Community Rules | The Reserve at Heritage Village

The rules for our community come from the association’s governing documents. If the summary below and the governing documents ever differ, the governing documents control.

Keep your property maintained

All homeowners must keep their property maintained at all times. That includes cutting the grass, keeping grass out of the cracks, and maintaining a manicured lawn and landscaping.

Keep sidewalks and driveways clear

Sidewalks and driveways must be kept clear.

Trash cans

Remove trash cans from the street as soon as possible, and no later than the evening of trash pickup day.

Vehicles on the street

Any vehicle parked on the street must be in running condition, with no flat tires and a valid registration.

Park on the correct side of the street

Vehicles must be parked on the side of the street that your street allows. Every street in the community has a side where parking is prohibited.

Do not block driveways

Vehicles must not block the driveways of other homeowners.

Exterior modifications

Homeowners are required to submit a modification form for any exterior improvements to their home.

Submit an exterior modification request

Gardens and plant growth

Because this is not an agricultural community, homeowners are prohibited from having large gardens or plant growth anywhere on the exterior of their home.

Fencing needs approval

Any fencing must be approved by the Board of Directors. This includes small fences and landscaping fences. All of them must be approved. Approved fences are wrought iron or an aluminum equivalent, no taller than 4 feet, and black or brown. A plot plan is required. A fence must stay within your builder’s box and entirely on your own property, never on a neighbor’s property.

Pets

No more than two dogs, two cats, or a combination of two of these animals may be kept in a home unless the association approves it in writing. Pets must be leashed and attended on common areas, and may not be a nuisance because of noise or odor. Dog kennels and dog runs are not allowed.

Large vehicles and recreational equipment

House trailers, commercial vehicles, boats, boat trailers, campers, motorcycles, ATVs and snowmobiles may not be parked or stored on the property unless they are in a garage or an approved outbuilding. Passenger vehicles should be parked in garages as much as possible, and garage doors should stay closed when not in use. Commercial vehicles and trucks may not be parked in the community except while making deliveries or pickups.

Signs

No signs or advertising of any kind, including For Sale signs, may be visible from the outside of a home without written permission from the association.

Satellite dishes and antennas

Exterior antennas and satellite dishes need written approval. Satellite dishes must be 18 inches or smaller and attached to the side or rear of the home.

Swimming pools

Above-ground swimming pools are not allowed.

Leasing and short-term rentals

Short-term rentals, such as Airbnb and VRBO, are not allowed. If you plan to lease your home, tell the association in writing at least 10 days before you present a lease to a tenant, and give the association a copy of the lease form. The whole home must be leased, the first lease must be at least 6 months unless the association approves otherwise, and tenants must follow all community documents.

City of Warren ordinances

The association also adopts and follows the ordinances of the City of Warren. Here are some that matter most in our neighborhood. This is a summary, and the City’s Code of Ordinances controls.

Speed limit. Drive no more than 25 miles per hour on all residential streets in the association. If a lower speed is posted, such as 15 miles per hour, follow the posted speed.
Quiet hours and noise. From 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., excessive noise that disturbs the neighbors is not allowed. That includes loud music and televisions, parties, and noise from vehicles. Car stereos and other portable speakers that can be plainly heard 30 feet away are not allowed between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. either. Repairing or testing a vehicle is not allowed between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Construction work is not allowed after 7:30 p.m., or before 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and 8:00 a.m. on weekends and holidays. Alarms must shut off by themselves within 15 minutes. Barking and other animal noise that disturbs neighbors is not allowed.
Fireworks. Fireworks are strictly prohibited in our community, with no exceptions. The City of Warren requires fireworks to be kept a safe distance from homes, vehicles and landscaping, and no place in our community is far enough from a neighbor’s home to do that. Please don’t use fireworks, and please don’t allow your guests to.
City permits. Approval from the association does not replace a permit from the City of Warren. Many projects need a City permit from the Building Division, including fences, decks, porches, sheds, roofs, concrete patios, hot tubs, pools, garages, additions and other exterior changes. A fence permit application needs a plot plan. Working without a required permit can bring fines from the City. Contact the City’s Building Division before you start, and get both approvals.

Bothered by noise? Call the Warren Police non-emergency line at (586) 574-4700.

How rules are enforced

If a rule is not followed, the association sends a written notice that explains the violation. You have the chance to appear before the Board and respond. The Board will not ask you to appear less than 10 days after the date of the notice.

Fines under the Bylaws:

First violation: no fine
Second violation: $25
Third violation: $50
Fourth and later violations: $100

Fines are billed with the regular assessment. If a lawn or landscaping is not kept up, the association can send a written notice. If it is not fixed within 15 days, the association can do the work and bill the homeowner for the cost plus a 20% administrative fee.

What the association can do if dues are not paid or rules are not followed

Every homeowner is personally responsible for the dues on their home. Under the Bylaws, if dues are not paid the association can use any of these options, and it can use them together:

Late charges. A late charge of 1% per month is added once dues are five or more days past due.
A lien on the home. Unpaid dues are secured by a lien on the home. The association can enforce the lien by foreclosure, through the courts or by advertisement.
A lawsuit. The association can sue for a money judgment.
The full year’s dues. If a payment is in default, the association can declare all unpaid dues for that year due immediately.
Collection costs. Interest, collection costs and attorneys’ fees are charged to the homeowner and are also secured by the lien.
Loss of certain privileges. A homeowner in default cannot vote at association meetings or use the general common elements, but is never denied access to their own home. After 7 days’ written notice, the association can also stop providing utilities or other services it furnishes to that homeowner.

Before filing a lawsuit or starting foreclosure, the association mails a written notice and allows 10 days to fix the default.

For other violations of the community documents, the association can take legal action for damages or a court order, and can enter the property to remove or correct a violation at the homeowner’s expense. If the association wins, the homeowner pays its reasonable attorneys’ fees.

This is a summary of the Bylaws (Article II, Section 6 and Article XIX). The Bylaws control.

Questions or concerns

To ask about a rule, report a concern, or find out what applies to a specific situation, contact O’Brien Association Management. Email your Property Manager or call 586-737-7641.