Homeowner Responsibilities

 

What is the homeowner/occupant’s responsibility regarding the maintenance of his/her home’s exterior?

1. Lawns should not be overgrown, regularly mowed and kept weed-free. Homeowners or their occupants are encouraged to periodically edge sidewalks, driveways and fences.
2. Trees boarding/overhanging a sidewalk must be trimmed so as to not obstruct a pedestrian’s path.
3. Bushes should not be overgrown but be maintained at a height appropriate for the location of the bush.
4. Keep the mailbox in good repair. Annually (or as appropriately needed) paint the home’s mailbox.
5. Keep the home’s exterior in good repair – replace missing shingles, broken shutters, missing/damaged flashing, burned out light bulbs; remove algae growth from sidings; keep gutters clear of debris, etc.
6. File an Architectural Change Request for any exterior changes.
7. Dog/pet waste should not be left in the front yard nor as a nuisance to neighbors.
8. Do NOT store trash/recycling containers in a manner that makes them visible from the street or accessible to animals.

 

What are the responsibilities of pet owners?

 

1.  Be respectful of your neighbors and neighborhood

2.  Pick up your pet’s solid waste. It’s the law! Pet owners may be fined up to $500 for failing to do so. The Association provides waste bags in several places in the community in the event a homeowner has forgotten a bag.

3.  Keep pets leashed when not in an enclosed area. It’s the law.

4.   Register/license your pet with Anne Arundel County. It’s the law.

5.     Keep a pet’s rabies inoculation up-to-date at all times. It’s the law.

6.     Ensure a pet is not a nuisance or source of annoyance/disturbance.

7.     Do not feed wild/stray animals. Anne Arundel County Code permits fines for doing so.

 

How do I report a pet that is a source of annoyance, that is running without a leash, and/or an owner who fails to pick up his/her pet waste on public, association-owned and/or other private property?

Anne Arundel County Animal Control should be contacted at 410.222.8900. The Board may also be contacted, and, may take action within its authority prescribed by the Association’s Bylaws and Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R’s). If you notice a pet owner ignoring his/her responsibility to pick up his/her pet’s waste, please question him/her. The Board encourages community members to report to the County any observed pet waste violations, as such waste is a serious threat to public health.

 

What is the homeowner/occupant’s responsibility when removing snow?

1. Help your neighbors – particularly if one’s health status or age may make it difficult to remove their snow. Plus, it’s a great way to get to know them!
2. Do not shovel snow into the street.
3. Anne Arundel County Code Article 25, Section 5-108 stipulates that the occupant of a home situated on a street with a paved sidewalk shall remove the snow and ice from the sidewalk within 6 hours after the fall of snow. If snow falls between 3:00pm and 6:00am, snow should be removed by 11:00am. The County can fine and charge a homeowner the cost of removing snow from the sidewalk if the County is called to clear the sidewalk.

 

What is the homeowner’s responsibility when leasing his/her home?

A lease agreement between a homeowner and a lessee shall provide that the terms of the lease are subject, in all respects, to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, Declaration of Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&R’s), Bylaws of the Association and rules/regulations, and that any failure by the lessee to comply with the terms of such documents shall be a default under the lease. All leases must be in writing and a current copy must be on file with the Association’s Board of Directors.

 

Can a homeowner dig on his/her property?

Yes, provided that applicable approvals (county, HOA architectural review, etc.) are obtained. All homeowners are encouraged to contact Miss Utility whenever a need to dig exists, such as planting a tree, major landscape redesign, etc. A HOA architectural change request may need to be filed, too.

 

Community Information

 

If I am having a problem with a neighbor for a violation of the Association’s Bylaws, CC&R’s or rules/regulations adopted by the Board, what can I do?

If homeowners are unable to resolve a situation between themselves, they should contact the HOA's management company. Please note all violations of State and County laws/codes should be reported to local police (non-emergency 410.222.8610); the Board does not have authority to enforce state and local laws.

 

When are the trash collection days for the Community?

1. Trash is picked up on Monday morning.
2. Recycling is picked up on Monday morning.
3. Yard Waste is picked up on Monday morning. Mark bags with an “X”.
4. Bulk Trash / Large Items may need to be scheduled; consult Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works for more information.

 

Trash cannot be placed out for collection any earlier than the evening before the scheduled trash collection day. Trash containers must be retrieved by the morning after the trash collection day. All trash containers must be stored out of view at all times when not out for retrieval on trash pickup days.

 

Collectors can only pick up trash that is caused while making collections. They will not pick up trash strewn by homeowners, items that fall out of trash bags/containers or litter that comes from bags damaged by animals.  Also, any debris left by collectors on your property or curb should immediately be cleaned up.

 

Recycling containers and compost bins are available free of charge at a local landfill (Millersville) to Anne Arundel County residents. Anne Arundel County provides trash/recycling collection services; the cost of these services is included in your property tax statement. Trash collection schedule and services can be found on the county's Department of Public Works website.

 

How do I dispose of household hazardous waste?

Anne Arundel County provides household hazardous waste disposal services on a rotating basis at its landfill sites. Please visit the Household Hazardous Waste webpage of the county's Department of Public Works for more information:

 

What does the Association provide to assist with snow removal?

Colonial Park’s roads are owned and maintained by Anne Arundel County. The County provides snow removal from and de-icing applications to our community’s roads according to its priority plan. Snow removal is not provided as part of our quarterly homeowner assessment. More information can be found on the county's Ice and Snow Control webpage of the Department of Public Works.

 

A street light has gone out. How do I report its outage?

Call Baltimore Gas &Electric (BGE) at 877.778.2222, or file a report online.

 

What vehicles cannot be parked in our community?

• Vehicles with an expired registration (unless in a garage)
• Junk vehicles
• Vehicles larger than a ¾-ton truck
• Vehicles with more than two axles and not to exceed four wheels
• House trailer
• Motor home
• Camper
• Trailers
• Vehicle with commercial lettering and signs
• Boat
• Any other similar vehicles.

 

Homeowner’s Association Information

 

 

What is a homeowner’s association?

A nonprofit corporation registered with the State of Maryland and managed by a duly elected Board of Directors. Its purpose is to maintain all common areas and to govern the community in accordance with its Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, and other adopted rules and regulations. The Association is financially supported by all homeowners in the community. Membership is both automatic and mandatory.

 

Are there written rules for the Association?

Yes. When you purchased your home, the seller should have provided you a hard copy of the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R’s), Bylaws and any other adopted rules and regulations for this community. Copies are available on this website, or our property management company can provide you a copy for a fee.

 

What is the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&R’s)?

The Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R’s) are the governing legal documents that set up the guidelines for the operation of our community. The CC&R’s are recorded with Anne Arundel County’s. Failure to abide by the CC&R’s may result in a fine to a homeowner by the Association.

 

What are the Bylaws?

The Bylaws are the guidelines for the operation of the Association and define the duties of the various offices of the Board of Directors, the terms of the Directors, the membership’s voting rights, required meetings and notices of meetings, as well as other specific items that are necessary to operate the Association.

 

Are there other rules and/or regulations?

The CC&R’s provide the Board of Directors with the ability to adopt additional rules and regulations. As such, the Association has adopted the Supplemental Guidelines, Rules and Standards which details architectural and common aesthetic issues and guidelines on common courtesies including parking, vehicle storage, etc. The Suppmental includes procedures for submitting requests to make exterior changes to your home such as but not limited to patio covers, decks, landscaping, exterior color changes.  

 

The goal of these rules is to maintain the aesthetic value and integrity of the community on behalf of all owners, therefore protecting the market value of your investment as well. Violations of these rules may result in action by the Board of Directors and a fine. 

 

 

Any exterior improvement or change implemented without written approval of the Architectural Control Committee, or Board of Directors, as applicable, may result in the removal or correction of the alteration and/or a fine until the violation is rectified.

 

How does the Association enforce violations of its covenants, rules and regulations?

The community's manager regularly inspects the community to ensure homes and lots are not in violation of any of the rules outlined in the Association’s CC&R or Supplemental.  The community manager has authority to enter upon and inspect any lot at any reasonable time for the purpose of ascertaining whether any violation exists. In the event of the violation, the Board of Directors has various options at its disposal to correct a violation including requiring a homeowner to correct a violation, adopting a fining structure, employing a contractor to correct a violation with the cost of the work billed to the homeowner, and filing a lien against a home, a personal judgment against a homeowner, or implementing foreclose.

 

What is my assessment?

There are two types of assessments: general and special.

 

The general assessment is the quarterly amount due from each homeowner to cover the operating expenses of the common areas, to purchase liability insurance, invest in infrastructure for the benefit of the community, and to provide for reserve funds for replacement of common facilities in the future. The general assessment is reviewed annually by the Board of Directors and is subject to change.

 

Special assessments may be levied to fund, in whole or in part, a capital repair/improvement on common area space.

 

When is my assessment due?

Assessments, at this time, are collected and due from homeowners on a quarterly basis (Jan 1, Apr 1, Jul 1 and Oct 1), and due no later than 15 days after the due date. The maintenance and management services incurred by the Association are dependent upon timely receipt of the assessments due from each homeowner.

 

What happens if I don’t pay my assessment by the due date?

A homeowner will incur a $15 charge plus interest for each assessment that is late; this fee is unlikely to be waived if requested. The Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R) allows the Association to charge late fees, interest and reasonable legal fees, and to proceed with a lien on a homeowner’s property, or foreclosure proceeding for nonpayment of assessments (as provided for in the Maryland Contract Lien Act). Personal judgments may be levied, too, in an attempt to collect past-due balances.

 

Board of Directors Information

 

 

What is the function of the Board of Directors?

The Bylaws mandate that the Association have a Board of Directors to manage the affairs of the Association. The Board is an elected governing body consisting of volunteers and is responsible for managing the Association. It is the decision making body of the Association. Generally, the Board sets polices by enacting rules and regulations for the Association, and makes decisions regarding expenditures related to the maintenance and/or improvement of the community. The Board may appoint committees to assist with other functions, such as landscaping, convenants, events and open space planning. The Board does not have authority to enforce state and local laws. The Association’s bylaws require ten days (but not more than 90 days) notice of both special and annual meetings convened by the Board. The annual meeting, at which Board members are elected, generally occurs in May.

 

How can I be involved in the operation of the Association?

The Association solely consists of volunteers—your participation is greatly desired and needed to continue to make Colonial Park a wonderful place to live. Options include, but are not limited to:

1. Attend board meetings (typically held twice a year, but not less than annually)
2. Join the Board of Directors (elections occur every year)
3. Join / chair a committee
4. Participate in community-sponsored events

 

Why do we have an Architectural Control Committee (ACC)?

The purpose of the Architectural Control Committee and the architectural change request process is to ensure that our community maintains the look and feel of the neighborhood as outlined by our Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R’s) and rules/regulations adopted by the Board of Directors. The ACC is charged to ensure homeowners maintain their home exteriors uniformly so the neighborhood will appreciate accordingly.

 

 

Management Company

 

What services does the property management company provide?

The property management company is responsible for maintaining and managing the financial records for the Association. This includes bank account reconciliation, assessment collection and delinquency reports, tax return filings, paying invoices, preparing monthly financial statements, advisor capacity to the Board, and other ad-hoc requests made by the Board.

 

The property management company also is charged with conducting community inspections and seeing that homeowner violations are resolved according to our HOA rules. 

 

Can I contact the management company?

Yes. If you have a problem that cannot be resolved between homeowners, please feel free to contact the community manager.

 

Property Change Information

 

Do I need Association approval to make changes to the exterior of my house?

Yes! Our Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&R’s) require homeowners (or those leasing the home and with written acknowledgement of the homeowner) to file an Architectural Change Request. See “Architectural Change Information” under “Homeowner Information” for additional details. Architectural changes generally are not required for landscape improvement, unless the change is permanent in nature (retaining walls, walkways, patios, driveways, etc.).

 

Why do I need permission/approval to make changes to the exterior of my house?

The Board is elected by members of its community to oversee the maintenance of Association-owned property as well as to assist in the preservation of the value of the homes that formally consist of Colonial Park. To that end, reasonable standards exist to ensure our homes appear well-maintained, which has a direct impact on a potential buyer’s perception of the community and a home in which he/she may be interested in purchasing. After all, we want Colonial Park to be an enjoyable place to live!

 

Do I need Association approval to install a solar collector system?

Yes! Colonial Park encourages its residents to begin switching to renewable sources of energy. Maryland law prohibits homeowner associations from imposing restrictions that act to significantly increase the cost of a solar collector system or significantly decrease its efficiency. An Architectural Change Request does not interfere with the cost nor inefficiency of a solar collector system (solar water heater, solar pool heater, solar electricity systems, etc.).

 

Do I need Association approval to install an attic fan?

Depends. If the attic fan is installed on the rear of the home and is not visible from the street, an architectural change request is not required. However, if its intended installation is visible from the street, a change request is required. Colonial Park encourages its residents to evaluate solar-powered attic fans when assessing such installations.

 

Do I need Association approval to plant a tree?

No, if the tree is located on your property. Homeowners are encouraged to plant native trees. Please be cognizant of the location of the tree, ensuring that its root structure will not damage your home’s foundation, utility lines, sidewalk and driveway.

 

Can I remove trees located on my lot?

Yes, but under the following circumstances:

1. Trees planted by the homeowner NOT located in a forest conservation area can be removed by the homeowner if the tree is less than six inches in diameter two feet above the ground; otherwise, an Architectural Change Request must be submitted. The Association encourages the homeowner to replace the tree with another one; otherwise, the ground where the tree was located must blend in with its surroundings (don’t leave the trunk or a bare spot in the ground).
2. Trees (dead or alive) located in a forest conservation area (which does encompass some homeowners’ lots) can only be removed with written approval from the Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits, who will respond to a Vegetation Management Plan prepared and submitted by the homeowner.

 

Trees planted on Association property are maintained by individuals/contractors authorized by the Board. Removal of any vegetation on Association property without Board approval is otherwise prohibited.

 

What happens if I don’t get an architectural alteration approved?

Failure to obtain approval from the Architectural Control Committee for any architectural alterations to your property could result in a violation of the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R’s) and/or Supplemental Guidelines, Rules and Standards. It is within the rights of the Board of Directors to levy fines or to have violations removed at the owner’s expense. If you did not submit an architectural change request, you must still do so, although a $50 fine must accompany the after-the-fact request.

 

I’d like to make a modification to my property. What do I have to do?

Every Architectural Change Request must contain the following items:

• Architectural Change Request Form (Completed, Signed and Dated by Homeowner—not the Lessee);
• Builder Plot Survey;
• Adjacent Property Owners’ Signatures Indicating Awareness of the Proposed Change(s);
• Detailed Description of the Proposed Changes (Pictures, Materials, Color, Size, Shape, Location, and/or any other Pertinent Information);
• A Detailed Scale Drawing/Diagram Showing the Location and Size of the Proposed Changes Relative to the Rest of the Property;
• County Permit Numbers (includes, but Is not Limited to, Sheds, Fences >6 Feet Tall or on Corner Lots, Removal of County Trees, Decks, Additions, Porches, Swimming Pools, etc.);
• If Impacting Forest Conservation Space, Approval from Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits;
• Documentation Miss Utility Has Been Contacted (if applicable).
• Missing or incomplete information will delay the review of the application.

 

Applications may be mailed to:

Colonial Park Homeowners Association, Inc.

c/o Community Association Management

3655-A Old Court Road, Ste 15

Pikesville, MD 21144-0837

 

Or, completed applications may be emailed to joannef@camllc.com

 

I’ve already made a modification but didn’t get it approved. What do I have to do?

You must submit an After-The-Fact Architectural Change Request to include:

• Architectural Change Request Form (Completed, Signed and Dated by Homeowner—not the Lessee);
• Builder Plot Survey;
• Adjacent Property Owners’ Signatures Indicating Awareness of the Proposed Change(s);
• Detailed Description of the Proposed Changes (Pictures, Materials, Color, Size, Shape, Location, and/or any other Pertinent Information);
• A Detailed Scale Drawing/Diagram Showing the Location and Size of the Proposed Changes Relative to the Rest of the Property;
• County Permit Numbers (includes, but Is not Limited to, Sheds, Fences >6 Feet Tall or on Corner Lots, Removal of County Trees, Decks, Additions, Porches, Swimming Pools, etc.);
• If Impacting Forest Conservation Space, Approval from Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections and Permits;
• A $50 check made payable to Colonial Park Homeowners Association, Inc., to pay the After-The-Fact application fee.

 

Applications may be mailed to:

  Colonial Park Homeowners Association, Inc.

  c/o Community Association Management

  3655-A Old Court Road, Ste 15

  Pikesville, MD 21144-0837

            

  Or, completed applications may be emailed to joannef@camllc.com 

 

What’s the approval timeframe for an Architectural Change Request?

The CC&R’s provides the Architectural Control Committee (CC) with 60 days to respond to an Architectural Change Request; if the ACC fails to communicate its decision within that timeframe, the request is automatically approved. Generally, the ACC strives to respond in no more than three to four weeks. The Architectural Control Committee’s response does not imply approval; rather, the ACC may request additional or more detailed information before a final ruling is made.

 

Can I appeal a denial of an architectural change request?

Yes. The CC&R’s provide a homeowner an appeal to the Board of Directors within 15 days of the Architectural Control Committee decision. The Board of Directors has up to 60 days from the receipt of the appeal to conduct a hearing, after which it has 15 days to render a decision, which is considered final.

 

To whom do I submit an Architectural Change Request?

Send the request by postal mail to:

 

Colonial Park Homeowners Association, Inc.

c/o Community Association Management

3655-A Old Court Road, Ste 15

Pikesville, MD 21144-0837

 

Or, completed applications may be emailed to joannef@camllc.com 

 

Are County permits required as part of my request?

Yes, in the event Anne Arundel County Code requires a specific permit.