Landscaping

Landscaping
Landscaping enhances the visual character of the home, reduces energy
costs (provides shade and wind protection), and blends the home into the
landscape character that is found throughout the neighborhood. A well
planned yard provides opportunities for relaxation, limited recreational space,
and privacy as required by the homeowners.

Front Yard Driveways:

• Parking should always be

provided off an alley if present.
However, if a driveway is
provided from the street, it
should extend to the side or rear
of the house to prevent parking
in the front yard. Concrete
parking strips or permeable paver
system are encouraged as they
reduce the amount of impervious
Concrete Parking Strips Permeable Paver System surface created by the driveway.

Walkways:

• A walkway should connect the

main entrance of the house to
the public sidewalk or street.
The walkway should be at least
4 feet in width and made of
poured concrete or decorative
brick pavers that complement the
Decorative Brick Pavers Concrete architectural style of the house.

• Steps from the sidewalk to the

front walkway, should be made
of brick pavers or concrete.

Concrete Steps Front Walkway

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 Landscpaing

Retaining Walls:

• Existing retaining walls adjacent to the sidewalk should be maintained.

Failing walls should be reconstructed, but should maintain the character
of the original wall.

• Where a new retaining wall is needed, it should be constructed of

materials similar to existing retaining walls found in the neighborhood.
The most common materials used are stone, stone textured concrete
block, or decorative concrete.
Stone Retaining Wall with
Stone Caps Positive Precast Concrete or
Drainage Stone Cap
Away from
Brick or Stone
Wall
Veneer

CMU Wall, Core Filled

Water-Proofing with Reinforcing

Planting Bed

Foundation Sidewalk
Decorative Concrete Block Drain
Concrete Footing with
Retaining Wall with Stone Cap
Reinforcing (Engineered)

Fencing:

• Front yard fencing should be limited to decorative wrought iron or

painted wood picket fencing. Front yard fencing includes all fencing from
the front of the house (not the porch) to the public sidewalk or right-of-
way line. The maximum fencing height should not exceed three feet.
Chain link, wood privacy, or split log fences should not be used in the
Wood Picket Fence with Stone Pier front yard.

Wrought Iron Fence with Stone Pier Wood Picket Fences Decorative Wrought Iron Fences

• The planting of evergreen shrubs can be used in place of a fence. The

shrubs should be maintained to a maximum height of three feet.

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 Landscaping

Plantings:

• Perimeter planting along the property line and other landscaping is

encouraged. Care should be taken to select plants that will not eventually
overgrow and hide sections of the house or porch.

• The front yard should be planted in grass, ivy or any evergreen ground
cover, or a combination of all. Some grass area is important to help define
a front yard.

• Existing trees in good health should remain, while the planting of new
trees is strongly encouraged where appropriate. The type of tree and its
location should blend in with other existing trees on your lot and on the
neighboring lots. For new construction, extra credit is given towards the
landscaping requirements of the City’s Zoning Ordinance when existing
trees are retained.

• The planting of trees and shrubbery is encouraged in front yards. The

plant and tree types should be similar to those found in the surrounding
neighborhood and should be suitable for urban landscapes. The selection
of trees should consider tree height and root ball size at maturity in
order to ensure that the tree will not damage the house, its foundation,
sidewalks, and or retaining walls. Many local nurseries have information
that will assist you in selecting appropriate trees or shrubs for your yard.

• Use plantings native to Virginia. Since native plants have been growing
and evolving for many years, they have adapted to local soils and climate.
Thus they are more likely to require less care than exotic plants, which
cuts down on the need for water, fertilizer, and pesticides.

Rear and Side Yard Driveways:

• Parking should always be provided off an alley if present. Concrete

parking strips or permeable pavement systems are encouraged as they
reduce the amount of impervious surface created by the driveway.

Fencing:

• Fencing in the rear yard, where visible from the street, should be
decorative. Chain link fencing or the structural side of a privacy fence
should not be visible from the street.

• Rear and side yard fencing should not exceed six feet. Rear yard fences
should be considered to provide security and privacy.
Decorative Rear Yard Privacy Fence on
a Corner Lot

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6’ Privacy Fences for Rear Yards

• The planting of trees or shrubs in place of fencing is encouraged. Shrubs

should be kept to a maximum height of six feet.

Plantings:

• The rear and side yards should be planted with grass, ivy or any
evergreen ground cover, or a combination of all. Grass is important for
recreation and play areas.

• The planting of trees and shrubbery in the rear and side yards as
landscaping elements is strongly encouraged. The plant and tree types
should be similar to those in the surrounding neighborhood and should
be suitable for urban landscapes. The selection of trees should consider
height and root ball size at maturity that will not eventually damage the
house and its foundation. Many local nurseries have information helpful
in the selection of appropriate plant and tree material.

Two-Sided Privacy Fence. • Use plantings native to Virginia. Since native plants have been growing
and evolving for many years, they have adapted to local soils and climate.
Thus they are more likely to require less care than exotic plants, which
cuts down on the need for water, fertilizer, and pesticides.

Residential Pattern Book Page 119