Water Restrictions, Violations, and Variances
Watering restrictions for residents are decided each spring at the April Board meeting. Declaring an adequate water year or drought year is based on several factors including snowpack, long-term weather projections, water rights, and water storage.
Watering Restrictions
Lawn watering allowed from April 15th to October 31st.
The Greeley Water and Sewer Board determines watering restrictions each spring at the April Board meeting.
For all Greeley water customers:
- No watering is allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- There is no lawn watering without a variance between November 1 and April 14 (see below on applying for a variance).
- We recommend stopping regular lawn watering in October. However, watering trees October through March is allowed.
- For new seed or sod, lawn variances are required.
Watering Schedules:
- Residential Customers on a Water Budget can water any day of the week after April 15th.
- Residential Customers not on Water Budget can water up to three days a week.
- Even addresses: Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday
- Odd addresses: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
- Commercial, Institutional, Industrial, Businesses, Places of Worship, Non-profits, Multifamily, HOAs, etc.:
- Can water up to three days a week on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday.
Watering Recommendations
We recommend the Cycle-and-Soak method outlined below.
Cycle and Soak
The best method for watering a lawn is to “cycle and soak” -- water, rest, water. Greeley’s soil can only absorb so much water at a time. Spacing out watering intervals gives the soil time to soak up water and allows that water to travel further into the root zone. Water, rest for maximum of 60 minutes between, and water again. Download Greeley's watering schedule for an example of the cycle and soak watering method.
Obtaining a Lawn Variance
If you are installing a new lawn (either seed, sod or overseeding), you will need a Lawn Installation Variance from the City of Greeley. A variance is needed for:
- Installation
- Replacement
- Patching
- Renovation of any lawn area of 250 square feet or more
There is no fee for the variance. Organic soil amendment (compost) is required for a variance if you are installing traditional turf like bluegrass. Soil amendments must be documented with four cubic yards of compost for every 1,000 square feet of sod or seed. The compost must be spread evenly on top of the existing soil (approximately 1.5 to 2 inches deep) and then rototilled into a depth of 6 to 8 inches.
Need a Watering Variance?
Qualified residents can apply for an exemption from certain watering restrictions.
Variance Benefits
If you correctly amend your soil and provide proof of the proper installation, we will issue you a variance to water extra for 30 days. We will increase your water budget to establish your new lawn.
Please note -- you can still exceed your water budget if you:
- Water more than the new lawn needs.
- Have a leak or broken irrigation component.
- Water the entire yard the same as the new lawn.
- Water while raining.
The homeowner or landscape installer can apply online by uploading the following items.
- An original receipt/invoice for seed or sod.
- An original receipt/invoice for compost (not topsoil, amended topsoil, or fertilizer).
- A photo of rototilling at the site or receipt of tiller purchase/rental.
New Lawn Installation Frequently Asked Questions
You must add compost at a minimum rate of 4 cubic yards per 1,000 square feet for traditional turf (bluegrass). It should be spread evenly 1-2 inches on top of the existing soil and then rototilled to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Your lawn will take root better if you add up to 6 cubic yards of compost per 1,000 square feet.
Greeley has both clay and sandy soils that typically lack organic composition. Compost adds organics to improve soil health and give your lawn the best start while tilling help break up clay soils that have become compacted over time or due to home construction. Composting and tilling help water penetrate the soil, so it doesn't run off the soil surface or percolate too quickly past the root zone.
You can purchase compost at any garden center or bulk landscape yard. Buying through a bulk landscape yard is usually the most cost-effective. Many of these businesses will deliver right to your curb!
Planter's Mix is a mixture of topsoil and compost at varying rates. Topsoil doesn't have the organics in it that compost does, so it isn't a suitable replacement. Compost is also generally cheaper.