Maple Ridge

GOLF COMMUNITY HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION, INC

Commonly Asked Questions

Maple Ridge Covenants and

The Architectural Review Process

January 2014

The Board of Directors of the Maple Ridge Homeowners Association would like to share with you some of the questions commonly asked by residents of our community:

  1. Am I allowed to place a sign in my yard?

No sign of any kind shall be erected by an Owner or occupant of a Unit within the community without the prior written consent of the Architectural Control Committee. The Board shall have the right to erect reasonable and appropriate signs. One (1) professionally lettered “For Sale” or “For Rent” sign and one (1) professionally lettered security sign consistent with the Community-Wide standard may be placed on a Unit. (Article VI, Section 5)

  1. I want to tape a “Lost Dog” notice on the street sign poles in the neighborhood. Is this allowed?

Taping notices or other items to the street posts is not allowed. These posts are private property owned by the Homeowners Association. The Board adopted a penalty of $25 per item per post for anyone taping anything on these posts. This is to discourage this violation and to cover the cost of cleaning up the sticking residue left after the tape has been removed. This penalty was covered at the 2012 HOA Annual Meeting and was an item covered in the last “Resident Update” handout. (Also, the restriction governing signs are covered in Article VI, Section 5)

  1. What is the website for the Maple Ridge Homeowners Association?
  1. What is available on the website?

The Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions for Maple Ridge Golf Community can be found on the HOA website. In addition, there are a variety of other documents to include a copy of the current budget, a summary of the last HOA Annual Meeting, etc. A list of the current HOA Board of Directors can be found on the website. You will find other useful information such as the names of the different sections of the community, a description of available recreational activitie4s, and a form to be used when requesting Architectural Control Committee approval when making changes to your Unit or property. There is much more information available and everyone should become familiar with the website.

  1. I want to add a fence on my property. What are the rules and are there any restrictions?

Fencing is an important issue to the community. In order to have a uniform and natural look along all golf frontage lots, all fencing on such lots must be natural colored wooden split rail type fence, not higher than four (4) feet. Homeowners may install inside the wood rail fence hog wire or landscaping to provide additional security and/or privacy. For all interior lots, the split rail fence is also recommended; however, if another type of fencing is desired on interior lots, a request must be submitted to the Architectural Control Committee for approval prior to installation of the fence. No fence shall be closer to the street than the rear corner of the unit. (Article VI, Section 19 and Exhibit F, Article VII)

  1. What are the rules governing lawn care?

All yards should be maintained in neat and orderly condition, which shall include removal of leaves, broken limbs, dead trees and other debris as necessary. All lawns must be regularly cut (general grass height may not exceed seven (7) inches) and maintained (no noticeable weed problem). (Article VI, Section 24)

  1. Where can I get a swimming pool key” Tennis court key?

Pool and tennis court keys are available at the office of Total Service Group (TSG). They are located at 4745 Armour Road in Columbus and their phone number is 706 653-9630. If you should lose a key, a replacement may be obtained from TSG for a $25 fee.

  1. What are the pool hours of operation?

The pools open the first Saturday in May and close the last Sunday in September. Daily hours of operation during the season are 8:00 am until 9:00 pm.

  1. My neighbors never close their garage door. Is that allowed?

Garage doors are to be kept closed at all times, except during times of entry into and/or exit from the garage, or when someone is working in or around the garage (Article VI, Section 6)

  1. May I put a storage building on my lot?

No. The Covenants prohibit storage buildings (Article VI, Section 2)

  1. Can I hang clothes on a line in my backyard?

Clotheslines are not permitted. (Article VI, Section 16)

  1. Squirrels are always getting into our birdfeeder. Am I allowed to scare them away by shooting at them with a BB gun?

No, you are not. The use or discharge of firearms in the Community is prohibited. The term “firearm” includes “BB guns, pellet guns, and other firearms of all types, regardless of size or caliber. (Article VI, Section 18)

13. May golfers come into my yard to retrieve their golf ball?

The Covenants grant a golf ball retrieval easement to allow golfers to retrieve golf balls from yards and common property at “reasonable times and in a reasonable manner”. However, this does not give the golfer to right to drive a cart onto your property or the right to attempt to play the ball from your property. (Article XII, Section 6)

  1. Are storm windows allowed in Maple Ridge?

Exterior storm windows are not allowed. (Building and Design Guidelines, Exhibit F, Article V)

  1. We want to add either an above ground pool or a hot tub. Is this allowed?

Above ground swimming pools shall not be erected, constructed, or installed on any unit property. No spas or hot tubs may be erected, constructed or installed without the prior written approval of the Architectural Control Committee. (Article VI, Section 21)

  1. We just purchased a new boat and trailer and plan to keep them in our driveway when not at the lake. Is this OK?

You are not permitted to park them in your driveway. They must be kept in your garage. You may be able to park them in the rear yard if two conditions are met: first, they must not be visible from the street or golf course, and second, you obtain written permission of the adjoining owners and the Architectural Control Committee. (Article VI, Section 6)

  1. We plan to re-paint our house a different color. Is there anything that we need to do as far as obtaining approval of the new color?

If you wish to change any exterior color on your unit, you must first receive written approval from the Architectural Control Committee. The applications for ACC approval can be found on the website. (Article X, Section 2)

  1. My mailbox has been damaged and is dull and dingy. What can I do?

These mailboxes were purchased from and installed by Addresses of Distinction. They no longer travel to Columbus to service the mailboxes but they still sell the replacement parts. They can be reached at 706 880-7881 or 770 252-5503. As far as correcting the full or dingy look to the box, we have heard reports of good results from using a normal household cleaner such as 409 or Fantastic. This should remove the oxidation and restore the original sheen. These boxes are powder coated and are not intended to be waxed or painted.