Douglas County proposal would restrict nonfunctional turf and invasive plants
A proposed zoning amendment would restrict nonfunctional turf, artificial turf and invasive plants in specified properties and public spaces as the county responds to two state laws.
Douglas County is considering landscaping rules that would prohibit nonfunctional turf, nonfunctional artificial turf and invasive plant species in several types of development and public spaces.
The proposal, identified as project DR2026-001, would apply to commercial, institutional and industrial properties; common-interest-community properties and common areas; street rights-of-way, parking lots, medians and transportation corridors; and multifamily properties with more than 12 dwelling units. The county’s planning packet describes the state-law context as covering certain multifamily projects with 12 or more units approved after Jan. 1, 2026.
The amendment responds to Colorado Senate Bill 24-005 and House Bill 25-1113, which established or expanded restrictions involving nonfunctional turf, artificial turf and invasive plants on specified properties, transportation areas and qualifying multifamily projects.
Functional turf and artificial turf would remain allowed where they regularly serve civic, community or recreational purposes. The proposal also includes exceptions for some erosion-control and civil-infrastructure uses. Landscape plans would have to identify irrigated turf and high-water-use plant species, and local water providers could impose stricter requirements.
Dominion Water and Sanitation District asked the county to align its definition of a redevelopment project with state law. The district proposed covering projects that require a building or landscaping permit, plan check or design review and disturb more than half of the aggregate landscape area. County staff modified the redevelopment definition in response.
The district also asked the county to define “regularly,” saying the term could lead to inconsistent interpretation during plan review and enforcement. The draft continues to use the term without a numeric standard.
The Planning Commission’s work-session agenda lists a Sept. 14 discussion-only session, not a public hearing or formal approval proceeding. The proposal is tentatively scheduled for a Planning Commission hearing Sept. 28, followed by consideration by the Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 27, 2026. The restrictions are not final or adopted in the available record.