Castle Rock limits new sod to 500 square feet

The town of Castle Rock has enacted new regulations aimed at conserving water by limiting the size of lawns in new homes. Starting January 1st, the approved rules ban lawns in front yards and limit lawns in backyards to 500 square feet. The town council has taken this step to promote alternative landscaping that can thrive in dry climates and to reduce outdoor water usage by 50% once the community is fully built out. The town is taking this action due to its heavy reliance on nonrenewable groundwater aquifers and the need to transition to alternative sources. Colorado Springs is also considering similar measures as part of its new zoning code, which would limit outdoor lawns irrigated with sprinklers around new homes to 25% of the yard, excluding areas such as driveways. With the ongoing megadrought in the West putting pressure on the Colorado River Basin, which provides 70% of Colorado Springs’ water, more communities are taking similar steps to conserve water. This includes removing nonfunctional grass, such as those found in front of neighborhood signs and along medians.