Lawn, Yard and Sidewalk Maintenance + Care:
 11 Landscaping (pg. 37)

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1. Fescue, Bermuda Grassa and Zoysia grasses are the preferred residential lawn covering. Lawns can include non-invasive groundcovers along with mulch and pine straw. All front and side yards, visible from the street will be a combination of grass, shrubbery, groundcover but cannot be more than 25% ground cover (ie. pine needles, mulch, rocks) and natural areas. Any changes made (additional mulch beds, rocks, shrubbery etc.) must be approved by the HOA. 


2. Whole yard must be landscaped with either lawn or groundcover (pine needles or bark). No ground can be bare or dirt only so as to avoid erosion. The grass portion of the yard must be at least 90% of the grass of choice. Weeds consist of anything that is not Fescue, Bermuda or Zoysia Grass. 


3. Artificial turf is not permitted as a lawn cover on any area of a lot that can be seen from a public street, sidewalk or alley. Artificial turf is allowed if it is part of an enclosed courtyard and is not visible from public or neighbors’ view. This should be explained as part of the ARC request the homeowner submits. 


4. Any deviations from the grass, shrubbery, approved groundcover combination must be authorized by the ARC. An example list of HOA recommended groundcovers are listed in the Appendix.


5. Lawns of grass should be mowed in a recommended range of 2-5 inches and weeded on a regular recommended weekly basis to ensure the lawn/yard appears tidy, healthy, and properly maintained. Groundcovers and natural areas should also be weeded and neatly maintained* at all times. 

6. Maintenance of lawn median strip between street and residents yard is the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain grass and weed-free (see #2 for lawn/weed ratio). Which includes the concrete curbing and concrete sidewalk.



Maintenance includes:


• Mowing, edging (to prevent encroachment of sidewalks, neighbors yards and hard surfaces etc.), 

• Refreshing garden beds (includes pine needles, mulch and flower beds), 

• Weeding

• Removing dead plants or shrubbery

• Lawns watered and kept healthy - Fescue must be kept green throughout the year and Bermuda green during the non-dormant season.

• All plant material should be trimmed, pruned, or shaped to keep your lot in a tidy, attractive condition. Tree and shrub trimmings must be removed from view at the time of trimming and ‘stored’ out of sight (in the yard waste bins or garage) until the trash pick-up day.  

 

7. Lawns must be watered on a regular basis sufficient to maintain health (see maintenance definition in appendix). This is weather and temperature-dependent.  
 

8. Homeowners may install sprinkler systems but are not allowed in the planting strip between street and sidewalk), as that is a public right of way and the City of Mooresville rules must be followed. 
 

9. Plant and tree material that is dead or diseased must be removed from the homeowner’s lot. Lawn debris, including lawn clippings, should be placed together along the curb up to one week prior to the scheduled pick up by the City of Mooresville. Anything removed from the original plan must be replaced unless approved by the ARC. 
 

10. When implementing landscape changes, care must be taken not to modify the water drainage paths whereby creating water runoff onto neighboring properties. Check the Approved Subdivision Plans with the City of Mooresville and HOA before commencing any such project.

 

Shrubs, Trees and Plantings:



1. All trees, shrubs, branches, and greenery located at the street and sidewalk right of way should be trimmed not to obstruct public access. Trees and shrubs should not overhang into the sidewalk and streets so as to not cause obstructions to vehicles or pedestrians.


2. The removal of dead plants and weeds from yards, gardens, sidewalks, and driveways should be done within 7 days. If yard materials delivered are not going to be used within 14 days, an ARC must be submitted. 


3. Leaves shall be removed regularly from your property including sidewalks, driveways, street curbs,  street gutters and the center of the street directly in front of your property. Leaves are NOT to be put into storm drains.  


4. Except for the removal of dead trees, no trees measuring four inches (4”) or more in diameter may be removed without the prior written approval of the HOA and the HOA may require the replacement, at the owner’s sole cost and expense. Replacement of said trees may be required per the City of Mooresville regulations and zoning ordinances. 


5. Street trees are defined per the City of Mooresville as the major canopy trees that are planted next to public streets, typically between the street and the sidewalk. 
 

6. Street trees are a requirement of the City of Mooresville. The homeowner is responsible for all street trees on their property and should water regularly, not mound mulch or rocks around base, etc). In the event that one dies, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to replace it. If you wish to not replace the tree, you must fill out an ARC request form to NOT replace the tree (this does not guarantee approval).

Mulch, Pine Needles, Rocks, Bricks or Bedliners must be earth tones.


7. Walls of shrubs/privacy screens can include living shrubs, trees and other plants. Those items also need to be kept trimmed and healthy. They should not extend into alleys and sidewalks. In the event that they should become sick or worse, they need to be replaced with a similar plant in order to maintain a uniform appearance.

 

Appendix:

Approved trees, shrubs, flowers and groundcover that grow in our zone. Any replacements or substitutions of the below listed does not require an ARC. Trees, shrubs or groundcover not pre-approved will require an ARC.

Recommended Non-Invasive Groundcover

• Green-and-gold 
Little brown jugs 


• Mondo Grass 


• Allegheny spurge 


• Creeping phlox

• 
Oconee bells 


Recommended Street Trees

• Maples


• Oaks


Recommended Yard Trees

• Maples


• Crepe Myrtle


• Profusion Crabapple Tree


• Muskogee Crape Myrtle


• Northern Red Oak


• Tuscarora Crape Myrtle


• Newport Plum Tree


• Vokel's Upright Hinoki Cypress


• Howardi Ligustrum


• Brandywine Maple Tree


• Yoshino Cherry Tree


• Sky Pencil Holly


• Bartlett Pear Tree

• 
Black Diamond Pure White Crape Myrtle Tree


• White Kousa Dogwood


• Royal Purple Smoke Tree

• 
Weeping Willow


• Leyland Cypress


• Black Diamond Pink Shell Crape Myrtle


• Steeds Holly


• Tulip Poplar


• Crimson King Japanese Maple


• Coral Bark Japanese Maple


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Recommended Shrubs and Flowers

• Pin oaks


• Purple Passion Flower

• 
Redbud


• Swamp Sunflower

• 
Wild Hydrangea

• 
American Witch-Hazel


• Canna Lily


• Viburnum


• Lobelia


• Gardenia


• Boxwood


• Rhododendron

• 
Roses


• Cherry Laurel

   

Updated 3/24/2021