Planning
Identify Any
Requirements
You may need to follow rules when you design
your new garden
Homeowner Association Rules
Covenants, conditions and restrictions are meant to preserve the attractiveness
and property values of developments. They give HOA boards the authority
to enforce landscaping standards. However, Assembly Bill 1061, enacted in
2009 during severe drought, restricts HOA architectural standards and other
governing documents from prohibiting the use of low-water-use plants.
Many HOAs, cities and developers have raced to increase the water efficiency
and overall sustainability of their properties over the past few years. Most
HOA boards meet monthly and some have separate design review committees
to approve homeowner improvements.
Del Sur in Carmel Valley is an example of the direction where more HOAs
are headed. It features regionally authentic landscaping and architecture, and
its community association provides homeowners with a palette of California
native and Mediterranean plants to simplify garden design projects.
If you are an HOA member, attend your association's next board meeting to
learn about its design review process, and how it can help you.
Tips!
"A Homeowner's Guide to a WaterSmart Landscape,"
created by the San Diego County Water Authority, is a
helpful resource for homeowners who are required to
or choose to incorporate the state of California's waterefficiency requirements into their design.
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