Lakewood at a glance
- Front-yard rule
- Ordinance O-2025-27 (adopted August 25, 2025): artificial turf is prohibited as landscape material in the front yard for new homes and additions over 50% on lots with fewer than 3 units. It also can't count towards required landscaping. Source
- Businesses
- The same ordinance bans artificial turf on nonresidential property, except approved athletic fields. Source
- Water providers
- Lakewood is served by nearly 20 water providers that buy from Denver Water. Most follow Denver Water's watering rules, and the city lists providers by address. Source
- Rain and snow
- About 17.5 inches of precipitation and 58 inches of snow a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lakewood station). Source
- Elevation
- Around 5,520 feet at the Civic Center (USGS). Source
Lakewood has its own rule on front-yard turf
Lakewood adopted Ordinance O-2025-27 in August 2025. For new homes, and for additions of more than 50% on lots with fewer than 3 units, artificial turf is prohibited as landscape material in the front yard. Those front yards also need living ground cover. The same ordinance bans artificial turf on nonresidential property, except approved athletic fields.
For most existing homes, the backyard is where turf makes the most sense anyway: a dog run, a play lawn or a putting green out of sight of the street. Tell us at the start if your home is new or part of a large addition, so the plan fits the rule.
Check who supplies your water
Lakewood doesn’t have one water company. The city says nearly 20 providers buy water from Denver Water, and most follow Denver Water’s rules. Its 2026 drought page lets you look up your provider by address. That matters if you’re planning around watering days or a rebate. Denver Water’s own turf-removal discount, for example, doesn’t pay for artificial turf.
Western-edge yards and clay soils
Lakewood runs up to the foothills, and many yards have slopes, steps or retaining walls. Turf on a slope needs a well-compacted base and a plan for where the water goes. The Colorado Geological Survey also identifies swelling clays and clay shales, including the Pierre Shale along the western edge of the metro, as a major soil issue. We look at both before we quote.
Talk to Indy
Lakewood is part of our Denver metro service area. Send your address and what you want the space for, and we’ll arrange a free estimate.
A few things you might be wondering
Can I put artificial turf in my Lakewood front yard?
Lakewood's 2025 ordinance prohibits artificial turf in the front yard for new homes and for additions of more than 50% on lots with fewer than 3 units. If your project isn't one of those, the front-yard ban in that ordinance doesn't apply, but an HOA may still need to approve it. Backyards aren't covered by that rule.
Who sets my watering rules in Lakewood?
It depends on your address. The city says nearly 20 providers in Lakewood buy water from Denver Water and most follow its rules. Look up yours on the city's 2026 drought page.
Can a Lakewood business install artificial turf?
Lakewood's 2025 ordinance bans artificial turf on nonresidential property, except approved athletic fields. Talk to us about water-wise landscaping instead.
