Landscaping Rules in Colorado Springs, CO (2026)

City of Colorado Springs Forestry, "Frequently Asked Questions & Useful Information" (official city page)

City Code requires at least 14ft clearance over streets and 8ft clearance over sidewalks. Homeowners are responsible for maintaining shrubs, weeds, and landscaping in the city right of way. Homeowners are responsible for maintaining shrubs or weeds in alleys. Our current budget does not support a regular pruning schedule. Instead, we respond to citizen requests.

Colorado Springs City Code § 3.9.104(A), § 3.9.204 (Urban Forest Code)

Permit Required: A permit is required for the following acts: (1) To plant a tree on a right-of-way; (2) To prune, control insects and diseases, remove, destroy, cut, deface, or in any way injure or modify a City tree; and (3) To install impervious hard surfacing around a tree in a right-of-way. ... UNLAWFUL ACTS: (A) It is unlawful for any person to plant, prune, control insects and diseases, ...

Colorado Springs City Code Sec. 9.6.301 (Purpose; Exclusion)

The purpose of this part is to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the people of the City by eliminating and controlling, to the extent possible, the growth and proliferation of weeds within the City, which become a fire hazard, a traffic and pedestrian hazard, which clog drainageways and are designated as noxious weeds or undesirable plants.

City of Colorado Springs, "New water-wise rules now in effect" (official city news page summarizing City Code Sec. 12.4.1304)

Watering with sprinklers is limited to any three days of your choice per week. From May 1-Oct. 15, sprinklers can't be operated between 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Drip irrigation, watering cans, and hose watering with a shut-off nozzle are allowed at any time. Permits are required for Utilities customers who need to temporarily water more than three days a week to establish new landscapes. Broken or leakin...

Colo. SB 23-178 (Water-Wise Landscaping in Common Interest Communities)

Bill Summary: Under current law, a unit owners' association (association) of a common interest community may not prohibit the use of xeriscape, nonvegetative turf grass, or drought-tolerant vegetative landscapes to provide ground covering to property for which a unit owner is responsible. There is, however, an exception authorizing an association to adopt and enforce design or aesthetic guideli...

Colo. HB 19-1050 (Water Conservation - Xeriscape)

Bill Summary: Water conservation - use of xeriscape and other drought-tolerant landscaping - common interest communities - special districts. Section 1 of the act augments an existing law that establishes the right of unit owners in common interest communities to use water-efficient landscaping, subject to reasonable aesthetic standards, by specifically extending the same policy to limited comm...

Colorado Springs City Code § 6.4.104(D)-(E)

Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the accumulation of compost by any person on private property. The accumulation of compost shall not be in a condition which is dangerous to the public health, safety and welfare. The accumulation and use of compost in compliance with the standards set forth in this article shall not be considered attractant waste. ... It shall be unlawful a...