HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 1825 - Landscape Requirements
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOZEMAN
Council Bill No. 12
Ordinance No. 1825
Series of 2025
TITLE: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 26-502 OF THE WHEAT
RIDGE CODE OF LAWS CONCERNING PROCEDURAL UPDATES TO
LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS
WHEREAS, the City of Wheat Ridge (“City”) is a Colorado home rule municipality operating under a Charter approved by the electorate pursuant to Article XX of the
Colorado Constitution and governed by its elected City Council (“Council”); and
WHEREAS, the Council has authority pursuant to the Home Rule Charter and C.R.S.
§31-16-101, et seq. to adopt and enforce all ordinances; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to this authority, the Council previously adopted revised regulations for landscaping requirements by repealing and replacing Section 26-502 of
the Code of Laws in August 2024; and
WHEREAS, city staff have recommended a minor procedural amendment to the
landscaping regulations based on experience administering the new Section 26-502 over
the past several months; and
WHEREAS, minor discrepancies were discovered in the Code related to regulation
of permissible locations and quantities of artificial turf, which also conflict with state
legislation regarding artificial turf; and
WHEREAS, the Council finds this ordinance is necessary to remove the identified
conflicts and to provide clarity to staff and the public.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHEAT
RIDGE, COLORADO:
Section 1. Section 26-502.E (Table 3) is hereby amended to add a new
footnote (d), to read:
Section 2. Subsection 26-502.E.2 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws
concerning artificial turf requirements is hereby amended to read:
E. Landscape requirements by use. …
…
2. Multi-unit residential, single-attached residential, and nonresidential
uses:
Table 3. Landscape Requirements by Use
Minimum Required Landscape Area Trees within front setback(a) On-site trees and shrubs(b)
Maximum Irrigated Turf(d)
Maximum Non-living Material & Features(d)
Residential Uses (All Zone Districts except Mixed-Use) (c)
Single Detached and Duplex Uses
25% of the gross lot area and 100% of the front yard
1 shade tree per 70 linear feet of street frontage, to be placed within the front setback
N/A 50% 2/3 of the front yard
Multi-Unit Residential Uses and Single-Unit Attached Uses
30% of total lot area; 100% of front yard, excepting pedestrian and vehicular access
1 tree per 30 feet of street frontage 1 tree and 10 shrubs per 1,000 SF of required landscape area
30% 50%
Nonresidential Uses
Zoned Commercial
20% of gross lot area 1 tree per 30 feet of street frontage 1 tree and 10 shrubs per 1,000 SF of required landscape area
30% 50%
Zoned Industrial
15% of gross lot area
All Other Zone Districts
20% of gross lot area
Zoned Mixed Use(c) See Article XI, or Article XIV for MU-LLC
Notes: (a) Trees provided in the building front setback shall not replace any requirements for street trees established in the
Streetscape Design Manual. Where a build-to is required pursuant to the Architectural and Site Design Manual, trees within the front setback are not required.
(b) In addition to trees required within the front setback, on-site trees and shrubs shall be provided. (c) The landscape requirements of this table do not apply to mixed-use zones. Refer to section 26-1110, or section 26-1409 for MU-LLC. (d) The stated maximum percentages shall be applied to the total landscaping provided, whether the total landscaping provided is at the minimum or in excess of the minimum area requirements.
…
g. Artificial turf.
i. Artificial turf is permitted in limited circumstances, as follows:
a) Sport and play areas specifically designed for
athletic purposes including but not limited to
athletic fields of play, playgrounds, gaming areas,
and dog runs. b) Private fenced side and rear yards of single-
attached dwellings, such as townhomes, up to a
maximum of four hundred (400) square feet per
dwelling unit.
c) The location shall be approved through a site plan application, civil construction documents, site
work permit, or building permit, whichever is applicable, and permeability shall be accounted for
in drainage plans. The area may be credited
towards non-living landscape area.The only use of artificial turf that qualifies as landscape materials
(non-living) is for athletic fields of play. Other
uses of artificial turf, including playgrounds,
gaming areas, and dog runs, shall not qualify as
landscaping.
ii. Artificial turf is prohibited in the following locations:
a) Required landscape buffer areas. b) Areas owned and/or maintained by owners’
associations, except where used for athletic fields
of playpurposes.
c) On commercial, industrial, and institutional
properties, except where used for athletic fields of playpurposes.
Section 3. Subsection 26-501.F.1 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws,
concerning process for review of landscaping plans, is hereby amended to read:
F. Process.
1. Landscape plan. A landscape plan shall be submitted with the required
development plan or building permit for (1) all single-unit detached or
duplex residential development with common area tracts or easements;
(2) all multi-unit and single-unit attached residential development; and (3)
all nonresidential development. The plan shall include: …
Section 4. Safety Clause. The City of Wheat Ridge hereby finds,
determines, and declares that this ordinance is promulgated under the general police
power of the City of Wheat Ridge, that it is promulgated for the health, safety, and welfare of the public and that this ordinance is necessary for the preservation of health and safety
and for the protection of public convenience and welfare. The City Council further determines that the ordinance bears a rational relation to the proper legislative object
sought to be attained.
Section 5. Severability, Conflicting Ordinances Repealed. If any section,
subsection, or clause of this Ordinance shall be deemed to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the validity of the remaining sections, subsections and clauses shall
not be affected thereby. All other ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the
provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed.
Section 6. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately after
final publication, as provided by Section 5.11 of the Charter.
INTRODUCED, READ, AND ADOPTED on first reading by a vote of 8 to 0 on this 9th
day of June 2025, ordered published by title in a newspaper and in full on the City’s
website as provided by the Home Rule Charter, and Public Hearing and consideration on final passage set for June 23, 2025 at 6:30 p.m., as a virtual meeting and in the Council
Chambers, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
READ, ADOPTED AND ORDERED PUBLISHED on second and final reading by a vote
of 7 to 0, this 23rd day of June 2025.
SIGNED by the Mayor on this 24th day of June 2025.
_______________________________
Bud Starker, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
Margy Greer, Senior Deputy City Clerk
Approved as to Form: ____________________________
Gerald E. Dahl, City Attorney
First Publication: June 10, 2025
Second Publication: June 24, 2025 Effective Date: June 23, 2025
Jeffco Transcript and www.ci.wheatridge.co.us