandatory flow-restriction devices or service suspension, requiring a $500.00 restoration deposit held for 12 months. Charges may be appealed by petition to the director within 30 days of billing, though filing does not stay payment; hearings follow the Sec. 2-171 et seq. administrative hearing procedure.

Compared to other cities, Arvada takes a harder line on water restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Arvada Land Development Code § 4-6-2-2 requires developers to replace, on a caliper-inch basis, any protected tree of 2 inches or greater that is damaged beyond remedy or destroyed during development. Owners who skip replacement pay a penalty equal to the replacement cost plus 100 percent, and the City Forester and Director decide when transplanting instead of removal is feasible.

Key details: Protected size: 2-inch caliper or greater. Replacement basis: Caliper inch for caliper inch removed. Non-replacement penalty: Replacement cost plus 100 percent. Early-removal penalty: 200 percent tree/shrub installation required. Decision maker: Director, in consultation with City Forester.

Removing or damaging a protected tree without following § 4-6-2-2 exposes the applicant to the replacement-and-penalty scheme built into the Section itself: the caliper-inch replacement cost plus a 100 percent penalty, payable toward new trees on the project or, if the applicant declines, planted by the City on nearby public land. Section 4-6-2-1(D) adds a separate penalty for early removal: cutting trees 2 inches or larger within six months before a development application, without the Director's prior written approval, triggers a requirement to install 200 percent of the trees and shrubs otherwise required for the site.

Native Plants

Arvada may encourage or require native and drought-tolerant landscaping. Some areas restrict traditional grass lawns in favor of water-efficient alternatives.

Arvada is more permissive than most cities when it comes to native plants. That said, there are still limits.

Weed Ordinances

Arvada caps weeds and dead plant growth at 12 inches on every property under Section 18-492, and bans noxious weeds like Canada thistle and leafy spurge outright. Owners, agents, or residents who let weeds grow past that height, or who let noxious weeds spread, are violating the property maintenance code and can be cited.

Key details: Weed height limit: 12 inches, §18-492 (IPMC §302.4). Noxious weeds: Outright prohibited, includes thistle, knapweed. Ornamental grass zones: Only allowed in A-1, R-CE districts. Enforcement: Nuisance abatement, Ch. 38 Art. V. Appeal body: Board of adjustment, §18-482.

Letting weeds or dead plant growth exceed 12 inches, or allowing noxious weeds to spread, is punishable under Section 18-475 by the penalty limits in Section 1-5 of the Arvada City Code, and the violation is separately abatable as a nuisance under Article V of Chapter 38; weeds and noxious weeds citations are exclusively appealable to the board of adjustment under Section 18-482.

Artificial Turf

Arvada Land Development Code § 4-6-7-2 bars artificial turf as permanent ground cover in landscaped areas except in specific cases: backyards and side yards out of public view, approved recreational fields or clubhouse amenities, and putting greens up to 400 square feet, which are allowed even if visible from a street, sidewalk, park, or trail.

Key details: Front yard artificial turf: Not allowed if visible from public areas. Backyard/side yard exception: Allowed only when not in public view. Putting green exception: Up to 400 sq ft, even if visible. Rock ground cover cap: 25 percent of front yard maximum. Mulch depth: Minimum 2 inches, 75 percent coverage.

Installing artificial turf as primary ground cover in a location the Code doesn't exempt, most commonly a front yard visible from the street, is a landscape standards violation enforced the same way as other Article 4-6 landscaping deficiencies: through the development review and certificate-of-occupancy process for new construction, and through code compliance action for existing properties where the installation departs from an approved landscape plan. The City can require removal or replacement with a conforming ground cover as a condition of resolving the violation.

Compared to other cities, Arvada takes a harder line on artificial turf. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Arvada's landscaping rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Arvada is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Arvada's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.