Denver, CO Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Denver, CO, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- Governing section
- DRMC § 56-16
- Rules incorporated from
- Board of Water Commissioners
- Legal presumption
- Violation deemed "wasteful"
- Max penalty
- $999 fine, 300 days jail
Summary
Denver makes it a citywide offense to use water in violation of the Board of Water Commissioners' rules, and any such violation is presumed wasteful under the Revised Municipal Code.
It shall be unlawful for any person to make any use of water in violation of the rules and regulations of the board of water commissioners concerning such use. Any such violation shall be presumed to be wasteful and in violation of this section.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 147 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
Denver doesn't write its outdoor watering schedule into the zoning or municipal code: the Denver Board of Water Commissioners (Denver Water) sets those rules, including any seasonal or day-of-week irrigation limits, under its own charter authority. DRMC § 56-16 is the enforcement bridge: it makes it unlawful to use water in violation of the board's rules and regulations, and any violation of those rules is presumed wasteful and prosecutable as a city code violation.
Violations & Fines
General penalty under DRMC § 1-13: up to a $999 fine and/or up to 300 days in jail per offense; each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Denver's code set specific watering days?
Who enforces Denver's watering restrictions?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Denver
How Denver compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Denver to another location·View the Colorado landscaping rules overview
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