Senate Bill 13-183 Summary

• Declares restrictive covenants in common interest communities that prohibit or limit xeriscape, drought-tolerant vegetation, or require exclusive turf grass coverage are unenforceable as contrary to public policy.

• Allows common interest community associations to adopt design or aesthetic guidelines that require drought-tolerant landscapes or regulate the type, number, and placement of drought-tolerant plantings and hardscapes.

• Prohibits associations from levying fines against unit owners for failing to water landscapes when local water restrictions are in place and the owner is complying with those restrictions.

• Requires unit owners to be given a reasonable opportunity to reseed and revive turf grass before being required to replace it with new sod after drought conditions end.

• Adds definition of "xeriscape" as the combined application of seven landscape planning principles including soil analysis, plant hydro zoning, practical turf areas, mulches, and irrigation efficiency.