In order to improve the slow‐release effectiveness of waterborne polymer coated fertilizers, an environment‐friendly coated urea was developed by zeolite and waterborne polymer of starch soluble, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and chitosan. The properties of different mesh and content of zeolite on the membranes and the slow‐release property of coated urea were investigated. Zeolite decreased water vapor, ammonium permeability and porosity of waterborne polymer with an increased ammonium adsorption, and contributed to improve the slow‐release effectiveness of coated urea. In particular, zeolite‐modified waterborne polymer of 200 mesh and 3% content had best effect with 10.8%, 16.5%, and 59.8% decrease of water absorption capacity, water vapor permeability and ammonium permeability, 17.7% increase of water contact angles. Zeolite‐modified waterborne polymer coated urea for the coating contents of 7% had the best effect on the nutrient accumulate release rate. Therefore, zeolite‐modified waterborne polymers have potential to improve the slow‐release effectiveness of coated urea.