Colorado Springs's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In Colorado Springs, Colorado, there are 7 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Native Plants

Colorado Springs encourages native-plant landscaping through Colorado Springs Utilities Water Wise rebates, typically 1 to 2 dollars per square foot of turf converted to xeriscape with native species. HOAs cannot prohibit xeriscape under Colorado's HOA xeriscape law (CRS 38-33.3-106.5), which mandates HOA approval of water-efficient landscaping using drought-tolerant plants including native species.

Key details: Rebate Program: 1 to 2 dollars per sq ft turf conversion. HOA Law: CRS 38-33.3-106.5 protects xeriscape. Signature Natives: Blue grama, buffalo grass, rabbitbrush. Watering Rules: 3 days per week typical. Consultation: CSU Water Wise free.

No direct violations for native landscaping; this area is incentive-based. HOA attempts to prohibit natives can be challenged through the Colorado Division of Real Estate HOA complaint process.

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

Artificial Turf

Colorado Springs permits artificial turf as a residential landscaping option under general zoning and does not require a permit for installation. HOAs may impose restrictions under their covenants, but Colorado's HOA xeriscape protection (CRS 38-33.3-106.5) is generally interpreted to cover water-efficient landscaping, which some courts have extended to artificial turf.

Key details: City Permit: Not required. HOA Restrictions: Often prohibited in visible areas. Utility Rebate: Not eligible (living plants only). Drainage: Must meet stormwater standards. Warranty Life: 8 to 15 years typical.

No city-level violations specific to artificial turf. HOA violations go through covenant enforcement and can result in fines up to the HOA's governing document limits (typically 25 to 100 dollars per day).

The rules around artificial turf in Colorado Springs lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Weed Ordinances

Colorado Springs City Code Part 3 (Weeds) controls weed growth that becomes a fire hazard, a traffic and pedestrian hazard, that clogs drainageways, or that is a designated noxious weed. Colorado's Noxious Weed Act (C.R.S. 35-5.5) separately requires all landowners to manage state-listed and locally designated noxious weeds.

Key details: City Code: Sec. 9.6.301 - 9.6.306 (Part 3, Weeds). Regulated categories: Fire hazard, traffic/pedestrian hazard, drainage clogging, noxious weeds. Natural-state exclusion: Undisturbed native land exempt (Sec. 9.6.301). State law: Colorado Noxious Weed Act, C.R.S. 35-5.5-104. Non-compliance: City abatement + cost assessment (Sec. 9.6.306).

Owners who fail to control regulated weeds receive a notice under City Code Part 3; if the owner does not comply (Sec. 9.6.306), the City may abate the weeds and assess the cost against the property. Noxious-weed management duties under C.R.S. 35-5.5 are enforced by the local government, which may also abate and bill the landowner.

Composting

Colorado Springs City Code Sec. 6.4.104(D)-(E) protects backyard composting as a right, but bans compost piles that become a nuisance. Strong odors or an infestation of mice, rats, vermin or rodents can turn a legal pile into a code violation, separate from the City's regular waste-container rules.

Key details: Home composting: Expressly allowed on private property (§6.4.104(D)). Limit: Pile can't be a health/safety hazard. Nuisance triggers: Strong odors, mice, rats, vermin, rodents. Not attractant waste: Compliant compost exempt from bear-container rules. Enforcement: Notice & order, Article 5 abatement.

A compost pile found to be a nuisance is enforced the same way as any improper accumulation under Sec. 6.4.105 and Article 5: notice and order from Code Enforcement, a deadline to fix the odor or rodent problem, and City-directed removal by contractor if it isn't. Because no specific fine is written into Article 4 for this offense, prosecution falls back to Sec. 1.1.201's general penalty, up to a $2,500 fine, up to 189 days in jail, or probation.

The rules around composting in Colorado Springs lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Tree Trimming

City Code requires trees to be kept trimmed to at least 14 feet of clearance over streets and 8 feet of clearance over sidewalks. Property owners are responsible for pruning the street trees and right-of-way vegetation adjoining their property to maintain these clearances.

Key details: Clearance over streets: At least 14 feet. Clearance over sidewalks: At least 8 feet. Owner responsibility: Maintain street trees and right-of-way vegetation adjoining the property. Pruning program: Request-based; limited City Tree Pruning Program as budget allows. Contractor license: Tree Service License required (City Clerk).

Vegetation that blocks the required street or sidewalk clearance is enforced as a code violation by Neighborhood Services / Forestry. The owner is notified to bring the tree into clearance; if not corrected, the City may prune the obstruction and may bill the cost to the owner. Code Enforcement intake is (719) 444-7891.

Water Restrictions

Colorado Springs has permanent year-round watering rules: sprinkler irrigation is limited to any three days per week of the customer's choosing, and from May 1 to October 15 sprinklers cannot run between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Drip irrigation, watering cans, and hand-held hoses with shut-off nozzles are allowed at any time.

Key details: Code Section: Colorado Springs City Code Sec. 12.4.1304 (Waste of Water Prohibited). Max watering days: Any three days per week. No-sprinkler hours: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., May 1 to Oct 15. Runoff: Runoff onto ground, street, or sidewalk prohibited. Leak repair: Within 10 days.

Watering in violation of the rules is a municipal code violation enforced by Colorado Springs Utilities and the City. Customers receive escalating notices; repeat or willful waste can result in fines and, for chronic violations, flow restrictions. Reported fines for violations start at $100.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

It is unlawful to plant, prune, remove, destroy or otherwise injure a City tree without a City Forester's permit. Ordinance 26-30, effective August 10, 2026, moved this rule into a new Urban Forest Code, Article 9 of Chapter 3, replacing the former Chapter 4 tree article.

Key details: Governing code: Urban Forest Code, City Code Article 9, Ch. 3. Effective date: August 10, 2026 (Ord. 26-30). Permit issuer: City Forester. Permit needed for: Plant, prune, remove, injure a City tree. Civil liability: Appraised value of damaged City tree.

Planting, pruning, removing or otherwise injuring a City tree without a City Forester's permit, or violating the maintenance duties of Sections 3.9.201-3.9.202, is a misdemeanor under Section 3.9.204 punished per the General Penalty, Section 1.1.201: up to a $2,500.00 fine, up to 189 days in jail, or both. Damage to a City tree also triggers separate civil liability for its appraised value under Section 3.9.203.

This is one of the stricter rules in Colorado Springs's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Colorado Springs gives residents more room on landscaping rules. 3 of the 7 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

All of the above reflects Colorado Springs'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.