Aurora Proposed Changes to Landscaping Ordinances
Business and industrial property owners in Aurora may see changes to landscaping requirements to save water.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Landscaping
Live Poll
Should cities reduce landscaping requirements for businesses to save water during drought conditions?
The Aurora City Council has proposed amendments to the city's unified development ordinance aimed at reducing water consumption. The changes affect industrial, airport, and business zoning districts in an effort to curb high irrigation usage.
Why it matters
Outdoor irrigation currently accounts for 40% of the city's annual water usage, and these adjustments target high-water landscaping to conserve local resources. The city expects the plan to save nearly 4 million gallons of water annually.
The proposal aims to save 4 million gallons of water annually by mandating all trees be low-water varieties, replacing the current 75% requirement. These updates specifically target industrial, airport, and business and tech zoning districts.
The players
Aurora City Council
The local governing body responsible for setting municipal development standards and managing city water conservation policies.
The details
The ordinance simplifies landscaping by removing requirements for ornamental grasses and curbside shrubs. It also mandates that all trees planted in these zones must be low-water species and reduces the total count of trees required in parking lots. Landscaping buffers between residential and non-residential areas will remain in place to maintain property separation.
Timeline
October 12, 2026: The Aurora City Council held a study session regarding the water ordinances.
The Home Front
The proposed amendments to the city's unified development ordinance represent a shift toward prioritizing water efficiency in commercial and industrial planning. This aligns with broader municipal trends to curb outdoor irrigation footprints as cities manage long-term resource availability.
If you own property in industrial, airport, or business zoning districts, review your landscape plans for compliance with the proposed tree-species mandates. Consult with a professional landscaper or the city planning department to understand how these requirements affect your parcel.
The takeaway
The city is moving to reduce water consumption by focusing on low-water landscaping mandates for commercial properties. Property owners should monitor upcoming council meeting agendas for the final vote on these ordinance changes.
Further reading
For more on managing outdoor irrigation and local requirements, visit Landscaping.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sentinel Colorado.
Live Poll
Should cities reduce landscaping requirements for businesses to save water during drought conditions?
