Long Branch Guidelines and Tips
Long Branch Guidelines and Tips - Preamble
Our Long Branch is a great place to live, and your Long Branch Civic Association promotes continuation of that greatness while also advocating for increased Long Branch property values.
Unlike some neighborhood and condo associations, we do not have mandatory, enforceable rules about the appearance of our property or behaviors that may impact our neighbors. However, with freedom comes responsibility. And if nothing else, maintaining the appearance of our property enhances all of our property values. Additionally, although most of us are very good about these things, there are simple matters of common courtesy to our wonderful neighbors that we feel need to be emphasized.
With those thoughts in mind, your Long Branch Civic Association would like to remind you of a few Guidelines and Tips that have resulted from surveying you, our Long Branch residents. They will continue to evolve.
Long Branch Tips and Guidelines V.201405
Guidelines: Designed to Improve Property Values
G1. Appearance of curbs, sidewalks and drain covers can detract from property values. Please identify to either VDOT and/or your LBCA the curbs, sidewalks or drain covers that need repair. VDOT is responsible for repair and/or replacement of these items. In some instances sidewalks may not be safe.
G2. Street lights should be functional and not have a “shabby” appearance. Call Dominion at 866-366-4357 to report a problem. An email notification to the LBCA would also be appreciated.
G3. Grass should be kept mowed and curbs\sidewalks should be edged regularly. Lack of curb edging particularly detracts from “curb appeal.”
G.4 Help your home look nice. Bushes and shrubs should be maintained and trimmed. Sidewalks should not be impeded by trees or bushes.
G.5 Trash and equipment should generally be stored out of sight from the street. Downed limbs, piles of leaves, building material, etc. should not be stored for more than 10 days if they can be viewed from a street. We know for many homes there is no place to store trash cans where they can not be viewed from the street.
G.6. Curbside status reflects on your house – own it. Trash, leaves or branches along your curb that have not been picked up for more than a few days do not reflect well.
G.7. Mailboxes are very visible in Long Branch. Don’t let yours detract. The post should be vertical and the mailbox should at least not be discolored. This is usually an easy fix. Take a peek at yours.
G.8. If siding or brick is visible from the street it should not have streaks or mold. Power washing and painting of siding are options.
G.9. The original, but expired, Long Branch covenants prevented erecting fences or other structures in front of the back wall of a house. Many fences have been built which are in front of the back wall of a house. These fences require particular attention to assure they “look nice” and do not reflect poorly on the neighborhood. New structures should not be built in front of the back wall of a house unless it is a porch, house extension or not visible from the street.
G.10. Trailers, including boat trailers, should not be parked on Long Branch streets for more than 10 days a month. Alternatives are available.
G.11. Trailers parked in driveways directly within sight of streets often do not reflect well on Long Branch property values.
G.12. Inoperable and/or “tarped” vehicles which can been seen from the street in driveways do not reflect well on Long Branch property values. Inoperable or “tarped” vehicles should not be parked on Long Branch streets.
G.12 Commercial vehicles should not be parked on Long Branch streets over night unless there is “work” in progress.
G.13 Fairfax County rules allow unwanted items to be stored outside in the yard, but they must be put in the rear half of the property. They also must be screened from view from the first-story window of nearby homes. The storage area cannot exceed 100 square feet on most residential properties. For more information, call the Department of Code Compliance, 703-324-1300, TTY 711. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/code/property/]
Tips: Designed to Encourage “Good” Neighborly Acts.
T.1 Pooper Scooper Law – Fairfax County Code Section 41.1-2-6. Animals causing unsanitary conditions. The owner or custodian of any dog shall be responsible for the removal of excreta deposited by such dog on the property of another, including public places. (26-04-41.1.)]
T.2 Please don’t put dog excreta in someone else’s trash can. Sometimes it can make a mess.
T.3 Dogs Must Be on a Leash (in most instances). The Code of Fairfax County Section 41.1-2-4. Unrestricted dogs prohibited; leash law. (a) No dog shall run unrestricted, as defined in Section 41.1-1-1, in the County. Any person who is the owner of a dog found unrestricted in the County shall be in violation of this Section.
T.4 Fairfax County Has Noise Rules - Noises included are construction, trash pickup, yard work, barking dogs, electronics and musical instruments. Most noises not allowed before 7 AM, but see more at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/code/noise/
T.5 It is courteous to ask your neighbor before you park your car in front of their house for more than a couple of days.
T.6 For information. Fairfax County Code Section 82-5-1. Parking prohibited in Specified Places.
(a)No person shall park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid a conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or traffic-control device, in any of the following places:
(1) On a sidewalk;
(2) In front of, or within ten feet to either side of, a public or private driveway;
(3) In or within 20 feet of an intersection;
(4) Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant located on private or public property or within a fire lane as defined in chapter 62 (Fire Protection), of the Code of the County of Fairfax;
T.7 It is desirable to clear your sidewalks, or have them cleared, at least within a couple of days after a heavy snow. Corner lots should try to clear a path to the street.
T.8 Some little things that make a big difference are picking up fliers or newspapers for neighbors out of town, helping each other out with shoveling, and checking in on elderly residents.
Our Long Branch is a great place to live, and your Long Branch Civic Association promotes continuation of that greatness while also advocating for increased Long Branch property values.
Unlike some neighborhood and condo associations, we do not have mandatory, enforceable rules about the appearance of our property or behaviors that may impact our neighbors. However, with freedom comes responsibility. And if nothing else, maintaining the appearance of our property enhances all of our property values. Additionally, although most of us are very good about these things, there are simple matters of common courtesy to our wonderful neighbors that we feel need to be emphasized.
With those thoughts in mind, your Long Branch Civic Association would like to remind you of a few Guidelines and Tips that have resulted from surveying you, our Long Branch residents. They will continue to evolve.
Long Branch Tips and Guidelines V.201405
Guidelines: Designed to Improve Property Values
G1. Appearance of curbs, sidewalks and drain covers can detract from property values. Please identify to either VDOT and/or your LBCA the curbs, sidewalks or drain covers that need repair. VDOT is responsible for repair and/or replacement of these items. In some instances sidewalks may not be safe.
G2. Street lights should be functional and not have a “shabby” appearance. Call Dominion at 866-366-4357 to report a problem. An email notification to the LBCA would also be appreciated.
G3. Grass should be kept mowed and curbs\sidewalks should be edged regularly. Lack of curb edging particularly detracts from “curb appeal.”
G.4 Help your home look nice. Bushes and shrubs should be maintained and trimmed. Sidewalks should not be impeded by trees or bushes.
G.5 Trash and equipment should generally be stored out of sight from the street. Downed limbs, piles of leaves, building material, etc. should not be stored for more than 10 days if they can be viewed from a street. We know for many homes there is no place to store trash cans where they can not be viewed from the street.
G.6. Curbside status reflects on your house – own it. Trash, leaves or branches along your curb that have not been picked up for more than a few days do not reflect well.
G.7. Mailboxes are very visible in Long Branch. Don’t let yours detract. The post should be vertical and the mailbox should at least not be discolored. This is usually an easy fix. Take a peek at yours.
G.8. If siding or brick is visible from the street it should not have streaks or mold. Power washing and painting of siding are options.
G.9. The original, but expired, Long Branch covenants prevented erecting fences or other structures in front of the back wall of a house. Many fences have been built which are in front of the back wall of a house. These fences require particular attention to assure they “look nice” and do not reflect poorly on the neighborhood. New structures should not be built in front of the back wall of a house unless it is a porch, house extension or not visible from the street.
G.10. Trailers, including boat trailers, should not be parked on Long Branch streets for more than 10 days a month. Alternatives are available.
G.11. Trailers parked in driveways directly within sight of streets often do not reflect well on Long Branch property values.
G.12. Inoperable and/or “tarped” vehicles which can been seen from the street in driveways do not reflect well on Long Branch property values. Inoperable or “tarped” vehicles should not be parked on Long Branch streets.
G.12 Commercial vehicles should not be parked on Long Branch streets over night unless there is “work” in progress.
G.13 Fairfax County rules allow unwanted items to be stored outside in the yard, but they must be put in the rear half of the property. They also must be screened from view from the first-story window of nearby homes. The storage area cannot exceed 100 square feet on most residential properties. For more information, call the Department of Code Compliance, 703-324-1300, TTY 711. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/code/property/]
Tips: Designed to Encourage “Good” Neighborly Acts.
T.1 Pooper Scooper Law – Fairfax County Code Section 41.1-2-6. Animals causing unsanitary conditions. The owner or custodian of any dog shall be responsible for the removal of excreta deposited by such dog on the property of another, including public places. (26-04-41.1.)]
T.2 Please don’t put dog excreta in someone else’s trash can. Sometimes it can make a mess.
T.3 Dogs Must Be on a Leash (in most instances). The Code of Fairfax County Section 41.1-2-4. Unrestricted dogs prohibited; leash law. (a) No dog shall run unrestricted, as defined in Section 41.1-1-1, in the County. Any person who is the owner of a dog found unrestricted in the County shall be in violation of this Section.
T.4 Fairfax County Has Noise Rules - Noises included are construction, trash pickup, yard work, barking dogs, electronics and musical instruments. Most noises not allowed before 7 AM, but see more at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/code/noise/
T.5 It is courteous to ask your neighbor before you park your car in front of their house for more than a couple of days.
T.6 For information. Fairfax County Code Section 82-5-1. Parking prohibited in Specified Places.
(a)No person shall park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid a conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or traffic-control device, in any of the following places:
(1) On a sidewalk;
(2) In front of, or within ten feet to either side of, a public or private driveway;
(3) In or within 20 feet of an intersection;
(4) Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant located on private or public property or within a fire lane as defined in chapter 62 (Fire Protection), of the Code of the County of Fairfax;
T.7 It is desirable to clear your sidewalks, or have them cleared, at least within a couple of days after a heavy snow. Corner lots should try to clear a path to the street.
T.8 Some little things that make a big difference are picking up fliers or newspapers for neighbors out of town, helping each other out with shoveling, and checking in on elderly residents.
