Landscaping/Xeriscaping
Architectural Committee approval is required. Drawings or plans should be done to scale and must depict the property lines of the lot and the outside boundary lines of the home as located on the Lot. All organic materials (plants, shrubs, trees, etc.) and building materials (stone, wood, edging, etc.) must be clearly labeled in details.
Guidelines
The Lot landscaping should complement the overall Homestead neighborhood. Plant material should be similar in scale and character to that used in our community landscape areas. In any design, particular attention should be paid to the functional aspects of planting and hardscapes such as their use for screening, space definition, erosion control, glare reduction, dust control and aesthetics. The use of drought-tolerant plants (xeriscaping) is highly encouraged so that plant materials, irrigation systems and maintenance practices conserve water, wherever possible.
A minimum of 50 percent of the permeable Lot surface area (ie – whatever is left after driveway, sidewalk, porch patio) must be living material/ground cover.
Landscaping must consist of trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, ground covers, annual and perennial flowers, turf grasses, mulches and automatic irrigation. The approved rock mulch is either 1.5″ brown, tan or gray river rock or 1.5″ brown, tan or gray rock. Natural cobblestone, up to 4″ or 6″ stones, is allowed in drainage areas or as a limited accent. Mulch may not be black bark, red bark or gorilla hair. Mulch must be laid 2-3″ thick and must be contained within a bed. Mulch may not be used as lawn replacement.
Each owner of each Lot shall maintain all landscaping on the Lot in a neat and attractive condition, including periodic and horticulturally correct pruning, removal of weeds and debris, and replacement of dead landscaping. This applies to the front, back and side yards.
Artificial Turf
Artificial turf may be considered in back yards only, but may not be in areas visible from public streets or greenbelts. The total artificial turf area may not exceed the requirement that a minimum of 50 percent of the permeable lot surface area must be living ground cover.
Because the design intent for artificial turf is to imitate the look and feel of natural grass, the color must be a blended, multi-color in green tones monofilament fiber, similar to the geographical area. Artificial turf must be cleaned as necessary and periodically maintained to ensure seams and outer edges lay flat, debris is cleaned, weeds are removed, etc.
Applications must include a sample of the proposed material showing the color and pile height. Professional installation is required and must include a weed barrier and a properly prepared and leveled aggregate base for drainage. Proper infill for residential application, which is not toxic to humans or pets, must be used.
Drainage patterns may not be blocked or altered by the installation of artificial turf. A weed suppressor must be used under seams, and the seams properly secured. If an artificial grass area abuts a native area, it must be separated with a barrier of at least 4 inches of hardscape or a planting area.
Vegetable Gardens
Architectural Committee approval is required. Colorado law SB23-178 requires HOAs to permit the installation of vegetable gardens (plot of ground or elevated soil bed in which pollinator plants, flowers or vegetables or herbs, fruits, leafy greens, or other edible plants are cultivated) in front, side and rear yards.
For front and side yards within public view from the street, only one raised container bed no larger than 6′ by 4′ can be constructed. The maximum height of the container may not be more than 2′ from ground surface. The container must be made of natural wood, rock, pavers, or decorative concrete block that must match or be complimentary to the residence in materials and design and color.
Plantings in front yard container bed may not exceed 2′ in height and may not be enclosed with wire or fencing. All gardens must be weeded and maintained in a clean and orderly manner and must be winterized (cleaned out and mulched).
Drainage patterns may not be blocked or altered by the installation of garden containers. They must sit back at least 18″ from property lines.