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Homeowner checklist

Landscaping and sprinklers checklist

General info only. Check with a licensed pro and your local building department.

Work top to bottom.

Before: planning

Check your water provider's current watering rules before you plan new lawn or sprinklers (Denver Water rules below).
Digging? Contact Colorado 811 at least 3 business days first (811 guide).

Before: design

Use drip or low-volume irrigation for trees, shrubs and beds.
Ask the installer for a zone map and controller settings in writing.

After

Test every zone and fix leaks fast.
Keep the zone map and controller settings.

Before: hiring

Get 2–3 written bids. For each one, check their license or registration, read the scam red flags.
Ask for proof of insurance (liability and workers' comp).
Get a written contract with scope, price, schedule and payment steps.
Plan to collect lien waivers as you pay.

Sources

Topic	What the source says	Source
2026 drought rules	Denver Water: lawn watering and all spray irrigation are prohibited from Oct. 1, 2026 until the Board acts. Trees, shrubs and other plants may still be watered with a hand-held hose or drip.	Source page checked 2026-11-02
Permits	Denver Water: watering establishment permits are not available after Sept. 30.	Source page checked 2026-11-02

Not confirmed yet

Unknown Watering rules of other metro water providers (Aurora Water, Westminster, Thornton, etc.) — check your provider.
Unknown When lawn watering may resume in 2027 — Unknown until the Denver Water Board acts.
Unknown Normal (non-drought) summer watering days and hours for 2027 — check Denver Water.
Unknown Installed price — get local quotes.

General guidance, not legal advice. Prices: get local quotes — we don't publish numbers without a source.