Landscape maintenance is done every Wednesday afternoon. Landscape maintenance is done on a rotating 6-week schedule (see map below).
NOTE: COUNTRYSIDE VILLAS REQUIRES THAT ANY AND ALL WEED SPRAY USED MUST BE BLUE TO MARK WHERE SPRAYED, takes up to 72 hours for blue to dissipate. if you see anyone using weed killer spray that is colorless (not blue or green) please contact the Villas Manager and the Board.
Santa Rita trucks are clearly marked with their company name and logo. If you see another landscaping truck without Santa Rita Landscaping signage they're not Countryside Villas HOA landscapers.
The Association is responsible for landscape maintenance (trimming, weed control, and irrigation).
Crew wears yellow high-visibility safety vests. Crew works under the direction of the Landscape Manager.
For any landscape issues please contact the Board they will alert the landscape manager to address it at a future visit. see below*
Landscaping Plant Catalogs
CATALOG #1 ~ SHRUBS/BUSHES
CATALOG #1 ~ SHRUBS/BUSHES
CATALOG #1 ~ SHRUBS/BUSHES
Native and well adapted Shrubs & Bushes for the Arizona Desert
Shrubs are a versatile group of plants. Explore shrubs with a variety of flower colors and blooming.
CATALOG #2 ~ CACTUS
CATALOG #1 ~ SHRUBS/BUSHES
CATALOG #1 ~ SHRUBS/BUSHES
Many Cacti have extraordinary flowers that bloom during periods of the year.
CATALOG #3 ~ SUCCULENTS
Succulents can provide dramatic sculptural qualities to your landscape with minimal care.
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PLANT CATALOGS:
Catalogs are provided for homeowners to get an idea of what plants are native plants. The most popular plant is Texas Ranger (bush) and Lantana (flowers). If you can't decide, try a Lantana. Most plants in these catalogs can be purchased at Home Depot, Lowes, or local nurseries. Any additional plants, additions must be purchased and planted by homeowner subject to prior approval from the Board. Trees are not permitted to be planted in yards.
2. CACTUS
3. SUCCULENTS
Replacement Plants
HOA is not responsible for any alterations or improvements done to exterior (front yard) be it landscape or otherwise without prior written approval from the Board.
ARTICLE II. GENERAL RESTRICTIONS, Section 2.15. Improvements and Alterations.
This would include any vegetation that was planted or altered AFTER the subdivision was built and established 1985.
(EXTERIOR defined as your front yard)
Purchasing a new plant for your exterior (front yard) is the responsibility of the homeowner, and must be approved by the Board before planting.
If you have an empty spot where you once had a plant that died and would like to choose a replacement plant please look through these catalogs and email your request to the Board to ensure it's a good fit for the allotted spot and to ensure there's irrigation at that spot. For example, Cholla or dangerous cactus are not allowed in front yards; nor are plants that will grow to be too large for the area, such as trees. Palm trees of any kind are NOT allowed. Plants that aren't heat resistant for western facing areas where the late afternoon sun is too harsh. ANY VEGETATION PLANTED MUST BE APPROVED IN WRITING BY THE BOARD.
DCCRs: ARTICLE II. GENERAL RESTRICTIONS, Section 2.15. Improvements and Alterations.
There shall be no excavation or construction or alteration which is any way alters the exterior appearance of any improvement in the Subdivision, including rocks, stones, gravel or earth without the prior written approval of the Board. No fences, hedges, clotheslines, or wall shall be maintained upon the Property except such as are installed in accordance with the initial construction of building located thereon or as approved by the Board.
EAST OF ALLEY ON DORIA WASH BEFORE & AFTER
MID SECTION OF WEST DORIA WASH BEFORE & AFTER
Landscape Clean-up along Doria Wash Feb 2022 (Before & After Photos)
FACING WEST AT BRIDGE ALONG DORIA WASH BEFORE & AFTER
WEST END OF DORIA WASH BEFORE & AFTER
MORE MID SECTION DORIA WASH BEFORE & AFTER
All Common Areas are maintained by the HOA
<-- PLAT MAP: HOA maintains landscaping for all common area "A" (YELLOW). Click Plat Map to enlarge
There's been a lot of confusion and incorrect information being dispensed over the years as to whose responsibility it is to maintain the 10 ft behind the homes along Doria Wash. After meeting with PIMA County officials for a definitive answer, they confirmed it is the HOA's responsibility, not the homeowner.
"The 10 ft starting at the end of homeowner's fence line outward is part of the HOA Common Area "A" and thus must be maintained by the HOA."
Confirmed by Marco Diaz, PIMA County Public Works Supervisor, Infrastructure Mgt Div; and
David Takaki, PIMA County Development Services
READ THEIR REPORTS HERE (5 pages, PDF)
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Countryside Villas HOA governing documents cited in PIMA's email response for reference:
and
[ByLaws, Article II, Section 3 “Definitions.” “Common Area(s)” shall mean all real property, whether improved or unimproved, designated as Common Area “A” and “B” on the subdivision plat and owned by the Association for the common use and enjoyment of the Owners. “Common Property” shall mean the Common Areas and the recreational facilities, if any, including any personal property now or hereafter owned by or leased by the Association."
and
DCCRs Article I “Definitions,” Section 1.07 “Common Area(s)” shall mean all real property designated as Common Areas A and B on the plat, whether improved or unimproved, owned by the Association for the common use and enjoyment of the owners. “Common Property” shall mean the Common Areas including any personal property now or hereafter owned by or leased by the Association.
and
ARTICLE V. “THE ASSOCIATION: THE COUNTRYSIDE VILLAS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION,” Section 5:04. “Maintenance, Repair, and Upkeep.” C. Responsibilities of Association.” “The Association, or its duly delegated representative, shall maintain the landscaping of all Property up to the exterior Dwelling Unit lines and patio enclosures. The Association shall also maintain the Common Area improvements, including but not limited to the private streets, drainageways and that portion of the sewer system located upon the Common Areas.”
TREE & BUSH REMOVAL: If you need a tree or bush removed, you need to call an arborist, as this is outside the scope of landscape maintenance. Tree and bush removal and trimming tall trees requiring climbing a ladder are not part of landscape maintenance and can be extremely dangerous. Certified Arborists have special license and training and can control where the tree falls, for example, this ensures the felling doesn't damage people or property.
- If homeowner's tree or bush is damaged by a storm or a bush must be removed to repair a water pipe underneath it's the responsibility of the homeowner.
- The HOA is not permitted to dig into the earth on a homeowner's property due to underground utilities and other liabilities due to Arizona 811 utility zone marking laws: http://www.arizona811.com/
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...more on the subject of what's the homeowner's responsibility vs the HOA's responsibility
1. Common areas are owned by the HOA (highlighted in yellow as marked on the Plat Map). HOA is responsible for maintaining landscaping and grounds of all common area "A" (this also includes the 10 ft behind the homes along Doria Dr from the homeowner's fence line out to the desert wash). With that being said it is perfectly fine for homeowners to garden and water their own yard as desired. Homeowners don't have to but some homeowners like to.
2. Irrigation water lines for the Common Area and the front yards of homes are supplied by the HOA's separate water main and meter which are not located on homeowner property and are the sole responsibility of the HOA. They do not include the homeowner's own water main and water meter located in the homeowner's front yard. Any leaks in the homeowner's water main pipes on the homeowner's property are not connected to the HOA irrigation system and are the responsibility of the homeowner.
WATER LEAKS: irrigation or homeowner's own water main pipe?
NOTE: an easy way to tell if the leak is the HOA irrigation vs the homeowner's main water pipe is by turning off all household water, then opening the cover of the homeowner's water meter located in the homeowner's front yard and checking to see if it displays the running symbol; if it's running then the leak is the homeowner's water main pipe (because the HOA irrigation system does not affect the homeowner's water meter). If the homeowner's water meter is not displaying that it's running then it is the HOA irrigation system leaking. It's always possible the leak is due to Oro Valley water but this is rare and usually not the case. Oro Valley is responsible for leaks starting from the water meter to the street onward; any leaks from the meter to your home are either irrigation or your main water pipes. Usually if it's located along the curb it's irrigation, and leaks more towards the middle of your front yard and towards your home are your home's main water pipes. When in doubt call Oro Valley Water Utility at 520-229-5000 to come out and they will tell you definitively if it's their responsibility or your water main pipe or not.
You can also ask the Board, the Landscaping Committee will have a good idea where the leak is and will have the landscapers look at it too.
All pipes on homeowner's property (with the exception of HOA irrigation) are the homeowner's responsibility and not the HOA's responsibility:
DCCRs Article V, Section 5:04.A
"Maintenance, repair and upkeep of the Lots and Dwelling Units, except as otherwise specifically provided for in Paragraph C of this Section, shall be the sole responsibility of each Owner. All fixtures and equipment installed or located within a Lot, commencing at a point where the utility lines, pipes, wires, conduits or systems enter the Owner’s Lot line shall be maintained and kept in repair by the Owner thereof. Termite control shall be the responsibility of the Owner. All maintenance and repair of the Property within each Owner’s Lot including but not limited to, carport beams, fascia and other carport components, driveways, sidewalks, utilities and the Dwelling Unit itself shall be the sole obligation and expense of the individual Dwelling Unit Owners. Each Owner shall be responsible for the maintenance and repair, including replacement of light bulbs, of all exterior lighting fixtures located within the Owner’s Lot, or in the Common Areas, provided such lighting in the Common Areas is metered to the Owner’s Dwelling Unit."
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...why keeping clear 10 feet is so important?
4. Per Fire Code of Arizona CHAPTER 5, SECTION 503.2.1 there must be unobstructed access to the alley for fire fighters and emergency vehicles and personnel to gain access to the rear of homes; this includes using bollards that can be removed; and must have at least a 10 ft "defensible space" along the rear of homes for fire fighters (Fire Inspector report)
5. ALLEY WAY BOLLARDS: Per PIMA County the striped cement bollards blocking vehicle access to to the alley are the property and responsibility of the HOA and should be removable in case of emergency. (PIMA County Report)
6. Landscapers should maintain this area on an ongoing basis or at least clear this area at least twice per year for fire safety, to keep clear for emergency services, to avoid small saplings from becoming huge trees, to ensure homeowners can exit their back gates unobstructed, and to help keep snakes, rodents, and other wildlife from having easy access onto properties along the South side of Doria Dr.
9. SEE "LANDSCAPE CLEANUP ALONG DORIA WASH" done Feb 2022" Note on the "BEFORE" photos many homes could not even exit their back gates. The good news is this has been resolved and cleared and will continue to be in the future.
Irrigation Map (Valves, Timers)
