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City Council Passes One of the Strongest Waterwise Landscaping Ordinances in the State

Broomfield Colorado’s new ordinance establishes waterwise landscaping standards for new and redeveloped homes and commercial properties, including setting limits on turfgrass and requiring that lower water turfgrasses be used in most property types and areas.

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October 4, 2023

Broomfield, Colorado City Council unanimously passed one of the strongest waterwise landscaping ordinances in the state. Experts at WaterNow Alliance and Western Resource Advocates advised Broomfield on the development of this ordinance as part of WaterNow Alliance’s Project Accelerator program, which provides 250 hours of pro bono support to help communities advance sustainable water projects.

The ordinance establishes waterwise landscaping standards for new and redeveloped homes and commercial properties. The standards include the following:

  • Turfgrass is limited to 30% of the front and side yards of detached single-family homes and commercial property landscaped areas. Turfgrass must primarily consist of low water grasses.
  • Landscapes must be designed with waterwise plants and a water budget that encourages thoughtful, low-water designs.
  • Irrigation systems must have automatic rain shutoff sensors and meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense certification requirements.
  • Turfgrass is not allowed in any parking lot landscape areas.
Broomfield’s landscaping standards are now among the strongest on the books in Colorado, positioning the community as a model for the rest of the state. This ordinance will improve water security in Broomfield and help relieve the strain on our rivers and lakes. As municipalities do their part to limit turf in new development and redevelopment, WRA encourages the Colorado General Assembly to expand state funding to transition to waterwise landscaping in existing development.
Lindsay Rogers
Policy Advisor, Healthy Rivers

Roughly 60-70% of Broomfield’s water is used outdoors each year, with much of this going to irrigate thirsty, non-functional turfgrass. While other Colorado communities have also limited the amount of turf allowed in new development, Broomfield’s ordinance goes one step further and requires that lower water turfgrasses be used in most property types and areas.

Broomfield’s new landscaping standards will go into effect on January 1, 2024.

Contact

Caitlin Weber, 505-372-4937, caitlin.weber@westernresources.org

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