Xeriscaping is allowed and encouraged in the City of Thornton. There is no minimum amount of lawn required for existing residential properties, however regular maintenance is required regardless of the landscape design. All areas of your lot that are not covered by buildings, sidewalks, decks, patios or driveways must be landscaped or mulched. Weeds and bare ground are not considered landscaping.
Landscaping includes living plant materials such as trees, shrubs, grass, groundcovers, flowers, etc. and other features such as fountains, pools and benches.
Mulch includes rock, stone, bark and other organic or inorganic materials typically used to retain soil moisture and hinder weed growth.
Artificial turf is allowed in limited applications. Artificial turf reqires a permit and is allowed in side yards that are not visable from the public right of way and back yards. Click
here for more information on artificial turf. The use of artificial trees, shrubs, vines or other plants is prohibited.
Water-wise Landscaping City Code
(a) Water-wise landscaping is required on all development, private or public, in recognition of our semi-arid climate and limited amount of water available for outdoor uses. This approach to landscaping shall be done by incorporating water-wise landscape principles into development permit landscape requirements.
(b) Water-wise landscape principles include:
(1) Promoting the use of low water-demand turf and plants and a balance of landscape materials.
(2) Promoting practical turf areas by limiting the use of high water-demand turf and plants to areas of high visibility or functional needs.
(3) Grouping plants with similar water and environmental requirements together on the same irrigation zone.
(4) Use of efficient irrigation systems.
(5) Use of soil amendments and mulches, generally organic and biodegradable.
(c) No person, organization, or association may create or impose restrictive covenants, conditions, restrictions, deed clauses or other agreements between the parties that prevent the use of water-wise landscaping.
For the full City Code click on this link,
http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientID=15041&stateID=6&statename=Colorado.
If you have questions about City Landscape Code, please call 303-538-7295
Check out additional water-wise landscape information on the
tips and resources page.