Aurora's Water Use Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles water use rules a little differently. In Aurora, Colorado, there are 2 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.

Turf Replacement Rebates

Aurora Water bans new aesthetic turf citywide and restricts new grass: none in front or side yards, and backyard turf is capped at 45 percent or 500 square feet, whichever is smaller, to curb water use.

Key details: Aesthetic turf: Not permitted at all. Front/side yard turf: Prohibited (narrow exception). Backyard turf cap: 45% or 500 sq ft. Ornamental water features: May not use water. Effective date: Sept. 12, 2022 (Ord. 2022-46).

Aurora Water and city code enforcement administer this section; subsection (j) bars any waiver or variance outside the narrow site-plan exemptions, and noncompliant turf can be required to be removed or corrected.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Aurora actively enforces its turf replacement rebates requirements.

Recycled Water Rules

Aurora, Colorado requires new irrigation systems to connect to reclaimed water where it's available, with purple pipe, warning signs, and backflow protection mandatory.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 138-192(g). Design approval: Aurora Water must approve plan. Pipe marking: Purple pipe, warning text. Repair deadline: 3 days commercial / 7 residential. State overlay: CDPHE reclaimed-water regs apply.

Treated as water waste under § 138-190; repair required within 3 days (commercial) or 7 days (residential) of notice, with penalties for continued violation.

The Bottom Line

Aurora's water use 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.

Keep in mind that Aurora can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.