Landscaping Rules in Grand Junction, CO (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Grand Junction, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
In the City of Grand Junction, property owners may not let tree branches hang lower than eight feet over a sidewalk or 14 feet over an alley or street. Municipal Code § 8.32.060 puts the duty to trim on the owner of the house, building or premises the tree fronts, with the Parks and Recreation Department judging clearance.
Grand Junction Tree Trimming Clearance Rule
Some RestrictionsGrand Junction Municipal Code § 8.32.060
§ 8.32.060. Duty to trim trees. The owner of any house, building or premises shall not permit the branches of any shade, ornamental or other tree to project over any street, avenue or sidewalk in front of or alongside of such building or premises lower than eight feet from the surface of the sidewalk and 14 feet over the surface of the alley or street. In estimating such heights, personnel of t...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In the City of Grand Junction, new development on lots over one acre (and all lots in the MU-3 district) must preserve at least 30% of the 'significant' trees on site, defined as healthy trees 15 inches or larger in DBH. A developer may only remove significant trees when preservation is not viable, and removal triggers mandatory replacement under GJMC § 21.07.040.
Grand Junction Significant Tree Removal Rules
Some RestrictionsGrand Junction Municipal Code § 21.07.040(c), (d)(1), (d)(4) & (g)
(c) All trees, except those identified as 'excluded' on the Suitable Plants List, that meet all of the following criteria as determined by a certified arborist shall be considered significant: (1) Are 15 inches or larger in DBH; ... (d) Preservation Required. (1) Where significant trees exist on a property, at least one and no less than 30% of significant trees shall be preserved during develop...
Weed Ordinances
In the City of Grand Junction, every property owner and lessee must cut weeds and brush to within three inches of the ground once growth exceeds six inches, and puncture vine must be cut regardless of height. Community Development enforces GJMC § 8.04.020, and the City can mow a noncompliant lot itself and bill the owner.
Grand Junction Weed and Brush Height Limit
Some RestrictionsGrand Junction Municipal Code § 8.04.020
(a) (1) It shall be the duty of each and every owner and each and every lessee of any tract or parcel of real property in the City, including such owners or lessees of agricultural lands (as defined in § 39-1-102(1.6)(a), C.R.S. to keep the property free of junk and rubbish, to cut to within three inches of the ground all weeds and brush exceeding six inches in height, including puncture vine r...
Native Plants
In the City of Grand Junction, new commercial, industrial, institutional and larger multi-unit developments must plant at least 25% native or native-alternative shrubs and groundcover, keep 90% of shrubs and groundcover on the low end of the water-needs scale, and skip ordinary turf unless it is native or arid-hybridized seed or sod, per GJMC § 21.07.030(c).
Grand Junction Native Plant Landscaping Rules
Some RestrictionsGrand Junction Municipal Code § 21.07.030(c)(1)(iii)-(iv), (c)(4)
(iii) A minimum 25% of the proposed shrubs and ground cover shall be identified as native or native alternative on the Suitable Plants List. (iv) A minimum 90% of the proposed shrubs and ground cover shall be identified as having very low, very low-low, low, or low-moderate water needs on the Suitable Plant List. ... (4) Turf not meeting the definition of functional turf shall not be installed ...
Artificial Turf
The City of Grand Junction bars non-functional turf, including most artificial turf, on commercial, industrial and institutional property and larger multi-unit developments under GJMC § 21.07.030(c)(4). Single-unit and duplex home lots are exempt from the landscaping chapter entirely.
Grand Junction Artificial Turf Restrictions
Light RestrictionsGrand Junction Municipal Code § 21.07.030(a)(2), (c)(4)
The landscaping requirements of this Code shall not apply to individual-lot development of single-unit detached or duplex dwellings. ... Turf not meeting the definition of functional turf shall not be installed on any commercial, industrial, or institutional property, any common interest element of a multi-unit residential property that includes more than 12 dwelling units, any common interest ...
Looking for Mesa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Grand Junction city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Mesa County →