Yard Art Rule Rule 2015-1

Yard Art Rule Rule 2015-1

March 10,2015

The Board does not want yard art to become the most frequent and controversial issue that it deals with. Homeowners are encouraged to use common sense and courtesy when decorating their property’s exterior. Everyone wants the area to maintain its value and attractiveness. The following are proposed rules in compliance with THA Covenants Article VIII, paragraph 17:

17.No free standing flagpoles, basketball goals, or playground equipment shall be allowed in, on or above any Lot. Basketball goals may be erected on Common Area and Facilities with the prior approval of the Association Board of Directors. No yard art that exceeds 3 feet in height, width or length is allowed without written approval by the Board of Directors. No inflatable yard art shall be permitted. Any permissible yard art must be placed so as not to interfere with lawn mowing. The Board may approve rules to limit the location and number of yard art items, and may determine items thought to be offensive and not in good taste for the neighborhood.

What is the yard? The yard includes the lawn, garden, and driveway areas. It does not include the patio, deck, porch or the front porch area (e.g. 10 feet from front door in all directions on homes without front porches).

What is yard art? Yard art is any manmade item or any item greater than 3 feet in height, length, or width.

What manmade items are not considered yard art? Items that are not yard art are birdbaths less than 3 feet, bird feeders, fire pits, decorative bench in the garden, snow sticks, path lights along the walkand planters for flowers less than 3 feet in any dimension.

What limits are there on the number of yard art items?

Front yard: 3 items placed in the landscaping

Back and side yards: 5 total items in the landscaping, or 8 total items in the landscaping for large back yards (i.e. pie shaped yards, backyards greater than 3,000 square feet (measured from the back corners of the house to the back property line).

Complaints about items thought to be offensive or not in good taste for the neighborhood: Homeowners who believe a yard art item is inappropriate can submit a complaint form to the Board. A decorum committee will review the complaint and make a recommendation to the Board.

Seasonal decorations: Decorations for holidays like 4th of July, Halloween, Christmas, etc. should be conservative. The number of yard art items in the front yard should not exceed six items, including other yard art items. The usual yard art rules apply: no items exceeding 3 feet in height, length, or width, and no inflatables. While decorative lights are not considered yard art, limited decoration is encouraged to avoid traffic on our private streets. Homeowners may not enter decorating contests. Homeowners may not use flashing lights as decorations (i.e. house on 25th St. east of Wanamaker had some wrapped around tree trunks in 2014).

Note: Article VIII of the Covenants contains other provisions regarding the proper maintenance and use of the exterior of the house.