Yard of the Month
The goal of the Yard of the Month program is to award and recognize the efforts of North Bay Village residents who take pride in their home and landscape—inspiring others to do the same.
Yard of the Month candidates are judged on the exterior appearance of their property as viewed from the street as well as their respect for sustainability and resiliency goals of the Village. Yards will be judged on neatness, color, and sustainability. Overall appearance factors include, but are not limited to, tidiness and neatness of the front and side yards up to the fence line, pruned and trimmed trees and shrubs, and a visually appealing façade. Sustainability measures include such resilience practices as incorporating Florida native plants, a limited need for irrigation, avoidance of pesticides, compliance with summer fertilizer ban, rain water barrels, permeable pavers, composting, etc. Driveways and walkways shall be clean and free of debris and dirt. The upkeep of the yard can reflect the efforts of the residents themselves or that of a professional landscaper or groundskeeper.
It is not necessary for gardens submitted for this award to score points in each one of the categories. If they do not fit any of the categories, they are not excluded from the competition. However, each additional category which is present in a property’s submission will increase the level of points scored.
An award duration term lasts a single calendar month and runs from the first day of the month to the last day of that same month. The same property cannot receive the award twice in the same year.
Nomination:
The Village Code Enforcement Department and Public Works Department will work together to score all the properties nominated for a particular month. The nomination form will be available on the Village website by searching “Yard of the Month.” Nominations will be accepted until the 3rd Thursday of the month to be considered for the following month’s award. Any nomination received after the 3rd Thursday of the month will automatically be considered for recognition for the month following the next award period. Village staff members will announce the winner of “Yard of the Month” on the first day of that calendar month that falls on a weekday and is convenient for the property owner.
Requirements:
Properties must be in good standing with the Village: no liens, proper permitting, etc.
Properties must NOT have any Sago palms.
Scoring Rubric
Property Address: | |
Date of Scoring: | |
Neatness (10 points) | /10 |
Color (10 points) | /10 |
None or limited use of pesticide (10 points) | /10 |
Presence of pollination plants (10 points) | /10 |
Florida native plants (10 points) | /10 |
Effort to limit need for irrigation (10 points) | /10 |
Innovative resilience practices (10 points) | /10 |
Total (70 points) | /70 |
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