We've compiled a list of some Frequently Asked Questions below.

Community Related

• How do I find out about the parking rules for Wescott Ridge?
• What do I do if I receive a violation notice?
• Who do I call if my car is towed?
• Who do I contact with Questions or Concerns?
• How do I get a pool pass or find out how to use the clubhouse?
• How do I get involved?
• What is a "management company," what do they do, and how do I reach them?
• What is a homeowner's association?
• What are the covenants, or architectural restrictions or CC&R'S?
• What are the Bylaws?
• What is the Board of Directors?
• Are there any other rules?
• If I am having a problem with a neighbor for a violation of the Policies and Guidelines, what can I do?
• Are Board Meetings open to all residents? If so, where and when are they held?
• If I want to serve on a committee, how do I find out what committees are active and how I can get involved?
• What is my assessment?
• How is the amount of my assessment determined?
• What does my assessment pay for?
  
• Will my assessment go up?
• What happens if I don't pay my assessment?

The Townhomes

• How do I put up a deck or a fence? Or how do I know what I can stain my deck/fence with?
• How do I find out information regarding modification of the exterior of my townhouse?

Q: What is a "management company," what do they do, and how do I reach them?
A:  A management company is not a contractor, but an agent tasked to act on behalf of the volunteer Board of Directors to secure and manage such services as: collection of assessments, supervision of contractors, obtaining bids for contracted services, providing financial statements and collection reports, as well as a general clearing house for problem solving, communications with homeowners and serve as a professional advisor to the Board of Directors. The management agent reports directly to the Board and all decisions are made by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. The management agent may be reached the contact information on the "Management Contacts" page on this website under the "Contacts" menu.
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Q: What is a homeowner's association?
A:  It is a non-profit corporation registered with the State and managed by a duly elected Board of Directors. The Board is composed of homeowners at the community who serve on a volunteer basis. Its purpose is to maintain all common areas and to govern the community in accordance with the provision of the legal documents: CC&R's, Bylaws, and Articles of Incorporation. The governing legal documents for each association are accessible under the "Governing Documents" section under each associations menu name. The corporation is financially supported by all members of the homeowners association. Membership is both automatic and mandatory.
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Q: What are the covenants, or architectural restrictions or CC&R'S?
A:  Whether they are called covenants, or architectural rules/restrictions or the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R's), they all serve the same purpose. These are the governing legal documents that establish the existence, rights and duties of the community as a non-profit corporation. The CC&R's are recorded by the County recorder's office of the County in which the property is located and are included in the title to your property. Failure to abide by the CC&R's may result in a fine to a homeowner by the Association. The governing legal documents for each association are accessible under the "Governing Documents" section under each associations menu.
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Q: What are the Bylaws?
A:  The Bylaws are the guidelines for the operation of the non-profit corporation. The Bylaws define the duties of the various offices of the Board of Directors, the terms of the Directors, the membership's voting rights, required meetings and notices of meetings, and the principal office of the Association, as well as other specific items that are necessary to run the Association as a business. The Bylaws for each association are accessible under the "Governing Documents" section under each associations menu.
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Q: What is the Board of Directors?
A:  The Homeowner's Association again is a corporation and therefore a governing body that is required to oversee its business. The Board of Directors is elected by the homeowners, or as otherwise specified in the bylaws. The limitation and restrictions of the powers of the Board of Directors is outlined in the each association's governing documents found under the "Governing Documents" section under each associations menu.
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Q: Are there any other rules?
A:  Most associations have developed Rules and Regulations as provided for in the CC&R's and adopted by the Board of Directors. Rules are established to provide direction to the homeowners for common courtesies with regard to parking, vehicles, pets and pool use hours, etc. In addition, your Association will adopt Architectural Guidelines with procedures for submitting requests to make exterior changes to your home. Such changes may include patio covers, decks, landscaping, exterior color changes or extensive interior changes and additions. These rules and guidelines are set up to maintain the aesthetic value and integrity of the community on behalf of all owners, and hopefully protect the market value of your investment as well. Violations of these rules may result in action by the Board of Directors and a fine. In addition, if you proceed with an exterior improvement or change, without written approval of the Board of Directors, or Architectural Committee, as applicable, you will be required to remove or correct the alteration and/or be fined for the violation.
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Q: If I am having a problem with a neighbor for a violation of the Policies and Guidelines, what can I do?
A:  If residents cannot resolve a situation between themselves, there may be recourse through the efforts of your Association. Although we must remember that the Association is not a substitute for a police matter. But should you have a situation that does not appear to be resolved through neighborly means, that is addressed in the governing documents as being within the purview of the association and you are willing to actively participate in the enforcement provided by the Policies and Guidelines, you may complete a Covenant Violation form online. If the situation is deemed in violation of the Policies and Guidelines, the Board of Directors will institute the enforcement policy. Your continued assistance may be required.
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Q: Are Board Meetings open to all residents? If so, where and when are they held?
A:  Yes. Notice of the time and place of any regular board meeting will be noted on each associations menu, under Meeting Minutes, or accessed online on the Calendar page. Under certain very specific circumstances, a closed meeting may be held subject to notices, restrictions of activity, etc. No action can be taken at a closed meeting, but it does facilitate discussion of confidential matters such as litigation.
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Q: If I want to serve on a committee, how do I find out what committees are active and how I can get involved?
A:  If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the committee chair or the Management Office.
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Q: What is my assessment?
A:  The assessment is the periodic amount due from each homeowner to cover the operating expenses of the common area and provide for reserve funds for replacement of common facilities in future years. The Board of Directors adopts an annual budget (provided to all owners) that actually sets the annual assessment for your home. Your assessments are due on the first of the month. The Assessments provide the only source of funding for the association and, by law, is not subject to deductions.
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Q: How is the amount of my assessment determined?
A:  The Annual Budget is really another means of determining a plan of operations for the Association in the coming year. It is set with specific guidelines for utilities, landscaping, administration, etc. Reserve funds are monies set aside for future expenses due to the life expectancy of certain items: lighting, street resurfacing, pool equipment, etc. The total amount is then divided amongst the owners using any formulas stipulated in the Declaration and Bylaws.
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Q: What does my assessment pay for?
A:  Your assesment pays for: trash removal, recycling, snow removal on streets, common area clean up / landscaping care, pet waste stations, community lighting, community roads / maintenance, storm water drain maintenance, our tot-lot and their maintenance, covenants enforcement for exterior modifications and parking (exterior modifications - townhomes only), community management, community notifications / mailings, community website, re-striping the cross walks, parking spaces and yellow curbside painting, and general repair and maintenance througout the community.
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Q: Will my assessment go up?
A:  There can be good reasons for it to go up, but it's in everyone's best interest to operate your community as efficiently as possible so positive efforts to avoid this are always made. As a matter of fact, there is little room for discretionary funds in a community budget (you always have to pick up the trash, cut the grass, etc.), so changes can usually be foreseen. As owners, the Board members are also subject to the same assessments.
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Q: What happens if I don't pay my assessment?
A:  The maintenance and management services incurred by the Association are dependent upon timely receipt of the assessments due from each homeowner. Late payments will result in a late charge as assessments are due on the first of the month. In addition, the CC&R's allows the Association to charge late charges and interest and proceed with a lien on your property, or foreclosure proceeding for nonpayment of assessments.
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