Winter Park City Zoning Code

To view the Design Guidelines, visit the Planning Division's portal at https://wpgov.com/our-government/departments/planning/

(Ord. 23-603, 06/11/2023)

Effective on: 6/11/2023

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1987 Wetlands Delineation Manual and 2012 Supplement for Western Mountains and Valleys are hereby incorporated by reference. 

(Ord. 24-623, 09/08/2024) 

Effective on: 9/8/2024

1. A.
   Plant Variety. Applicants are encouraged to plant a variety of different plants that are listed in this appendix. Design professionals must balance the desire to use a mass of a single species of plant with the need to create a suitable diversity in the built environment.
2. B.
   Alpine Environment. Winter Park’s alpine environment allows for a limited range of plants to survive. Therefore, a plant’s water demands, invasiveness, maintenance requirements and tolerance for the alpine environment must be evaluated for landscape design. Given these considerations, a palette of recommended plants is listed below. Plants listed are not appropriate for all design locations within the Town. Plants not listed will only be appropriate if a qualified design professional can justify their use to the Planning Commission.

3. C.

   Native Grasses and Wildflowers.

   1. 1.
      Use a blend of approximately eighty percent (80%) tall fescue, ten percent (10%) bluegrass and, if desired, ten percent (10%) other grasses. The exact blend and selected varieties will depend on intended use of the lawn area. Consult with a qualified professional to determine the composition mix and appropriate soil preparation requirements.
   2. 2.
      No grasses or wildflowers in a mix shall exceed twenty-four inches (24") in height.
   3. 3.
      Native grass and wildflower areas are not maintenance-free. Provide occasional watering, erosion control and other maintenance as needed to retain an attractive appearance.
   4. 4.
      Mow these areas each fall, after natural seeding has occurred, to a height of six to eight inches (6" to 8").
4. D.
   Ignition-Resistant Plant Recommendations (Zone 1).

   1. 1.
      Purpose and Applicability. This Section establishes a list of ignition-resistant plant species permitted within a Structure Ignition Zone 1 (zero to five feet (0-5') from structures) pursuant to Section 3-I-6(A) of the UDC. The intent of this Section is to reduce the likelihood of structure ignition during a wildfire event while supporting landscapes appropriate for high-elevation mountain environments. This Section applies only to new and replacement plantings within Structure Ignition Zone 1.
   2. 2.
      Plant Species. All plant species listed herein have been curated from Colorado State University (CSU) Extension ignition-resistance guidance and further refined to include species that are:

      1. a.
         Identified as ignition-resistant (generally CSU ignitability ratings of eight to ten (8-10));
      2. b.
         Native to Colorado or well adapted to Colorado mountain environments;
      3. c.
         Low water or very low-water use once established; and
      4. d.
         Capable of growing at elevations of approximately ten thousand feet (10,000') above sea level, accounting for Winter Park-area climate conditions including snow load, wind exposure, and short growing seasons.
   3. 3.
      General Requirements.

      1. a.
         No plant species shall be considered fireproof. Ignition resistance is dependent on species selection, spacing, irrigation, and long-term maintenance.
      2. b.
         All vegetation within Structure Ignition Zone 1 shall be maintained in a healthy, irrigated condition, free of dead or accumulated combustible material.
      3. c.
         The use of woody shrubs and trees within Structure Ignition Zone 1 shall be limited and carefully spaced to avoid fuel continuity adjacent to structures.
      4. d.
         Actual plant survivability at high elevation may vary based on microclimate conditions including without limitation solar exposure, wind, soil depth, and snow accumulation.
      5. e.
         Final approval of plant material remains subject to Town review to ensure site-specific suitability.
   4. 4.
      Approved Ignition-Resistant Plant Species. The following species are approved for use within Structure Ignition Zone 1 and shall be considered presumptively compliant with the ignition-resistance, native/adapted, low-water, and high-elevation requirements of this Code, subject to compliance with all other applicable provisions.

      1. a.
         Native and Adapted Perennials, Groundcovers, and Forbs (High elevation, low water, ignition resistant):

         1. •
            Achillea millefolium – Common Yarrow
         2. •
            Allium cernuum – Nooding Onion
         3. •
            Allium geyeri – Geyer's Onion
         4. •
            Antennaria parvifolia – Small-leaf Pussytoes
         5. •
            Antennaria rosea – Rosy Pussytoes
         6. •
            Aquilegia chrysantha – Golden Columbine
         7. •
            Campanula rotundifolia – Harebell
         8. •
            Claytonia lanceolata – Western Spring Beauty
         9. •
            Erysimum capitatum – Western Wallflower
         10. •
             Gaillardia aristata – Blanketflower
         11. •
             Geranium caespitosum – Rocky Mountain Geranium
         12. •
             Geum triflorum – Prairie Smoke
         13. •
             Leucocrinum montanum – Sand Lily
         14. •
             Mertensia lanceolata – Prairie Bluebell
         15. •
             Penstemon caespitosus – Mat Penstemon
         16. •
             Penstemon strictus – Rocky Mountain Penstemon
         17. •
             Penstemon virens – Front Range Beardtongue
         18. •
             Sedum lanceolatum – Yellow Stonecrop
      2. b.
         Native and Adapted Shrubs and Succulents (Restricted to limited, non-continuous plantings):

         1. •
            Opuntia spp. – Prickly Pear Cactus
         2. •
            Yucca glauca – Soapweed Yucca
         3. •
            Yucca baccata – Banana Yucca
         4. •
            Symphoricarpos albus – Snowberry

         Woody shrubs shall be installed sparingly and shall not create continuous fuel beds adjacent to structures.​

      3. c.
         Native and Adapted Grasses (Optional, limited use). Grasses may be used only where maintained in a green, irrigated condition and kept below four (4) inches in height.

         1. •
            Bouteloua gracilis – Blue Grama
         2. •
            Festuca ovina – Sheep Fescue
   5. 5.
      Prohibited Species in Structure Ignition Zone 1. The following plant types are prohibited within Structure Ignition Zone 1 due to elevated fire risk:

      1. a.
         Evergreen trees and conifers of any species;
      2. b.
         Highly resinous or oily plants;
      3. c.
         Tall ornamental grasses exceeding four inches (4') in maintained height;
      4. d.
         Plants requiring high water inputs to maintain ignition-resistant characteristics; and
      5. e.
         Any species not listed in this Section unless approved pursuant to Subsection D.6.
   6. 6.
      Alternative Species and Administrative Approval. Plant species not specifically listed in this Section may be approved for use within Structure Ignition Zone 1 upon determination by the Community Development Director, or their designee, that the proposed species meets all of the following criteria:

      1. a.
         Native to Colorado or demonstrably adapted to high-elevation mountain environments;
      2. b.
         Low water or very low-water use once established;
      3. c.
         Exhibits ignition-resistant characteristics comparable to CSU Extension guidance (generally equivalent to ignitability ratings of eight to ten (8-10));
      4. d.
         Capable of sustained growth at elevations of approximately ten thousand feet (10,000') above sea level; and
      5. e.
         Will not create continuous or hazardous fuel conditions adjacent to structures.
   7. 7.
      Interpretation and Updates. This Section is intended to function as a living list. The Town may amend or update this Section as additional high-elevation ignition-resistance research becomes available or as site-specific performance data warrants. Compliance with this Section does not relieve property owners from ongoing defensible space and vegetation maintenance requirements established elsewhere in this Code.

(Ord. 26-646, 07/01/2026) 

Effective on: 7/1/2026