Willow Creek Estates

At a glance

This file contains the 2004 Willow Creek Estates Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, as amended by the 2016 First Amendment and 2021 Second Amendment. Together, these documents govern Willow Creek Estates and its Homeowners Association; the amendments change leasing, fence, and solar-system provisions while leaving the rest of the declaration in effect.

Most restrictive items

• High

  Short-term rentals prohibited; six-month minimum lease

  The 2016 amendment prohibits rentals or occupancy for consideration for fewer than 30 consecutive days and requires leases to have an initial term of at least six months. Owners also must provide tenant contact details to the Association within 10 days after a lease begins.

  Rule changed: 2016 First Amendment: replaced the 30-day minimum with a six-month minimum and added the short-term-rental ban and tenant-notification requirement.

  Source:p.2p.4

• Medium

  ARC approval applies broadly to exterior changes

  Written approval is required before a wide range of improvements or alterations, including exterior colors, lighting, decks, walls, and fences. This may constrain renovations or exterior projects.

  Source:p.2

• Medium

  Daily fines for continuing violations

  After written notice and a hearing, the Board may impose fines of up to $100 per day for a continuing violation.

  Source:p.3

• Medium

  Transfer fee and assessment lien

  A buyer must pay a transfer fee equal to 0.25% of the gross sale price. Unpaid assessments accrue 12% annual interest and remain a lien on the lot until paid.

  Source:p.3

Key rules

Rentals and leasing

Leases must be written, cover the entire dwelling, and have an initial term of at least six months. Short-term rentals or occupancy for consideration of fewer than 30 consecutive days—including online-platform rentals—are prohibited. Owners must give the Association each tenant’s name and contact information within 10 days after the lease begins; owners remain responsible for tenants and guests.

Rule changed: 2016 First Amendment: raised the minimum lease term from 30 days to six months, prohibited short-term rentals, and added tenant-notification requirements.

Source:p.2p.4

Pets and animals

A lot may have no more than two dogs or cats in any combination. Dogs must be leashed off the owner’s lot and may not create a nuisance, including persistent barking. Livestock, including poultry and chickens, is prohibited.

Source:p.2

Parking and vehicles

Recreational vehicles, boats, trailers, campers, and similar equipment must be stored in a garage or an ARC-approved side or rear yard enclosure, out of street view. Driveway parking is allowed for up to 48 hours for loading and cleaning. Overnight street parking is prohibited, as is parking commercial vehicles over one ton on a lot except while making deliveries.

Source:p.2

Architectural review and modifications

Written ARC approval is required before building, placing, or altering a building, fence, wall, shed, deck, exterior lighting, exterior color, or other improvement. Plans must show location, size, materials, and color. Solar panels, satellite dishes, and antennas are subject to placement rules noted below.

Source:p.2

Fences

Fences require ARC approval and may not extend in front of the dwelling’s front wall. Rear-yard fences may be up to six feet and side-yard fences up to four feet; permitted materials are wood, vinyl, or black ornamental metal.

Rule changed: 2021 Second Amendment: replaced the four-foot maximum and wood-or-vinyl rule with separate rear- and side-yard height limits and added black ornamental metal as a permitted material.

Source:p.2p.5

Solar panels, satellite dishes, and antennas

Satellite dishes and antennas must be placed where they are not visible from the street, except as otherwise required by law. Roof-mounted solar energy systems may be on any roof surface, including street-visible surfaces, if they lie flat against the roof and are submitted to the ARC for placement review only.

Rule changed: 2021 Second Amendment: permitted flat roof-mounted solar systems on any roof surface, including street-visible surfaces, with ARC review limited to placement.

Source:p.3p.5

Home occupations

A home office or occupation is allowed if there is no exterior sign, no stock in trade kept outside, no employees working at the lot other than residents, and no regular customer or client traffic.

Source:p.1

Landscaping and maintenance

Owners must keep lots and improvements in good repair, mow lawns, control weeds, and maintain landscaping.

Source:p.3

Trash

Trash containers must be stored out of street view except on collection day. Outdoor clotheslines are prohibited.

Source:p.3

Accessory buildings and additional dwellings

Each lot is limited to one detached single-family dwelling and permitted accessory structures. One shed of up to 120 square feet may be placed in the rear yard with ARC approval and must be finished in colors matching the dwelling.

Source:p.2

Fees & assessments

The annual assessment is set by the Board and was initially $480 per lot per year, payable in advance on January 1, for common-area maintenance, entrance landscaping, and snow removal on common drives. A transfer fee of 0.25% of the gross sale price is due upon each lot transfer. Unpaid assessments bear 12% annual interest and are a continuing lien on the lot. The Board may impose fines of up to $100 per day for continuing violations after written notice and a hearing.