Heatherwood Village Architectural Modifications Guide

A beautiful, cohesive neighborhood doesn't happen by accident. It is the result of shared standards, careful planning, and a mutual commitment to preserving the aesthetic charm and long-term property values of Heatherwood Village. To help you plan your next home improvement project, this page outlines the purpose behind our design standards and provides a step-by-step walkthrough of the review process. 

The Vision: Why We Guide Design

When you purchased your home in Heatherwood Village, you chose a community designed with a clear, open architectural scheme. The primary intent of our neighborhood restrictions is to promote a beautiful, high-quality, private residential area.

By ensuring that additions, structures, and color changes remain in harmony with the surrounding topography and existing homes, the Association protects every homeowner's investment and prevents jarring or mismatched updates. Specifically, our governing documents emphasize maintaining an open, un-enclosed character across our neighborhood properties, which is why yard enclosures and non-conforming structures are carefully managed or restricted.

Understanding the Rules

Before starting any project that changes the outside look of your home or lot, you must receive written approval from the Association.

What Requires Approval?

Approval is required for any excavation, construction, or change that impacts your property’s exterior appearance. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Exterior Color Changes: Painting or adding new siding. Any updates must align with the neighborhood’s approved color selection chart.

• Decks, Patios, & Awnings: Adding or expanding outdoor living spaces.

• Separate Structures & Sheds: Free-standing structures must match the architectural style of your main house. They are also subject to local zoning rules and specific neighborhood layout requirements (e.g., specific distance spacing from other structures).

• Fences and Privacy Screens: To preserve the signature open-space look of Heatherwood Village, the Association explicitly discourages yard enclosures and maintains a strict policy against fencing. Rear-yard enclosures are completely prohibited on lots that adjoin open spaces or HOA Common Areas. Front-yard and side-yard fencing is restricted to ornamental options under three feet tall. Consequently, the Association will generally never approve a fence unless it is strictly required as a safety precaution surrounding a privately owned swimming pool.

• Swimming Pools: Only "In-Ground" pools may be approved. Standard, non-portable above-ground pools are prohibited for safety and aesthetic reasons. Small wading pools for children are allowed without formal approval from May 1st through October 1st, provided they are under 18 inches tall and cover less than 125 square feet.

• Other Projects: Roof or window replacements, structural additions, whole-house generators, central air units, and major driveway changes.

Governing Document References

For exact legal details, please consult your copy of the Heatherwood Village Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs):

• Article II, Section 3 (General Restrictions): Outlines rules regarding separate structures, property appearances, utilities, and exterior changes.

• Article V (Architectural Control): Formally details the requirements for submitting plans and the authority of the Board and Committee to review and rule on aesthetic changes.

Step-by-Step Modification Procedure

Following the right steps ensures your project proceeds smoothly, stays code-compliant, and avoids costly adjustments later.

Step 1: Submit Your Request

Before any work begins, submit an Architecture Committee Modification Request Form at this link. 

Your submission package must include:

1. A completed online request form.

2. A clear plot plan or site survey showing the exact location of the planned changes relative to your house and property lines (upload or email).

3. Design drawings, structure plans, brochures, pictures, or material/color samples (upload or email). The approved color palate is here.

Your request will not be considered submitted, for purposes of the timeline (see Step 3 below), until all requested documentation has been received by the Architecture Committee.

Important Member Status Check: To have a request considered, your household account must be in good standing, meaning all annual dues and special assessments are fully paid, and the property is currently free of outstanding violations.

Step 2: Architecture Committee & Board Review

Once submitted, the Architecture Committee (made up of three or more community representatives appointed by the Board) evaluates your plans. They judge projects based on the harmony of external design, safety, layout context, and alignment with community standards.

• Standard Approval: For regular requests that strictly follow all neighborhood rules, a minimum of three Committee members (including at least two Board members) must sign off on the approval.

• Board Review Variance: If a request requires a complex exception or variance to the neighborhood guidelines, or if the member account has unresolved issues, the request must escalate directly to the full HOA Board of Directors, requiring at least five Board member signatures and a recorded resolution.

Step 3: Watch the Timeline

The Association works diligently to keep your project moving. Our governing documents establish specific response windows:

• Structural & Layout Submissions: For changes involving buildings, fences, walls, or main structures, the Association has 30 days to issue a written decision after receiving complete plans.

• Other Alterations: Specific standalone items under secondary provisions carry a shorter 10-day review period.

Please note: In both cases, if the Association fails to approve or deny the project within these formal windows, the project is legally deemed automatically approved, provided it fully complies with all neighborhood restrictions and local township zoning codes.

Step 4: Secure City Permits

HOA approval does not replace official municipality approvals. You are solely responsible for checking local ordinances (such as the City of Rochester Hills guidelines) and obtaining all necessary building, mechanical, or electrical permits at your own expense. You must provide copies of these city permits to the HOA once secured.

Step 5: Complete the Work & Maintenance

Once you have written HOA approval and your local permits, your project can begin! Please keep the following in mind during construction:

• Common Area Protection: You and your contractors are responsible for preventing damage to shared neighborhood areas. Dumping materials or debris on HOA common grounds is strictly illegal.

• Completion Notice: Once your project is finished, notify the HOA Board so they can perform a quick visual review to confirm everything matches the submitted plans.

• Ongoing Upkeep: All ongoing maintenance and repairs for the new modification must be managed at your expense. Modifications that fall into disrepair may be required to be removed or restored to their original layout.

Consequences of Proceeding Without Approval

To protect the shared investments and aesthetic standards of all residents, the Heatherwood Village Homeowners Association actively monitors the neighborhood for unapproved architectural changes. Choosing to begin or complete an exterior modification without submitting a request form or receiving formal written approval is a direct violation of our community bylaws.123456

When a modification is performed without authorization, the HOA Board of Directors has the legal authority (and obligation) to take the following actions to resolve the non-compliance:

• Formal Notice and Property Status Logging: The Board will issue a formal written notice to the homeowner detailing the observed violation. Furthermore, a notation of the violation is officially added to the property's HOA record. This is particularly critical if you plan to sell or refinance your home: title companies require a formal HOA status letter before a loan closing can proceed. Any unapproved modifications or outstanding violations will be explicitly disclosed on this status letter, which frequently delays or completely complicates home loan closings.

• Retroactive Review Mandate: Homeowners who completed work without prior approval will be required to immediately submit a completed Modification Request Form, a plot plan, and all structural specifications to the Architectural Committee for a post-completion review.

• Fines and Suspension of Membership Rights: Following a formal Notice and Hearing process, the Board may levy monetary fines against the account or suspend the homeowner's voting rights and access to shared recreational facilities for up to 30 days per violation.

• Forced Removal and Associated Clean-Up Charges: If a modification directly violates neighborhood restrictions (such as an unapproved shed or fence) and the homeowner refuses to remedy the issue, the HOA reserves the right to perform the necessary clean-up, removal, or property restoration work. The complete financial cost of this corrective action will be billed directly to the homeowner.

• Placement of Property Liens: If a homeowner fails to pay a bill for unauthorized modification cleanups, fines, or restoration services performed by the Association, the HOA will place a continuing legal lien against the property. This lien remains attached to the real estate until the debt is fully satisfied, legally blocking any clean transfer of title.

• Legal Counsel and Litigation Actions: In cases where a homeowner refuses to cooperate or bring their property into alignment with the community bylaws, the HOA will seek formal legal counsel to enforce compliance through proceedings at law or in equity. Per our governing rules, all associated pre-litigation costs, actual attorney fees, and court costs will become the sole financial responsibility of the non-compliant homeowner.

> A Note on Post-Approval Requests: We understand that some homeowners might make exterior changes without knowing an approval was required in advance. The Board is committed to working collaboratively with residents. If you have completed an unapproved project, please submit an online Modification Request Form as soon as possible so we can verify its compliance, update our records, and help you avoid future status letter issues or legal complications.