DESIGN · BUILD · AUTOMATE
GOLDEN SERVICES
Landscaping in Golden
Licensed landscaping services for Golden and Jefferson County. Outdoor spaces that inspire.
What Golden requires
Code reference: Building Permit Fees table (effective 05/01/11, as modified by resolutions). per cityofgolden.gov
See full local requirements ↓- Full Design Lifecycle
- Construction & Tenant Finish
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Outdoor spaces that inspire
FREE PLANNING TOOLS
Both tools are free and take a couple of minutes — start in either one.
EVERY PROJECT STARTS WITH DESIGN
Local Service
Landscaping Services in Golden, Colorado
Autotelic provides professional landscaping services throughout Golden and the surrounding Jefferson County area. Full landscape design and installation including hardscape, softscape, irrigation, and landscape lighting. Whether you're in Golden (gateway to the mountains) or nearby communities, our team delivers quality workmanship backed by Colorado licensing and full insurance coverage.
The build sequence for a Landscaping project
Every project starts with a feasibility study; this trade is priced from the same assemblies.
Permit Thresholds
Golden permit thresholds
- Code reference
- Building Permit Fees table (effective 05/01/11, as modified by resolutions).
- Exterior
- One-story detached accessory structures ≤200 sq ft (residential only); fences ≤7 ft tall (unless front yard, corner lot, or historic district); landscaping; minor roof or siding repairs/replacement (10% or less of total area); minor maintenance/repairs; painting; retaining/landscape walls ≤4 ft tall
- Code reference
- Retaining/landscape walls over 4 ft (or supporting surcharge) also trigger requirements, often needing engineering.
- For homeowners doing their own work
- materials cost × 2.
- Building permit fees are calculated from a tiered table based on total valuation
- $1–$500 = $25.85; higher tiers add per-$100 or per-$1,000 increments up to $1M+).
- Additional plan review fee (when applicable)
- 65% of the permit fee.
- Building use tax
- 3% use tax on building materials, stated as 1.5% of total valuation.
Codes are amended regularly — verify current requirements with **The City of Golden (specifically its Building Division/Building Department) issues residential building permits for properties within Golden city limits.
Energy Code
Golden energy code quick facts
- Code reference
- 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), adopted by the City of Golden with no energy-specific local amendments noted beyond the base code (and state electric-ready/solar-ready provisions where applicable).
- Code reference
- Golden (Jefferson County, climate zone 5B) lists the 2024 IECC among its adopted codes on the official Building Permit Process page.
- Code reference
- Adoption aligns with the city’s update to the 2024 I-Codes suite (effective after the July 22, 2025 council action referenced in related materials).
- Code reference
- The code applies to new construction, additions, and remodels/alterations as scoped in the IECC/IRC.
- Code reference
- Key prescriptive requirements (2024 IECC residential provisions, Table R402.1.2 / R402.1.3 and related sections, climate zone 5 / 5B; relevant to additions and remodels where the thermal envelope or systems are altered):
- Ceiling/attic insulation
- Minimum R-49 (or equivalent U-factor).
- Code reference
- (2024 IECC Table R402.1.3 / IRC N1102.1.3; note reduction from prior editions.)
- Wood-frame wall insulation
- R-20 + R-5 ci, or R-13 + R-10 ci, or R-0 + R-20 ci (or equivalent U-factor options).
Codes are amended regularly — verify current requirements with **The City of Golden (specifically its Building Division/Building Department) issues residential building permits for properties within Golden city limits.
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What landscaping work covers in the Denver metro
Landscaping in the Denver metro commonly includes grading and drainage, sod or xeriscape planting, trees and shrubs suited to Front Range conditions, hardscape such as patios and walkways, fencing, and outdoor living elements. Commercial sites may also need parking-lot islands, screening, snow-storage planning, and maintenance access. A municipally licensed Denver general contractor coordinates the overall outdoor scope and the licensed specialty trades required when electrical, plumbing, or structural elements are part of the project. Cost is project-specific and depends on area, materials, access, and whether irrigation or lighting is included.
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Front Range climate and material choices
Denver-area landscaping has to handle freeze-thaw cycles, intense sun, hail, and limited water. Plant palettes often favor drought-tolerant and native or adapted species. Hardscape materials should be selected for freeze resistance and drainage, especially where snow melt and ice are expected. A practical plan also accounts for HOA or municipal design rules, utility locate requirements before digging, and how roof runoff and yard drainage will move water away from structures.
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Hardscape, irrigation, and outdoor living
Hardscape packages may include concrete or paver patios, walkways, retaining walls, steps, and outdoor kitchens or seating areas. Irrigation design should match planting zones and local watering rules. Low-voltage lighting and outdoor power, when included, are coordinated with the specialty trades that perform that work. Retaining walls, elevated decks, and structures with roofs or electrical service may trigger building permits. Scope should separate plant install from structural or utility work so inspections stay clear.
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Permits and who coordinates the work
Simple planting may not need a building permit, but grading changes, retaining walls, fences over local height limits, electrical outdoor circuits, and gas lines for outdoor appliances often do. Cities and counties license general contractors. Colorado has no statewide general contractor license. Autotelic acts as a municipally licensed Denver general contractor and coordinates licensed specialty trades when the outdoor package includes regulated work. Permit responsibility should be stated up front.
FAQ
Common questions
What should a Denver landscaping plan include?
Existing grades and drainage, planting zones, hardscape footprints, irrigation intent, utility locations, and any retaining walls or outdoor structures. Photos and a rough budget band help, but final pricing stays project-specific.
Who handles landscaping permits and licensing?
A municipally licensed Denver general contractor coordinates the project and the licensed specialty trades required for regulated portions of the work. Local city or county departments issue applicable permits. Colorado has no statewide general contractor license.
Is xeriscape practical for Denver yards?
Often yes. Drought-tolerant and adapted plantings reduce water demand when paired with soil prep, mulch, and irrigation zoning. The right mix depends on sun exposure, slope, and how the yard will be used.
How is commercial landscaping different from residential work?
Commercial sites usually need clearer access for maintenance equipment, parking and pedestrian circulation, snow storage, and longer-term durability of plantings and hardscape. Phasing around open businesses is common.
When do outdoor living features need a building permit?
Elevated decks, covered structures, retaining walls above local thresholds, and outdoor electrical or gas work commonly need review. Exact triggers depend on the city or county and the structure details.
Service Area
Serving Golden and Jefferson County
We serve Golden, CO and all surrounding Denver metro communities. Our team is based in Denver and operates throughout the Front Range, from Castle Rock to Longmont and everywhere in between. Contact us for a free estimate on your Golden project.
How It Runs
01
Survey
02
Design
03
Build
04
Verify
DESIGN SERVICES
Discovery & Site Analysis
Needs + preference programming, site survey, as-built documentation, feasibility.
We walk, measure, and photograph your property — existing conditions, utilities, structure, and constraints. You get the as-built documentation and feasibility read that every later decision rests on.
Learn more →Concept Design & Space Planning
Schematic design, floor plan studies, layout options.
Your scope becomes schematic floor plans you can compare side by side — circulation, daylight, adjacencies, and what each option does to the budget. Layout decisions happen on paper, where changes are cheap.
Learn more →Architectural Design & 3D Renderings
Design development, materials + finishes, photorealistic visualization.
The chosen concept resolves into materials, finishes, fixtures, and lighting — with the automation layer drawn in. Photorealistic renderings let you walk the space and adjust before anything is priced.
Learn more →Construction Documents & Permitting
Full CD sets, structural + MEP engineering coordination, permit-ready drawings.
Approved designs become coordinated architectural, structural, and MEP sheets — the set your jurisdiction permits from and trades build from. We submit, track, and answer review comments.
Learn more →CONSTRUCTION
New Construction & Custom Homes
Ground-up homes and light commercial, dirt to keys.
Ground-up residential and light commercial builds — foundations through finishes, including modular and steel construction. One accountable builder from dirt to keys.
Learn more →Remodels & Additions
Kitchens, baths, basements, pop-tops, whole-home.
Kitchens, baths, basements, pop-tops, and whole-home renovations that respect the house you already have. We handle structure, permits, and the dust.
Learn more →Commercial Tenant Finish & Build-Outs
Shells to working spaces — retail, office, restaurant, school.
Raw shells become working spaces — showrooms, offices, restaurants, schools. Dealer-spec finishes, code compliance, and opening dates held.
Learn more →ADUs & Modular Construction
Backyard cottages, garage conversions, factory-built homes.
Backyard cottages, garage conversions, and factory-built homes — zoning, design, permits, and set. Denver’s ADU rules are a specialty, not a surprise.
Learn more →Outdoor Living & Patio Structures
Decks, pergolas, and dining patios built for Colorado weather.
Decks, pergolas, and dining patios engineered for Colorado sun, snow, and hail — structure, shade, and drainage done right the first time.
Learn more →TECHNOLOGY
Smart Home Automation
Lighting, shades, climate, audio, security — one interface.
Whole-home control of lighting, shades, climate, audio, and security from a single interface — Crestron, Lutron, Savant, and Control4 designed in, not bolted on.
Learn more →A/V Systems
Theaters, distributed audio, video walls, commercial sound.
Theaters, distributed audio, video walls, and commercial sound — designed, installed, and tuned by the same team for over 20 years.
Learn more →Control Systems
Custom programming — scenes and schedules that fit the space.
Every subsystem brought into one elegant interface — custom programming for homes and venues, with scenes and schedules that match how the space is actually used.
Learn more →Networking & Edge Compute
Enterprise Wi-Fi, structured cabling, racks, on-prem compute.
Enterprise-grade Wi-Fi, structured cabling, racks, and on-premise compute — the backbone that makes everything else reliable, including our own Barbot platform.
Learn more →Solar & Energy Storage
Solar arrays, Tesla Powerwall, EV charging — certified install.
Solar arrays, Tesla Powerwall, and EV charging designed and installed by a Tesla Energy Certified team — roof, electrical, and app in one scope.
Learn more →Explore
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