Landscaping Rules in Colorado Springs, CO (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Colorado Springs, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Colorado Springs does not have a specific ordinance mandating a maximum grass height. The city encourages drought-resistant xeriscaping and native plants to conserve water, but there is no grass-height citation process.
Colorado Springs Grass Height Limits
Few RestrictionsTree Trimming
Colorado Springs does not have a specific city ordinance requiring property owners to trim trees on private property, except where branches or vegetation obstruct public rights-of-way, sidewalks, or sight lines at intersections.
Colorado Springs Tree Trimming Rules
Few RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage Trees
Colorado Springs generally does not require a permit to remove trees on private property, except for trees in designated preservation areas or impacting public rights-of-way. No heritage tree protection ordinance exists citywide.
Colorado Springs Tree Removal Regulations
Few RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Colorado Springs requires property owners to control noxious weeds and maintain grass and weeds under 12 inches tall in developed areas under City Code Chapter 9 Article 2. The Colorado Noxious Weed Act (CRS 35-5.5) designates List A, B, and C species that must be eradicated or controlled regardless of city rules, including musk thistle, leafy spurge, knapweeds, and myrtle spurge.
Landscaping: Weed Ordinances
Some RestrictionsWater Restrictions
Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) Water-Wise rules (effective December 2019) permanently limit outdoor irrigation to 3 days per week, with no overhead watering between 10 AM and 6 PM from May 1–October 15. Violations carry $100 fines.
Colorado Springs Water Restrictions & Landscape Watering Rules
Some RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
Colorado law (HB 16-1005) allows single-family and duplex homes to collect rainwater in up to two 55-gallon barrels (110 gallons total) from rooftop runoff for outdoor, non-potable use only. The collected water must be used on the same property. Larger collection systems are prohibited without a specific water-court-approved plan due to Colorado's strict prior-appropriation doctrine.
Landscaping: Rainwater Harvesting
Some RestrictionsNative 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.
Landscaping: Native Plants
Few RestrictionsColo. 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...
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.
Landscaping: Artificial Turf
Few RestrictionsColo. 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...
Looking for El Paso County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Colorado Springs city rules.
Landscaping Rules in El Paso County →