The City of Millbrae says it is cracking down on front yard landscaping violations citywide.
The city recently published a notice reminding residents that its Code Enforcement Division is monitoring to ensure that at least 60 percent of a homeowners’ front yard is landscaped, which can mean trees, shrubs, grass (including synthetic grass) or ground cover for primarily decorative purposes.
“While 40 percent (maximum) of a front yard can be devoted to a driveway, landscaped areas cannot be surfaced with concrete, asphalt, or other impervious materials,” the city said. “This area also includes the landscape vegetation strip located between the street and sidewalk.” Homeowners are required to maintain this landscape vegetation, but no paving is allowed in this area.”
Millbrae imposes these rules in order to increase areas that absorb rainwater and decrease stormwater runoff that overburdens the storm sewer system, as well as to “maintain an aesthetic, landscaped appearance along the frontage of residential properties.” Front yard landscaping plans are required before residential building or planning permits can be issued by the city.
Those breaking the front-yard landscaping rules may receive courtesy warnings, notices of violation, ‘stop work’ flags on parcels or administrative citations of $500 that “may be continuously issued in some cases until the violation is corrected,” the city said.
In addition, front yard landscaping plans will be required before any residential building or planning permit is issued. Plans must comply with the Millbrae Municipal Code 10.05.0620 prior to the issuance of any permits. If any violations currently exist, the homeowner must bring their front yard into compliance prior to the issuance of any building permits.
For more information on this and other City Codes, please contact the City of Millbrae’s Code Enforcement Division at (650) 259-2440.
Photo courtesy of City of Millbrae
