8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in El Paso County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
El Paso County does not have a countywide grass-height ordinance for unincorporated residential properties. Complaints about overgrown vegetation may be addressed under general county nuisance provisions in developed subdivisions.
El Paso County does not have a countywide ordinance requiring homeowners to trim trees in unincorporated residential areas. Property owners are responsible for maintaining trees on their property and preventing them from becoming safety hazards.
El Paso County does not require permits for tree removal on private residential property in unincorporated areas. Property owners may remove trees on their own land, but should exercise caution near utility lines and during fire restriction periods.
El Paso County enforces weed abatement under the Colorado Noxious Weed Act (C.R.S. §35-5.5-101) through the El Paso County Noxious Weed Advisory Board. The county manages 70+ listed species including Canada thistle, leafy spurge, and cheatgrass — a major wildfire fuel after Black Forest Fire. Annual notices sent to vacant lot owners.
Water use in unincorporated El Paso County varies widely — some areas are served by Colorado Springs Utilities with outdoor watering restrictions, while rural areas rely on private wells. No countywide watering schedule applies.
El Paso County rainwater harvesting strictly limited by Colorado water law — HB 16-1005 (C.R.S. §37-96.5-103) permits only two 55-gallon barrels (110 gallons total) per residential property for outdoor irrigation. Prior Appropriation Doctrine restricts collection. Colorado Springs Utilities enforcement is informational, not punitive.
El Paso County encourages xeriscaping and native plant landscaping for water conservation in Colorado's semi-arid Front Range climate. Colorado HB 19-1050 and SB 23-178 bar HOAs from prohibiting xeriscape. Rebates available through Colorado Springs Utilities.
SB23-178 (Water-wise Landscaping In HOA Communities), Colorado General Assembly
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 guidelines or rules t...
El Paso County permits residential artificial turf installation. No county permit required unless grading changes. Colorado HB 19-1050 and SB 23-178 protect homeowner rights against HOA bans on turf alternatives, though HOAs may impose reasonable standards.
3 cities in El Paso County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for El Paso County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
El Paso County Ordinance Hub →