City planning launches Waterwise Landscaping code update to implement state turf ban and reduce outdoor water use

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 outdoor demand, improve establishment and survival of plantings, and offer co‑benefits for wildfire resiliency when coordinated with fire‑wise practices.

Scope and proposed measures

Staff and consultant review produced seven recommended code or program changes, grouped by anticipated implementation effort:

• Prohibit or restrict nonfunctional turf where required by state law (commercial, institutional, transportation corridors and certain common areas); staff asked whether the city should expand that prohibition to multifamily properties.

• Adopt fire‑wise / fire‑resistant landscaping measures in wildland‑urban interface areas and incorporate fire‑resilient plant guidance.

• Add soil amendment and mulch standards to improve plant establishment and retain soil moisture.

• Establish watering‑time restrictions (for example, prohibit irrigation during the heat of day) to reduce evaporative loss.

• Create temporary irrigation rules to allow higher establishment irrigation for a limited period before automatically limiting demand thereafter.

• Implement a landscape water‑efficiency standard or a site water budget that sets an allotment of landscape water use tied to plant evapotranspiration and landscape type (examples cited: Aspen, Castle Rock, Broomfield).

• Consider a professional training and certification program (for landscapers and plan reviewers) to ensure designs and installations meet efficiency standards; staff noted this is the highest‑effort option and would likely require funding and subsidization for equity reasons.

Staff said the project team will develop a consolidated city plant list (low/medium/high water use) and coordinate plant guidance across city departments. Council members at a recent study session expressed interest primarily in the low‑ and medium‑effort measures and asked staff to analyze costs for higher‑effort items such as mandatory certification.

Public and board input

Board members and staff raised questions about enforcement capacity (one in‑house landscape architect currently reviews plans and performs summer inspections), how the rules would affect multifamily housing and development objectives, and what water savings can be expected from specific measures. Staff said public engagement and additional analysis (including plant lists and pilot calculations from peer cities) are planned for spring and summer 2025, with a draft ordinance expected for board review before Council consideration in fall 2025.

Bottom line: The code update aims to implement state requirements while using proven local strategies — soil standards, watering rules and water‑budget approaches — to reduce outdoor water use and improve landscape resilience. Staff asked the board for early feedback on the seven recommended measures and whether to extend the state’s nonfunctional‑turf prohibition to multifamily properties.