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1. Is artificial turf allowed to be installed at my residence in the Town of Erie?

Good question - artificial turf is allowed in the front yard, but it cannot be used as a means to comply with the landscape regulations. It is also allowed in the back and side yards so long as it makes up no more than 50% of the total square footage of area. However, it is not eligible for the turf replacement rebate. This is the current code as it is written: 

UDC 10.6.4.E.

2. Single-family and Duplex Dwelling Units 
In addition to the right-of-way landscaping described in Section 10-6-4.E.1, the property owner shall: 

1. Provide permanent landscaping in the front yard of each home. There shall be a minimum of 75 percent of the gross front yard area, excluding driveways, landscaped with live plant materials. Mature tree and shrub canopies may count toward the 75 percent requirement. 
2. Install landscaping within the side and rear yard such that 50 percent of the combined (side and rear) yards is landscaped with live plant material. 
3. Maintain the landscaping within the adjacent street right-of-way. 

UDC 10.6.4.F.

5. Artificial Materials Prohibited 
Artificial plants, artificial grasses, and other artificial plant material are prohibited as a means of complying with these landscaping regulations. However, they may be used for athletic fields and similar uses as approved by the Town, but shall not be used in any manner to satisfy the requirements of these landscape regulations.

2. Can you plan a turf replacement project if you live in an HOA?

All turf replacement projects require a full design submittal. One of the steps of a design submittal for this program is HOA approval if it is applicable. We encourage all interested homeowners to check in with your HOA about major changes to landscaping. 

Senate Bill (SB) 13-183 is a state bill that requires HOA's to allow xeric landscaping as long as the landscaping follows the laws put forth in your municipalities Unified Development Code. A link to the Town of Erie UDC can be found here. 

3. Is there a limit to how many Garden's In A Box you can buy with a discount?

There is no limit to how many gardens you can purchase with the discount. After you've put as many gardens as you would like to purchase in the cart on the Resource Central website, the discount will be applied at the time of purchase. 

NOTE: The $25 discount will be applied to the full purchase price, not to each individual garden in the online cart.

4. Do Garden's In a Box and Turf Replacement projects meet the requirements of the municipal code?

If you just plan to add Garden In a Box contents to your existing landscape in a flower box or something similar, then yes, this meets the requirements of the Town without any additional process. 

If you are going to undergo a Turf Replacement project you will need to go through the approval process outlined in the design submittal process. Your project will need to fit the parameters set forth in the Town's Unified Development Code. Also, for further information on Xeriscaping (low-water use landscaping) you can visit the Town's website here for more resources.