Pueblo, CO Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Requirement
- Native plants encouraged, not mandated
- Applies to
- Required landscape areas in listed zones
- Prohibited alternative
- Artificial plants and synthetic turf banned
- Citation
- Pueblo Municipal Code § 17-4-7(b)(5)b
Summary
Pueblo's landscape performance standard encourages using native, drought-resistant nursery stock in required plantings, though builders can choose other approved species from the City's Recommended Plant List instead.
Native Plant Material. The use of native, drought resistant nursery stock is encouraged.
c. Restricted Use or Prohibited Landscape Species.
1. It shall be unlawful to plant in any public right-of-way in the City any tree of the Populus genus, except the cottonless varieties of cottonwood, or fruit-bearing mulberry; and no upright evergreen trees or shrubs or hedges shall be planted in any public right-of-way except upon approval of the designated review agency.
2. Planting the box-elder ( Acer negundo ) tree is prohibited.
(6) Installation Requirements.
a. No tree, as measured from its center, shall be located as follows:
1. Within ten (10) feet of a street light pole.
2. Within five (5) feet of a fire hydrant.
3. Within ten (10) feet of a vehicular access way.
4. Within four (4) feet of a public sidewalk or curb unless a root barrier device is used.
b. No shrub, as measured from its perimeter, and with mature height exceeding twelve
(12) inches, shall be located as follows:
1. Within five (5) feet of a fire hydrant.
2. Within five (5) feet of a vehicular accessway if the planted or mature height is greater than two (2) feet.
c. All landscape material located within the sight distance triangle shall be two (2) feet or less in height, or have a clearance of at least eight (8) feet beneath the lowest branch or projection.
d. No permanent impervious surface or subsurface shall be located within a minimum of
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 109).
Full Breakdown
Section 17-4-7(b)(5) of the Landscape Performance Standard sets material specifications for required landscaping in Pueblo's R-4 through R-6, commercial, business park, and industrial-zoned districts, plus PUDs without their own landscape rules. Subsection b singles out native plant material: "The use of native, drought resistant nursery stock is encouraged." It's a preference, not a mandate, plant selections must otherwise come from the City of Pueblo Recommended Plant List, and artificial plant materials, including plastic trees, shrubs, and synthetic turf, are prohibited within required landscape areas. Native grasses used as ground cover get a lighter irrigation standard, needing only temporary watering until established, per the City Landscape Architect's determination.
Violations & Fines
Native planting itself isn't mandatory, but noncompliance with the mandatory parts of the landscape performance standard is a municipal offense under Section 17-4-20(b), enforced under Section 17-7-3.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is native landscaping required in Pueblo?
Can I use synthetic turf instead of plants in required landscape areas?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pueblo
Compare Pueblo to another location·View the Colorado landscaping rules overview
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