Yard & Grounds
Here is a partial list of upkeep tasks for your lawn, yard, driveway, and terrace.
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Snow and Ice Removal
You need to clear your sidewalks by noon the day after the snow stops.
If you do not clear the sidewalk by the required time, we may issue you a citation with a fine. We do not give warnings for health and safety violations. Sign up for sidewalk snow removal email alerts.
Avoid ice by promptly clearing snow. Check your sidewalk after street plows come by. If you are leaving town, make arrangements in advance.
Resources
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Grass and Plantings
You must keep your grass at less than eight inches high. This height rule applies to grass, weeds, and plants you did not intend to grow.
Plantings must not grow into the sidewalk area. Let's keep our walkways clear!
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Noxious Weeds
"Noxious weeds" refers to a specific list of weeds. These weeds are a problem in any location, height, or quantity. You must destroy noxious weeds to prevent them from blooming. A noxious weed is not necessarily an invasive species.
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Terrace Plants
The terrace is the space of land in between the roadway and a property line. Most terraces include a space for grass lawn, trees and a 5 foot sidewalk.
You may plant any non-woody plants common to gardens or landscaping. You can use landscaping materials, like mulch or small rocks, to protect plants. The landscaping has to be stable, non-hazardous, and easy to remove.
Resources
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Trees
The trees on your property must be healthy. You must trim or remove diseased, dying, and dead trees or branches.
You must maintain trees to keep them away from buildings or structures. Trees may not touch houses, garages, sheds, etc.
For safety and access, you must trim or remove branches that grow or fall into the sidewalk area. You must also trim low branches. Branches that grow over a sidewalk must have at least seven feet of ground clearance. If branches grow over a street, they must have at least twelve feet of ground clearance.
Please note that trees in the terrace are public trees. The City maintains the trees in the terrace.
Resources
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Composting
The location of your compost is important. You must place it between the rear wall of a building and the rear* lot line. Your compost must be at least three feet away from any building or lot line.
Keep your compost in a pile or a bin. Bins must be no larger than 125 cubic feet and no taller than five feet. You must maintain your compost pile to prevent odors and attracting pests and vermin.
* The rear lot line extends to the side lot line of the property.
Resources
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Yard Items
You must keep your property free of junk, trash, debris, and animal feces.
Only keep items outdoors if they're usable and meant to be outside.
You can have a stack of materials in the yard if:
- The amount is reasonable
- The material is functional and organized
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Fences, Structures, and Pavings
Fences, sheds, decks, etc. must not show excessive wear. Keep structures functional, safe, and free from damage.
Maintain walkways, patios, driveways, etc. in good working order. Paved areas must be free from potholes, bumps, or missing sections.
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Gutters and Sump Pumps
Downspouts and sump discharge can lead to puddles on the sidewalk. If the sidewalk gets slippery, you may need to clean it. Water discharge can cause icy sidewalks in cold weather.
We understand that nothing can resist gravity. Still, water from your property must have a chance to filter into your soil. Your downspout and pump cannot extend to your property line.
Where houses are closer together, you may not have many options. Do your best to minimize the effects of water runoff on your neighbors' properties.
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Obstruction
Nothing can obstruct the public right-of-way (ROW). The ROW refers to the public sidewalk, terrace*, and curb or edge of the street. It includes the parking, vehicle travel, and bicycle lanes. Tree branches and other plants can't grow or fall into the ROW. No object can be placed in the ROW. Items such as fences, benches, structures, unauthorized signs are not allowed. Large items, brush, and yard waste with set out dates can be placed in the terrace area.
*There is an exception for seasonal planting beds in the terrace.
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Vision Clearance Areas
In a vision clearance triangle, keep clear the area between 30 inches and ten feet above the curb. Do not place screening, plantings, fences, etc. in this area. This rule does not apply to fences under three feet in height and at least 50% open.
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Vehicles and Parking
You must maintain vehicles on your lot in operable condition. The vehicles must not have missing windows, flat tires, or other conditions preventing them from being driven.
