Broomfield, CO Water Use Rules: Turf Replacement Rebates (2026)

Section 17-70-050(A)(1) of the Broomfield Landscape Code, effective January 1, 2024 under Ordinance No. 2215 and amended by Ordinance No. 2291 (effective January 31, 2026), makes water-wise landscaping a one-way street: subsection (i) bars planting cool-season turfgrasses in lieu of drought-tolerant vegetation to meet minimum landscaped-lot coverage, and subsection (ii) separately bars removing water-wise plant materials to convert an area back to cool-season turfgrass. Once a site converts to drought-tolerant landscaping, it cannot revert. Section 17-70-050(C) then sets the citywide cap: on every development site except multi-purpose fields, golf courses and functional turf areas, turfgrass, sod, seed and seed mixtures containing more than 20% cool-season grass species are prohibited outright, and even compliant turfgrass or seed mixtures cannot cover more than 30% of the site's total landscaped area.

High-water species such as Kentucky bluegrass must be planted in one contiguous area rather than scattered patches, though tot lots and recreational areas that need durable turf are exempt from that contiguity rule. For single-family residential yards, Table 1 in Section 17-70-160 repeats the 30% turf cap and the 20% cool-season limit for the front and side yards visible from the street. The rule applies to new construction, total redevelopment, and any project disturbing 50% or more of its landscaped area (17-70-020), and is administered by Community Development through landscape plan review submitted with a site development plan or building permit.