Landscaping Rules in Aurora, CO

If you live in Aurora or are thinking about moving there, landscaping rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Aurora has 6 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of landscaping rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Water Restrictions

Aurora, Colorado doesn't fix watering days in the Code itself: schedules come from rules Aurora Water's general manager publishes under City Code § 138-188, and watering outside those rules is "waste of water" under § 138-190, punishable by warnings, escalating civil penalties, and possible service shutoff.

Key details: Governing rule: Waste of water, City Code § 138-190. Watering schedule set by: General manager rules under § 138-188. 1st violation: Warning only. Repeat violation, single-family: $125–$500 civil penalty. Repeat violation, commercial/irrigation: Up to $2,000 civil penalty.

First offense: warning only. Repeat violations within 12 months: civil penalty added to the water bill, up to $500 (single-family) or $2,000 (multi-family/commercial/irrigation); extreme waste can trigger a flow restrictor or water shutoff.

Artificial Turf

Aurora's Unified Development Ordinance allows artificial turf in front and back yards, but front-yard turf on single-family lots needs HOA and/or Title 32 District approval plus compliance with the residential landscape table.

Key details: Governing provision: UDO § 146-4.7.3.B.11. Back yards: Allowed outright. Front yards (single-family): Needs HOA/Title 32 approval. Curbside planting strips: Prohibited citywide. Material required: Cut-pile infill only.

Curbside-planting-area turf, unapproved front-yard turf, or carpet substitutes are code violations subject to the UDO's standard zoning enforcement and correction process.

Native Plants

New development and redevelopment in Aurora, Colorado must draw at least 75% of trees and annuals, and 100% of shrubs, perennials, groundcovers and ornamental grasses, from an approved Water-wise plant list under the UDO's landscaping standards.

Key details: Trees/annuals threshold: 75% must be Water-wise. Shrubs/perennials/grasses threshold: 100% must be Water-wise. Applies to: New development & major redevelopment. Banned species: 7 listed, incl. Russian olive, ash. Governing instrument: UDO § 146-4.7.3, not City Code.

Site plans that fail to meet the Water-wise plant percentages or that include a prohibited species are rejected during Planning Department review; noncompliant landscaping can block certificate-of-occupancy issuance.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Aurora's Unified Development Ordinance requires UDO-required trees lost to damage or disease within two years of installation to be replaced within six months at a one-inch-DBH-per-inch ratio, and requires City Forester sign-off before removing preserved existing trees on development sites.

Key details: Replacement ratio: 1 inch DBH per inch removed. Deadline: replace within 6 months of notice. Trigger: required trees lost within 2 years. Black Forest Area: 1-to-1 replacement ratio, UDO-set. Administered by: City Forester, Forestry Division.

Removing a required or protected tree without City Forester approval, or failing to replace a required tree within six months of a notice to replace, is a UDO violation subject to code enforcement; within the Black Forest Area, violating an approved tree protection plan is expressly named a UDO violation.

Weed Ordinances

Aurora prohibits noxious weeds and overgrown vegetation over 6 inches on developed properties. State-listed noxious weeds must be controlled under the Colorado Noxious Weed Act.

Key details: Height limit: 6 inches (developed lots). State law: Colorado Noxious Weed Act, CRS 35-5.5. List A weeds: Must eradicate. Compliance window: 10-15 days after notice. Enforcement: Neighborhood Services plus county.

Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Aurora code enforcement](https://ag.colorado.gov/conservation/noxious-weeds) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

Tree Trimming

Aurora, Colorado requires owners to trim trees on their lot to a clear height of 13 feet 6 inches over streets, alleys or highways and 8 feet over sidewalks.

Key details: Street/alley clearance: 13 ft. 6 in.. Sidewalk clearance: 8 ft.. Notice to comply: 7 days. City-installed right-of-way trees: City's duty, not owner's.

Noncompliance after a seven-day notice lets the City cut or remove the tree itself (Sec. 142-78, 142-80) and bill the owner; unpaid costs plus a 15% surcharge become a first lien against the property (Sec. 142-81).

The Bottom Line

Aurora'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 Aurora is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Aurora's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.