In Apple Valley, the local government is sharpening its focus on neighborhood aesthetics through stricter visual screening ordinances. According to information made by the city's official website, residents and business owners must now ensure that stored items are not visible from street view or neighboring properties, in a bid to maintain the area's visual appeal.
The mandates, evolving from long-standing community standards, now specify that outdoor storage in residential areas is generally prohibited unless it's obscured from view. For commercial, industrial, and institutional districts, the exceptions to screening requirements include permitted retail merchandise and on-site construction materials and equipment, as per the City of Apple Valley.
Ensuring compliance, the city suggests a variety of screening methods. Homeowners and businesses may opt for building solid fences or walls, planting lush landscaping, or combining the two for optimal concealment. The guidance strongly recommends using evergreen plants when leveraging vegetation for screening, "to ensure year round screening," as stated by the City of Apple Valley.
For those entangled in the details of what qualifies as proper screening or faced with the challenge of encountering a property skirting these requirements, the city's Code Enforcement is ready to assist. They have made themselves available via phone at 952.953.2570 or email at [email protected].
