Maison Ridge

What Maison Ridge's governing documents say

This is the architectural control and design guidelines for Maison Ridge, a homeowners association (HOA) in Apex, NC. It applies to all homeowners in the community and governs any exterior changes to your property, from painting and landscaping to decks, fences, and additions. The rules are enforced by an Architectural Review Committee (ARC) that must approve most changes before you start work.

• Architectural review process: Most exterior changes require written approval from the ARC before you begin. You must submit an application with plans, a survey map, and often neighbors' signatures. The ARC has 30 days to respond; if they don't, your application is deemed approved. You have 6 months to start and finish approved work, and any changes to approved plans need new approval.
• What needs approval vs. what doesn't: Approval is required for things like awnings, porches, decks, fences, driveways, major landscaping, tree removal, and any color or material changes. You don't need approval for minor landscaping, non-permanent children's play equipment (except trampolines), repainting with the same color, small garden plots, and seasonal flags. Some items are outright prohibited, including chain-link fences, above-ground pools, garage conversions, and window AC units.
• Prohibited items: The guidelines ban chain-link or wire fences, commercial advertising signs, metal structures or swing sets, parking on grass, permanent clotheslines, above-ground pools (except small portable ones), garage conversions, and window AC units. Animals other than household pets are also not allowed.
• Enforcement and fines: If you violate the guidelines, the HOA can fine you, place a hold on other applications, suspend voting rights, or even hire contractors to fix the problem and charge you. They can also seek injunctions to stop work. You'll get a notice first, and you have a chance to correct the violation.
• Appeals: If the ARC denies your application, you have 45 days to appeal in writing to the Board of Directors. The Board will hold a hearing within 60 days and issue a written decision within 15 days after the hearing. You can also resubmit a new application.
• Specific standards for common projects: The guidelines include detailed rules for birdbaths/feeders (max 3 each, rear yard only), decks (natural finish, rear yard, under-deck must be clean), drainage (no redirecting water to neighbors), and freestanding structures like sheds (rear yard only, no chain-link dog runs).

Plain-language summary generated from the governing documents on file for this community. It may be incomplete and is not legal advice — read the full documents below or consult the official recorded versions.