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COMMUNITY

ARC AT RIDGELY FOREST

ARC is an Architectural Control Committee is a committee that oversees architectural requests and compliance. You will usually find this type of committee within planned developments, such as homeowners and condominium associations.
 

HOA’s typically place significance on uniformity, particularly when it comes to the exterior appearance of properties in the community. Our Association has certain deed restrictions dictating what you can and can’t do with your property, including how it should look.
 

If you wish to make architectural changes, you will usually need to go through the Architectural Control Committee. One of the most important HOA architectural review committee responsibilities is managing the application and approval process for such modifications.
 

Some other things that our Architectural Control Committee responsibilities include are:
 

  • Enforcing the standards written in the governing documents in a consistent and fair manner;

  • Evaluating the existing guidelines and proposing changes to the board;

  • Making recommendations to the HOA board; and,

  • Educating homeowners on the architectural guidelines and the application/approval process.

 

 

What is an Easement?

 

Every single home has at the very least a 5-foot public access easement on each side of the house and at the foot of your property.  These easements are controlled by the city and have been recorded on each homeowner’s plat as right of ways for the city to do any anticipated work on the water drainage, utility companies to maintain lines, and the Department of Natural Resources to access the conservation easements around our homes.

 

If you have a Water & Drainage Easement along your home, you will likely have a 10, 15, 18, or 20 foot easement in the back of your home or on the side of your home.  These are large so that a backhoe can access your property and dig up any drainage pipes that is buried underground in case of emergency.

 

The only ARC request that can get a deed of easement is for a Fence.  You cannot get a deed of easement for any Structure, Deck, or Patio.

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Deeds of Easement

 

At this time, Deeds of Easement cost $300 to obtain. Half of that fee goes to the person/company who is drafting the Deed of Easement and the other half goes to the lawyer to sign and record the change with the city. 

The Developer has stepped away when the last lot was sold and is no longer providing the drafting of the document service to us for free.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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ARC CHEAT SHEET

Putting Up a Fence


What do you need to provide during your initial request to get a fast approval?

  1. Arc form needs to be completely filled out - ARC FORM

  2. Pictures of the fencing you plan to use need to be submitted

  3. Exact dimensions of the fence - Length and Width as well as Height

  4. Proposed Fence placement & dimensions drawn on a copy of the Plat provided to you by the builder at settlement or obtain by contacting Planning & Zoning

 

What limitations exist?

  1. Every property has at least 5 ft easements on each side & back of their property.  If you plan to put your fence up outside these easements, a Deed of Easement can be obtained as long as it does not obstruct the ability to get to a conservation easement, it does not impede a backhoe from getting to a Water & Drainage run off or pipe in the ground, & it does not affect the drainage of your neighbor.

  2. Fencing must be natural wood, white vinyl fencing, or white metal fencing.

  3. Fencing cannot be taller than 6 ft tall

Fence

Building a Deck or Patio

 

What do you need to provide during your initial request to get a fast approval?

  1. Arc form needs to be completely filled out - ARC FORM

  2. Pictures of the decking/pavers/concrete you plan to use need to be submitted

  3. Exact dimensions of the Deck/Patio - Length and Width

  4. Proposed Deck or Patio placement & dimensions drawn on a copy the Plat provided to you by the builder at settlement or obtain by contacting Planning & Zoning

 

What limitations exist?

  1. Decks need to match the colors used for the exterior siding of your home

  2. Decks must be wood or composite decking. Patios can be wood, composite decking, or stone/concrete

  3. Decks and Patios cannot extend beyond the sides of your home of it impacts drainage. 

  4. Decks and Patios cannot run through a swale or over the top of any easement on your property

  5. Deeds of Easement cannot be obtained for these

Deck

Getting a Shed or Storage Structure

 

What do you need to provide during your initial request to get a fast approval?

  1. Arc form needs to be completely filled out - ARC FORM

  2. Pictures of the shed you plan to buy need to be submitted

  3. Exact dimensions of the shed - Length and Width

  4. Proposed Shed placement & dimensions drawn on a copy of the Plat provided to you by the builder at settlement or obtain by contacting Planning & Zoning

 

What limitations exist?

  1. Sheds need to match the colors & materials of your home.

  2. Sheds cannot be metal

  3. Sheds cannot extend beyond the sides of your home. 

  4. Sheds cannot run through a swale or over the top of any easement on your property.

  5. Deeds of Easement cannot be obtained for these

Shed

Make Hardscape/Landscape Changes

 

What do you need to provide during your initial request to get a fast approval?

  1. Arc form needs to be completely filled out - ARC FORM

  2. Pictures of the materials you plan to use need to be submitted

  3. Exact dimensions of the changes - Length and Width

  4. Proposed change placement & dimensions drawn on a copy of the Plat provided to you by the builder at settlement or obtain by contacting Planning & Zoning

 

What limitations exist?

  1. Every home has a significant Water & Drainage easement in the from of their property running through their front yard, you cannot plant trees or perform any significant digging within these areas

  2. You cannot remove any tree from your property without approval. 

  3. You cannot plant any tree in the front of your property without approval.

  4. Trees planted cannot impede the view of traffic on the street.

Hardscape

Replace Your Roof or Siding

 

What do you need to provide during your initial request to get a fast approval?

  1. Arc form needs to be completely filled out - ARC FORM

  2. Pictures of the materials you plan to use need to be submitted

  3. Pictures of your neighbor’s home on the left and right must be submitted
    (Please be respectful and ask permission. Do not take images of your neighbors’ homes that include identifying information such as vehicles or personal information)

  4. Exact dimensions or sizes of proposed changes

 

What limitations exist?

  1. Materials must match your existing colors or not be colors used by the neighbors to either side of you.

  2. Colors must be part of the overall approved colors used in the neighborhood

Roof

Add a Storm Door, Exterior Lights, or Screen for your Garage

 

What do you need to provide during your initial request to get a fast approval?

  1. Arc form needs to be completely filled out - ARC FORM

  2. Pictures of the items you plan to use need to be submitted

 

What limitations exist?

  1. Storm Doors must be White or Black.  They must be framed style, with glass or screen

ExteriorUpgrades

Paint or Replace Your Front Door or Shutters

 

What do you need to provide during your initial request to get a fast approval?

  1. Arc form needs to be completely filled out - ARC FORM

  2. Pictures of the materials you plan to use need to be submitted

  3. Pictures of your neighbor’s home on the left and right must be submitted
    (Please be respectful and ask permission. Do not take images of your neighbors’ homes that include identifying information such as vehicles or personal information)

 

What limitations exist?

  1. Materials must match your existing colors or not be colors used by the neighbors to either side of you.

  2. Colors must be part of the overall approved colors used in the neighborhood

Door

Solar Panels & Satellite Dish

 

What do you need to provide during your initial request to get a fast approval?

  1. Arc form needs to be completely filled out - ARC FORM

  2. Pictures of the materials you plan to use need to be submitted

  3. Exact dimensions or sizes of proposed changes

  4. Proposed placement & dimensions drawn on a copy the Plat provided to you by the builder at settlement or obtain by contacting Planning & Zoning

Solar

OBTAINING PLATS

GET HELP

Try to Contact the North East, MD Planning & Zoning Department for a copy.


Betsy Vennell

Director

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(410) 287-5801 | Telephone
(410) 287-8267 | Fax
bvennell@northeastmd.org

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North East Planning & Zoning Department

106 South Main Street
North East, MD 21901

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