Handbook Rules and Regulations Belmeade at Ridgely Manor, A Condominium Amended July 21, 2014 Introduction All use of Condominium Property shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Declaration and Bylaws of Belmeade at Ridgely Manor, A Condominium, these Rules and Regulations and applicable law, ordinances, codes and regulations. The Association documents give the Board of Directors authority to adopt and enforce these Rules and Regulations that apply to each Unit Owner and their family, guests, employees, agents and lessees. Unit Owners shall be responsible for the actions of such family, guests, employees, agents and lessees. 1. Use and Decorum A. General Housekeeping B. Recreational Equipment C. Signs, Advertisements, Notices, etc. D. Decorations and Yard Ornaments 2. Architectural and Maintenance Guidelines A. Maintenance Responsibilities B. Alterations and Additions, General C. Alterations and Additions, Specifics D. Antennas and Satellite Dishes 3. Vehicles and Parking 4. Pets A. General A. Approval of Board of Directors Required B. Pet Rules 5. Leasing Units 6. Pool Rules and Regulations 7. Procedures for Complaints and Enforcement Table of Contents Use and Decorum A. General Housekeeping 1. All Common Elements and Units must be kept clean and free from unsightly objects or stains. All tools, garden hose reels, sporting equipment and other personal articles and equipment must be kept within the Unit or within the rear fenced in portion of the Unit (but not within the Limited Common Elements between the Unit and the street). A garden hose may be kept in the Common Area in front of the Unit so long as it is neatly and inconspicuously stored. 2. Laundry, rugs, bathing suits and other articles shall not be hung from the windows, fence or any exterior portion of the building at any time. Sweeping or shaking of mops or rugs or throwing dust or anything else from the windows, fences, or doors is not permitted at any time. 3. No trash or cigarette / cigar butts shall be discarded in the Common Elements. 1
4. All trash, garbage and rubbish shall be securely wrapped and tied in plastic bags and placed in the receptacles provided by the Association. Unit Owners shall place the receptacles at the curbside for collection the evening before or the morning of the days designated by the Association for pickup and shall return the receptacle to the Unit after pickup on the same day. The trash receptacles shall be stored within the Unit or the provided fenced in area of the Unit at all times. 5. All windows coverings and treatments visible from the outside of the Unit shall be permanent in nature. Color should be either standard white, off-white or wood finished blinds. Drapes shall be lined with white or off-white exterior lining. Blinds/drapes shall be installed in all windows with the exception of non-opening decorative windows such as octagon windows. Garages with windows must have window coverings as described above. Coverings are not required for garage doors with windows installed. 6. All persons shall reduce noise levels between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 8:00 A.M. so that occupants of other Units will not be disturbed. Loud and disturbing noises shall be avoided at all times. This includes, but is not limited to, loud music or a vehicle from which loud music is emanating. 7. Planter boxes are prohibited from windows and there shall be no hanging vine or growth permitted to extend through and outside the window area. No vine or growth on any trellis is permitted to hang outside any deck or patio areas. No vegetables or other plants grown in planters shall be visible from the common elements. 8. Garage doors on Units shall not be continuously left open. 9. No obnoxious, offensive or illegal activity shall be permitted anywhere in the condominium community or individual Unit. B. Recreational Equipment 1. No bikes are allowed on the sidewalks within the community. No skateboarding, skating, motorized scooters, go-carts, playing of games or similar activities are allowed in the parking areas, streets, sidewalks, or any part of the Common Elements. 2. No bicycles or other personal property shall be parked, stored, locked to and/or placed in the common areas at any time. Bicycles wrongfully parked, stored, locked in the common areas shall be subject to removal or confiscation. C. Signs, Advertisements, Notices, etc. 1. No signs, advertisements, notices or other lettering or painting shall be exhibited, inscribed, painted or affixed on any part of the outside of the Unit or in the windows of any Unit or in the Common Elements without prior written consent of the Association. Exceptions are the following: a. One (1) Association approved For Sale sign may be displayed. The management company will provide guidelines for the size and display of the sign. b. One (1) security sign may be displayed in the front planting bed that abuts the Unit. This sign can stand no higher than 24 inches off the ground and be no larger than 9 inches in dimension for height and width. D. Decorations and Yard Ornaments 1. Seasonal and Winter Holidays a. Seasonal lights are permitted to be displayed on the shrubbery located on either side of the front door. b. The lights must be small white lights and in good working order. c. Window candles are permitted in white only. d. Lights and December holiday wreaths may be installed after the first Sunday in December and must be removed prior to January 8. e. No other exterior lights or decorations are permitted. f. Door wreaths are permitted at all times, except December holiday wreaths, which must adhere to the time frame for display stated above. 2. Front Entrance a. No more than two items may be displayed on the front porch. These items may consist of either two matching flowerpots or two small outside ornamental items that are neutral in color. b. In addition to items identified in 2a, outside permanent patio furniture is permitted where space allows. Folding lawn chairs, plastic stackable furniture, and other non- permanent furniture is prohibited. c. Other objects such as statues, birdbaths, bird feeders, bird houses, wind chimes, trellises, shepherd s hooks, decorative flags etc., are only permitted in the fenced in area. Display of such objects in the Planting Area or any place in the limited common property between the unit and the street is strictly prohibited. d. One American Flag may be displayed at each Unit. All such displays must be in accordance with the Federal Flag Code, Public Law 94-344. e. No adornment or decoration may be placed on or around mailboxes. 2
Architectural and Maintenance Guidelines A. Maintenance Responsibilities 1. All Unit repairs, painting, replacements and maintenance, whether made by Unit Owners or the Association, must be in substantial conformity with the Condominium in terms of quality of construction, materials and architectural style. 2. Should a Unit Owner undertake unauthorized additions and modifications, or refuse to make required repairs to their Unit or cause damage to Common Elements, the Association may undertake such repairs and levy a special assessment for the cost thereof against the Unit Owner. 3. Unit owners are responsible for the maintenance of their Unit. This includes painting, pressure washing of siding and removal of oil stains from driveways. Gutters and drains should be kept free of debris and unblocked for proper drainage thus avoiding damage to landscaping. Drainage tubes in flower beds should be checked regularly to clear blockages that back up into the downspouts. 4. Residents may not plant items in the flower beds over and above what has been planted by the association. B. Alterations and Additions, General 1. No material alterations or additions to Units are allowed without the prior written consent of the Association. 2. No improvements or changes to the exterior of the Unit are allowed, including painting or other decorations, without prior written consent of the Association. 3. All improvements and changes must be in substantial conformity with the exterior of the Units in terms of quality of construction, this includes the principle materials to be used and architectural style. 4. Any change to the appearance of any portion of the Condominium Property requires prior written permission of the Association. 5. Except as otherwise provided, no puncture or break in the boundaries of a Unit are allowed without the prior written permission of the Association. 6. If a Unit Owner makes unauthorized additions and modifications, or refuses to make required repairs to their Unit or causes damage to Common Elements, the Association may undertake such repairs and levy a special assessment for the cost thereof against the Unit Owner. C. Alterations and Additions, Specifics 1. Lighting for fenced-in areas shall be of original installation. Lights have been installed on fence posts of selected Units to illuminate the pathways. Owners, residents, and guests should not tamper with fence post lights so that the lights fulfill the intended purpose of providing lighted, safe walk ways. 2. Requests for storm doors must be presented to the management company who will provide guidelines for type and installation. Window air conditioning units are prohibited. D. Antennas and Satellite Dishes 1. Antennas and satellite dishes on the Common Elements or which encroach or extend over, across, on or through the Common Elements are prohibited. 2. Antennas and satellite dishes that are greater than one meter in diameter are prohibited without the prior written approval of the Association. Antennas and satellite dishes that are one meter or less in diameter shall be placed on the roof in a non-conspicuous location (i.e. toward back of house preferably), unless this location would preclude reception of an acceptable quality signal. 3. Each Unit is prewired for antenna and satellite communications from the attic to avoid the presence of unsightly and unnecessary wiring. Cable and wiring for antennas and satellite dishes should not be attached to siding or conspicuous on the exterior of the Unit to the maximum extent possible. 4. Notice shall be provided to the Association before antennas and satellite dishes are installed, which notice should include the location and manner for the installation and the specifications for the antenna. Vehicles and Parking A. General 1. The sidewalks and entrances may not be obstructed or encumbered. Vehicles parked in the driveways shall not extend into the street. Driveways should be used for ingress and egress to and from the Units. 3
2. On-street parking is permitted for daytime visitors. Overnight visitors must park in the Unit Owner s driveway or the spaces provided at the clubhouse. Residents have four parking spaces, two inside the garage and two in the driveway. Residents must park in either the garage or in the driveway in the spaces provided. On-street parking overnight is prohibited. 3. No boats, trailers, campers, recreational vehicles, PODS (portable on-site storage containers), buses or similar vehicles shall be parked or stored on Condominium Property. 4. All vehicles must have current license plates, registration, and inspection stickers. Vehicles must be in good working order. 5. Commercial vehicles belonging to Unit Owners and their families, agents, or lessees, may not be parked on Unit driveways. Commercial vehicle belonging to Unit Owners may be parked in the garage out of view. 6. PODS shall be considered the functional equivalent of a commercial vehicle belonging to a Unit Owner, his lessee or guest and may be parked only on a Unit driveway for a maximum period of three (3) consecutive days. 7. No work or maintenance shall be performed on any vehicle when on Condominium Property. Washing of permitted vehicles is permitted. A. Approval of Board of Directors Pets 1. No Pets will be permitted on the premises or in the Units except those approved in writing by the Board of Directors, and subject to the following rules. B. Pet Rules 1. Only one domestic pet shall be permitted and that pet can not have a weight exceeding 40 pounds at maturity. 2. All pets shall be kept on a leash when taken to and from the Unit or the fenced rear yard and shall not be allowed to run loose or be curbed on any of the Common Elements of the Condominium. Pet fecal waste must be picked up and removed from the common areas to include the areas around individual units. 3. All pets (cats included) must be sufficiently under control at all times so that they do not become a nuisance to the Unit Owners or occupants of other Units. 4. All pets must be licensed as required by law and vaccinated against rabies. 5. All pets must be approved by the Board of Directors and registered with the Association. The Board of Directors has the authority to withdrawn approval for any pet with 10 days written notice. 6. Pets must not be left unattended on patio enclosures. Leasing Units 1. No unit owner shall lease his Unit for a period of less than six (6) months. 2. No unit owner shall lease his Unit for purposes other than single-family, residential living. 3. No Unit may be leased to more than one family unit. When Unit is leased to unrelated persons there shall not be more than one person per bedroom occupying the Unit. 4. The unit owner shall submit a copy of the lease to the Association within one week of execution of the lease, along with lessee contact information. 5. All lessees and occupant shall be bound by the Declaration, Bylaws and the Rules & Regulations, including any amendments, whether or not the lease so states. 6. At least one lessee must be 21 years of age or older. 7. Lessee shall not sublet the unit. 8. Along with the Owner, Lessee may be held responsible for any damages to common areas, to include legal fees and court costs for removing a lessee. 4
9. If the Lessee fails to comply with the provisions of the Declaration, Bylaws or these rules and regulations, the Board of Directors shall have the power, but not the obligation, to act on the behalf of the Unit Owner to terminate the lease and bring proceedings to evict the lessee. Pool Rules and Regulations Revised as of July 21, 2014 per FHA Ruling, removal of Adult Only swim time. 1. No glassware or breakable items are permitted on the pool deck. 2. Food must be kept far away from the pool when consumed on the pool deck. 3. No smoking within the pool house. 4. No wet bathing suits are allowed in the sitting area of the pool house. 5. No running, horseplay, excessive noise, or loud music is permitted. 6. Persons under 18 must be accompanied by a resident adult and supervised while in the pool area. 7. Pool hours are from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. daily. These may change based on pool maintenance requirements. 8. The pool is for residents and their guests only. Pets are not permitted. 9. The pool clubhouse is available to residents for private gatherings of 30 or less persons. The pool will remain open to residents during private gatherings. Arrangements to reserve the pool clubhouse must be made with the management company in advance who will provide the contract and details of use. Each rental will require a $50.00 pre-paid, non-refundable cleaning fee. Gatherings may not exceed five (5) hours from set-up through breakdown. 10. Residents and their guests should use the trash receptacles provided. Trash of an obnoxious nature such as diapers, pet waste, or large amounts of food, should not be disposed of at the pool house or pool deck area. 11. The Board of Directors reserves the right to restrict pool and pool house access for residents who violate pool rules. Procedures for Complaints and Enforcement 1. Inspection The Board of Directors or Managing Agent shall periodically survey the Association for compliance with design standards and the governing documents. 2. Alleged Violations A. All reports of alleged violations must be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors who will inspect, or authorize the Managing Agent to inspect, to determine whether a violation exists. B. If it is determined that a violation exists, the following procedures will be followed: 1) A letter will be mailed requesting that the violation be corrected within a designated period of time. 2) If the violation is not corrected within the designated time, a letter will be sent by certified and regular U.S. mail advising the unit owner of the date and time, no less than fourteen days from the date of the notice, and place that a Covenants Hearing will be held regarding the violation. 3) The Covenants Hearing will be held before a panel of your peers (Covenant Hearing Board or Board of Directors). The hearing board will determine if a violation(s) existed or exists. The owner has the right to be present at the hearing but if not present the hearing will take place in the owners absence, unless the owner contacts the Association in a reasonable time in advance of the scheduled hearing to advise of a conflict, states his intent to be at the hearing and requests a continuance to another date. Every effort will be made to accommodate reasonable requests. The owner has the right to present whatever evidence they find necessary in their behalf regarding the alleged violation(s). Once all information has been received, the owner will be notified by certified and regular U.S. mail of the decision of the Hearing Board within 7 days of the hearing date. 4) The Hearing Board has the authority under the Virginia Condominium Act to levy the following charges if a violation(s) has been determined: 1. An assessment of $10.00 per day for each violation of a continuing nature, up to 90 days. The assessment may begin at the time the owner was notified; from the date of the Covenant Hearing or at a later date, at the Hearing Board s discretion. 2. A $50.00 per occurrence assessment can be levied for violation(s) that are of a non-continuing nature (trash cans placed or left curbside; not collecting after pets; etc.). 3. If work is required to the common elements as a result of a violation, the Hearing Board can assess the cost for the association s contractor to repair the common element and charge the owner all cost associated therewith. In addition, the Hearing Board can suspend the right to use facilities or services, including utility services (including without limitation the pool and pool house, parking, water, etc.) provided directly through the association for nonpayment of assessments that are more than 60 days past due. 5