SB 23-178

  • Colorado Senate Bill
  • 2023 Regular Session
  • Introduced in Senate Apr 05, 2023
  • Passed Senate Apr 04, 2023
  • Passed House Apr 26, 2023
  • Signed by Governor May 17, 2023

Water-wise Landscaping In Homeowners' Association Communities

Abstract

Under current law, a unit owners' association (association) of a common interest community may not prohibit the use of xeriscape, nonvegetative turf grass, or drought-tolerant vegetative landscapes to provide ground covering to property for which a unit owner is responsible. There is, however, an exception authorizing an association to adopt and enforce design or aesthetic guidelines or rules that apply to nonvegetative turf grass and drought-tolerant vegetative landscapes or to regulate the type, number, and placement of drought-tolerant plantings and hardscapes that may be installed on a unit owner's property, on a limited common element, or on other property for which the unit owner is responsible. The act states that an association's guidelines or rules must: Not prohibit the use of nonvegetative turf grass in the backyard of a unit owner's property; Not unreasonably require the use of hardscape on more than 20% of the landscaping area of a unit owner's property; Allow a unit owner an option that consists of at least 80% drought-tolerant plantings; and Not prohibit vegetable gardens in the front, back, or side yard of a unit owner's property. The act requires an association to develop at least 3 garden designs that are preapproved by the association for installation in front yards within the common interest community. To receive preapproval, a garden design must adhere to the principles of water-wise landscaping or be part of a water conservation program operated by a local water provider. A unit owner who is affected by an association's violation of the act's requirements may, after providing the association notice of and a 45-day period to cure the violation, bring a civil action to restrain further violation and to recover up to $500 or actual damages, whichever is greater. The act's provisions apply only to a unit that is a single-family detached home and do not apply to: A unit that is a single-family attached home that shares one or more walls with another unit; or A condominium. APPROVED by Governor May 17, 2023 EFFECTIVE August 7, 2023 NOTE: This act was passed without a safety clause and takes effect 90 days after sine die. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Bill Sponsors (4)

Votes


Actions


May 17, 2023

Office of the Governor

Governor Signed

May 05, 2023

Office of the Governor

Sent to the Governor

House

Signed by the Speaker of the House

May 04, 2023

Senate

Signed by the President of the Senate

Apr 27, 2023

Senate

Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass

Apr 26, 2023

House

House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

Apr 25, 2023

House

House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

Apr 24, 2023

House

House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee

Apr 20, 2023

House

House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

Apr 18, 2023

House

House Committee on Transportation, Housing & Local Government Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole

  • Committee-Passage
  • Referral-Committee
House Committee of the Whole Transportation Local Government

Apr 12, 2023

House

House Committee on Transportation, Housing & Local Government Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only

Transportation Local Government

Apr 05, 2023

House

Introduced In House - Assigned to Transportation, Housing & Local Government

  • Introduction
Transportation, Housing & Local Government Transportation Local Government

Apr 04, 2023

Senate

Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

Apr 03, 2023

Senate

Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor

Mar 31, 2023

Senate

Senate Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

Mar 28, 2023

Senate

Senate Committee on Local Government & Housing Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole

  • Committee-Passage
  • Referral-Committee
Senate Committee of the Whole Local Government

Mar 03, 2023

Senate

Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Local Government & Housing

  • Introduction
Local Government & Housing Local Government

Bill Text

Bill Text Versions Format
Signed Act (05/17/2023) PDF
Final Act (05/05/2023) PDF
Rerevised (04/26/2023) PDF
Revised (04/24/2023) PDF
Reengrossed (04/04/2023) PDF
Engrossed (04/03/2023) PDF
Introduced (03/03/2023) PDF
PA2 (04/19/2023) PDF
PA1 (03/29/2023) PDF
Committee Amendment PDF

Related Documents

Document Format
Fiscal Note FN1 (03/10/2023) PDF
Fiscal Note FN2 (08/07/2023) PDF

Sources

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