Making a yard and a community more beautiful begins at the curb. But that narrow space between sidewalk and street — sometimes called a boulevard, median, hellstrip, parkway, verge or tree belt — is a gardening challenge. For starters, it's probably owned by the municipality but falls to the homeowner to maintain.
What is the area between the sidewalk and road called?
Also question is, what is the area between the sidewalk and road called? A road verge is a strip of grass or plants, and sometimes also trees, located between a roadway (carriageway) and a sidewalk (pavement). Verges are known by dozens of other names, often quite regional; see Terminology, below.
Where is the sidewalk next to the street?
The sidewalk, parkway strip, and curb & gutter are typically made of concrete and located next to the street on the front and/or side portion of your property. The curb and gutter are located at the edge of the street pavement. Beside this, do I own the land between the sidewalk and street?
What is the street next to a parking lot called?
It varies by location. In Seattle, it is called a “parking strip" even though you park next to it. I've heard it called a “planting strip" and a friend of mine from Georgia called it the “boulevard". It can be tricky.
What is the tree between the sidewalk and road called?
A road verge is a strip of grass or plants, and sometimes also trees, located between a roadway (carriageway) and a sidewalk (pavement). Verges are known by dozens of other names, often quite regional; see Terminology, below. Also Know, who is responsible for trees between sidewalk and street?
What is the parking strip called in Seattle?
It varies by location. In Seattle, it is called a “parking strip" even though you park next to it. I've heard it called a “planting strip" and a friend of mine from Georgia called it the “boulevard". It can be tricky.
How to find out if you own a sidewalk?
The only way to find out is to contact your local authorities to understand what your right and responsibilities are. If you are responsible for the maintenance or completely own the sidewalk, then you have to consider your liability exposure .
What is a boulevard in Oshawa?
According to the City of Oshawa: “The boulevard is generally described as the section of land from the street to the edge of the property line. The boulevard may or may not contain a sidewalk.”. Boulevards and Sidewalks. 957 views.
Is a sidewalk a variance?
The sidewalk is an example of a variance on your property. You own the land and the park strip if grass beyond that but you have to allow access to it. There are other variables such as a utility variance. This variance usually cover a strip five feet wide parallel to utilities such as power lines.
Is the sidewalk on my property a HOA?
The sidewalk may belong to the city as they installed it, but since it is on or transects your property you may be responsible for snow removal and repair, but even that isn’t always clear. If you have a HOA, the HOA may be responsible for snow removal. Damage to the sidewalk may be up for debate. Continue Reading.
Is there a right of way to a sidewalk?
However, there is generally a “right of way” — a public easement extending some distance from the road, including the sidewalk and possibly some distance beyond that. Depending on the city, either the homeowner or the city may be responsible for cleaning and otherwise maintaining the sidewalk and easement area.
Is sidewalk maintenance a mixed ownership?
In many cases there is a mixed-ownership and maintenance responsibility based on exactly where your home is. The sidewalk may belong to the city as they installed it, but since it is on or transects your property you may be responsible for snow removal and repair, but even that isn’t always clear.
Where is the sidewalk located on a property?
In most cases, the part of the sidewalk located at the front of a property runs in a longer line along that street. It could also be one that leads from the street to your home, depending on the location and layout of the property.
What happens when there is no sidewalk?
Even when there is no sidewalk, the town generally has right of way to at least the first several feet of that given property. Things can get a little more complicated when there is no sidewalk, so checking community guidelines is advisable there.
What is a front yard?
There is generally a front yard, back yard, and driveway. Those things can vary based on the plot of land, but that is the most common example. In some residential areas, though, there is a little slab of grass that resides between the sidewalk and the curb. More often than not, that is referred to as a tree lawn.
What is the right of way in a community?
There is actually a specific rule in place when it comes to the ownership of land by the community. This rule is called the right of way and, though it varies from community to community, there are a couple of basic rules of thumb that you can follow. Many municipalities have a 50-foot right of way. That right of way is a declaration of ownership ...
Do you have to mow the grass between the curb and sidewalk?
That’s right, despite not owning the grass between the curb and sidewalk, the property owner is responsible for its upkeep. Typically speaking, all that is required is keeping the grass at specified city heights. Since you mow your lawn already, it is just a couple of extra passes to keep the tree lawn neat and clean.
Can you remove sidewalks in front of house?
So, while it is technically located in front of your home, you would not be able to remove the sidewalk or potentially replace it. The general upkeep for the sidewalk falls on the homeowner. That is, they have the responsibility to keep it clean and neat.
Is the homeowner at fault for sidewalks?
Because of the locality’s ownership of the sidewalk, there is an assumption that they assume fault should someone fall and injure themselves. The unfortunate truth is that the homeowner is often considered at fault in instances of an injury . This can be a bit murky.
