Mount Air Conservancy

Policy Resolution No. 2

Architectural and Grounds Guidelines

 

 

7. SPECIFIC GUIDELINES

The following is a partial list of the more common changes to home exteriors and the basic requirements for each. This list is not intended to be all-inclusive and is only an example of changes, which must be approved by the ACC.. Nothing contained in these guidelines relieves the homeowner from first obtaining specific approval for the project from the ACC as described in paragraph three (3). Also included are guidelines for maintenance of homes and grounds and of common areas.

a) Decks and patios

  1. Pressure treated southern yellow pine or other wood that conforms to Fairfax County Code (subject to approval of the ACC) shall be used for all wood components.
  2. No painting of wood components is permitted.
  3. AMENDED – 04-17-2007
    EXTERIOR WOOD PRESERVATIVES/WATERPROOFING COMPOUNDS FOR DECK & PATIOS
    Wood Preservatives have several types of finishes and are formulated with Water Repellents and/or Oil Preservatives, UV Stabilizers, Pigments, Colors, Stains and Solids
            a)  “CLEAR FINISHES” preservative/water sealer finishes are acceptable and do not require ACC approval. These products MAY NOT contain tints,pigments, stains or coloring.Oil based “Clear” finishes are likely to cause a darkening of the wood, especially if it has weathered. This effect is considered to be an inherent tendency of the product and does not constitute a violation of the ACC guidelines.

            b)  “TINTED, PIGMENTED AND SEMI_TRANSPARENT FINISHES” Only pigmented color with water repellent sealer and /or oil preservative finishes that show the grain of the wood will be allowed that are of light color ( Natural or Cedar Color).
     SEE APPROVED LIST BY MANUFACTURER.     [ ADOBE .PDF  ]
    All other pigmented colors such as Redwood, Driftwood, etc are prohibited. Additionally, SOLIDS and STAINS are prohibited.

    In any and all cases, any Tinted, Pigmented Transparent or Semi-Transparent finishes for decks still require ACC approval on a case-by-case basis. If you choose a color outside the Approved List, you must submit a sample of treated wood with the ACC Application, so that the effect of the finish can be assessed. This is required as there are many manufacturers with different formulations and variation of the shades of Natural or Cedar.
  4. Specific deck designs will be considered on a case by case basis.
  5. All construction shall be in compliance with Fairfax County Code.
  6. Water run off problems shall not be created on neighboring lots or common areas.
  7. No items shall be suspended from decks for the purpose of storage.
  8. Top floor decks will not be approved.
  9. Decks, above the fence level, may be added to the backside of the townhouse only, and for end units, shall not be extended laterally beyond the side face not forward of the back face of the building.

b) Storm Doors/Screens/Security Doors

  1. Full view designs are recommended.
  2. Must be of wood, vinyl, or aluminum with white baked enamel finish.
  3. Security doors with bars are not allowed.

 

c) Sheds/Storage Units

  1. Will be considered on a case by case basis.
  2. May not be attached in any manner to a house or fence.
  3. May not extend above or beyond an existing privacy fence without prior written approval.
  4. Must be weather resistant wood or be of metal construction.
  5. Woodsheds may not be painted. Pigmented stains and preservatives will be considered on a case by case basis. Clear water sealer/preservatives are acceptable and do not require ACC approval.
  6. Water run off from shed roof must fall on shed owner's property.
  7. All sheds will be maintained in good condition and repair.
  8. No items are to be stored on top of sheds.

 

d) Hot Tubs/Jacuzzis

  1. These items must be installed within the homeowner's rear fenced lot and be at ground level.
  2. Installation must meet all applicable County Codes.
  3. Electrical connections should be made by a licensed electrician.

e) Fences and Gates

1) Front yard fences are not permitted.

2) Rear yard fences are to match existing fence in design and timber sizes and are not to extend beyond property lines nor further forward than the back face of the townhouse.

3) Approved material includes, pressure treated pine, cedar or redwood; horizontal runners (2x4's). Hardware will be either galvanized or stainless steel.

4) Fence extensions sections must not exceed 6 feet in height.

5) No paint, pigmented stain or preservatives may be used. Clear preservative is permitted.

6) Gates must be the same as existing design and material installed by builder except for material substitute allowed in paragraph 7. E. 3. Fence and gate must be of same wood material.

7) No chain links or wire fencing is allowed.

8) Fences and gates shall be maintained in good repair (i.e., no gates off their hinges, no broken boards, no leaning fences or posts). If vines are permitted to grow on fences, they should be trimmed in such a manner that they do not protrude outside fencing, especially back or side fences exposed to common areas.

9) Pressure treated lattice material may be used to extend the bottom of back yard fences to the ground . Chicken wire fencing is not permitted to extend the bottom of back yard fences.

f) Exterior Painting   

1) Painting or repainting must conform to existing colors and pattern of house unless a color change has been submitted and approved by the ACC.

2) Must be done in a professional manner.

3) Masonry, concrete steps and concrete fences are not to be painted. Only those areas that are painted may be repainted.

4) Bay window caps are the homeowner's responsibility and must be repainted in an approved metallic copper color.

5) Only exterior Colonial Williamsburg colors are acceptable for front doors, shutters, and painted trim. Variation in shade shall be considered on a case by case basis. Paint color samples should be submitted with application to the ACC.  See Approved Colors

6) Iron railings and house numbers shall be repainted in semi-gloss black.

7) Paint on the exterior fixtures of the home (i.e. front doors, garages, shutters, associated trim, handrails, etc.) Shall be maintained in a uniform and good repair (with no peeling, chipping or stains).

g) Exterior Maintenance.

1) Replacement gutters and down spouts shall be the same color as originally installed by the builder.

2) It is the responsibility of each homeowner to maintain the exterior portion of his home and property.

3) No baby carriages, bicycles, or other articles of personal property shall be deposited, allowed to remain overnight on any lot except on the enclosed rear yard.

4) Front or back yards shall not be used as open storage areas.

5) Properties shall be kept free of debris, trash and offensive organic matter.

6) Hoses and sprinklers used for watering front lawns and flower beds may be left in the front area of units if stored neatly and unobtrusively. Use of hose rack and retractable hoses is encouraged.

h) Antenna/Satellite Dish

1) No outside antenna, satellite dish or similar device shall be permitted.

(This has been superseded by a subsequent resolution.)

i) Landscaping

1) Major landscaping work and plantings require the approval of the ACC. Major landscaping is considered to be anything that would change the character of the yard from its original (i.e. increasing mulched area, adding or removing shrubs or trees).

2) Lawns shall be a uniform ground cover of green grass and present an acceptable appearance.

3) Trees, shrubs, lawns, hedges, vines, and ground cover shall be planted so that they will not interfere with or protrude in any manner on a neighbor's property. Shrubs or other plants that from barriers between individual properties or common areas are not permitted.

4) Dead shrubs and trees on private property should be removed and replaced with similar sized shrubs or trees. Shrubs and trees shall not be removed from common grounds.

5) Landscape materials;

a) Gravel style stones shall not be used outside fenced back yards.

b) Front yard edging or border material shall be pressure treated wood, red clay or white clay solid rectangular bricks which must be properly installed and maintained.

c) No sculptures, fountains or ornamentals are permitted outside fenced backyards. This does not preclude display of seasonal decorations.

6) Vegetable gardens are not permitted outside of fenced backyards.

7) NOTHING SHALL BE PLANTED ON OR REMOVED FROM COMMON GROUNDS WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

j) Roof Exhaust Units/Attic Fans

1) Mechanical or Electromechanical roof/attic exhaust devices shall be installed on the rear of the roof, below the crown, so they are not visible from the front of the house. Replacement ridge vents will be similar to those originally installed by the developer.

2) Exhaust devices and there installation must conform to current national and local codes. Electrical wiring will generally require a permit from Fairfax County; therefore any installation should be performed by a licensed contractor.

3) Applications submitted for approval must include a drawing showing location of exhaust device and a brochure of other detailed description of exhaust device.

k) Poles/Towers/Wires

1) No poles, towers or wires for the transmission or reception of electrical, telephone, or radio messages and the like shall be installed.

2) No permanent poles, ropes or wire structures for the purpose of hanging clothes to dry shall be placed or maintained in yards or on decks. Temporary lines shall be permitted below fence lines.

l) Shutter/ Window/Screens

1) All exterior windows, shutters, and screens shall be the same style; size and color as originally installed by the builder.

2) The aluminum frames of the windows and screens shall have a white, baked enamel finished.

3) Polar windows (similar to the style of existing windows) and atrium doors may be approved as upgrades to existing window and patio doors on the backside only.

4) Bars on ground level window only are allowed.

m) Chimneys/Woodstoves/New Fireplaces

1) Detailed drawings must be submitted to the ACC for approval.

2) All fireplaces and woodstove flues must be covered to match the existing outside wall of the townhouse unit.

3) Installation of woodstoves, inserts and new fireplaces must comply with state and local fire safety regulations.

n) Playground Equipment

1) Exterior playground equipment may only be placed in the rear yard and may not extend above the fence or onto common property without prior approval of the ACC.

o) Trash

1) No property shall be used or maintained as a dumping ground for rubbish.

2) Garbage or other waste shall be kept in covered sanitary containers or heavy-duty trash bags within rear yards. Neither trash containers nor recycling containers are to be kept in front of side yards.

3) Garbage containers should be placed on front curb no earlier than the night before pickup (after daylight hours). Containers should be removed the same day as pickup.

p) Vehicle Repair

1) Automotive repair and extraordinary maintenance work shall not be performed on Mt. Air Common grounds. This includes parking areas or grassy areas. Minor repairs (flat tire, dead battery) which can be completed within 24 hours are permitted (See Policy Resolution No. 3; Parking and Towing for additional information).

2) Residents in violation of any of these rules are subject to having their vehicle towed at their own expense and risk. In addition, residents will be billed for any grounds repair costs resulting from vehicle repair work.

q) Miscellaneous

1) Awnings are not permitted.

2) Approval is required for ornamental trees, hanging planers, flower boxes or other decorative additions located on the exterior of the house. Approval for these items shall be granted of they are determined to conform to the overall architectural harmony and appearance of the community.

3) Exterior lighting shall not be directed in such a manner as to create annoyance to neighboring units. A location plan must be submitted to the ACC for approval. No additional exterior lighting in the front yard is permitted without ACC approval. Additional lighting in the backyard requires approval if it is visible above the fence.

4) Motorized vehicles or sleds with runners are not allowed on grassy common areas.

5) Building materials or wood for fireplaces as well as all other private property must be stored within the fenced enclosure of each homeowner's lot, below the fence line, and stacked neatly in an area not visible from public streets or sidewalks. Chopping of wood should only be done within the homeowner's enclosed backyard.

6) Occupants shall not install newspaper or mail boxes.

7) Damage to common areas caused by a homeowner's action will be repaired at the homeowner's expense.

8) Holiday decorations and lights must be removed within two (2) calendar weeks after the holiday. The decorations shall not extend into a neighbor's property or common ground.

9) All signs must be temporary; no more than one sign is permitted per property. No sign of any kind exceeding six square foot area shall be displayed for public view on any lot, except for one temporary advertising the lot for sale or rent. The latter will be removed immediately upon sale or rental of the advertised townhouse. Real estate signs at the entrance to the Village of Mount Air are only allowed on weekends. Other signs require grounds committee approval.

10) Electronic insect traps shall be regulated based on the same criteria as for exterior lighting. No device shall be installed or maintained in such a way as to cause discomfort to adjacent owners from noise, and may only be operated during those times when the immediate area protected by the trap is occupied by the owner or his/her guests.

11) Replacement of roofing material shall be roofing shingles only of similar size, weight and color of that originally installed by the builder.