This urban state is surrounded by nature’s verdure. You’ll find beaches, mountain ranges, farmlands, deserts, and rainforests. Also, it’s where Starbucks was supposedly born. Why wouldn’t you want to build a home here? This rugged yet beautiful state has much to offer. Especially when it comes to terrains.
Washington may be occasionally gloomy, but it’s worth it. The versatility it offers in terms of culture and geography is unlike any other. There’s so much in one place. It also produces a multitude of food products. Apples, berries, peaches, onions, wheat, and greens among a few.
The landscaping options here are endless. You can plant native plants to improve soil fertility. The dependency on fertilizers and pesticides decreases. This allows you to grow a variety of crops in the future. Rest assured, you’ll be left with a healthy landscape and garden.
Let’s take a look at the gardening and landscaping laws in Washington so you can build your desired home.
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Landscaping Laws in Washington
Landscaping plays a crucial role in your home’s aesthetic. That’s not the case in Washington. You need to complement your neighboring buildings and surrounding topography too. Any plan you wish to undertake requires permits. Especially long-term ones.
Your landscaping project must be consistent and add visual character to your environment. Finalizing the design is tough. The composition you follow must be appropriate in terms of style. You could use a combination of trees, vines, and herbs. The color, texture, and proportion matter too.
So how do you get approval for all this?
You need to propose a preliminary plan first. All the details must comply with the state rules and regulations. The required resources to execute this project must be added too. The plans must also be designed by a licensed landscaper. You won’t be able to get permission without their stamp of approval.
A Closer Look at Fences
Fences aren’t designed to simply keep animals and people out. It also adds a layer of security. Boundaries protect your home and family. There’s no shame in taking precautions. They also help you keep your rambunctious children in a controlled setting. You can have some peace of mind with fences.
It’s important to learn about property lines in Washington.
As tempting as it is, you can’t build a fence out of malice. The law can intervene and stop you from constructing “spite fences.” However, you have the right to trim branches from the neighboring tree. That is if it encroaches on your property. Your neighbor can fine you for damages though.
There are some benefits you can reap. If you build a boundary on a property line, you can actually ask for compensation from the next landowner. You must first give a notice though. Both parties are responsible to maintain the boundary fence. So you don’t have to worry about the neighbor taking advantage of the situation.
Some Special Circumstances
The laws are a tad flexible in certain circumstances. You can showcase your creativity here. Here are some examples. Working to preserve wildlife habitats or large natural vegetation. Conserving certain trees. Adding more visual elements to the community. Having a relationship with the adjoining neighbors.
Laws Regarding Planting in Washington
Only plants approved by the American Association of Nurserymen can be planted. The plants you choose should be able to assimilate to the local soil conditions. You need to maintain the required spacing stated by the regulatory bodies.
You’re encouraged to xeriscape to conserve water too. Avoid planting exotic or invasive flora. You can also incorporate ground cover to reduce abrasions and maintenance costs.
Laws Regarding Maintenance
Maintaining your vegetation is important. Your plants need to be regularly watered. You must ensure their survival. That’s why you should have a proper irrigation system installed. The other thing you need to pay close attention to is the drainage. Either opt for a natural filtration process or install an efficient drainage system.
You must have a maintenance bond that covers 10% of the cost to the state authority. Failing to comply with the maintenance regulations will be notified to the authorities. The landowner will then get a notice to execute the task prompt. If they are unable to finish the task, the state will cash in the bond.
There’s trouble if no funds were left for this task. The state can request legal action to recover the maintenance fee. This involves removing dead or diseased plants. It also gets rid of invasive plants and repairs damaged irrigation systems.
Conclusion
Refurbishing the exterior of your home in Washington is a little tricky. Especially since you have to consider the surrounding topography and environment. You can take help from your adjacent neighbors though. So it helps you alleviate some of the costs. Follow the gardening and landscaping laws in Washington to avoid troubles!
Also Read: Gardening and Landscaping Laws in Utah – State Gardener
