Deed Restriction Guidelines and Clarifications

To better serve you and your neighborhoood and assist in enhancing the image and the property values of Bastrop at Riverside Grove, the Board of Directors and the Architectural Control Committee ("ACC") has drawn together some genereal guidelines addressing the most commonly asked questions regarding Deed Restrictions and their enforcement.

Often residents do not get a chance to read the Deed Restrictions thoroughly, resulting in accidental violations that create awkward situations that can be expensive for both the Association and the individual lot owner to rectify. Therefore, we hope you find these guidelines helpful and we encourage you to take a few moments to familiarize yourselves with them.

These guidelines are not intended to replace or supercede the Deed Restrictions and/or final written approval of the ACC. We welcome your questions and comments regarding the Deed Restrictions for your Association.

All improvements to the exterior of any Lot must be approved by the Architectural Control Committee ("ACC") before costruction begins.

1. Storage Sheds: Storage sheds must be constructed of materials equivalent to those used in the construction of the home. For example:
• The siding must be of at least the same quality as that used on the home.
• The paint must match that of the home.
• The shingles must be the same as on the home.
• The building need not be constructed of brick.
• Metal sheds or plywood sheds will not be allowed.
• Sheds may not exceed one story in height, which has been interpreted by your ACC as being no higher than thirteen feet (13') at the apex.
• No building may be located nearer than ten feet (10') of the side property line (increased to fifteen feet (15') for corner lots) nor nearer than fifteen feet (15') of the rear property line.
2. Arbors/Patio Covers: Arbors and patio covers must meet the following:
• Be of cedar or a wood that is painted to match the home.
• Be shingled to match the home.
• Lattice on the arbor will be considered.
3. Decks: Backyard deck additions must meet the following:
• Be of cedar or a wood that is painted to match the home.
4. Room Additions: Additions to a home may be considered if they meet the following:
• The garage cannot be converted into a room.
• All materials used match those of the home, including siding, brick, windows, paint color, shingles, etc.
• Sunrooms will be considered.

(Approval by the ACC does not waive a municipality's permit requirement. Please check with your contractor and with the City of Bastrop prior to the construction of any building or addition.)

5. Fences: Fences will need to meet the following criteria:
   • Wood fences must use #1 grade cedar slats and shall not exceed six feet (6') in height.
   • posts may be of steel cedar and must face toward the interior of the Lot.
   • Fences constructed of wrought iron, brick or masonry may be considered by the ACC, but may not exceed six feet (6') in height.

   • A fence may only incorporate side and rear yards. Side fences may not extend past the front of the home.
6. Garbage Container Screening: The Deed Restrictions state that your container must be appropriately screen from view except on trash pick-up day. There are a number of ways to accomplish this. Summarized below are four acceptable alternatives:
   1. Fence: Placing your container behind the existing privacy fence is an easy and inexpensive alternative.
   2. Landscaping:

   Added greenery to the yard can inexpensively screen your garbage container. The ACC has determined that landscape screening planted exclusively for the purposes of garbage container screening does not require prior written approval providing it does no alter the drainage plan of the lot or cause a slight impediment to neighboring lots.

   3. Garage: After garbage day, return the container inside your garage. This again is an inexpensive solution that does not require ACC approval or notification.
   4. Fence Enclosure: The ACC has pre-approved structures constructed as follows:
      • An area surrounded by a six (6) foot high, wood privacy fence, where the area is against the side or rear wall of the residence (with no roof) and is no larger than four (4) feet deep and six (6) feet wide. The enclosure will have a gate.

      (If you meet these specifications, you do not need to submit plans for approval to the ACC. Otherwise, you need to request ACC approval.)

7. Recreational Equipment: Section 9.23 (Athletic and Recreational Facilities) prohibits the permanent of semi-permanent placement of any outdoor recreational equipment in the front of any Lot; however, they are allowed to be placed in the front of the Lot and used over the "course of a day." For the purposes of these guidelines, weekends will be considered to be the course of a single-day. Under no circumstances will the placement of any recreational equipment in any public right-of-way be sanctioned or accepted by the ACC or the Board of Directors.
   • Outdoor recreational equipment includes, but is not exclusive of:
     • Basketball goals
     • Soccer nets
     • Playscapes
     • Trampolines
     • Volleyball nets
     • Inflatable pools
8. Landscaping: All significant landscaping improvements need ACC approval. Other genereal guidelines regarding lanscape material are:
   • Trees and other foliage over 2' tall need ACC approval.
   • Masonry retaining walls need ACC approval.
   • Ground cover is defined as a planting of low plants (such as ivy) that covers the ground in place of turf. Rock or stone ground cover may not exceed ten percent (10%) of the total front and side yard.

   Other landscaping related items are as follows:

   • Lawn Furniture - Lawn furniture in good repair is allowed on front porches and may be considered otherwise by the ACC, but must be incorporated into a landscape theme if visible from other lots.
   • Decorations - A bird-bath is acceptable without prior written approval from the ACC. Booster signs for school-related activities are acceptable without prior written approval from the ACC.
   • Yard Maintenance - Section 9.15 (Landscaping and Exterior Maintenance) requires that "Growth of grasses in lawns must be properly maintained not to exceed six (6) inches in height. All landscaping located on any Lot shall be properly maintained at all times by the Lot Owner." In an attempt to clarify and define proper maintenance, please use the following specifications:
     • Grass will be trimmed away from sidewalks, building, planted areas and other obstacles according to the attached schedule. It is suggested that line trimmers, mechanical edgers and chemicals are employed to keep a neat, tidy appearance.
     • Four-inch caliper trees and shrubs should be pruned to avoid blocking clear view of signs, illumination by light fixtures, the flow of air vents and air conditioner compressors as well as pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
   • Garden Maintenance Equipment - Lawn mowers, edgers, wheelbarrows, etc. may not be left out in view of other lots except when in use. Bulk/bag material (mulch, topsoil, etc.) may not be left out in view for longer than thirty (30) days.
9. Window Coverings: Section 9.20 (Windows Treatment) restricts the use of certain window coverings, such as foil. The ACC has further clarifid that the following will be considered unsightly:
   • Non-permanent window converings such as butcher paper, sheets, blankets, newspaper, etc. Temporary coverings may, however, be allowed for a period not to exceed 45 days following the date of closing.
10. Motor Vehicles: The ACC considers vehicles with broken windshields or flat tires left on any portion of the Property in excess of 48 hours to be unsightly and in violation of Section 9.6 (c) (Motor Vehicles)
    • Commercial Vehicles are defined as being oversized commercial grades vehicles (larger than a ¾ ton truck or a standard passenger van) with or without company logos. Standard size vehicles with logos painted or applied to the side(s) of the vehicles are not considered commercial vehicles.
11. Pools: Above ground pools are strictly prohibited within the property. Inground pools must be approved by the ACC prior to construction.
12. Service areas, etc.: Service areas, storage areas, compost piles and facilities for hanging, drying or airing clothing or household fabrics shall be appropriately screen from view. No lumber, grass, plant wasted, shrub, or tree clippings, metal bulk materials, scrap, refuse, or trash shall be kept, stored, or allowed to accumulate on any portion of the Property except with enclosed structures or appropriately screen from view.
13. Nuisance Complaints: Complaints related to noise (i.e., loud music, dog barking) and pet defection may be reported to the Management Company for action on behalf of the assocation. To be considered a noise-related nuisance, the activity must be in violation of the hours set forth by the City of Bastrop noise ordinance and must last for a duration of one or more hours. Pet-related complains must be inclusive of a description of the pet (breed, color, size) and specific dates and times the offensive activity took place. Without these specifics the complaint cannot be acted upon. The Board of Directors will not take further action on any nuisance-related complaint unless two or more unrelated members make a legitimate complaint against the same Lot Owner. In the event two or more unrelated members lodge a complaint against the same Lot Owners, the Board of Directors may consider further action on behalf of the assocation if, and only if, the complaints and be verified.
    • Speeding is not defined as a nuisance under the Decleration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions. Residents who observe speeding on any public roadway in side the subdivision should report such to the City of Batrop Police Department (321-5550).
    • Situations that may place any members in immediate danger should be reported immediately to the Police Department (9-1-1).
14. Signage: The ACC and the Board of Directors does not interpret for sale or other similar signage posted in a vehicle window to be in violation of Section 9.5 (Signs). As noted in the landscaping clarifications above, booster signs are considered to be lawn ornamentation by the ACC and are therefore not prohibited under Section 9.5 (Signs).

These guidelines are not intented to replace or supercede the Deed Restrictions and/or final written approval of the ACC. In all cases the ACC will have final approval, as per Section 5.2 of the Deed Restrictions and the Deed Restrictions will be the final authority.

Site plans and descriptions of proposed improvements can be submitted, along with the Approval Request Form, to the Architecturla Control Committee at the following address:

     Bastrop at Riverside Grove Homeowners Association Architectural Control Commmittee
     c/o Preferred Association Management Company (PAMCO)
     P O Box 200145 
     Austin, Texas 78720 
     512-918-8100