Five Things To Keep In Mind
Before You Start Spring Cleaning
Spring is a season of growth and a time for change. As the days get longer and the grass gets greener, many of us also take this as an opportunity to clean, declutter and renew different aspects of our lives and our homes. Many of us become more aware of the items in our lives and become conscious of what we keep inside and outside. Some of us begin removing old clothes that no longer fit us or perhaps we start taking out the books that we are no longer interested in reading.
As you set out on this intentional endeavor to create a personal oasis of your home, there are a few things to keep in mind and remember this spring season.
1. Tree limbs & tall grass
Austin is home to beautiful greenery and gorgeous tall trees. It’s part of what makes outdoor living great! As the spring season approaches and we look at the clutter inside our homes, we also must remember to look at clutter that collects outside our homes.
As greenery grows, it’s important to practice being a good neighbor to ensure that the vegetation is not obstructing streets or sidewalks so that we can make sure it’s not hazardous to nearby children and pedestrians. Overgrown trees and shrubs could also threaten public safety by blocking the view of traffic signals, vehicles or cyclists. Trimming vegetation and caring for your trees are great ways to enhance
both curb appeal and neighborhood safety!
The City of Austin provides helpful resources when it comes to right of way maintenance, yard trimming collection information, and what to do when tree limbs are near power lines.
2. Garage sales
They say, “someone’s trash is another’s treasure,” and this couldn’t be truer for many of our “collectibles”
that we consider precious. Give these items a new life with the opportunity for reuse or offer them to a new household via a garage or yard sale. 
But what’s the fine line between having too many garage sales at home and making your home a small business? The City of Austin has a rule on how many days a year you can host a garage sale—and that number is four. More than four garage sales per calendar year is a violation of city code because that would be considered a home-based business.
3. Garbage carts
Curbs can be beautiful too! During our spring cleaning efforts, it’s also important to keep some good neighborly habits in mind regarding garbage carts. Garbage carts must be returned to their storage area
on private property by 10 p.m. on the designated collection day. Check out our good friends at Austin Resource Recovery for more information on your collection date, your cart size and detailed collection guidelines.
4. Storage of vehicles
Extra vehicles parked outside your home may become an eyesore to your home and neighborhood. Maybe there’s a vehicle that’s been awaiting a fix or perhaps a family member has been extending their stay during spring break and keeping their RV in the driveway.
The City has several regulations that concern the vehicle storage:
There must not be more vehicles stored at a residence than there are licensed drivers. Additional
vehicles must be in the garage.
All vehicles must be functional, except for antique vehicles or recreational vehicles. One vehicle under
repair for less than 60 days is allowed.
Residents may keep two antique or recreational vehicles, such as a boat or RV, screened behind a 6-
foot wood or masonry fence.
Only one commercial vehicle (with a capacity less than one ton) may be stored at a residence.
5. Stay safe
A clean and safe community starts at home. A clean house can turn into a clean neighborhood, and a clean neighborhood into a clean city. Keeping the city of Austin clean and beautiful is no easy task and requires effort from all of us, but it is rewarding to all. If you have any questions about different city codes, call Austin 3-1-1 or speak directly to our code inspectors using our customer service line 512-974- CODE (2633).
To learn more, visit the City of Austin’s Spring Cleaning webpage.
