This section discusses those exterior alterations which will
require ARC approval and normal maintenance and other alterations that do not
require approval. Each topic indicates those changes requiring ARC or Board of
Directors approval and those that do not.
If ARC approval is required, it must be obtained before any
construction changes, additions or alterations begin. If there are any
questions about the application process they should be put in writing and sent
to the ARC for resolution. See Section
A above, “HCHA
Architectural Criteria and Application Procedures ”, in this chapter
pertaining to the application and approval process. Several types of
structural modifications receive automatic approval if the construction meets
all Town zoning ordinances and all Town building permit and inspection
requirements. These are specified in more detail below. Copies of several of
the relevant Town zoning ordinances appear in Chapter
10. Since the Town may change its zoning ordinances, Chapter
10 should be used only as a guide. Before planning any construction or
alteration, you should obtain current zoning and permit requirements from the
Town.
Routine maintenance on the exterior of a house or
property that does not alter the appearance does not require approval of the
ARC or Board of Directors. Owners and tenants are required to limit any
maintenance and exterior alterations performed without ARC approval to the
items below that are described as “Actions Not Requiring Approval”.
If you are not sure about the need for approval, then submit one to the ARC.
Refer to the procedures in “HCHA
Architectural Criteria and Application Procedures ”, in this chapter
for information on how to submit an application to the ARC.
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1a. No ARC Approval Required
Replace Siding with similar existing style and color
or approved colors by the HCHA. No more than two trim colors and one major
(siding) color are permitted. Natural finished wood doors are allowed and not
considered a 3rd color. HCHA approved colors are listed below in 1c.
Repaint exterior stain color for contemporary
wood-sided homes with similar earth-tone color or approved colors by the HCHA.
No more than two trim colors and one major (siding) color are permitted.
Natural finished wood doors are allowed and not considered a 3rd color. HCHA
approved colors are listed below in 1c.
Repaint Exterior shutters, trim, and/or doors with
similar existing color or approved colors by the HCHA. No more than two trim
colors and one major (siding) color are permitted. Natural finished wood doors
are allowed and not considered a 3rd color.
1b.ARC Approval Required
Replace siding with a different style and color not
approved by HCHA. HCHA approved colors are listed below in 1c.
Repaint exterior stain color for contemporary
wood-sided homes or exterior shutters, trim, and/or doors with a different
color not approved by HCHA. HCHA approved colors are listed below in 1c.
1c.
HCHA Approved Colors
Approved colors for aluminum or vinyl siding
homes: White, Almond, Cameo, Classic Cream, Champaigne, Desert Sand,
Linen, Sage, Sandstone, Pebblestone Clay , Silver Grey, Victorian Grey,
Brookstone, Everest.
Approved colors for wood-sided homes: Rich Earth
(Brown), Spring Fawn (Med Brown), Mayfair Tan (Beige-Tan), Sandstone (Tan),
Flint (Grey-Beige), Cape Cod Grey, Bronze Green (Olive).
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2a.
No ARC Approval Required
Replace roof
with similar existing style and color shingles.
2b.
ARC Approval Required
Replace roof
with a different style or color.
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3a.
No ARC Approval Required
Replace existing windows with “energy efficient”
permanent surface white or same color windows. Permanent surface is aluminum,
vinyl clad, or PVC.
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4a.
No ARC Approval Required
Repair,
repaint or stain existing decks, patios, sheds, greenhouses, or gazebos if color
is not changed. New ground level patio, without footers, constructed of
concrete, block, stone, brick, etc., and entirely in the rear of the house.
4b.
ARC Approval Required
All new decks
and accessory structures, including storage sheds, greenhouses, and gazebos.
Sheds may be up to 150 square feet, with a wall height of 8’6”. All
accessory buildings must be placed at least 15 feet from the house, 1 foot from
the rear and side property lines. All decks, greenhouses and gazebos require a
Town building permit from DPW(Town of Herndon Zoning,
Section 78-1420).
Any change of size, shape or location for an existing deck or accessory
structure may require a DPW building permit. If construction is natural wood
or same color as the main dwelling and conforms to all zoning ordinances and any
required town permits and inspections, the structure is HCHA approved without
further application. Any change of color for an existing deck or accessory
structure requires ARC approval.
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5a.
ARC Approval Always Required
Building
additions or exterior modifications to your house to include room additions,
garages, car ports, front or rear porches, attached greenhouses, etc. will
require a Town of Herndon building permit from DPW. ARC approval and Town
building permit must be received before construction begins.
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6a.
No ARC Approval Required
Repair or
replace a wood fence with the similar color, style and size as the existing wood
fence. Special regulations appear below for repairing existing wire fencing.
6b.
ARC Approval Required
Add new fence
or change style and size of existing fence. All new or replaced fencing used on
residential properties within Hunter's Creek must be wood fencing left in the
natural state of the wood that complies with Town Zoning (Town of Herndon Zoning,
Sections 78-1419 and 78-1422 (5-7)).
Design drawings are available from DCD at the Herndon Town Hall and must
accompany the ARC application. If construction is natural wood and conforms
to all zoning ordinances, the fence is HCHA approved without further
application.
An inner layer
of “yard guard” wire fencing designed to be camouflaged from normal view for
the purpose of helping ensure that children or pets remain in a yard and that
the resident is thus permitted full enjoyment of the property is permissible,
but must be submitted for ARC approval.
6c.
Special Regulations for Wire Fencing
Permissible
repair of existing “Wire Mesh” or “Chain Link” fencing is very limited:
·
If replacing more than 30% of the length of the wire fence, then
the entire wire fence run must be replaced with wooden fence.
·
If replacing any wire fence which is visible from the street or
sidewalk, then the entire wire fence run must be replaced with wooden fence,
regardless of the length of this fence segment.
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7a.
No ARC Approval Required
Resurface existing driveway with same material and area.
Resurfacing of mixed material, for instance concrete and asphalt, must be change
surface to single material.
7b.
ARC Approval Required
Driveways and parking pads additions and change in
material (for instance, asphalt to concrete or vice versa). All driveways and
parking pads must be of the same material, for instance, asphalt or concrete.
Only hard stabilized surfaces are permitted.
7c.
Special Regulation
Driveways must have no permanent markings, for instance,
those intended for basketball or hopscotch.
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8a.
No ARC Approval Required
Repair or replace existing private walkways and/or stoop
using the same material, size and area as the existing sidewalk.
8b.
ARC Approval Required
Repair or replace existing private walkways and/or stoop
changing material, size or area. All sidewalks must be of a solid surface.
8c.
Special Notice about Public Sidewalks
All public sidewalks are the
responsibility of the Town of Herndon. If a resident notices that a public
sidewalk needs repair, the town should be notified.
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9a.
No ARC Approval Required
Maintained landscaping, such as, dead trees, shrubs, and
bushes be removed before they become unsightly or hazards to your neighbor.
Maintained lawns no greater than 8 inches high. Trim all trees at least 7ft high
above public walkways and driveways. All new trees, shrubs and bushes may be
planted at a location not to interfere with your neighbors, safety and line of
sight of roadways at corners, etc.
9b.
Special Notice for Trees Not on Owner’s Property
Homeowners and tenants may only trim those branches that
extend over the homeowner’s property or braches of tree growing on that
property. HCHA common property is the responsibility of the HCHA Board of
Directors. If trees on HCHA common property need to be trimmed, a member of the
Board should be contacted.
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10a.
No ARC Approval Required
Natural wood
or stone appearance ornaments. Ornaments such as flower pots, planters and other
accessories are permitted, provided that their appearance is maintained.
10b.
Prohibited Ornamentation
Painted or
plastic lawn ornaments or decorations in front yards. The only exception to this
is during the holidays, when holiday ornamentation is set up for that holiday
period.
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11a.
No ARC Approval Required
In-ground swimming pools. The Town requires a building
permit from DPW. If pool conforms to all zoning ordinances and any required
town permits and inspections, it is HCHA approved without further application.
11b.
ARC Approval Required
Above-ground swimming pools with height greater than 36
inches.
11c.
Governmental Requirements
Swimming pools must meet Town of Herndon and Fairfax
County ordinances for construction, maintenance and periodic inspection.
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12a.
Governmental Requirements
Panels must
meet Town of Herndon codes and require a building permit.
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13a.
No ARC Approval Required
Replace or
repair an existing mailbox. Mailboxes must meet U.S. Postal Service regulations,
which can be obtained from the Herndon Post Office.
13b.
House Numbers
Adding the
house number to the side of the mailbox, following Postal Service
specifications, will aid emergency vehicles and others.
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14a.
No ARC Approval Required
Due to FCC regulations,
HCHA does not require approval for placement of satellite dishes for TV
reception. The Town of Herndon requires a building permit from DPW for satellite
dishes greater than 24” in diameter.
FCC Rules specifically preempt local regulations. FCC Rules, in part, state
(Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47, Section 25.104, 47CFR25.104): Any
state or local zoning, land-use, building, or similar regulation that
materially limits transmission or reception by satellite earth station
antennas, or imposes more than minimal costs on users of such antennas is
preempted unless the promulgating authority can demonstrate that such
regulation is reasonable,…
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