Drought Alters Landscape Prerequisites on New Homes in Colorado

City building departments typically require builders to landscape the front of a new home before issuing a certificate of occupancy. But the tighter restrictions announced by Denver Water put a stop to new landscaping permits, meaning builders can’t plant lawns because homeowners won't be able to water them.

“We’re going to start calling our buyers and letting them know they won’t be getting a lawn until next year,” said Rusty Crandall, executive vice president of KB Home in Denver.

Building officials will issue temporary certificates of occupancy to builders who submit letters committing to landscape next summer.

It’s a process usually adopted during the winter, said Julius Zsako, spokesman for the city’s Community Planning and Development Agency.

The department could extend the deadline if the drought continues through next summer, Zsako said.

In Denver, builders of large housing developments must submit plans for landscaping early in the approval process.

The city allows builders to use xeriscaping to fulfill the landscape requirement, Zsako said. He expects more builders to start using the drought-resistant landscape design.

Denver Water has issued 515 permits for new sod or seed lawns since Aug. 1. Sod permits last three weeks; seed permits last four.

Previously issued permits will be allowed to expire, said Trina McGuire-Collier, a spokeswoman for Denver Water.

Large landscape permits, which are issued for areas 10,000 square feet and larger, will be terminated Sept. 1. Denver Water has issued 81 of those permits this month, McGuire-Collier said.

Builders said newly planted lawns that die because of water restrictions will be covered under their warranties.

The restrictions likely will change the way builders at the Stapleton redevelopment design their yards and public space.

“We’re going to have to look at other avenues for landscaping,” said Fred Wesley, construction manager for Wonderland Homes.

Wonderland’s plans at Stapleton include courtyard-style parks scattered among its houses. “For now, we’re probably going to have to mulch the sites just to keep the dust down,” Wesley said. “But we’ll probably look at different types of seed and landscaping to see if we can find something more drought-resistant.”