Landscape Regulations

As of January 1, 2026, the City of Longmont has implemented changes to Section 15.05.040 Landscape and common area standards to promote water conservation, environmental sustainability, and aesthetic quality in landscaping practices. All landscape plans for new development and redevelopment are subject to these standards.

View Section 15.05.040 – Landscape and common area standards.

Drought Tolerant and Native Vegetation

Drought tolerant vegetation or native ground cover shall be the primary ground cover in landscaped areas. This standard replaces a requirement for irrigated turf grass to be the primary ground cover in landscaped areas. The expectation is that removing all requirements for turf grass in the landscape code will directly result in water savings for homeowners, HOAs, and businesses across the City. 

Non-functional Turf

Nonfunctional turf is prohibited. Nonfunctional turf (including artificial turf) includes turf areas not serving any civic, community, or recreational purpose, including but not limited to grass strips between sidewalks and curbs, medians, and areas within parking lots or transportation corridors. These areas are now required to be landscaped with alternative materials, 75% of which are still living plant materials, including drought tolerant vegetation and native grasses.

If you are a homeowner, HOA, or business interested in converting a turf area into a water-wise landscape design, there are City-approved template ideas. View the city approved water-wise landscape designs.

CPTED Standards

Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED). It is now a requirement for all new developments and redevelopments to incorporate CPTED strategies into landscape designs. These include design requirements for landscaped areas which maintain clear sight lines by providing direct visibility to streets, walkways, and public spaces, minimizing blind spots and hidden areas, and ensuring visibility into and out of pedestrian spaces. Public spaces are now required to be located centrally within developments to maximize accessibility and visibility from surrounding areas, rather than peripheral areas where natural surveillance is limited and away from streets, driveways, or other hazardous areas. Finally, all new site plans for development are required to document in writing how CPTED principles have been incorporated into the site and landscape design.