Landscaping Rules in Loveland, CO (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Loveland, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
The Loveland Municipal Code Title 16 (Nuisances) — adopted in 2020 as a consolidated nuisance-abatement ordinance — requires every property owner to keep weeds, grass and other vegetation mowed to a height no greater than eight inches. Failure to comply is a public nuisance subject to a written, mailed notice giving the owner seven days to abate; if uncorrected, the City performs the work and bills the owner cost-plus-ten-percent, with an additional 10% penalty after 30 days and unpaid charges placed on the Larimer County tax roll.
Loveland Grass & Weeds — 8-Inch Mow Limit (Title 16 Nuisances)
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Loveland does not require a permit to prune healthy trees on private residential property. Trees on city streets, in the public right-of-way, and on city-owned property are maintained by the Parks & Recreation Department's Urban Forestry division, which manages approximately 25,000 publicly owned trees. Pruning, removing, or damaging a city-owned or right-of-way tree requires Urban Forester approval. Loveland has been a Tree City USA since 1989.
Loveland Tree Trimming — Private Pruning Unregulated; ROW/City Trees by Urban Forester
Few RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage Trees
Loveland does not impose a general tree-removal permit on established single-family residential property. Tree-removal review attaches through Title 18 (Unified Development Code) when removal involves a Significant Tree (defined at UDC § 4557), required landscape material, a buffer yard, or a tree designated for retention on an approved site plan. Removal of any tree planted in city right-of-way or on city property without written City consent is prohibited.
Loveland Tree Removal — Private Lot Permissive; UDC Article 5 Development Review Triggers
Some RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Loveland Municipal Code Title 16 (Nuisances) requires property owners to remove weeds listed as harmful by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (ag.colorado.gov) in addition to keeping general vegetation mowed below eight inches. Loveland's authority is supplemented by the Colorado Noxious Weed Act (CRS 35-5.5-101 et seq.), which establishes statewide List A (mandatory eradication), List B (containment), and List C (recommended management) noxious species.
Loveland Noxious Weeds — Title 16 + Colorado Noxious Weed Act
Some RestrictionsWater Restrictions
City of Loveland Utilities (Loveland Water and Power) serves customers inside the city from the Big Thompson River, the Charles Hansen Feeder Canal, and Green Ridge Glade Reservoir, with supplemental supply from the Colorado-Big Thompson (CBT) Project and Windy Gap Project administered by Northern Water. Loveland's water-treatment plant has 38 million gallons per day capacity. As of 2026, restrictions are voluntary, but the City may escalate to mandatory drought stages based on Northern Water's CBT quota allocation (currently 80% as of Aug 2024).
Loveland Water Restrictions — Voluntary Conservation; CBT-Driven Drought Stages
Some RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
Colorado is restrictive on rainwater harvesting because of prior-appropriation water law, but House Bill 16-1005 (codified at CRS 37-96.5-103) permits single-family households and multi-family households of four or fewer units to collect precipitation in a maximum of two (2) rain barrels with a combined capacity not exceeding 110 gallons. Captured water must come from rooftop downspouts and be used outdoors on the same property. Loveland does not require a city permit for compliant residential rain barrels.
Loveland Rainwater Harvesting — 2 Barrels / 110 Gallons Allowed (HB 16-1005)
Few RestrictionsNative Plants
Loveland does not mandate native plants in private landscapes but actively encourages drought-tolerant and Colorado-adapted species through the City of Loveland Plant List adopted under Title 18 (Unified Development Code). The March 17, 2026 UDC amendments tighten landscape standards to favor climate-adapted grasses (buffalo grass, blue grama) and drought-tolerant plantings. State law (CRS 38-33.3-106.5, reinforced by HB 21-1229 and SB 23-178) prohibits HOAs from banning xeriscape and drought-tolerant landscapes.
Loveland Native Plants — Encouraged via UDC Plant List + HOA Xeriscape Protections
Few RestrictionsArtificial Turf
On March 3, 2026, the Loveland City Council amended the Title 18 Unified Development Code (effective March 17, 2026) to implement Colorado Senate Bill 24-005. Artificial turf, invasive plant species, and water-intensive cool-season turf are prohibited on commercial, industrial, institutional, common-interest-community, and street right-of-way property as of January 1, 2026. Residential single-family use on private lots remains generally permitted but is subject to HOA architectural review.
Loveland Artificial Turf — Banned on Commercial/Industrial/Institutional Sites (SB 24-005)
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Larimer County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Loveland city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Larimer County →