Landscaping Rules in Denver, CO (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Denver, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Denver Tree Clearance Over Streets and Sidewalks
Some RestrictionsDenver Revised Municipal Code § 57-23
The responsible party of any property shall maintain and care for the trees upon said property and upon the public right-of-way abutting said property so that the trees do not interfere with, obstruct, or obscure signs or public safety signals that in any way endanger the safe public use of streets, alleys, sidewalks, or other public places.(b)Stumps are not permitted on the public right-of-way...
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.
Denver Tree Removal Permit Required
Some RestrictionsDenver Revised Municipal Code § 57-20(a)
It shall be unlawful to plant trees on, perform trunk injections of pesticides into trees on, or remove trees from, the public right-of-way or other public place without a permit issued by the city forester.
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.
Denver Requires Removal of Unattended Weeds
Some RestrictionsDenver Revised Municipal Code § 57-41(a)
It shall be the duty of the owner, agent, or lessee of any real property located within the city to provide for regular weeding, pruning, and other maintenance of all plantings located on said private property. Plant materials which exhibit evidence of pests, disease, or damage shall be appropriately treated, and dead plant materials shall be removed or replaced.(b)It shall be the duty of the o...
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.
Denver Wasteful Water Use Ban
Some RestrictionsDenver Revised Municipal Code § 56-16
It shall be unlawful for any person to make any use of water in violation of the rules and regulations of the board of water commissioners concerning such use. Any such violation shall be presumed to be wasteful and in violation of this section.
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.
Denver Residential Compost Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsDenver Revised Municipal Code § 48-42(a)
Collections of trash, recyclable material, and compost material shall be made in accordance with the plan of the manager of transportation and infrastructure from categories of eligible properties designated by regulations promulgated under authority of this article.(b)Collections shall be affected only from those premises where trash, recyclable material, and compost material are prepared and ...