Council directs staff to draft landscape code changes to curb nonfunctional turf and strengthen safety design

The Longmont City Council directed staff to prepare recommended amendments to the landscape chapter of the Longmont Municipal Code (LMC 15.05.040) to implement state requirements and city sustainability goals.

Senior environmental sustainability planner Zach Blazik told council that the state’s SB 24‑005 prohibits new nonfunctional turf in a range of settings and requires municipalities to adopt conforming standards by Jan. 1 of the coming year. Blazik described “nonfunctional turf” as grass installed only for aesthetic purposes — examples include tree‑strips, medians and large commercial buffering areas — and contrasted that with “functional turf” (parks and recreation areas such as Dawson Park). He proposed code language changes to allow a wider set of drought‑resilient ground covers, to restrict nonfunctional turf on new nonresidential developments and right‑of‑way areas, and to add CPTED best practices for landscaping so plantings do not unintentionally create public‑safety problems.

Councilor Tim McCoy moved to direct staff to return with the recommended amendments; the motion passed unanimously. Councilors and staff discussed implementation timing, the effect on projects already in the pipeline and the possibility of incentives for landscape conversions. Staff said projects already approved and vested would generally remain under prior requirements; staff will work with applicants currently in the review process to align proposed designs with the new requirements where feasible.

Why it matters: The changes aim to reduce landscaping‑related outdoor water use, meet state law requirements and integrate public‑safety considerations into landscape design.

What’s next: Staff will draft precise code language and return with proposed ordinance changes and associated implementation details.