To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
From: Mark Marlowe, Director of Castle Rock Water
Lauren Moore, Water Resources Manager
Rick Schultz, Water Efficiency Supervisor
Title
Ordinance Amending Section 15.48.010 of the Castle Rock Municipal Code for the Purpose of Adopting by Reference as a Primary Code the 2026 Town of Castle Rock Landscape and Irrigation Criteria Manual (First Reading) [Entire Castle Rock Service Area]
Body
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Executive Summary
The purpose of this memorandum is to seek Town Council approval of an Ordinance (Attachment A) amending Title 15.48 of the Castle Rock Municipal Code adopting by reference as a Primary Code the Town of Castle Rock, Colorado 2026 Landscape and Irrigation Criteria Manual. The Landscape and Irrigation Criteria Manual (Manual) is a key document that helps Castle Rock Water (CRW) meet its long-term water efficiency goals. The Manual outlines landscape and irrigation criteria that reduces water waste, improves watering efficiency, and supports landscapes that are native, regionally adapted, functional, and appealing to the senses as it reflects the ColoradoScape design.
A summary of changes is outlined below and provided in Attachment B. Most changes are non-substantive and were made to improve readability and clarify existing intent. The Town implemented a ColoradoScape ordinance for new development on January 1, 2023. This ordinance eliminated turf grass in the front yard and limited turf grass in the backyard for new single-family detached homes requiring ColoradoScape instead to ensure water-efficient landscapes are being installed for new development. Homes installed under the ordinance are meeting the water efficiency goals that were established for the original ordinance.
The most significant changes to the manual are:
• Added a requirement to maintain Distribution Uniformity of 75% after installation for non-residential properties. This expands an existing requirement to ensure irrigation efficiency applies to ongoing maintenance.
• Added a requirement to receive as-built drawings prior to final inspection and close-out of permit. Requiring as-built drawings earlier in the process will help facilitate receipt of the drawings and improve inspection accuracy.
• Modified existing flow sensor specification requires ultra-sonic sensors. Mechanical flow sensors do not read accurately at low flows that are typically present in irrigation systems for ColoradoScape designs.
• Changed minimum requirement of 2 large canopy deciduous shade trees to 2 trees (any size and type) provided 50% of the trees are large canopy deciduous shade trees. This change allows for flexibility in tree type and size based on planting area and will result in a reduction of technical criteria variances.
• Added new specifications for residential walking paths to ensure safety and functionality specifically including minimum width of 24 inches and the requirement for impervious materials to prevent wash-out and erosion when slopes and drainage swales are present.
• Added a new Appendix C to detail the requirements for maintenance of a water efficient irrigation system. These requirements align with the existing Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper recommendations. This includes a checklist to assist those who oversee maintenance of irrigation systems to ensure best practices are implemented to maintain a water efficient system.
Budget Impact
There are no significant anticipated additional costs to the Town from these proposed changes. These updates to the Manual are primarily for clarification purposes so that landscapes are more functional and visually appealing reflecting the ColoradoScape principles. The minimum standards outline specific requirements regarding vegetation quantity and hardscape material. CRW is updating this Manual to assist the development community in integrating quality, low-water-use landscaping that will conserve water and reduce future costs of meeting community water needs.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends approving an Ordinance to amend Title 15.48 of the Castle Rock Municipal Code adopting by reference as a Primary Code the Town of Castle Rock, Colorado 2026 Landscape and Irrigation Criteria Manual.
Proposed Motion
“I move to approve the Ordinance as introduced by title.”
Alternative Motions
“I move to approve the Ordinance as introduced by title, with the following conditions: (list conditions).
“I move to continue this item to the Town Council meeting on _____ date to allow additional time to (list information needed).”
Attachments
Staff Report
Attachment A: Ordinance
Exhibit 1: Redline version of Landscape Criteria Manual
Attachment B: Summary of Changes to Landscape and Criteria Manual