Kelly West HOA
Lawn and Property Guidelines
1. Lawn mowing and trimming on a regular basis so the grass is maintained at a height of no taller than four
and half (4 ½ ) inches in height for Fescue lawns and 2-3 inches for warm season grasses at all times. The
NC State Turffiles site has the result of a study that shows that 4” is the best height for Fescue in order to
inhibit the growth of crabgrass: http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Alerts.aspx#005677
2. Bare spots should be reseeded, fertilized, and watered to ensure growth of new grass during the early spring
and/or fall season.
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Bare spots should not exceed 10% of the lawn area visible from the street.
3. The lawn should be maintained free from weeds and seed heads.
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Lawn should be mowed prior to going to seed, such that seed heads make up less than 25%
of the lawn visible from the street.
Lawn should be treated for weeds such that weeds are not higher than the grass and that
weeds do not make up more than 10% of the lawn visible from the street.
4. Hard surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways, concrete slabs, and curb lines should be trimmed, edged and
kept free of weeds and grass.
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Edges of lawn, including those that border the street, should be kept a uniform length and
not overhang onto the cement.
Weeds and grasses growing in the cracks of the driveway and sidewalks should be removed.
5. Trim around road signs, posts, trees, shrubs, utility poles, and fences.
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The grass should be trimmed to the same height as the mower setting
6. Grass clippings on hard surfaces should be removed as soon as possible after cutting the lawn.
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Grass clippings can be swept or blown back into the lawn, or put 6” from curb for pickup
by the Town of Apex vacuum truck.
7. Flowerbeds and shrubs should be kept in good order. Flowerbeds and other landscaping beds should be
mulched to prevent erosion and to inhibit weed growth.
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Weeds and grass in planting beds should not exceed 10% of the surface visible from the street,
not be higher than the flowers/shrubs.
Mulching should be done on a regular basis such that a consistent look is achieved in the
planting beds. A mulch application may be required twice a year to maintain a uniform
appearance, depending upon the type and depth of the mulch used..
Planting bed edges should be kept neatly trimmed.
Pine straw is not recommended for use against the walls of any structure since it can pose a fire
hazard.
8. Shrubs, bushes, and trees should be pruned on a regular basis to maintain an attractive appearance. Prune
groundcover plantings to restrain growth onto adjacent walkways, curb lines, and streets.
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Prune to maintain proper size in relationship to adjacent plantings and intended function.
Shrubs bushes and trees should be pruned such that they do not encroach on the neighbor’s
property, the public sidewalk (height or width) or restrict sidewalk or street visibility.
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Large hedges (more than 3 feet high) should not be planted adjacent to sidewalks.
9. All litter, trash, refuse, and wastes should be promptly removed from yard.
10. Removal of dead shrubs, bushes, trees and plants should occur in a reasonable time frame.
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The expectation is that between inspections by management the dead plant will be removed or that a
plan is in place for its removal.
11. Home exteriors will be kept in good order.
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Regular maintenance painting or staining of porches such that a uniform look is visible from the
street.
Obvious trash/non decorative or functional items are not stored in areas visible from the street.
Exteriors are power washed at regular intervals (annually is sufficient) such that mold/mildew is not
visible from the street.
12. Holiday/seasonal decorations shall be removed by one month after the holiday/end of season and may go
up no sooner than one month prior to the holiday/season.