Property Maintenance Policies
The Board of Directors developed the following policies and descriptive language to further clarify our community’s restrictions. This effort is in keeping with the chartered purpose of our restrictions; specifically to ensure the community is maximizing its land use, preserving its beauty and property value, and protecting owners from surrounding property misuse (Paragraph 1). This document defines and clarifies the rules and expectations for property maintenance in our community. The examples provided below are commonly seen maintenance violations seen in our community and similar communities, but it is not comprehensive; it is to clarify and provide examples. By its very nature, this descriptive policy will require further interpretation and amendment from time to time. Nothing in this document shall limit the ultimate authority of the Board to make decisions regarding the enforcement of our community restrictions. The clarifications and examples below cite the article of the community restrictions that serve as the bases for each policy identified in parentheses with the paragraph number.
Landscaping Policies
- Lawns
Lawns are areas of uniform grasses. They must be maintained in good visual condition. (8) They must have clearly maintained borders with no overgrowth onto walks, plantings, driveways, or streets. Grass height is not to exceed 12” in lawn areas. Lawns must not have excessive (greater than 20% of the lawn area) weed growth, dead turf or diseased turf. The lawn area must be kept free of debris/litter/fallen branches. - Natural areas
Natural areas are permitted to aid in retaining the natural beauty of our community. They must have a maintained border that clearly defines the edges of the natural area. Generally, they should be at least 500 square feet, contiguous, and with a minimum width of 20 feet. Designation of a property or portion of a property as a natural area is at the SOLE DISCRETION of the Board of Directors. The area must be kept clean of litter and man-made debris. Grasses in open fields/natural areas may not exceed 18” in height. Natural areas must be maintained to avoid creating a hazard to the property or neighboring properties, including limiting fire hazard. Natural areas may not directly abut a street; there must be at least 5 feet of maintained lawn/landscaping from the edge of any road. (8) - Trees/shrubs/plantings
Areas of plantings and shrubs must have clearly maintained borders when adjacent to natural areas or lawns. This is not to preclude tree plantings with a grassy/lawn area at the base. Any such area at the base of the trees must be maintained without weeds/excessive lawn growth. Any border materials must be maintained in good repair and visual condition. (8) Plantings may not obstruct the safety of vehicular traffic and must be maintained to ensure good visibility of roads and hazards from vehicles (Prune to 18” above road grade or less within 5 feet of the road). Planted areas must be free of weeds and excessive undergrowth. Mulch or ground cover must be maintained. No debris/fallen branches in planting areas. Trees, shrubs, vines and plantings must be maintained in good health and appropriately trimmed/pruned. Decorative planters, pots, etc must be maintained in good repair and visual condition. For example, they should have no significant rust or missing components or defects in paint. - Hardscapes
Hardscapes are features including walkways, driveways, parking areas, and retaining walls. Construction and modifications must have prior ARC approval, including materials, paint color and finish. (5) They must be maintained in good repair and in good visual condition (8). For example, gravel should appear uniform without excessive uneven grading. The components must not be extensively cracked, stained, or with damaged/missing components such as wood/bricks/pavers. No excessive dirt, mold, or defect in paint should be visible. Vegetation must be controlled with no growth on or through the walls, gravel or surfaces (excluding maintained plantings). - Fences and privacy screens
Fences and privacy screens include structures to define, contain and/or visual screen portions of the property. Refer to the Fencing Guidelines help in determining what is appropriate. Construction and modifications must have prior ARC approval, including materials, paint color and finish. (5) They must be maintained in good repair and in good visual condition (8). For example, they must have no missing or broken boards or visible rot. They should be clean with no excessive dirt, mold, or defect in paint. While maintained landscaping at the base of fences and privacy screens is permitted, uncontrolled landscaping, lawn and weed growth on or through the fence is not permitted.
Home maintenance policies
All components of the home structure are subject to ARC approval; construction and modifications (including removal) must have prior ARC approval, including materials, paint color and finish. (5) The components must be maintained in good repair and in good visual condition (8).
- Porches, Patios, Decks and Railings
These must not have missing or broken boards, railings, columns or balusters. No visible rot and no excessive dirt, mold, or defects in paint. Vegetation must be controlled with no growth on or through the deck or surface (excluding maintained plantings). - Home siding
Siding must have no missing boards, cracks, breaks or visible rot. No missing bricks, spalling or missing mortar. Unfinished masonry surfaces are prohibited; masonry surfaces must have a decorative coating or application approved by the ARC. (3) Siding should have no excessive dirt, mold, or defect in paint. - Exterior Trim
Exterior trim includes decorative elements to the home’s finishes; including but not limited to: fascia, shutters, door trim, corbels. Exterior trim must have no missing components/boards, extensive damage or visible rot. The trim should have no excessive dirt, mold, or defect in paint. - Windows/Doors
Doors and windows must be functional as intended and without significant denting, cracks, broken structure/glass. Screens must be without tears, tatters, damage or severe fading. No excessive dirt, mold, or defect in paint. - Gutters, downspouts, and drainage
Gutters and downspouts must be functional and without sagging or missing parts; no major dents. No excessive dirt, mold/algae, or weed growth. Paint must be maintained in good condition. Water drainage may not cause injury to neighboring properties or structures. (1, 6, 8) - Roofs and Roof Coverings
Roofs and coverings must have no structural sagging, water damage, or damaged/cracked or broken roof covering. It must be maintained without excessive dirt, mold/algae. Coverings may not be excessively worn/deteriorated or faded. - Fixtures
Fixtures include attached home elements including but not limited to door hardware, electrical fixtures (lighting), antennae, satellite dishes, plumbing fixtures. There should be no significant rust or missing components. Paint should be free of defects. Not “falling apart.” - Stairs/Stoops
The surfaces must not be extensively cracked, stained, or with damaged/missing components such as wood/bricks/pavers. No excessive dirt, mold, or defect in paint should be visible. Vegetation must be controlled with no growth on or through the surfaces.
Accessory structures, equipment and utilities policies
- Storage sheds, mobile homes, barns, tents, and temporary structures
These structures are expressly forbidden by the restrictions. (2,3) - Recreational Equipment
Equipment including sports equipment, outdoor seating and firepits. They must be maintained in good repair and in good visual condition (8). For example, no significant rust or missing components. Not “falling apart.” - Property maintenance equipment
These items include equipment such as lawn mowers, snow plows, utility vehicles. They must be maintained in good repair and in good visual condition (8). They must be shielded from view or kept inside a structure (garage). - Trash Cans/Fuel storage/Utility lines
These items include fuel tanks, trash and recycling containers and utility (e.g. fuel, water, and power) connections to the property structures. They must be maintained in good repair (8). All garbage and trash containers and all utility tanks must be underground or shielded from view. (6) All utility lines shall be installed underground. (9) Trash cans may be placed at the roadside on the day of scheduled trash services but must be shielded from view by the end of that day. - Mailboxes
Construction and modifications must have prior ARC approval, including materials, paint color and finish. (5) They must be maintained in good repair and in good visual condition (8). For example, posts and mailboxes must not be out of plumb, dented, broken, missing, or rusty. There should be no excessive dirt, mold, fading or defect in paint. House numbers must be prominently displayed on the mailbox or home structure and must be in good condition.
Other property use policies
- Appropriate property use
No short-term rentals are permitted. (2) No business activities with visible activities are permitted. (6) No livestock or farming activities are permitted. (6) - Parking and vehicles
No junk vehicles or inoperative vehicles are permitted. (6) Parking must be on designated driveways or in garages only. Temporary guest parking is permitted on association owned streets. (6) RV/motor homes/boats/trailers/commercial vehicles are not permitted for more than 72 hours in a 30 day period unless in an enclosed garage. (6) - Lighting
Construction and modifications must have prior ARC approval, including materials, paint color and finish. (5) Lights/fixtures must be maintained in good repair and in good visual condition (8). No high intensity lighting is permitted. (6) Exterior lighting must have a convenient on/off switch for the property owner to control. (6) Lights may not be directed to or shine on another owner’s lot. (6) Lights may not be mounted higher than 6’ from ground level unless mounted on a dwelling. (6) - Other
Seasonal items must be removed when outside of the season. (8) No clothes lines shall be visible from the street. (8) No accumulated trash/debris or unsightly undergrowth shall be visible from the street. (8) No yard signs permitted except for one limited sale/rental or builder/architect sign. (10) Details on sign use is more fully discussed in a separate sign policy.