Loveland adopts first-reading amendment to limit nonfunctional turf under state water law

Loveland City Council voted unanimously on first reading to amend the Unified Development Code to align with Senate Bill 24‑005, which restricts nonfunctional turfgrass in new development and redevelopment and limits nonfunctional artificial turf. Staff described the changes as focused on water conservation, clarifying definitions and exemptions, and providing a plant list and landscape templates to guide developers.

Nathan Auburn of Utilities and Marian Duran from Strategic Planning explained that the state law targets nonfunctional turf — decorative turf in areas not used for recreation — and does not apply to individual residential lots or existing developments. The proposed local amendments prohibit nonfunctional turf in areas such as parkways, rights-of-way, parking lots, transportation corridors and large institutional/commercial sites; functional turf for recreation and sports would remain allowed.

Staff said the plant list and templates were developed with input from Northern Water and industry partners to preserve aesthetics while reducing water use. In response to council and public questions, staff said the code contains mechanisms for director approval and administrative exceptions for site-specific hardships, and clarified that ownership determines maintenance responsibility (HOA, homeowner or city).

Council adopted the amendment on first reading (Ordinance 68-19) by a 9–0 roll call. Staff said the ordinance would return for second reading and an effective date consistent with state timelines; they noted additional outreach and monitoring are planned for implementation.