Littleton, CO Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

6 of the Unified Land Use Code, Greenscape Design Standards, governs landscaping for new development, redevelopment and substantial improvements in the Multi-Family Residential, Neighborhood Commercial, Community Mixed-Use, Business Commercial and Industrial Park districts. 2, Water Wise Landscaping (Xeriscape), requires landscapes to use xeriscape design principles including minimizing high-water turf, organic mulch, zoning plants by microclimate and water need, soil amendment, and efficient irrigation design. Native, adapted and xeric plant species must be used throughout, with priority consideration given to native species, and plant materials must be grouped by similar moisture, light and drainage needs.

On residential properties, sod or approved seed turf may not exceed 75 percent of the total landscaped area outside functional turf and sports fields, bluegrass is prohibited except where heavy foot traffic is expected, and remaining turf must use low-water varieties such as Texas hybrid bluegrass, buffalo grass, blue grama or fescue. Nonresidential properties may not install nonfunctional turf, invasive species, or any artificial turf at all. Landscape plans generally must be prepared by a Licensed Landscape Architect, except residential projects of four or fewer units.

The Code separately defines 'Native Plant' at Article 10-12-2 as 'a species that is indigenous within the region or State and naturally occurring in one or more plant communities,' the term used throughout the greenscape standards.