Care should be exercised in the planting and maintenance of trees and shrubs to prevent obstruction of sight lines required for vehicular traffic.  Also, the view of neighboring houses and the shade patterns created by large trees must be considered in your landscape plans. Care should be exercised when planting trees and shrubs close to property lines and/or sidewalks. 

Rubber mulch or synthetic types of mulch are not allowed.  Gravel, stone and rock are not permitted for use in landscape designs or in place of mulch.  Planting beds must be mulched (natural wood mulch).

Foundation plantings are required on the street side of single family and townhomes. A guideline is a minimum of three (3) plants, 3 gallon size. These plantings must be perennial or evergreen shrubs. The purpose of these foundation plantings is to improve the appearance of the home throughout the year, as well as screen the foundation. Annuals can be used as fill-in plants but not as the primary planting material..

Vines and/or Ivy plants are not allowed to grow on the house structure.  Vines and/or Ivy plants will be allowed if maintained properly at ground level.

Changes NOT REQUIRING an application:

• Foundation planting of flowers and/or shrubs in beds located within approximately four (4) feet of the foundation of the dwelling or extensions of the dwelling to include decks, patios, driveways and walkways (not including common sidewalks).  Generally, foundation plantings must provide a three (3) foot setback from the property lines.

• A maximum of three trees in any one season unless the plantings impact (obstructs views, shade adjacent properties, etc.) neighboring properties.

Changes REQUIRING an Application (See Application Requirements on next page): 

• Plantings located more than four (4) feet from the foundation or extension, as defined above and when a variance is required for the three (3) foot setback. The application should include a detailed description of the proposed landscaping to include location, dimensions, bedding material and identification of intended plant types.

• Hedges, if more than two (2) feet high or eight (8) feet long, or if other features become structures, fences, or screens.

• Railroad Ties or Garden Timbers, if they form a wall more than twelve (12) inches high and eight (8) feet long.

Any drainage pipe extension used for water run off must be buried if longer than six feet (6’).  Water run off from these pipes must not be forced into common areas.

Each resident is responsible for protecting their lot from erosion and storm drain structures blockages so as not to cause additional erosion problems that will silt up ponds and streams valleys.

Care and consideration must be given to water run off affecting neighboring properties.  Changes and alterations to the typography of the land (such as raised garden beds) should not be made when they alter the way water runs onto/off of the property. 

No rock, gravel, or stone can be used in lieu of mulch, ground cover or grass. 

Application Requirements:

• Exterior Alteration Application (EAA) filled out in its entirety. |Instructions| |EAA Form|

• Include a description of the types and sizes of trees and shrubs to be planted and/or materials to be used.

• Describe any grading changes that are planned.

• Worksheet E |Worksheet|

For Tree removal, see “Tree Stumps and Tree Removal”.

Also see “Maintenance Guidelines”

Homeowners in New Colony I and II should refer to "Unique Neighborhoods" for guidelines regarding landscaping in their neighborhood.