Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of frequently asked questions and answers.
Q: What part of the property surrounding my townhome is the townhome owner’s property and what part is under the Association’s control?
A: The “Common Areas” of the Association (the property for which the Board has responsibility) includes the private streets, private utilities, the underground sprinkler system and the “Green Areas”. “Green Area” is defined to include all the property comprising the Association EXCEPT the property on which each townhome structure, the patio/deck, garage, sidewalk and driveway is built. This means that the land we all refer to as our “front or back yards” are under the control of the Association.
Q: Who is responsible for maintaining patios, driveways, sidewalks and walkways from the driveway to the front door?
A: The Lot Owner is responsible for maintaining these areas. These areas are specifically excluded from the definition of “Green Area” and, as such, they are not part of the “Common Areas” for which the Association is responsible.
Q: Can I build a fence?
A: No. Fences can ONLY be built where they already exist. NO new fences can be built in the Association.
Q: What can I build in the development?
A: No detached structures of any kind (e.g., shed, playhouse, greenhouse, recreational equipment, etc.) can be built in or on the Common Area or on any Lot. Further, no animal shelters including kennels and dog runs, swimming pools, clotheslines, gardens or compost piles can be built on any Lot or in the Common Area. If you want to build anything on a Lot or in the Common Area, you must submit a proposal to the Association Board of Directors and you are not to initiate any project unless and until you receive written permission to do so.
Q: Who is responsible for the trees in the development?
A: The townhome builder is responsible for planting trees required by the City. The Covenants make the Lot Owner responsible for maintaining and replacing trees on the property surrounding their townhouse. However, the Association has accepted the responsibility for maintaining and replacing the trees planted by the builder(s). Individual owners can request permission to plant additional trees. If you want to add a tree to the development’s landscape, you should make a request in writing to the Association’s Board for consideration. If the request is approved, the Lot Owner and subsequent Lot Owners will be responsible for maintaining, removing and replacing the requested tree.
Q: Can I place a sign in my yard or on my property?
A: The Covenants provide that “For Sale” signs are the ONLY form of advertising allowed. The Association Board has expanded that to allow signs for candidates or issues for election and “For Rent” signs. All allowed signs are to be placed only in the land surrounding the townhome and not on the building itself. “Sold” or “Purchased” signs placed when a property is sold/purchased is a form of realtor advertising and must be/will be removed after 10 days.
Q: What is the townhome owner’s responsibility for maintaining his/her townhome?
A: The Lot Owner is responsible for maintaining the exterior of the townhome (including the roof) as well as the driveway, sidewalk, patio and deck.
Q: What if the Lot Owner fails to maintain his/her townhome as required?
A: If a Lot Owner fails to maintain the exterior of the property, driveway, sidewalk, patio or deck, the Association may do so and assess the owner the cost incurred.
Q: What changes can a Lot Owner make to her/his townhome?
A: There can be NO change to or modification (change or modification shall be defined to include REPLACING siding, gutters, downspouts, etc.) of the exterior of any townhome without the written approval of the Association’s Board of Directors, which approval WILL BE WITHHELD if the change or modification, in the Board’s opinion, DOES NOT CONFORM with the EXISTING standard of style, color or materials.
Q: What does the Owner get in return for the quarterly assessment?
A: The Association is responsible for snow removal, turf maintenance, refuse and recycling service and maintenance of the private roadways. Currently, the assessment also pays for basic cable service from Spectrum.
Q: When is my HOA payment due?
A: Association dues are assessed quarterly and are due on or before the 15th of January, April, July and October.
Q: When will the Association remove snow?
A: The rule of thumb is that snow will not be removed until there are 2 or more inches and the snow has stopped. If conditions merit clearing snow more frequently, the Association will do so depending on whether money is available to do so. The Association WILL NOT remove snow from driveways where cars are parked to avoid damage to and liability for damage to the parked car. Also, while the Association will apply sand and salt to the roads, the Association WILL NOT apply materials to driveways or walkways. Doing so is the Lot Owners decision.
Q: When will watering of the Townhome Property be done?
A: There are over 80 irrigation “zones” in the Association. Each zone gets watered every other day in the early morning hours. Under “normal” conditions, the pop-up zones run for 15 minutes and the rotor zones run for 25. When it is excessively wet, dry or hot, those times may be changed to meet the circumstances.
Q: Who determines the amount of quarterly assessments and what are the consequences of failing to pay the assessments?
A: The Association’s Board of Directors sets assessments (including one-time special assessments) and dues, adopts the Association annual budget and may assess late charges for failure to pay assessments and dues as billed at a rate of 10% or $10 whichever is greater subject to change based on a change to the Association Bylaws.
Q: How can I learn more about the Association, get contact information about the Association’s Board of Directors and get access to the Covenants, Articles and By-Laws?
A: The Association has a website with this information at yankeeridgehoa.com
Q: Are there rules concerning parking on the Association’s private roads?
A: YES! The Association Parking Regulations can be found on the Association’s website. Click Here to Read the Parking Regulations Because the enforcement mechanism for parking violations is towing the vehicle, you are encouraged to read the Regulations and make your guests and invitees aware of the rules as well.
Q: Can Members own domestic animals and, if they do own such animals, what are the animal owners’ responsibilities?
A: Conventional household pets are permitted subject to the condition that the pet is not allowed to unreasonably annoy and/or disturb the normal residential occupancy of the neighborhood or constitute a hazard to public health or safety. Additionally, the Association has developed Rules and Regulations concerning the removal of animal feces from every Lot of the Townhome Property. These can be found on the Association’s website. Click Here to Read the Official Document
Q: Who is our recycling provider?
A: Recycling is with Alley Cat Disposal ( alleycatdisposal.com/recycling ), below is what you can and can not recycle.
- Materials They Collect:
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Aluminum Cans & Foil
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Tin Cans
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Lids & labels are OK, remove lids from container
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Food & Beverage containers only please
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Plastics
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Glass
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Plastic Bags
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All Plastics #1 – #7, except automotive containers
- All Paper, Newspaper, Mail, Envelopes, Office paper, Magazines, Books, Receipts, etc.
- Cardboard, Paperboard, etc.
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- Items They DO NOT Collect:
- Styrofoam
- Automotive Containers
- Oil, Antifreeze, Brake Fluid, etc.
- Newspaper Bags, Dry Cleaning Bags
- Kleenex
- Paper Towels
- Toilet Paper