How Loveland Handles Landscaping Rules: A Practical Guide

Loveland maintains 106 local ordinances across all categories, and 8 of those deal specifically with landscaping rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Loveland falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Loveland does not impose a general tree-removal permit on established single-family residential property. Tree-removal review attaches through Title 18 (Unified Development Code) when removal involves a Significant Tree (defined at UDC § 4557), required landscape material, a buffer yard, or a tree designated for retention on an approved site plan. Removal of any tree planted in city right-of-way or on city property without written City consent is prohibited.

Key details: Routine SF Lot Permit: No general city tree-removal permit. Authority: Loveland Title 18 Unified Development Code. Significant Tree: Defined at UDC § 4557 (with DBH § 4561). ROW / City Property: Removal requires written City consent. Inventory: ~25,000 city-owned trees managed by Urban Forestry.

Removing or destroying a tree on city right-of-way or city property without written City consent is a Title 18 / Title 16 violation prosecutable in Loveland Municipal Court with restitution for the appraised value of the tree (ISA Trunk Formula or Replacement Cost Method) plus civil penalties. Removing a tree subject to a required-landscape, buffer-yard, or significant-tree designation on an approved development plan is a UDC enforcement matter handled by Development Services with replacement obligations and civil penalties. Damage to a neighbor's tree exposes the actor to civil damages, including treble damages for willful injury under Colorado tree-injury common law.

Grass Height Limits

The Loveland Municipal Code Title 16 (Nuisances) — adopted in 2020 as a consolidated nuisance-abatement ordinance — requires every property owner to keep weeds, grass and other vegetation mowed to a height no greater than eight inches. Failure to comply is a public nuisance subject to a written, mailed notice giving the owner seven days to abate; if uncorrected, the City performs the work and bills the owner cost-plus-ten-percent, with an additional 10% penalty after 30 days and unpaid charges placed on the Larimer County tax roll.

Key details: Authority: Loveland Municipal Code Title 16 — Nuisances (consolidated 2020). Height Limit: 8 inches maximum for weeds, grass, vegetation. Notice: Written, mailed warning + 7 days to abate. City Abatement Cost: Actual cost + 10% admin fee. Late Penalty: Additional 10% after 30 days unpaid.

First step: written, mailed notice giving the property owner seven (7) days to abate. If uncorrected, the City completes the mowing/cleanup and bills the owner the actual cost plus a 10% administrative fee. Charges unpaid after 30 days incur an additional 10% penalty, and the total assessment is placed on the Larimer County tax roll for collection in the same manner as ad valorem property taxes — creating a lien enforceable against the property. Continued or repeat nuisance violations may be cited into Loveland Municipal Court under Title 16 with daily-accruing penalties.

Tree Trimming

Loveland does not require a permit to prune healthy trees on private residential property. Trees on city streets, in the public right-of-way, and on city-owned property are maintained by the Parks & Recreation Department's Urban Forestry division, which manages approximately 25,000 publicly owned trees. Pruning, removing, or damaging a city-owned or right-of-way tree requires Urban Forester approval. Loveland has been a Tree City USA since 1989.

Key details: Private Pruning Permit: Not required. ROW / City Tree Maintenance: Loveland Parks & Recreation — Urban Forestry. Publicly Owned Trees: ~25,000 managed by Urban Forestry. Urban Forester Hotline: 970-962-3459 (dangerous ROW trees). Tree City USA: Loveland — designated since 1989.

Unauthorized pruning, damage, or removal of a city-owned street tree or right-of-way tree may be cited under the Loveland Municipal Code and subject to restitution measured by the tree's appraised value (typically via ISA Trunk Formula or Replacement Cost Method) plus civil penalties. Damaging a neighbor's tree by trespass or willful injury is actionable in Larimer County District Court for actual damages, plus treble damages under Colorado tree-injury common law for willful destruction of timber or ornamental trees.

Loveland is more permissive than most cities when it comes to tree trimming. That said, there are still limits.

Artificial Turf

On March 3, 2026, the Loveland City Council amended the Title 18 Unified Development Code (effective March 17, 2026) to implement Colorado Senate Bill 24-005. Artificial turf, invasive plant species, and water-intensive cool-season turf are prohibited on commercial, industrial, institutional, common-interest-community, and street right-of-way property as of January 1, 2026. Residential single-family use on private lots remains generally permitted but is subject to HOA architectural review.

Key details: Authority: Loveland Title 18 UDC (amended Mar 17, 2026) + Colorado SB 24-005. Effective Date (SB 24-005): January 1, 2026. Prohibited Locations: Commercial, industrial, institutional, CICs, ROW, medians, parking lots. Prohibited Materials: Artificial turf, invasive plants, nonfunctional cool-season turf. Functional Turf: Playgrounds, sports fields, golf course playing areas.

Installing artificial turf, invasive species, or nonfunctional cool-season turf on commercial, institutional, industrial, common-interest-community, right-of-way, parking-lot, median, or transportation-corridor property is a Title 18 UDC violation enforced by Loveland Development Services with stop-work, replacement obligation, and civil-penalty exposure. State-level non-compliance is enforced through the SB 24-005 framework against local governments that allow non-compliant installations. Residential single-family installations that violate HOA architectural-review guidelines are civil contract matters resolved in Larimer County District Court.

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

Weed Ordinances

Loveland Municipal Code Title 16 (Nuisances) requires property owners to remove weeds listed as harmful by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (ag.colorado.gov) in addition to keeping general vegetation mowed below eight inches. Loveland's authority is supplemented by the Colorado Noxious Weed Act (CRS 35-5.5-101 et seq.), which establishes statewide List A (mandatory eradication), List B (containment), and List C (recommended management) noxious species.

Key details: Local Authority: Loveland Municipal Code Title 16 (Nuisances). State Authority: Colorado Noxious Weed Act (CRS 35-5.5-101 et seq.). Designation Body: Colorado Dept. of Agriculture — ag.colorado.gov. Lists: List A (eradicate), List B (manage), List C (recommended). County Partner: Larimer County Weed District (cost-share programs).

Title 16 enforcement starts with a written, mailed warning and a 7-day correction period. The City completes the abatement at owner cost plus a 10% administrative fee; an additional 10% penalty applies after 30 days unpaid, with the total placed on the Larimer County tax roll as a property-tax-like lien. Failure to comply with the Colorado Noxious Weed Act for List A or List B species can result in additional state-level enforcement and cost-recovery actions through the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

Water Restrictions

City of Loveland Utilities (Loveland Water and Power) serves customers inside the city from the Big Thompson River, the Charles Hansen Feeder Canal, and Green Ridge Glade Reservoir, with supplemental supply from the Colorado-Big Thompson (CBT) Project and Windy Gap Project administered by Northern Water. Loveland's water-treatment plant has 38 million gallons per day capacity. As of 2026, restrictions are voluntary, but the City may escalate to mandatory drought stages based on Northern Water's CBT quota allocation (currently 80% as of Aug 2024).

Key details: Utility: Loveland Water and Power (municipal). Source Water: Big Thompson River, Hansen Feeder Canal, Green Ridge Glade Reservoir, CBT, Windy Gap. Treatment Plant Capacity: Up to 38 million gallons per day. Current Status (2026): Voluntary conservation. Voluntary Schedule: ≤3 days/week; avoid 10 a.m.–6 p.m. watering.

Under voluntary conservation, there are no City fines for outdoor watering. If the City Council declares a mandatory drought stage, the ordinance typically authorizes escalating enforcement: first-violation written warning, second and subsequent violations subject to civil penalties and excess-use surcharges on the water bill, with possible service-disconnection authority for chronic violators consistent with Loveland Utilities' service rules. Wasteful runoff onto streets, sidewalks, and impervious surfaces is also discouraged under Loveland's water-conservation messaging.

Native Plants

Loveland does not mandate native plants in private landscapes but actively encourages drought-tolerant and Colorado-adapted species through the City of Loveland Plant List adopted under Title 18 (Unified Development Code). The March 17, 2026 UDC amendments tighten landscape standards to favor climate-adapted grasses (buffalo grass, blue grama) and drought-tolerant plantings. State law (CRS 38-33.3-106.5, reinforced by HB 21-1229 and SB 23-178) prohibits HOAs from banning xeriscape and drought-tolerant landscapes.

Key details: Mandatory Native Use: Not required on private lots. City Plant List: Loveland UDC-adopted approved species list. 2026 UDC Update: Effective March 17, 2026 — favors climate-adapted species. HOA Protection: CRS 38-33.3-106.5; HB 21-1229; SB 23-178. Title 16 Exemption: Native + ornamental grasses excluded from 'weeds'.

There are no penalties for using non-native plants on a private Loveland lot, provided general nuisance and noxious-weed rules are followed. An HOA that bans xeriscape, drought-tolerant landscapes, or vegetable gardens in violation of CRS 38-33.3-106.5 (HB 21-1229 / SB 23-178) is subject to private enforcement in Larimer County District Court by the homeowner, with potential attorney-fee recovery. Failure to maintain required landscape material under Title 18 UDC in a commercial, multi-family, or institutional development is a UDC violation enforced by Loveland Development Services with replacement and civil-penalty exposure.

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

Rainwater Harvesting

Colorado is restrictive on rainwater harvesting because of prior-appropriation water law, but House Bill 16-1005 (codified at CRS 37-96.5-103) permits single-family households and multi-family households of four or fewer units to collect precipitation in a maximum of two (2) rain barrels with a combined capacity not exceeding 110 gallons. Captured water must come from rooftop downspouts and be used outdoors on the same property. Loveland does not require a city permit for compliant residential rain barrels.

Key details: State Authority: Colorado HB 16-1005 — CRS 37-96.5-103. Maximum Barrels: 2 rain barrels per qualifying household. Maximum Storage: 110 gallons combined capacity. Eligible Property: Single-family + multi-family ≤ 4 units. Collection Source: Rooftop downspouts only.

Exceeding the two-barrel / 110-gallon residential cap, collecting rainwater from anything other than rooftop downspouts, or using captured water indoors or off-site violates CRS 37-96.5-103 and is enforced by the Colorado Division of Water Resources. Plumbed cistern systems installed without a Loveland plumbing permit are building-code violations subject to stop-work and after-the-fact permitting by Loveland Development Services. Cross-connections that contaminate the public water supply trigger immediate disconnection by Loveland Water and Power and reporting to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

The rules around rainwater harvesting in Loveland lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Loveland gives residents more room on landscaping rules. 3 of the 8 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.

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