Grand Junction, CO Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Grand Junction Municipal Code § 21.07.030(c) sets the plant-selection rules that steer new landscaping toward native and drought-adapted species. Under subsection (c)(1)(iii), a minimum 25% of the shrubs and ground cover proposed for a development must be identified as native or a native alternative on the City of Grand Junction Suitable Plant List, which the Community Development Director maintains. Subsection (c)(1)(iv) pushes further: at least 90% of proposed shrubs and ground cover must carry a very low, very low-low, low, or low-moderate water-needs rating on that same list.

An applicant who wants to use a species not yet on the list can petition the Director for its inclusion, but noxious or invasive species can never be planted in new development, even where they already exist on site. Turf is regulated separately in subsection (c)(4): ordinary turf that does not meet the Code's 'functional turf' definition, meaning turf in an actively used recreational area such as a sports field, playground, or golf course, cannot be installed on commercial, industrial, or institutional property, on common areas of multi-unit residential developments with more than 12 dwelling units, on common interest community property, or in street rights-of-way, parking lot medians, or transportation corridors.

The Code carves out one exception: grass seed or sod that is itself a native plant or has been hybridized for arid conditions is exempt from that turf prohibition. Under § 21.07.030(a)(2), none of these landscaping standards apply to individual-lot development of single-unit detached homes or duplexes. The Director may inspect installed landscaping under § 21.13.020 wherever no reasonable expectation of privacy exists and can require corrective action for noncompliant plantings.