Landscaping Rules in Loveland, CO (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Loveland, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Loveland property owners must keep tree branches trimmed to at least 8 feet over a public sidewalk and 14 feet over a street or alley travel lane, under Municipal Code § 12.32.135. Vegetation can't encroach onto the sidewalk or street plane at all, and the city's Urban Forester can order the work done, or do it and bill the owner, if it isn't.
Loveland, CO Tree Clearance Over Sidewalks, Streets
Some RestrictionsLoveland Municipal Code § 12.32.135
A.It shall be the duty of the owner of any property within the City to cut, trim, prune or remove as necessary any trees, shrubs, or other vegetation located upon the property of such owner in order to provide for the safe and convenient use of streets, sidewalks, alleys or other City-owned property in accordance with the following requirements:1.Vegetation growth must not encroach upon the pla...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In Loveland, Colorado, a significant tree shown on a City-approved landscape plan cannot be removed without City sign-off. The Unified Development Code lists nine specific grounds for approval, from disease and safety hazards to utility conflicts, and requires on-site replacement when preservation is not feasible.
Loveland Protected Tree Removal Rules
Some RestrictionsLoveland Unified Development Code § 18.08.05.02
No significant tree that is shown on an approved landscape plan shall be removed unless it meets one of the criteria below and its removal is approved by the City: 1. The tree is infected with an epidemic insect or disease where the recommended control is not applicable and removal is the recommended practice to prevent transmission. 2. The tree poses an extreme public nuisance because of its s...
Weed Ordinances
Loveland caps ordinary weeds and grass at eight inches on every lot in the city, with noxious weeds under the state Weed Act banned regardless of height. Ornamental, native and turf grasses shown on an approved landscape plan or growing in a designated natural area are exempt from the height cap.
Loveland Weed and Grass Height Limit
Some RestrictionsLoveland Municipal Code § 16.32.020(A)
It is unlawful for the owner of any property, lot, block or parcel of land within the City to allow or permit the growth thereon of: 1. Noxious weeds which are required to be eradicated under the Weed Act, regardless of height; or 2. Noxious weeds which are not required to be eradicated under the Weed Act, except to the extent that such noxious weeds are managed in accordance with the published...
Water Restrictions
Loveland caps outdoor sprinkling flow, requires a permit for underground sprinkler systems, and lets the city manager impose an emergency ban on outdoor potable water use when supply runs short. Violating an active ban draws escalating fines up to $1,000 per day.
Loveland, CO Sprinkling and Watering Rules
Some RestrictionsLoveland Municipal Code § 13.04.210
Consumers shall not use a larger hose than three-fourths of an inch in diameter, and sprinkling without a nozzle or with a nozzle opening larger than one-fourth inch is strictly forbidden. Maximum use at one time shall be limited by the following gallons per minute: A. Lot areas up to 10,000 square feet, ten gallons per minute; B. For each additional 10,000 square feet, five gallons per minute.
Artificial Turf
Loveland's Unified Development Code bans nonfunctional artificial turfgrass on commercial, industrial, institutional, and common-interest-community property, in street rights-of-way, parkways, parking lots, medians, and transportation corridors, and separately in the common landscape areas of platted residential developments. The code's own private-lot category is not swept into either ban.
Loveland Artificial Turf Placement Limits
Some RestrictionsLoveland Unified Development Code § 18.08.02.01(C)(2)
C. Prohibited Plant List. The following plants are not allowed in the City, and shall be removed during development or redevelopment if they are present on the subject property: 1. Plants that are identified as noxious, invasive, or prohibited in Loveland by the United States or the State of Colorado; 2. Nonfunctional turfgrass and/or nonfunctional artificial turfgrass on commercial, industrial...
Composting
Loveland allows occupants of one-unit or duplex homes to keep a backyard compost pile of layered plant refuse and soil, but the pile has to be fully enclosed and kept from putrefying or drawing insects and animals. A compost pile that becomes a nuisance loses its protection under the code.
Loveland Backyard Compost Pile Rules
Light RestrictionsLoveland Municipal Code § 16.12.030
An occupant of any one-unit or duplex residential property may maintain a compost pile that is a separated area containing alternate layers of plant refuse materials and soil maintained to facilitate decomposition and produce organic material to be used as a soil conditioner. A compost pile shall be fully enclosed and maintained to prevent it from becoming a public nuisance by putrefying or att...
Looking for Larimer County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Loveland city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Larimer County →