See the Official Architectural Standards & Resolutions
for the most up-to-date and in-depth information
Standard 1 - Fences
1.1 Fencing shall match the existing fencing installed by the builder height (i.e. six (6) feet), wood-type (i.e. pressure-treated pine or cedar), and design (i.e. board-on- board fences).
1.2 Fences shall be restricted to rear and side yards.
1.3 Fences shall be constructed of pressure-treated or decay-resistant wood, which should match the type of wood in the existing fence (i.e. pine or cedar). Chain link or other non-wood materials are not permitted.
1.4 The surface of all fences shall be maintained in their natural (unfinished) state or a clear waterproofing sealer can be used.
1.5 Fences that enclose the majority of the rear yard must have a gate. The gate’s design must match the existing style of other gates in the immediate area.
Standard 2 - Antennas
Standard 2 - Antennas (See Appendix E.)
Standard 3 - Decks
The definition of a deck shall be consistent with that of the County of Fairfax, Virginia, and shall include any patio, balcony, terrace gallery veranda, piazza, porch portico, or similar projection from an outer wall of a house. A deck shall also include any associated stairs.
3.1 Decks are an extension of the house and thus have significant impact on its appearance. Decks may also affect the privacy of adjacent properties. These two (2) factors are weighed heavily in the review of an application.
3.2 Decks are to be located in the rear yard only.
3.3 Modifications to existing decks shall provide compatibility in detailing such as materials, wood color, and the design of railings and trim.
3.4 Elevated decks shall be constructed of pressure-treated or decay-resistant wood and must be architecturally compatible with the size and location of the house.
3.5 Ground level decks shall be constructed of pressure-treated wood, brick, stone, and/or concrete.
3.6 No deck shall be used for storage of other than normal outdoor furniture and barbecue equipment. Freezers, refrigerators, or other such large, unsightly items are prohibited.
Standard 4 - Storage Sheds
4.1 While sheds must provide sufficient volume for their intended use, they must be of a size which is appropriate for the size of the property and be architecturally compatible with the applicant’s house and adjacent houses. These factors are weighed heavily In the review of an application.
4.2 Sheds must be located in the rear yards, Side yard and front yard locations are prohibited.
4.3 Sheds should not be any higher than the height of the fence. (See Guideline I - Fences).
Standard 5 - Storm and Screen Doors, Windows
5.1 Storm and screen doors and windows must be compatible with the general architectural design and colors of the house and the community.
5.2 Insulating plastic shall not be used on the exterior of windows and/or sliding glass doors. No reflective materials shall be used to create a mirror effect.
5.3 The storm doors should be black, white, or color of front door.
Standard 7 - Recreation and Play Equipment
7.1 Children’s play equipment such as sandboxes, temporary wading pools having a depth of less than 24 inches, swing sets, play houses, and tents shall not require prior approval of the AC provided such equipment is not more than six (6) feet high and is in good repair (including painting). No equipment higher than six (6) feet is allowed.
7.2 Children’s play equipment shall be located only in rear yards.
7.3 Children’s play equipment may not be stored in the front yard or on porches.
7.4 Equipment constructed of wood shall be pressure-treated or decay-resistant.
Standard 8 - Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs, and Spas
8.1 No swimming pools (permanent or portable) are permitted except for children’s wading pools (see Guideline 7-Recreation and Play Equipment).
8.2 Hot tubs and spas will be considered for approval, if they are sized appropriately and have a lockable cover and a lockable fence around it and any mechanical equipment. The fence must comply with Guideline 1 - Fences.
8.3 Hot tubs and spas must be located in rear yards and not visible from the street in front of the house.
8.4 The aesthetic value of any hot tub or spa will also be taken into consideration in the review process.
Standard 9 - Major Exterior Alterations
9.1 Major exterior building alterations are generally considered to be those which substantially alter the existing structure by subtraction and/or addition.
9.2 Any proposed alteration must be compatible in scale, materials, and color with the applicants existing house, and be in keeping with the existing lot size.
9.3 The location of a proposed alteration shall not impair the views, or the amount of sunlight and natural ventilation on adjacent properties.
9.4 Windows and doors in any new construction shall match the type in the applicant’s existing house and shall be located in a manner which will relate well with the location of existing exterior openings in the house.
9.5 If changes in grade or other conditions which will affect drainage are anticipated, they must be indicated in the proposal.
9.6 Construction materials shall be stored so that safety problems are minimized. Excess material and debris shall be immediately removed after the completion of construction.
Standard 10 - Miscellaneous Items
10.1 Attic Ventilator Fans
Attic ventilator fans shall only be installed on the rear roof and shall be below the roof ridge line. They are not to be visible from the street in front of the house. No prior approval is necessary.
10.2 Chimneys and Metal Flues
a. Only wood frame enclosed chimneys may be installed.
b. The chimney must be compatible in design, location, material, and in color with the existing house.
c. The metal flues should be maintained properly (i.e. excessive rust or deterioration will be in violation). Metal flues can be painted using a matte finish silver or black paint.
10.3 Air Conditioners
Window air conditioning units are not permitted.
10.4 Clotheslines
a. Clotheslines must be in the rear yards and not visible from the street in front of the house.
b. Washed clothing may be dried only Monday through Saturday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (See Article VII, Section 7 of the Restrictive Covenants.)
c. No prior approval is necessary.
10.5 Dog Houses
a. Dog houses must be located in the rear yard. They should be situated so as not to be an inconvenience or nuisance to neighbors.
b. Dog houses shall be compatible with the applicants house in color or natural (unfinished) wood and be properly proportioned to the size of the lot.
c. Approval will be contingent upon the homeowner’s commitment to keep the dog house clean and well maintained.
10.6 Exterior Lighting
a. No exterior lighting shall be directed outside the homeowner’s property.
b. Proposed lighting fixtures must be compatible in style and scale with, the applicant’s house.
10.7 Exterior Painting
a. Exterior painting must be approved by the AC. A listing of the approved paint colors for each house is on the SKS website or see APPENDIX F, A-10-15.
b. All workmanship must be of high quality (i.e. no visible defects in the painting surface).
10.8 Flagpoles and Flags
a. Flagpoles are not permitted. A flag mount bracketed to a house front Is acceptable without AC approval provided that the size of the flag and the mount are appropriate to the size of the home.
b. Flags may be displayed as long as they are in compliance with the spirit and standards of the community.
10.9 House Numbers
House numbers shall be left in the same location at the same time the house was constructed and replacement numbers must be of identical style and size.
10.10 Retaining Walls
a. Retaining walls shall require approval and shall be constructed of poured concrete or pressure-treated or decay-resistant wood.
b. Walls must be designed to avoid adversely affecting drainage patterns on the applicant’s and neighboring properties.
10.11 Shutters
a. No shutters shall be added without prior approval of the AC.
b. Shutters must be painted and maintained in accordance with Association standards and color schemes.
10.12 Awnings
No awnings are allowed.
10.13 Signs
a. No sign of any kind that is larger than one foot square shall be on any lot except one temporary for sale or rent sign of not more than 4 square feet. No prior approval is necessary.
b. No signs should be placed on common property.
10.14 Landscaping and Vegetable Gardens
a. Landscaping work and planting vegetable gardens in general do not require prior approval and shall be designed to avoid adversely affecting drainage patterns on the applicant’s and neighboring properties. Vegetable gardens shall be located in the rear yard and must be properly maintained during and after the growing season.
b. Planting of shrubs in the front yard that are of similar type to existing shrubbery in general does not require prior approval.
c. Planting of shrubs or flowers outside of property lines must be submitted for approval. Plants that are approved must be properly maintained by the homeowner.
d. All garden borders must be approved by the AC. Garden borders must be made of wood, brick, or natural stone and be of appropriate size. Garden borders are defined as borders that encompass trees, and flowers/plant or foundation beds.
e. The grass in both the common areas and the front yard of each unit will be mowed by the Association. The grass in the back yard of each unit (inside the rear fenced area) will be the responsibility of each resident.
The Association will be responsible for the mulching of the tree beds in the common areas, tree beds in the front yard of each unit, and the foundation bed in the front yard of each unit.
Further, the Association will be responsible for the following tasks in both common areas and the front yard of each unit: edging, weed control, leaf removal, general turf and bed clean up, curb line clean up, and turf fertilization.
The Association is responsible for trimming/replacement of all trees and shrubbery in the common areas of the community.
It will be the responsibility of the homeowner for any removal/replacement of all trees and shrubbery in their front yards, i.e., storm damaged or overgrown trees/shrubbery.
The Association will perform minor maintenance trimming of trees/shrubbery in the front yards of the units.
Any homeowner who does not want the Association landscaping company to perform any of these services on their property, should contact the property management company.
10.15 Temporary Structures
No structure of a temporary character, trailer, shack, garage, barn, or other outbuilding shall be used on any lot any time as a residence either temporarily or permanently.
10.16 Garbage and Recyclables Management
a. No lot shall be used or maintained as a dumping ground for garbage or recyclable items.
b. Garbage, recyclables or other solid waste shall be secured in garbage containers provided by Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Division. Paper bags or boxes are not acceptance containers. All Fairfax County containers should be kept in sanitary condition. All containers must have house address numbers affixed to them.
c. No garbage or recyclables or garbage or recyclables containers shall be stored or placed in the front, side or outside the rear yard of any townhome.
For household items too large or too heavy for standard collection, contact Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Customer Service at (703) 802-3322 to schedule a SPECIAL COLLECTION. Items too large or heavy would include rocks, bricks, construction materials, furniture, mattresses, and appliances.
YARD WASTE (grass, leaves, brush) must be placed at the curb in SEPARATE containers (bags) or tied in bundles no longer than four feet, each weighing no more than 50 pounds. More than four bundles of tied yard waste require a special collection.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE AND ELECTRICS must be taken by residents to either of the county’s solid waste facilities at 4618 Ox Road, Fairfax, or 9850 Lorton Road, Lorton. This is a free service.
10.17 Animals
a. Section 9 of the Restrictive Covenants states that: No livestock, Including horses, cattle and hogs, nor fowl such as chickens or pigeons shall be kept on the property. The breeding of animals for commercial purposes is prohibited. Pets shall be restrained and controlled as required by ordinance now or hereafter promulgated by Fairfax County, Virginia, (See Article VI?, Section 9, of the Restrictive Covenants.)
b. Pet owners must clean up after their pets. An owner who neglects this responsibility can be cited.
10.18 Yards
All yards and lots in general shall be maintained in a neat and attractive manner (i.e. trees and shrubs must be trimmed and shaped) so as not to detract from the appearance of the community.
10.19 Firewood
a. Firewood shall be stored in neatly stacked piles that are kept off the ground to prevent rodent and insect infestation.
b. The firewood piles shall be placed only in the rear yard.
c. No prior approval is necessary.
10.20 Vehicles
a. No junk vehicles, recreational vehicles, house trailers, commercial or industrial vehicles such as, but not limited to, moving vans, trucks, tractors, trailers, vans, wreckers, hearses, or buses are allowed within the boundaries of the subdivision.
b. No storage of boats, boating equipment, travel trailers, camping equipment, or recreation vehicles is allowed.
c. No vehicles shall be parked on sidewalks or grass areas of the community.
d. No portion of the properties shall be used for the repair and/or maintenance of automobiles, nor shall any vehicle other than a private automobile be parked in any of the parking spaces maintained by the Association. (See Article VII, Section 14, of the Restrictive Covenants.)
10.21 - 10.23 Front Porch Coverings, Doors, and Porch Accessories
10.21 Front Porch Coverings
a. No porch coverings or shades of any type are allowed.
b. Appropriately sized door mats are permitted.
10.22 Doors
a. Door knockers must be made of unpainted metal and be appropriately sized. They do not require AC approval.
b. Kick plates must be made of unpainted metal, and must be maintained.
c. Replacement of exterior entry doors must be compatible with the architectural design of the original door, i.e. four (4) panels, with the panels being rectangular and running top to bottom; and four rectangular windows, side by side with moldings placed horizontally in the top quarter (1/4) of the door.
d. Replacement entry doors can also have windows in top quarter of the door that are fan shaped.
10.23 Porch Accessories
a. Porch swings are subject to approval of the AC.
b. Properly maintained planters and outdoor furniture of appropriate size are permitted. Furniture cannot be stored in front or side yards.
c. No baby carriages, velocipedes, bicycles, or other articles of personal property shall be deposited, allowed or permitted to remain on any lot except in the enclosed rear area. The Association may impound all such articles and make a charge for their return. (See Article VII, Section 15, of the Restrictive Covenants.)
10.24 Visitor Parking
10. VISITOR PARKING
Visitor spaces shall be marked "VISITOR" and should only be used by guests of a Lot and may not be utilized by residents. These spaces will be on file with the Management Agent. Visitor spaces shall be available on a first-come/first serve basis and may not be reserved by residents or their guests. Visitor spaces shall not be blocked or obstructed when vacant so as to prohibit free use by other visitors. Vehicles parked in visitor spaces shall display a visible visitor hangtag. Each Lot shall be assigned (1) parking hangtag for visitor parking. No vehicle may be parked in any visitor parking space for longer than three (3) total nights (consecutive or non-consecutive) in the same 14-day period, unless approved by the Board of Directors. In such case of any special circumstances such as but not limited to extended visitor, skilled nursing, long term care, child care givers etc., a request shall be made by submitting a written request letter via the Parking Exception form provided to the Board of Directors for approval through the Managing Agent for SKS.
10.25 Visitor Parking Towing Enforcement
11. ENFORCEMENT OF RULES AND REGULATIONS/TOWING
By SKS
Vehicles parked in visitor spaces without a valid hangtag or in excess of the allowable time limits outlined herein, in prohibited areas, or in unassigned parking, will be subject to towing, without warning, at the owner's sole risk and expense. Operators of vehicles parked upon the property in violation of all other parking rules and regulations, i.e., flat tire, expired license, etc., will be notified by having a warning sticker affixed to the vehicle and will be given a prescribed period of time to correct the deficiency or remove the vehicle. Vehicles remaining on the property in violation of the rules after expiration of the warning period will be towed at the owner's sole risk and expense. SKS may also avail itself of other remedies legally available for enforcement of its rules. All Lot Owners are responsible to ensure that their family members, employees, guests, tenants, and agents observe and comply with this Policy Resolution and with all rules and regulations as may be adopted by the Board of Directors
Please call Dominion Towing at 703-339-2400 before calling the police to see if your car has been towed.
By the Owner/Resident
Owners/residents may decide on their own whether to call the Association’s towing company if an unauthorized vehicle is parked in their designated space without their permission. However, be advised that the owner/resident must be present to meet with the tow truck driver if they call for a tow. The owner of the unauthorized vehicle will be responsible for any and all charges incurred with their vehicle being towed out of the reserved space as well as for recovery of the vehicle. Nothing contained herein creates an agency relationship between the Association and any Lot Owner or other person. The Association does not hereby authorize or prohibit towing from a designated parking space and will not play a role in any such towing. Any person choosing to request the towing of any vehicle does so on his/her own behalf and is responsible for all costs, damages, and claims if such towing is unauthorized or improper and the Association shall have no liability whatsoever.
10.26 Conditions Not Included
Any condition or material not included within these guidelines shall become a manner of judgment on the part of the AC and the Board of Directors.
Some of the guidelines do not require design review and prior approval by the A C and are so identified in the guidelines. All other guidelines require design review and written approval by the AC prior to commencing work.