Week 1: Cleaning & Decluttering

Deed Restriction Reminders

• Cars and Parking: Tara lots are for single-family homes only. Make sure there are no more cars parked on the street or driveway than there are drivers in the household. Per city ordinance, cars can’t be parked on the street for more than 9 hours and should never be parked on grassy areas. (TDR 5.1)

• Clutter-Free Spaces: Keep all visible areas of your property free from clutter. This includes tools, toys, and garden accessories. Limit potted plants and use them intentionally—ensure their placement is well thought out and not just a collection. Potted plants should not replace flowerbeds. Ensure dead potted plants or empty pots are out of sight. Also, be mindful of the number of garden statues—opt for a few carefully placed pieces rather than overcrowding your yard. (TDR 5.5 & 5.8)

• Inoperable Vehicles: Inoperable vehicles, including boats, campers, or trailers, cannot be parked for more than 30 days or repaired on the property. (TDR 5.8 & 5.9)

• Large Vehicles: Anything larger than a standard pickup truck but less than 26’ should be moved to the back of the property, including large commercial vehicles. Buses, semi-trailers and anything over 2 axles are not allowed at all. (TDR 5.10 & 5.11)

• Holiday Decorations: Holiday decorations should only be up for the current holiday and removed within 30 days. Keep in mind: skeletons are for Halloween, Christmas trees are for Christmas—please don’t extend them for other holidays. Holiday lights should be tasteful, and color-changing features should have a smooth transition or blink in a standard way. (TDR 5.18)

• Satellite Dishes and Window Units: These are not allowed in the front of the property. (TDR 5.15 & 5.17)

• Pets: Pet owners are reminded to keep pets on a leash at all times while outside and to pick up after them. Pet waste should be properly disposed of in the pet owner’s trash can. (TDR 5.19)

  
  

Helpful Tips

• Pressure Wash: Clean your driveway, sidewalks, porches, and patios, and watch how much of a difference it makes. Plus, some young residents in Tara have started their own businesses offering this service—email us for their contact info!

• Wash Windows: A clean window lets in more light and gives your home a fresh feel inside and out.

• Moss & Mildew: Clean exterior surfaces to remove any moss or mildew buildup.

• Gutters: Clean out your gutters—clogged gutters can harbor mosquitoes and even grow plants!

• Fight Mosquitoes Early: Start the battle now to prevent mosquitoes from breeding:

  • Check for standing water around your property and drain it (even small puddles).

  • Call 311 to schedule Mosquito Abatement.

  • Consider hiring pest control.

  • Investigate DIY methods like Cutters ready-to-spray, Spartan or Aion mosquito eradicators, or mosquito dunks in water-holding areas.

• Report and Fix Issues: For sinkholes and water leaks between the sidewalk and the street, report them using the Red Stick 311 app or by calling 311. Use the app to also report street lights and any road issues. Let’s work to get rid of those orange construction fences and barricades! Sinkholes or water issues on your property side of the sidewalk, especially those near the sidewalks, need to be addressed by a professional and are the responsibility of the property owner.

• Disposal of Large and Out-of-Cart Items: Properly prepare out-of-cart items for pickup and schedule large item pickups through 311 to avoid leaving them out for extended periods.

  
  

Other Spring Clean Topics

Home Maintenance, Yard Maintenance, Home Improvements & Design