Burke Centre Conservancy

What Burke Centre Conservancy's governing documents say

This document from the Burke Centre Conservancy (BCC) is the architectural standards for a large Planned Residential Community (PRC) in Burke, VA. It applies to all homeowners, townhouse/duplex/quadruplex owners, and non-residential property owners, governing any exterior changes to keep the community's appearance consistent. An Architectural Review Board (ARB) must approve most modifications before work begins.

• Architectural review (ARB): Any change to the outside of your property (paint, fences, decks, additions, etc.) needs ARB approval first, unless it's a like-for-like replacement in the same location. Applications are reviewed on design, color, location, scale, workmanship, and timing.
• Fences & decks: Fences are generally allowed only in rear yards; side-yard fences cannot usually extend past the midpoint of the house. Maximum fence height is 4 feet for single-family homes and 6 feet for townhouses/duplexes/quadruplexes. Decks must be in the rear and can be left natural or stained with semi-transparent wood tones; painted decks are generally not allowed on multiple-dwelling units.
• Paint & exterior colors: Repainting to match existing approved colors needs no application, but any color change requires ARB approval. Duplex and quadruplex units must keep consistent color schemes across the whole building.
• Landscaping & ground cover: Landscaping less than 25% of the open lot area (using natural ground cover like ivy, mulch, or stone) needs no application. White stone, artificial turf, and bamboo are prohibited. Edging over 12 inches high or 10 feet long requires approval.
• Play equipment & recreational structures: Play sets, playhouses, tree houses, trampolines, and basketball goals need ARB approval unless replacing an approved item in the same spot. Trampolines must be in the rear yard and no larger than 15 feet in diameter. Basketball goals can be in the front yard only if freestanding and set back at least 15 feet from the front lot line.
• Signs, flags & mailboxes: Mailboxes must be standard USPS-approved black metal or plastic rural style. A single U.S. or state flag can be mounted on the house without an application (max 6 feet in any dimension); free-standing flagpoles need approval and can be up to 20 feet high. Unapproved signs and decorative objects in front/side yards require an application.
• Pets & animal structures: Dog houses and animal houses require an application and must be in the rear yard; pens and runs are prohibited. Birdhouses, bird baths, and feeders in the rear yard that meet size rules (birdhouse ≤ 12" x 12" x 18", birdbath ≤ 30" diameter) need no application, but front-yard placement requires approval.

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.