House Rules

Please turn off lights and other electrical devices when leaving the room or property.
Trash and recyclables should be disposed of in the bins provided on a regular basis.
Please help to keep assigned rental room and common areas neat and clean.
Smoking is permitted on the front porch. Please dispose of butts and wrappers.
Tenant pets are permitted only with prior landlord approval.
No overnight guests without prior landlord approval.
Street parking is provided for all tenants. Driveway use permitted with landlord approval.
Tenants are encouraged to obtain renter’s insurance. Landlord policy does not cover rentals.
Please avoid walking across the lawn whenever possible.

The House Rules may be modified at the landlord’s discretion.

HOA Rules and Regulations

As homeowners, we are responsible for ensuring our tenants abide by our homeowner’s association (HOA) rules and regulations. The complete document is provided below.

General Provisions

These are the Rules and Regulations (“Rules”) of the Riverdale Heights Homeowners Association, adopted by Riverdale Heights Homeowners Association by and through its Executive Board. The entire Riverdale Heights community is referred to in these Rules as the “Community”, and when used herein such term includes the homes, common elements, grounds and all parts of the entire community.
These Rules are part of and supplement the other Governing Documents of the Community. The other Governing Documents are:

i. The Declaration of Covenants
ii. The Articles of Incorporation
iii. The Bylaws
iv. Amendments, Resolutions and Policies

All of the Governing Documents are to be constructed together and all provisions thereof applied; however, if any conflicts occur among them, the Declaration shall control the Rules. Certain terms are defined in the other Governing Documents and such definitions apply in these Rules unless the term is specifically defined herein.
These Rules have been adopted to provide for comfortable occupancy of the Community by its residents; orderly administration of the Association; and the preservation of property values. It is strongly recommended that residents attempt to resolve conflicts in a friendly and respectful manner before resorting to the Enforcement procedures contained herein; for example, you may want to talk to the offender or leave a friendly note saying that it appears he/she is in violation of the Rules and asking that the behavior be changed.
These Rules are promulgated and adopted in accord with Section 6 Covenants and Restrictions on Use, Alienation and Occupancy of the Declaration, and may be amended and supplemented from time to time by the Resolution of the Executive Board of the Association. Their enforcement and implementation may be delegated by the Executive Board to a Manager or Managing Agent.
Wherever in these Rules reference is made to “owners”, such term shall apply not only to the legal owner(s) of the property but also to legal owner(s) family members, tenants, agents, invitees and licensees, and to any family members, agents, visitors, invitees, or licensees of any tenant or such property owner. The legal owner(s) of a property shall comply with all the Rules herein and all provisions of the Governing Documents, and are responsible for compliance by all such persons with these Rules and the other Governing Documents, and are jointly and severally liable for their actions, violations and penalties. Wherever in these Rules reference is made to the Association, such reference shall include the Association and the Managing Agent when the Managing Agent is acting on behalf of the Association.
The provisions of these Rules shall be deemed to be independent and severable, and the invalidity of any one or more of the provisions hereof, or any portion thereof, by judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions, which shall remain in full force and effect.
Unless the context provides or requires to the contrary, the use of the singular therein shall include the plural, the use of the plural shall include the singular and the use of any gender shall include all genders.
The captions to sections are inserted herein only as a matter of convenience and reference and are in no way to be construed so as to define, limit, or otherwise describe the scope of these Rules or intent of any provision hereof.

Design Review
Exterior change requires approval through the Association’s Architectural Design Review process. If an exterior change of a permanent or semi-permanent nature is made without approval through the Association, the owner shall be subject to the violation procedures of the Association.

Permanent/semi-permanent exterior changes would include, but is not limited to, change in the grade or drainage anywhere within the lot, i.e. either the front or back yard or to the side of the property; fence replacement including painting and/or staining; addition of exterior lighting anywhere on the property that might encroach on the neighbors privacy, enjoyment or quality of life; exterior painting; roof replacement; installation of sheds or other apparatuses; installation of play equipment; installation of a patio cover or retractable awnings, privacy screens, gazebo or other modifications.
Sun shades, patio table with/without an umbrella, patio furniture and outdoor fire pits are allowed without Association approval. Party tents are allowed for up to 48 hours.
No change in the grading or drainage of a Lot shall be allowed without the prior approval of the Association.
Only when a change in the grade or drainage is altered will an Architectural Design Request be required. All other landscaping enhancements are permitted without prior approval. When submitting an Architectural Design Review Request for landscaping when the grade or drainage of a lot will be altered, the specific species, number to be installed, location, and initial size of trees, bushes, or other plantings shall be identified on the landscaping plan prior to approval. Many factors, including drainage, are considered in the review process and each Lot is unique. Landscaping designs or elements that are approved for any individual Lot may or may not be approved for another Lot.
No shed or other apparatus shall be used or permitted to be kept or stored on any portion of a Lot, either temporarily or permanently, unless approved by the Association. Sheds or other apparatuses shall only be approved to be installed in the back yard of the Lot. Sheds shall be installed no closer than 8 feet from the front fence line. Corner Lots shall also have a restriction on sheds such that: if the desired shed is to be installed on the street side of the corner Lot a shed shall be installed no closer than 8 feet from the side fence as well as maintaining the minimum 8 feet distance from the front fence line. An exception to 8 foot minimum distance from fences may be approved at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors. Sheds must be well maintained and not allowed to deteriorate in appearance.

i. Only wood or plastic sheds are allowed. Metal and fabric type of apparatus is strictly forbidden.

ii. Sheds made of wood material must be painted to match the color of the house. All trim must also match that of the house. Sheds must have the same style and color roof as the house. Sheds which are made of plastic material must require no maintenance and a color that is comparable to the color of the house. The approved color is at the sole discretion of the Architectural Design Committee and/or the Board of Directors.

iii. Sheds must be no more than 9 feet in height at the peak, and cannot exceed 10′ X 10′ in size. However, due to the individual shape, size, and location of the lot, the Board of Directors, at its sole discretion, may make a determination on a case by case basis to modify the shed size to accommodate the lot.
Fence colors must be of transparent/clear or wood color stain. Homes that back up to greenbelts MUST repair and stain the fence with the Association approved color.
Exterior painting must have prior approval. If the paint color will be the same as the existing color, the process will be expedited. The Association will provide a “Color Book” with approved colors. If the color/s are chosen from the book, the process will be expedited. If desired color/s are not “an approved” color, the owner will be required to paint a 3′ X 3′ section on the side of the home for the Committee to view for consideration for approval.
Colored concrete is not permitted for the driveway or walkways. Colored concrete porches are allowed; an approved color is at the sole discretion of the Architectural Design Committee and/or the Board of Directors.
Solar systems are allowed but are subject to Association approval. The panels and installation must comply with the City codes and a City permit must be obtained.
Covered carports or canopies are not permissible anywhere within the lot.

Landscaping
All landscaping must be well maintained and provided adequate water. Especially turf, lawn, or grass areas are required to be regularly mowed and watered during the months of April through October of each year. Turf, lawn, or grass areas shall not be allowed to grow such that the length of grass is considerably longer than the neighboring lots within the community. “Considerably longer” is determined at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors.
Broken planters and/or dead plants in planters must be removed and/or cleaned out by 10/31.
Dead foliage/trees in front must be removed within 30 days.
Dead foliage/trees that are visible above the fence or in view from a neighboring home on the side or in the back yard of the home must also be removed within 30 days.
Only materials designed for landscaping and outdoor use will be allowed. This includes but is not limited to edging and/or other decorative borders, furniture, and other items. Allowed type of material may be at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors.

General Lot Maintenance
Broken fence gates, pickets, posts, and top rails must be repaired/replaced within 30 days.
Scum on sidewalks in front/side of homes due to drainage must be kept clean at all times. Otherwise it is slippery and a safety hazard.
Weeds in rock beds in front, and sides or are not allowed. This includes the sides of corner lots.
Snow removal must be removed from property line to property line. This includes the sides of corner lots.
Fall leaf clean up of the property, including rock bed areas must be completed as soon as possible when the leaves have fallen or no later than December 15th.
Trees/bushes that encroach the sidewalk or driveways must be kept trimmed back to allow for clear passing; both at head and foot.
Driveways and sidewalks (within the property) must be replaced/repaired when there is excessive cracking, settling and/or crumbling. It is at the discretion of the Board of Directors to determine excessive.

Driveways, Parking and Vehicles
Vehicles with an exterior appearance of disrepair; at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, inoperable vehicles, commercial vehicles, vehicles primarily used or designed for commercial purposes, tractors, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, trailers (either with or without wheels), campers, camper trailers, boats and other water craft, boat trailers shall be parked only if completely enclosed within the attached garage when the garage door is in the closed position or in specific areas, if any, designated by the Board of Directors. Commercial vehicles shall include but not limited to: any vehicle primarily used or designed for commercial purposes other items not commonly associated with personal, private passenger vehicles; vehicles with a gross empty weight of more than 7,000 pounds; any vehicle with more than 6 wheels touching the ground while in operation.

Exceptions to this restriction shall be made in the case of emergency vehicles during the performance of emergency operations, or as specified in the Association’s Emergency Vehicles policy; short term operational working time needed for services to residents of the community (e.g. delivery or service trucks during pick-up, delivery, or services being preformed for residents). These exceptions are made with the understanding of the need for such services in the community from time to time and should not be considered in the case of continued, overly repeated, or daily visiting or parking in the community generated by a single Lot. If the owner of the Lot has a particular need for such repeated and/or prolonged parking of a commercial vehicle, then the owner shall be required to make a written request to the Board of Directors that explains the need for the repeated and/or prolonged parking. The Board of Directors, at its sole discretion, may make a determination on a case by case basis.
The above restriction on vehicle parking should not include privately owned pickup trucks, vans, or passenger cars with luggage racks, bike racks, or trailer hitches (ball, receiver, or 5th wheel) whose use is completely confined to personal, private use of owners, guests, or invitees.
RV’s, boats, campers, and other recreational vehicles shall be allowed to be parked outside of a closed garage in the community for up to 72 hours in any 7 day period, so long as the following conditions are met:

The vehicle is parked for the purpose of loading or unloading and the vehicle is parked so as not to infringe on the space available to neighboring Lots for regular street parking without the expressed permission of the affected Lot owner and/or resident of the neighboring Lot.
No vehicle maintenance shall be permitted unless it is preformed completely within the attached garage of the house. The only exceptions to this restriction would be limited to the addition of coolant fluid, window cleaner fluid, changing out a battery, or the changing of a flat tire. Vehicles on racks are strictly prohibited. Spilled fluids, e.g. oil, antifreeze, etc., must be cleaned up or removed immediately. Oil absorbent must be removed within 48 hours of being applied.
Inoperable vehicles, e.g. flat tires, expired tags in driveway and streets are not allowed.

Pets
Specifically prohibited animals within the community shall include: chickens, most varieties of pigs or hogs, or other animals that are customarily recognized as either “farm”, “exotic”, or “dangerous” animals. Also prohibited is any snake that is classified as poisonous or is larger than 4 feet in length (3 feet for any snake that is classified as a constrictor); lizards larger than 2 feet in length.
Pet waste shall not be permitted to accumulate upon any portion of a Lot. Pet waste must be regularly removed and properly disposed of so as not to create an unhealthy, offensive or hazardous condition. If the odor or general volume of pet waste is detectable from outside the Lot, the Lot owner shall deemed to be in violation of this rule.
Owners, guests, invitees or other persons having control of a pet upon any portion of the common areas of the Association shall be responsible to immediately, upon deposition of pet waste, remove and properly dispose of such waste. Any member of the Association, who witnesses a violation of this requirement, or any other violation of the Governing Documents of the Association, shall be entitled to make a written complaint to the Association. Written complaints must identify the member(s) or other person(s) making any written complaint. Written complaints that do not identify the member(s) or other person(s) making the complaint may not be further investigated by the Association. The identity of the member(s) or other person(s) making any written complaint will be kept confidential by the Association, to the extent possible and practical, while following the violation policies of the Association. Written complaints pertaining to pet waste in the common areas must identify the person making the complaint and should be as specific as possible to include: date, time and location of occurrence; a general description of the pet; description of offending individual (name if known); the property address in the community associated with the pet and/or individual.
Dog runs are not permitted on or within any lot.

Unsightliness
No clotheslines, equipment or storage areas shall be located on any Lot as to be visible from a street and/or public view. Personal items such as clothes, rugs, or rags shall not be allowed to be draped, hung, or dried over any railing, fencing, or foliage in the front portion of a Lot.
Personal items shall not be allowed to be stored or remain in the front of the Lot past sunset. Personal items shall be defined as any item that is not incorporated into the approved landscape plan for the Lot, or any item not physically attached to the structure, or any item not generally recognized as, and currently being used as patio or yard furniture or decoration. Toys, bicycles, storage bins, wooden pallets, coolers (other than milk deliveries), portable folding lawn chairs, trash receptacles (other than as allowed for the trash pickup schedule), etc., are all considered personal items that are prohibited from being stored or allowed under this restriction. Trash cans must be stored behind the fence or in the garage to be out of sight.
No newspapers, flyers etc. to be left over a 2 day period of time. When out of town, the resident must make arrangements to have these items picked up.
Basketball hoops can be used on the driveways only. When not in use they must be kept behind the fence.
Hoses must be on a reel or neatly coiled. They must not be left in front yards, or tangled in rock beds or on the side of the house.
Windows must have proper window coverings; no cardboard, reflective material, paper, sheets, blankets, or towels etc. are allowed.
Patio type furniture only, is allowed in front. No couches, broken swings, etc.
Holiday/seasonal decorations must be removed within 14 days after the holiday. The only exception is Christmas lights and decorations which shall be removed by January 31st.

Miscellaneous
No businesses are allowed to be conducted in the residences or upon the properties which increase the traffic in the neighborhoods or otherwise materially or adversely impact the ability of other owners to use and enjoy the community. Examples of such businesses would include, but not limited to, home daycares; other businesses which generate frequent or daily visits by customers, employees or deliveries.
Garage sales are allowed in the community; however, garage sales shall be limited to 4 sales lasting no more than three days, per calendar year per residence. This is not to include any Association organized community garage sales. Signs must be removed each day of the garage sale.
Owners are responsible to maintain a current mailing address on file with the Association. Any notices or other correspondence mailed by the Association will be deemed as having been given and/or properly delivered if mailed through the United States Postal Service and addressed to the last known mailing address, on file with the Association, and not received return mail by the Association.
No nuisance shall be permitted within the community, nor any use, activity or practice which is the source of annoyance or embarrassment to, or which unreasonably offends or disturbs any Owner. An example would include, at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors: any activity or practice that creates noise at sufficient levels to disturb the peace of any neighboring Owner/Resident on a repeated, or continual basis, or which occurs prior to 8:00 a.m., or continues past 10:00 p.m.
Owner’s that damage common areas either willful or negligent will be financially responsible for the repair. The Association will make the necessary repair and bill it back to the owner.
Bulletin boards at the mail kiosks are to be used for official Association business only. Notices from the Association may be posted on each kiosk or mailed via USPS.

Failure by the Association, the Board of Directors or any person to enforce any provision of these Rules and Regulations shall in no effect be deemed to be a waiver of the right to do so thereafter.
RDH/RDH

The HOA Rules and Regulations may be modified at the Homeowner’s Association’s discretion.