9 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Larimer County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
Larimer County's Land Use Code sets no county-wide lawn-height number for private yards, but incorporated cities do. In Fort Collins, weeds and grass on developed lots may not exceed six inches; twelve inches applies on undeveloped or field lots.
On your own private land in unincorporated Larimer County you may trim your trees without a county permit. In Fort Collins, a free City Forester permit is required before pruning or trimming any tree in the public right-of-way or on City property.
Fort Collins Mun. Code § 27-31
Any person desiring to plant, treat, cut, trim, prune, or remove any tree within the public right-of-way of any street or sidewalk, or upon other City-owned property within the City, or to remove any tree planted upon any commercial property with a diameter of fifteen (15) inches or greater, must first obtain a free permit from the office of the City Forester.
Removing a tree on your own private land in unincorporated Larimer County generally needs no county permit. In Fort Collins, removing any right-of-way or City tree, or a commercial tree 15 inches or larger in diameter, requires a free City Forester permit first.
Fort Collins Mun. Code § 27-31
Any person desiring to plant, treat, cut, trim, prune, or remove any tree within the public right-of-way of any street or sidewalk, or upon other City-owned property within the City, or to remove any tree planted upon any commercial property with a diameter of fifteen (15) inches or greater, must first obtain a free permit from the office of the City Forester.
Colorado's Noxious Weed Act makes every landowner responsible for managing noxious weeds that could damage neighboring land. Larimer County's Weed District enforces this and requires eradication of List A weeds and containment of designated List B species.
C.R.S. § 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.
Colorado has no statewide homeowner watering ban. Larimer County watering rules come from your water provider. Fort Collins Utilities recommends watering turf no more than two to three days per week, and can impose mandatory schedules during declared droughts.
Colorado law lets a single-family or small multi-family household collect rooftop rainwater in up to two rain barrels holding no more than 110 gallons combined, for outdoor use on that property. Larimer County adds no extra permit.
C.R.S. § 37-96.5-103
No more than two rain barrels with a combined storage capacity of one hundred ten gallons or less are utilized; precipitation is collected from the rooftop of a building that is used primarily as a single-family residence or a multi-family residence with four or fewer units.
Larimer County does not require native plants, and Colorado law protects your right to xeriscape. Under C.R.S. § 38-33.3-106.5, HOAs cannot ban xeriscape, drought-tolerant, or nonvegetative turf landscaping, though design guidelines may still apply.
Larimer County sets no specific ban on artificial turf, and Colorado law now protects nonvegetative turf grass from HOA prohibition. Check your city's landscape and stormwater standards, which may limit placement or drainage in front yards.
Larimer County sets no ordinance banning backyard composting, and it is encouraged for waste reduction. It must not become a nuisance. Fort Collins allows home compost bins provided they do not create odor or attract rodents.
2 cities in Larimer County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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