Boulder, CO Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

Section 11-1-48 authorizes the city manager to declare a drought alert stage after weighing Boulder's mountain storage levels, its share of Colorado-Big Thompson Project reservoir storage, unrestrained water demand, the city's drought plan, and other operating data; the declaration must be filed with the city clerk, reported to city council, and publicized to residents. Once a drought alert stage is declared, Section 11-1-49 lets the city manager impose drought response measures on every water utility customer, including reduced monthly water budgets by customer class, drought surcharges on top of regular rates, general water use limitations, and, specifically, "temporary restrictions on new landscape installations and watering restrictions on the irrigation of new landscape installations" under subsection (d)(5).

The city manager can also freeze new out-of-city water permits during a drought. Customers who need extra water despite an active restriction can apply for a special permit under Section 11-1-50, paying the fee set by Section 4-20-23 and submitting a written application to the director of public utilities; a denial can be appealed to a hearing within twenty-one days. The city manager may grant individual variances from drought measures for undue hardship, including extreme economic impact, health and safety concerns, or religious objections, under Section 11-1-49(e).