HOA Landscaping: What Boards Should Know
Landscaping is one of the first things people notice in a community. It affects home values and how residents feel about where they live.
Whether your HOA uses a contractor or handles it in-house, keeping things on track with a solid scope of work. Define exactly what gets done, how often, and how problems are reported. Input the information on a document or calendar.
A quarterly check-in with your vendors helps catch small issues before they become bigger problems. Plan for more than just the basics, like tree replacements, irrigation upgrades, or erosion fixes. These should be part of your long-term budget.
Make sure you know what your HOA is actually responsible for.
In some communities, that includes front yards; in others, it doesn’t. Reviewing your CC&Rs can clear up confusion and help avoid homeowner frustration.
Some of your HOA systems might need to be repaired or upgraded according to the areas it is responsible for. Water conservation is a common topic and can be fixed by limiting water use.
Pro Tip: Eco-friendly landscaping is worth considering. Native plants, mulch, and smart irrigation can cut costs and save water long-term.
Keep things simple, plan for the long term, and don’t overlook the value of eco-friendly upgrades. Your residents will notice, and your budget will thank you.
Key Definitions that might help:
Landscaping: The planning, maintenance, and improvement of outdoor common areas in an HOA community, including lawns, trees, irrigation, and plants.
Scope of Work: A written outline that defines what landscaping tasks are to be performed, how frequently, and how issues should be reported or handled.
Quarterly Check-In: A scheduled review with landscaping vendors every three months to assess performance and catch small issues early.
Tree Replacements: The process of removing and replanting trees that are dead, damaged, or unsafe, often included in long-term HOA landscaping plans.
Irrigation Upgrades: Improvements to sprinkler or watering systems to improve efficiency, prevent overwatering, and reduce costs.
Erosion Fixes: Landscaping efforts aimed at preventing or repairing soil loss due to water or wind, particularly in sloped or high-impact areas.
Overwatering: Excessive irrigation that can damage plants, waste water, and raise HOA utility costs—often a result of outdated systems.
Irrigation Controller: A device that automates watering schedules; newer smart versions help reduce water waste and adjust based on weather.
Eco-Friendly Landscaping: A sustainable approach to outdoor maintenance using native plants, mulch, and water-saving practices to lower environmental impact and long-term costs.
