How Denver Handles Landscaping Rules: A Practical Guide

Denver maintains 158 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with landscaping rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Denver falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Composting

Denver folds compost material into its curbside trash service for single-family homes and small residential buildings: yard waste, food scraps and accepted paper get collected under a city service plan, with container type and pickup set by the transportation department.

Key details: Eligible properties: single-family homes, small multiunits. Compost material covers: yard waste, food scraps, accepted paper. Container/placement rules: set by transportation dept. regulation. Wrong-bin fine: up to $999 per violation. Enforcing agency: Dept. of Transportation and Infrastructure.

Putting trash in a city container marked for compost or recyclable material is unlawful under Sec. 48-44.5(e); fines run up to $999 per violation under Sec. 48-47(d), separate from the underlying trash service charge.

Weed Ordinances

Denver requires owners and lessees to keep private property and the abutting right-of-way clear of unattended vegetation, including overgrown weeds, brush, and grasses, under DRMC Chapter 57.

Key details: Governing law: DRMC Chapter 57, Article III. Enforcing agency: CPD neighborhood inspection services. Abatement notice: 10 days to comply. City remedy: City clears vegetation, bills owner. State overlay: Colorado Noxious Weed Act also applies.

Ignoring a notice of violation lets Denver enter the property, clear the vegetation, and bill the owner; unpaid abatement costs become a lien on the property, plus possible criminal prosecution under Sec. 57-46.

Water Restrictions

Denver makes it a citywide offense to use water in violation of the Board of Water Commissioners' rules, and any such violation is presumed wasteful under the Revised Municipal Code.

Key details: Governing section: DRMC § 56-16. Rules incorporated from: Board of Water Commissioners. Legal presumption: Violation deemed "wasteful". Max penalty: $999 fine, 300 days jail.

General penalty under DRMC § 1-13: up to a $999 fine and/or up to 300 days in jail per offense; each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense.

Tree Trimming

Denver property owners must keep trees on their land and the abutting right-of-way trimmed so branches don't block signs, traffic signals, sidewalks, or streets; the city forester can order pruning or removal to eliminate the hazard.

Key details: Enforcing agency: City forester (Parks and Recreation). Who must comply: Property owner or responsible party. Stump removal: At least 12 inches below grade. If order ignored: City does work, bills owner, liens property. Emergency authority: Forester may act immediately, no notice needed.

Ignoring a city forester's order to prune or remove an obstructing tree is unlawful; the city may perform the work itself, bill the responsible party, and file a lien against the property until paid.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Denver requires a city forester permit to remove any tree from the public right-of-way or other public place, and for certain established trees near street setbacks during residential demolition or construction.

Key details: Permit required for: trees on public right-of-way/places. Issuing authority: City forester (Parks & Recreation). Unpermitted removal penalty: up to treble appraised value. Private-property construction trigger: established trees in street setbacks. Exempt trees: dead, diseased, or nuisance species.

Unpermitted removal on public right-of-way or public place can draw a penalty up to treble the tree's appraised value, plus required replacement or mitigation payment (§ 57-24(2)-(3)).

The Bottom Line

Denver'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 Denver is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Denver's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.