M-Landscaping Policy

City of Chandler — Regular Meeting (2023-04-10)

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Page 1 of 5 
Revised 7/1/20227/1/2023 
 
 
Landscaping Policy 
Scattered Site Housing  
 
 
The City of Chandler Housing and Redevelopment Division is pleased to provide well maintained housing that 
adds to the overall quality of the neighborhoods where their homes are located.  The purpose of this policy is to 
make certain that tenants are aware of their responsibilities as they pertain to maintaining the visual appearance 
of their residence. 
 
Tenant Responsibilities  
All tenants on the City of Chandler Housing and Redevelopment Division Scattered Site dwelling lease shall 
comply with the following: 
 
Tenants will be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of all areas of landscaping on the dwelling premises 
including but not limited to the front, sides, back yards and alleyways.  This includes maintaining sidewalk, patios 
and driveways to be free of vegetation, rocks, and debris. 
 
1. Tenants will be responsible for all yard work, including but not limited to mowing, trimming, watering, 
trash/litter pickup and general upkeep to ensure that their landscaping is always maintained in good 
condition.  
• 
Good condition is defined as no vegetation protruding through any desert landscaping, 
commonly referred to as decomposed granite or a similar product.    
• 
If there is a turf lawn, the grass should not exceed a height of more than four (4) inches.   
• 
Other vegetation (weeds) should not be present in the turf areas or non-turf areas.   
• 
Final determination of specific tenant questions regarding the condition of their landscape will 
be the responsibility of the Housing Staff or their representatives/subcontractors.   
• 
During the wet season, tenants need to be proactive about weeds and weed removal. 
 
2. Tenants will be responsible for the purchase and maintenance of all equipment, mowers, hoses, sprinkler 
systems, tools, chemicals, fertilizers, and/or other necessary items required to maintain the landscaping 
in good condition. 
 
3. Tenants will dispose of all garbage, rubbish, landscaping clippings or trimmings in approved city refuse 
containers supplied by the City of Chandler Solid Waste Department and will not allow such items to 
accumulate on the premises. 
 
4. Tenants will maintain an appropriate watering schedule that indicates an awareness of the need to 
conserve water and still maintains an adequate water supply to support the landscaping in a healthy 
condition. 
 
5. Tenants will maintain the property in a clean and weed free manner.  The tenant may remove weeds by 
physical means or by the use of chemicals.  This will be done as often as necessary to control weeds. 
Attachment M

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Revised 7/1/20227/1/2023 
 
6. Tenants are not to park or store any type of motor vehicle on the yard (landscaping). 
 
7. Tenants are required to report (request a work order) on any dead shrubs, trees or large vegetation. 
 
Landscaping Neglect, Damage And Repair 
Tenant shall use reasonable care to maintain all of the landscaping in a neat and healthy condition.  Failure of 
tenant to do so shall constitute neglect, and the tenant will be held financially responsible for the upkeep, repairs 
or replacement required to remedy this neglect.   
 
Lease Violation 
Tenant will receive a lease violation notice (typically a door hanger notice) and will have 3 days to correct the 
problem.  On the 4th day, housing staff or their representative will do a follow up check of the property. If the 
problem is corrected, no other notice or steps are required.  If the problem is not corrected either housing 
maintenance staff or a landscape company will be sent out, at the tenants expense, to correct all landscape issues. 
 
Multiple Violations of the Landscaping Policy 
Multiple violations are defined as any tenant that has received more than two landscape lease violations in a 
continuous twelve (12) month period.  Multiple violations of the Landscape Policy may result in eviction.   
 
I have received, read and understand the above policy provision regarding the maintenance of the landscaping 
and agree to abide by these provisions. I have also received, read and understood the landscape guidelines. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Head of Household Signature  
 
 
 
Date 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Adult Household Member Signature 
 
 
Date 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Adult Household Member Signature 
 
 
Date 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Housing Assistance Senior Program Manager Signature 
Date

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Revised 7/1/20227/1/2023 
 
 
 
 
 
Scattered Site Housing Program 
Landscaping Guidelines 
 
 
What Constitutes a Weed? 
• 
Desert Landscape Areas 
 
Any valueless, troublesome or noxious living plant material (including all grasses) growing in an 
area not designated as or intended for planning or growing.  This would exclude trees, shrubs 
or flowers approved by and planted by the Housing Division. 
• 
Lawn Areas 
Any valueless, troublesome or noxious living plant material (including all grasses) growing 
in an area designated as or intended solely for grass/turf. This would exclude trees, shrubs 
or flowers approved by and planted by the Housing Division. 
 
What Size of Weed or Amount of Weeds Constitutes a Lease Violation? 
 
• 
Desert Landscape (granite) 
 
Any weed(s) that exceeds three (3) inches in height, or that covers, or in combination covers, 
more than one square foot of the yard space.  Yard space is defined as any area of the front 
yard, side yard or back yard intended to have only granite as the main ground cover. 
• 
Lawn (grass/turf) 
 
Any weed that exceeds three (3) inches in height cover or in combination covers more than one 
square foot of the lawn area.  Lawn area is defined as any area intended to have grass/turf as 
the main ground cover. 
• 
Non-vegetated soil-dirt (This is permitted in backyards only) 
Any weed that exceeds three (3) inches in height, or more than one square foot of the yard 
space. 
• 
Alleys 
 
Any weed that exceeds three (3) inches in height and /or cover or in combination covers more 
than one square foot of the area located on the alley side of the wall, within the boundaries of 
the property lines, and to the centerline of the alley. 
• 
Sidewalks, Driveways, Gutters and Curbs 
Any weed that grows in a control joint, expansion joint, or crack located in any portion of 
the sidewalk, driveway, gutter or curb, within the boundaries of the property lines.

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Revised 7/1/20227/1/2023 
What Are the Tenants Responsibilities Pertaining to the Landscape? 
 
• 
Weeds  
Tenants will remove all weeds from all areas (as defined above) be either physical means, or by 
the use of chemicals.  This will be done as often as necessary to control weeds. 
 
• 
Lawns 
 
Tenants will remove all weeds from all areas (as defined above) be either physical means, or by 
the use of chemicals.  This will be done as often as necessary to control weeds and meet above 
requirements. 
 
 
Tenants will mow grass areas as often as necessary to keep grass at a height not to exceed 4”.  
If tenant does not use a mower with a bag attachment or a mower that mulches, then tenant 
must rake up and properly dispose of all grass clippings immediately after mowing.  Grass 
clippings are not to be stored on the property.  Tenants will provide sufficient water to keep 
grass healthy and green. 
• 
Trees 
Tenants will keep all trees trimmed to a bottom height of at least 7’.  Housing Maintenance will 
complete any other tree trimming.  Tenant will report any dead branches (above 7’) or dead 
trees to the Housing Office as soon as discovered.  Tenant will remove all tree cuttings from the 
yard and properly dispose of.  Tree trimmings are not to be stored on the property. Tenants 
will provide sufficient water to keep trees healthy and green. 
• 
Shrubs 
 
Tenants will keep all shrubs trimmed as appropriate for each particular type shrub.  Shrubs 
near the house will not exceed total height greater than the height of the windowsills.  Shrub 
trimmings will be picked up and properly disposed of, and not stored on the property.  
Questions regarding height should be directed to Housing Maintenance.  Tenants will provide 
sufficient water to keep shrubs healthy and green. 
• 
Front & Back Yards 
 
Yards are to be kept free of trash and debris at all times.  Tenants will not allow garbage, 
rubbish, or landscaping debris to accumulate on the premises.  Tenants will not store 
construction materials, landscape materials, auto & motorcycle or bicycle parts on the 
premises.  Tenants will not park or store any type of motor vehicle on any landscaped area. 
• 
Alleys 
 
Tenants will keep the portion of the alley that extends from property line to property line, and 
to the centerline of the alley.  Tenant will not store or allow to be stored any type of debris on 
this portion of the alley.  Tenant will keep weeds and grass within the policy as stated above. 
• 
Trash & Recycling Containers 
 
Tenant will keep both trash and recycling containers in the back yard except on the day of 
pickup.  Containers set out the day off collection must be returned by the end of the day.  
Containers are not to be stored anywhere in the front of the property, including garages or 
carports. 
• 
Lawn, Shrub, and Tree Care

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Revised 7/1/20227/1/2023 
 
Tenants will maintain an appropriate watering and fertilizing schedule to keep lawns, shrubs, 
and trees healthy and green. 
• 
Adding or Removal of Trees, Shrubs, Plants, Flowers, and Grass. 
 
Without written consent from the Maintenance Supervisor (through a “Request for Alteration” 
form) tenants will not plant, or remove plantings (trees, shrubs, plants, grass, etc.) from the 
property.