What is a boulevard?
A boulevard is the portion of the street right of way between the curb line and the property line. Most property lines are not directly at the back of the curb and there does not necessarily have to be a sidewalk or trail along the road to make an area a boulevard. 

Why does the City trim boulevard trees?
Boulevard trees must be maintained by the City to ensure that they are properly trimmed for structural integrity and disease control measures. Trimming height standards must maintain a 10 foot clearance above any walkway and 14 feet above the roadway. These requirements provide clearance for pedestrians and snow and garbage removal equipment. 

Why does the City remove boulevard trees?
From time to time, decisions are made to remove specific boulevard trees. Attempts are made to notify property owners on the adjoining lot in advance of this action. 

Removal of a tree within a boulevard by a resident is not permitted without permission from the Natural Resource Division. 

Will the City replace my removed boulevard tree?
The City no longer replants boulevard trees. Replanting will be at the discretion of the property owner. Trees planted in the boulevards that are in addition to the existing boulevard trees, must receive prior approval from the Natural Resource Division to ensure that the trees planted are an allowable species.

Does the City inspect trees on private property for insects or disease?

The City does not currently inspect trees on private property. Residents may contact a certified arborist for proper diagnosis of private trees at Trees are Good.

What is the grass height standard for the City?
All weeds or growing grasses upon any platted lot in the City which are in excess of one foot (1'), or have gone or about to go to seed, are hereby declared to be a nuisance, with some exceptions, and must be removed. 

What does the Natural Area / Conservation Area / Wetland Buffer sign at the rear of my property mean?
For the majority of properties in Farmington, these signs delineate a boundary between private property and publicly owned outlots.  This public owned land is kept as native as possible to provide habitat for wildlife, soil stabilization, and water filtering capabilities.  They should be kept in a natural state with no clearing, mowing or vehicular traffic.

Can I mow down the vegetation adjacent to a stormwater pond / wetland?
A buffer is an undisturbed or reestablished vegetated area adjacent to a stormwater pond / wetland that is an integral part of protecting the wetland ecosystem through filtering pollutants and providing adjacent habitat.

The clearing and removal of vegetation in the buffer area is prohibited, except for selective clearing and pruning of individual trees and shrubs which are dead, diseased, noxious weeds, or hazards. 

What should I do if I see pollution going down a storm drain on into a local waterbody?
Call the Natural Resource Division at 651-280-6845.

Can we put a dock in the stormwater pond behind our home?
Permanent structures are prohibited within drainage and utility easements and City owned outlots; which is where the vast majority of stormwater ponds are located.  Stormwater ponds are designed to treat rain and snowmelt runoff before it enters groundwater, lakes, or streams, not for boating or fishing.

Why is the pond behind my home green?
If there is a green mat on top of the water that moves frequently with winds and rain, it is probably a healthy population of duckweed. Duckweed is a food for water fowl and helps with the water quality of the pond by removing nutrients. It is unadvisable to remove duckweed since this plant provides food and habitat for several different species.

Another reason your pond may be green is due to filamentous algae. Filamentous algae forms in clumps and has a hair like appearance. By practicing environmentally safe lawn care practices, you should be able to cut back on the nutrients entering the water and eliminate the food source for the algae, which should decrease the algae problem.

There is silt fence up behind my property; can I take it down?

Call the Natural Resource Division at 651-280-6845 to determine if the silt fence can be removed.