Boulder Water Utility offers per-square-foot rebates to residents and businesses who replace high-water turf grass with low-water native landscaping (xeriscape), supporting long-term water conservation in Colorado's semi-arid Front Range climate.
Boulder's turf removal rebate program pays property owners a per-square-foot incentive (typically $1-2 depending on year and budget) to convert irrigated cool-season turf to qualifying low-water landscaping. Replacement plantings must include a minimum percentage of Colorado-native or drought-adapted species, drip irrigation rather than spray, and mulch coverage. Pre-conversion site assessment and post-conversion verification are required. The program complements Boulder's Climate Action Plan and reflects the Colorado River Basin's structural water scarcity. Homeowners associations cannot prohibit xeriscape under Colorado state law (CRS §37-60-126), giving Boulder residents legal protection to convert front yards.
Voluntary incentive program; no penalties. Failure to maintain converted landscape per program terms can result in rebate clawback within a stated maintenance period.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Boulder, CO
Boulder imposes no general restriction on year-round lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays on private residential property. The Sign Code in BRC 9-...
Boulder, CO
Boulder has no ordinance specifically regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Size, motor noise, and lighting hours are not capped by the city fo...
Boulder, CO
Boulder explicitly carves out holiday and seasonal displays from its Outdoor Lighting Ordinance. BRC 9-9-16 (Light Output) restricts lamps and bulbs visible ...
Boulder, CO
An outdoor kitchen in Boulder typically requires a building permit when it exceeds 200 sq ft, includes a roof or pergola, or is attached to the house. Gas li...
Boulder, CO
Boulder has no smoker-specific ordinance; offset, pellet, kamado, and wood-fired smokers fall under the general IFC 308 framework adopted in BRC 10-8-2 plus ...
Boulder, CO
Boulder adopts the International Fire Code under Boulder Revised Code Title 10 Chapter 8 (Fire Code). IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits charcoal burners, gas gri...
See how Boulder's turf replacement rebates rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.