As thoughts turn toward landscaping and work around homes and commercial properties, Steamboat Springs is offering tips to help homeowners and contractors get the most out of their upcoming cleaning, landscaping and improvement projects.

City code restricts placing large landscape materials such as berms, trees and boulders within 10-15 feet of the street driving surface and/or within 15 feet of fire hydrants.

The right of way area, which is typically 30 feet from the centerline of street, is used for snow storage and utility line installation. Landscape materials may damage street maintenance equipment or must be removed due to utility work. The city is not responsible for damage within the right of way.

Homeowners and contractors’ cooperation can help ensure snowplow crews can provide timely and cost-effective snow removal service this winter, and will help utility companies avoid damage to landscaping during maintenance, repairs or replacement procedures. 

Permits are required and will be issued from May 1-Nov. 1 for work done within the city’s right of way. Permits are available through the streets superintendent at the Public Works shop, 850 Critter Court.

All street excavations will use Flow Fill for the top one foot of trench repair and steel plated for 24 hours for curing time. A 4-inch patch will still be required with the asphalt contractor removing the top 4-inch Flow Fill, then replacing it with asphalt in two 2-inch lifts.