Landscape Guidelines Updated November 6, 2024

Return to Homepage

Here, you'll find information on the following topics:

  • Planting Requirements Foundation Plantings
  • Fence Plantings
  • Alley/Lane Plantings
  • Side Yard Plantings
  • Hardscape & Plantings
  • Specific Plant Requirements
  • Lawn
  • Shrubs
  • Perennials
  • Annuals
  • Hanging Plant Baskets
  • Artificial Plants
  • Topsoil
  • Trees
  • Ground Cover
  • Hedges

Notice

Remember that the modifications, changes or projects listed below or elsewhere on this site or document are not all-inclusive and that all exterior modifications must be approved before starting work. Even if your project or modification is not listed, approval must be given by the Design Review Committee.

Nothing in this document will be considered an official approval or denial for a design review application. No verbal decisions will be given; decisions are made by the Design Review Committee per the Board of Directors approved process. You will be sent an official letter with the final decision.

Please note that to be added to the Design Review Meeting agenda, your application must be completed as determined by staff and submitted at least one week before the meeting. During periods of high application volume, we cannot guarantee that a completed application will be placed on the next meeting agenda.

Landscape Guidelines

All landscaping and architectural modifications must be approved by the Design Review Committee for Daybreak prior to installation.

Planting Requirements

It is a requirement that plantings are present surrounding the following locations:

  • Foundations
  • Fences
  • Alley/Lane
  • Plants are required to be spaced 3 to 5 feet apart on center. Perennial spacing: 18 inches on center, depending on species type.
  • All planting areas are recommended to contain 8-12 inches of topsoil and 4 inches of either organic bark consistent across the property or rock within park strips only. No synthetic mulch or bark is permitted, as this material does not biodegrade and may cause problems when washed into storm drainage facilities. (No red, black or white rock)

Weed control fabric or pre-emergent weed control is recommended for all planted areas.

It is a requirement that a continuous edge between the plant bed and lawn is present.

Pre-made edging such as composite or steel pre-made edging will be allowed. Shovel-cut edging is the preferred Daybreak edging; however, it must be regularly maintained.

Concrete curbing is allowed in Village 1 only (Founders Park).

Foundation Plantings

A minimum of a 2’ planter bed with foundation plantings is required at the base of houses and garages.

Foundation plant layering

Plantings should reflect a vertical layering effect composed of low, medium and tall plant material. Plant layering must terrace upward as it approaches a structure (house) with the tallest material next to the structure.

For example:

  • Low = lawn and ground covers
  • Medium = perennials and smaller shrubs
  • Tall = foundation shrubs and hedges

Fence Plantings

Must provide a minimum 2-foot-wide foundation planter at the exterior of a privacy fence’s base, except when the exterior planter bed would be located on the property line. Planter bed must include drip irrigation and mulch.

Must provide a minimum 2-foot-wide foundation planter bed at the exterior and interior of the fence base on picket-style fencing. Planter bed must include drip irrigation and natural mulch for picket fences. Rock is allowed only behind a 6’ privacy fence in a 2’ planter bed (no red, black or white rock).

Alley/Lane Plantings

Alley/lane planting zones must be landscaped. These zones are the 2 feet between the rear yard fence and or the alley/lane paving.

Alley/lane planting zones must utilize shrubs and perennials that do not exceed 4 feet in height and are tolerant of salt and snow loads.

Plant minimum size requirements in the alley/lane planting zones are:

  • 1-gallon shrubs
  • 4-inch pots for perennials and ground covers

Side Yard Plantings

Plantings, drip irrigation and natural mulch are required in narrow side yards. (see foundation planting requirements above (no red, black or white rock).

Hardscape & Plantings

Pavers, decomposed granite, flagstone are permissible including planter beds and perennial plant material incorporated into backyard design. See requirements above.

Specific Plant Requirements

All landscaping and architectural modifications must be approved by the Design Review Committee for Daybreak prior to installation.

Lawn

  • Lawn areas must be large enough for practical use and be located no closer than 2 feet from foundations (house and garage) and 2 feet from fences and tree trunks.
  • Lawn areas shall not exceed the greater of 250 square feet, or 35% of the total landscaped area.
  • Artificial turf is not permitted in areas of public view. Please see the requirements on mydaybreak.com.
  • Lawn area shall not be less than 8 feet wide at its narrowest point.
  • Small residential lots, which have no back yards, which the total landscaped area is less than 250 square feet, and which the front yard dimensions cannot accommodate the minimum 8 feet wide lawn area requirement of the landscaping requirements are exempt from the 8 feet minimum width lawn area requirement. This will be determined “at the discretion of the Design Review Committee.”

Shrubs

  • Minimum size at installation is 5 gallon; 1 gallon in alley planting zones. Zones must utilize shrubs that do not exceed 4 feet in height and are tolerant of salt and snow loads.
  • Shrub Spacing: varies depending on species type; never more than 5 feet on center.
  • Planting plans are encouraged to have a mix of both evergreen and deciduous plants for year-round visual interest.
  • Starting on September 1, 2021, landscapes are recommended to have enough plant material (perennials and shrubs) to create at least 50% living plant cover at maturity at the ground plane, not including tree canopies
  • Starting January 1, 2022, when grass is not present in a park strip, plant coverage is required to be 80 – 100% at maturity and not obstruct site lines of drivers.

Perennials

  • Minimum plant size at installation is 1 gallon; (4-inch pot in alley/lane planting zone that do not exceed 4 feet in height and are tolerant of salt and snow loads).
  • Spacing: 18 inches on center, depending on species type.
  • Planting plans are encouraged to have a mix of both evergreen and deciduous plants for all year color.

Annuals

  • Annuals are permitted, however, limited to 25% of planter bed and must be dispersed throughout the planting area with perennials and shrubs for year around visual interest and coverage.

Flower Pots, Decorative Planters Hanging Plant Baskets, Porch Planter Boxes

  • Hanging plant baskets, pots and porch planter boxes are allowed on the front porch.
  • Planters, pots, and decorative planter boxes may not be used in place of required plant or plant spacing requirements.
  • Decorative planter pots may be used as an accent on porches and minimally in landscape beds but are not to be a dominant element or focal point.
  • Porch planter boxes are allowed as long as they are detached from the home and correspond to the architectural style of the home.

*If planter box elements are attached to the home, they must be applied for through the Design Review Committee

See guidelines for vegetables, fruits, herbs etc.

Artificial Plants

• Artificial plants are not permitted. (See appendix for artificial turf requirements.)

Topsoil

  • Lawn areas: 4-inch minimum
  • Planting beds: 9 -12 inch minimum

Trees

Front Yards

  • Installed by the builder and becomes the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain as part of their lot.
  • Must contain a minimum of 1 deciduous tree in addition to trees located in the park strip.
  • 2-inch caliper minimum. 10-gallon pot.

Park Strip

  • Location and amount number outlined on plot plan.
  • 2-inch caliper minimum. 10-gallon pot.
  • Replanted trees must be the same variety as what is being replaced to ensure conformity with street tree requirements.
  • Lawn shall not be installed in park strips on new construction lots starting January 1, 2022.
  • Drip lines shall be installed to each tree, separate from turf irrigation.
  • Installed by the builder or Daybreak Communities; however, the homeowner is responsible to maintain.
  • See Appendix for “park strip flips” water-wise plant conversion requirements.

Rear Yards

  • Must contain a minimum of one deciduous shade tree.
  • 1 ½ inch caliper minimum.
  • Shall be placed at least 6 feet from property lines.
  • Spacing variance may be granted for smaller homes or are part of a cluster, paseo or cottage court.

All Trees

  • To prevent mechanical damage to trunk, a minimum of 2 feet natural mulched radius tree ring or rectangle from curb to sidewalk is required at the base of the tree and be consistent with the edging in the yard.
  • Deciduous trees should be located to provide summer shade on south/southwestern exposures.
  • Tree spacing is dependent on species type.
  • Evergreens must be at least 6 feet in height at installation and spaced appropriately for species and location.
  • Replanted trees on property may be the same variety and does not require DRC approval. When the variety and/or size changes, it requires DRC approval.
  • Parkstrip trees must remain the same species as determined by the board of directors and the developer.

Tree Rings

  • Pavers may be used as a minimum 2’ diameter tree ring as long as the pavers are able to be mowed over and level to the ground. All pavers must be approved by the DRC prior to installation.
  • If pavers become uneven or unsightly, they must be re-installed or removed. Tree roots, over time, may push up the pavers; frost heaving may also occur.

Ground Cover

  • Ground cover is defined as living plant material. (Unplanted areas of stone, cobble, gravel, bark, or mulch are not permitted.)
  • Minimum plant size at installation: Flats.
  • Spacing a minimum of 18 inches on center, depending on perennial plant species type.

Hedges

  • Hedges are permitted on all lots and must be maintained on a regular basis.
  • Hedges are meant to mark property lines, and walkways and to improve privacy.
  • Hedge plantings must be densely spaced 2-3 feet apart on center to create a living wall at maturity.

Vines (Added 11/6/2024)

Due to the many different growing conditions and habits of vine varieties, we ask that homeowners maintain their vines on their property without causing damage to their structure, property or neighboring properties. A vine may not take the place of required landscape elements already outlined in the Resident Design Guidelines. If a vine causes an unsightly, destructive or unpleasant condition, the Board of Directors reserves the right to require the removal or pruning of said vine. We ask that homeowners apply for proposed vines and obtain DRC approval before planting. If vines cause damage to the home structure, fencing or landscaping, it will be addressed as a maintenance item.