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City planning launches Waterwise Landscaping code update to implement state turf ban and reduce outdoor water use
Summary
Planning staff introduced a city project to revise Boulder’s landscaping code for water efficiency and fire resilience, aligning local rules with a new state law limiting nonfunctional turf and proposing seven best‑practice code changes, with public engagement and phased implementation planned for 2025–2026.
Planning and Development Services staff introduced an update to Boulder’s landscaping policy and code at the Water Resources Advisory Board meeting on Jan. 27, 2025, saying the project will align local regulations with a recent state law and City Council priorities for water‑ and fire‑wise landscaping.
Principal city planner Lisa Hood, joined by principal landscape architect Chris Ricardello and water resources staff, described the project’s purpose as reducing outdoor water use and improving plant selection and soil practices across municipal and private landscapes. The update is intended to support implementation of Senate Bill 24005 (state prohibition on nonfunctional turf in specified land‑use types) while giving the city an opportunity to consider broader local rules.
Why it matters: Outdoor irrigation continues to be a significant portion of municipal water use in Boulder. Staff and a consultant said code changes can reduce…
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