Landscaping Rules in Jefferson County, CO (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Jefferson County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Unincorporated Jefferson County has no general 'tree removal permit' for cutting a tree on your own property. In the Wildland-Urban Interface, wildfire mitigation - including thinning and removing trees - is tied to a Defensible Space Permit required for building, re-siding, additions, new development, and short-term-rental approval.
Tree Removal Permits and the WUI Defensible Space Permit
Some RestrictionsJefferson County Defensible Space Permit (Zoning Resolution Sec. 39, WUI Overlay)
The County requires a Defensible Space Permit (i.e. wildfire mitigation work) on properties located within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) District in the following instances: New structures or replacements of structures; Re-siding permits; Additions to existing structures; Prior to approval of a Short-Term Rental application; New development projects.
Weed Ordinances
Every landowner in unincorporated Jefferson County has a legal duty to manage noxious weeds. State law (CRS 35-5.5-104): 'It is the duty of all persons to use integrated methods to manage noxious weeds if the same are likely to be materially damaging to the land of neighboring landowners.'
Noxious Weed Duty Under the Colorado Noxious Weed Act
Some RestrictionsCRS 35-5.5-104
It is the duty of all persons to use integrated methods to manage noxious weeds if the same are likely to be materially damaging to the land of neighboring landowners.
Native Plants
Colorado protects water-wise landscaping. Under CRS 38-33.3-106.5, an HOA may not prohibit xeriscape or drought-tolerant vegetative landscapes on property a unit owner is responsible for. Jefferson County encourages native-plant gardening and imposes no rule against it.
Native and Drought-Tolerant Plants Are Protected in Colorado
Some RestrictionsCRS 38-33.3-106.5(1)(i)(I)
An association may not prohibit the use of xeriscape or drought-tolerant vegetative landscapes to provide ground covering to property for which a unit owner is responsible, including a limited common element or property owned by the unit owner.
Artificial Turf
Jefferson County has no general county ban on residential artificial turf; check your HOA and city. Colorado's HB22-1151 turf-replacement program funds swapping irrigated bluegrass for 'water-wise landscaping' - defined as practices emphasizing plants with lower water needs. HOAs cannot ban drought-tolerant landscaping.
Artificial Turf and Water-Wise Landscaping in Jeffco
Some RestrictionsColorado HB22-1151 (Turf Replacement Program, 2022)
"Water-wise landscaping" means a water- and plant-management practice that emphasizes using plants with lower water needs.
Landscaping Rules by City in Jefferson County
2 cities in Jefferson County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Jefferson County ordinances
See every category we cover for Jefferson County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Jefferson County Ordinance Hub →