FAQ

Do you have any questions about the Landings at Cedar Cove?  Below are the most frequently asked questions that the Board receives.  If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us.

Question #1: What do my HOA dues do for me?

Answer: The Landings at Cedar Cove annual assessment may vary slightly year to year by they are nominally $300/year.  They are used for maintenance of the Common Areas, insurance, utilities, reserve funds, contingency funds, legal fees, projects as deemed necessary by the Board, and CCCA dues (the Landings HOA pays your CCCA dues). The CCCA is responsible for the Cedar Cove entrance and beach signs, lighting on Long Lane, fence repair and maintenance at the beach, lawn service at the beach parking area, beach safety and clean up, beach fires, beach and community security patrols.

Question #2: Can I store things or dump yard waste on the Common Area behind my house? Can I put a shed, play set, vegetable garden, walking path, etc. on the Common Area? Can I clear behind my Lot and mow the grass that is on Common Area?

Answer: The Common Areas are here for all residents to enjoy, and it is in the best interest of everyone to keep the Common Areas free of yard debris and belongings. The use privilege granted to each Lot owner as a member of the Association is one of passive use of all Common Areas and it in no way entitles residents to construct upon, mow, clear, dig up, store items, create paths, dump debris, remove trees and plants from or in any other way abuse the Common Areas. Each of these violations limit in one way or another the availability of Common Area for use by all residents and reduced the acreage available for such use. In addition, correction of these violations is extremely expensive for the Association and therefore for each Lot owner. As important as this financial burden, which the Association can ill afford, is the public health and safety factor which should concern us all. This no-abuse provision applies to all occupants of a household, whether renters or owners and to their guests. As members of the Association, we all share the responsibility for seeing that current violations are corrected and for reporting new abuses as they occur. The state of the Common Areas has a direct effect on the value of our property and is therefore our common concern. Only with the cooperation of each homeowner and renter can the Common Areas be preserved for the use of all. [Declaration: Article VI Use and Restrictions #12, Article VII General Provisions Section 3; By-Laws Article VII Powers & Duties of the Board of Directors (g)].



Question #3: Do renters have to abide by the Declaration and By-Laws?

Answer: Renters are still residents in the Landings at Cedar Cove HOA and are subject to all covenants, restrictions, and all applicable By Laws.  They are responsible for maintaining the rental home and property. Failing to do so, the homeowner will be notified and the renter could be in breach of the rental agreement.

Question #4:  Why should I store my trashcan where it is not visible?

Answer:  According to the Declaration:  There shall be no storage of material in the front of the house (Article VI Use and Restrictions #5).  On days when there is not garbage pick-up in our area, you should store your garbage cans where they are not visible from the street. Storing items on your driveway or in front of your home does not contribute to good curb appeal. To maintain community enjoyment and high property values, storing your items out of site protects the attractiveness and desirability of all the homes in our Subdivision.

Question #5: Why do I need to obtain ACC approval before any improvements/changes to my property?

Answer:  If you anticipate any additions, modifications or even replacing existing structures to the exterior of your home (painting/staining, roof shingles, shed, fence, doors, deck, satellite dish, siding, garage door, patio, landscaping, windows, gazebo, green house, arbor, pergolas, solar panels, etc.) please remember that you must obtain approval in writing from the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) which is required by the Declaration prior to starting any work. This step is designed to protect all homeowners and it is critical to protecting the appearance of the Landings at Cedar Cove. Please refer to the Community Standard prior to submission.  (See  Community Standard located under Documents & Information/Public Documents on this website for more information.)

According to the Declaration: No improvements, alterations, repairs, change of paint colors, excavations, changes in grade or other work which in any way alters the exterior of any Lot or the improvements located thereon from its natural or improved state existing or the date such Lot was first conveyed in fee by the Declarant to an Owner shall be made or done without the prior approval of the Architectural Control Committee.  In other words, you must get ACC approval for ANY change or improvement to the exterior of your property. Therefore, no property, building, structure, landscaping or any other improvement may be made, altered, removed, structurally modified, installed, replaced, constructed, or erected without the prior consent of the committee.  (Please see Property Improvements on this website for more information.)  



Question #6: Who do I contact when an animal is loose, defecates or urinates on property other than that of the owner, owner not cleaning up animal excrement when on public areas, barks continuously, damages my property, chases vehicles, pedestrians or other animals, molests or attacks pedestrians, passersby or other animals, etc.?

Answer: The St. Mary’s County Animal Control enforces the State and County Code Animal Regulations and can be contacted at 301-475-8018 Monday—Friday 7 AM—4 PM. For an animal control emergency after hours please call 301-475-8016. Their website is:  St. Mary's Animal Control

A wealth of information about County Code regulations is available at:  St. Mary's County Animal Control Ordinance

Question #7: Can I cut through yards to get to the trail or playground/picnic area?

Answer: Please do not cut through yards to get to the trail or playground/picnic area. This is NOT common area, but private property.

Question #8:  When can a resident do yard work, construction, repair work, etc. on their property?  What hours can this work be done?   

Answer:  All of us want to enjoy the appeal and pleasant surroundings that the Landings at Cedar Cove provides.  In order to maintain these benefits in our community any work that is considered noisy or can annoy others cannot begin before 8 a.m. and cannot extend past 8 p.m.

Question #9:  Where can I store materials for improvements for my property?  What about dumpsters?

Answer:  Building materials maybe stored in a non-conspicuous location on homeowners Lot and not in the streets.  Materials shall not be stored on a Lot for more than thirty (30) days.

Temporary containers (dumpsters) used for construction and remodeling projects, demolition jobs, or any other short-term commercial endeavor must be placed on the homeowner’s property or driveway.  Dumpsters cannot be placed on the street, sidewalk, or common ground.  Dumpsters may only be in the Landings at Cedar Cove for up to 30 days and then they must be removed.  Residents must obtain written permission from the HOA if there is a need to extend the time of dumpster use.

Question #10:  What is the Community Standard?

Answer:  The purpose of the document is to ensure that the Landings Community maintains an attractive appeal and to communicate the restrictions and process for their enforcement in order to better address issues facing our 20-year-old community by providing an easy to use document to encourage knowledge and compliance with community expectations.  This document is meant to be a living document and from time to time may be amended to fit Community needs.

The Community Standard of the Landings at Cedar Cove (refer to as “Standard”) is a companion document to the Declaration.  All Landings residents should take the time to read and understand them.  The Standard sets restrictions on how property within the Landings may be used.  The Standards tries to further exemplify the Declaration to assure the residents of certain minimum standards for architectural design, property maintenance, and land use throughout the neighborhood.  Note:  This Standard does not replace the Declaration but serves as a companion document.

Question #11:  How closely must one adhere to this Community Standard?

Answer:  This Standard serves as a foundation to be used by homeowners and residents in preparing an application for exterior alteration.  Based upon the policies and previous decisions of the Board and/or ACC, they will help guide the applicant in what is most likely to be approved in typical circumstances, and provide information on how to prepare requests.  In addition, this document governs a homeowner and residents use of the common areas and must be strictly complied with.

Question #12:  Why do we have property/lot restrictions? What does it take to keep a neighborhood attractive and nice?

Answer: Property Appearance (or Curb Appeal) in a neighborhood can have a significant impact on property values of a community. The property appearance of a single home can have a negative impact on the homes around it as well as the whole neighborhood. The Property/Lot restrictions are meant to protect the significant investments made in the Landings Community and to ensure property values are maintained. The “Curb Appeal” aspects can help foster growth in property values. “Curb appeal” refers to the beauty and cleanliness of your residences/property.

The success of a HOA depends upon whether or not the residents are involved and cooperate with the Association. The biggest single obstacle to broad community participation is something we call apathy. This indifference hurts our community and yourself in the long run. HOAs consist of neighbors participating together to protect, preserve and enhance community assets, property values and the quality of life. Without residents participating in these important qualities, this can adversely affect the overall appearance of the neighborhood, property values and the general well-being of the community. Each resident must know their responsibilities and be willing to expand their roles for the community to be as strong as possible.

Here are some key aspects to help facilitate curb appeal and to keep our community looking attractive and nice:

• No property, building, structure, landscaping or any other improvement may be made, altered, deleted, structurally modified, installed, replaced, constructed, or erected without the prior written approval from the ACC. 

• No storage of boats, recreational vehicles, or commercial vehicles on any Lot or street, except that vehicles or boats may be stored in garages.

• The wooded Common Area of the Landings must maintain its natural vegetation. Your property extends from the sidewalk back 110 feet. Do not clear behind Lot and mow the grass that is on Common Area.

• The Common Ground cannot be used for dumping grass clippings, leaves, branches, etc. or to store items on the common ground. Residents cannot put a shed, swing set, vegetable garden, walking path, etc. on the Common Area.

• ACC approval is required prior to installation of satellite dishes.

• Lawns should be healthy, seeded, fertilized, and watered when necessary, mowed, edged, negligible amount of weeds and/or bald and dead/burned spots, etc.

• Exterior of home and fence kept clean and free of dirt, mold, mildew, etc.

• Flower beds, sidewalks, driveways, and streets free of grass and weeds.

• Cut grass removed from yard, driveway, sidewalk, curb, and street.

• Trashcans, garden materials, sports equipment, etc. are to be put away in the evening so that they cannot be seen.

Question #13:  What happens if one does not wait for or get approval from the ACC and makes alterations to their property?

Answer:  If a homeowner/resident starts alterations without first obtaining approval of plans, they do so at their own risk.  If a homeowner/resident fails to submit an application, or if their application is turned down or modified, the homeowner may face the cost of removing/correcting the alteration.  In addition, the Board of the Association has the right and responsibility to seek corrective action against the Owner.