Keep reading for some important information regarding Town Center Covenants.
To maintain Town Center’s harmonic appearance, homeowners must follow specific rules about what changes they can and can not make to their homes’ exteriors. These rules are called covenants. If you’re planning a house renovation, you will need to navigate the rules and regulations of the Town Center Community Association. Currently, Town Center is in the process of updating the architectural guidelines. Keep reading for some important information regarding Town Center Covenants.
What are Covenants?
The Town Center Village Covenants, which establish the authority for the Architectural Committee, are a binding legal contract between the Village of Town Center and all property owners.
The Covenants give the Architectural Committee of the Town Center Residential Community Association Board the responsibility to set rules and procedures for architectural controls. There are similar Covenants for each of the other Villages.
Covenant Updates
Each of Columbia’s ten villages has Architectural Guidelines that are changed every 5-8 years to stay current with changes in County, State and/or Federal Law. The Village of Town Center’s ARC Guidelines were last updated in 2019 and are in need of important changes to comply with recent changes to Federal and State laws, such as:
- the right to install EV Charging Stations/Units in privately owned units or HOA common areas
- the right to plant gardens in a style that saves water and protects the environment
- the right to place satellite dishes on roofs.
Property values remain consistently high in areas where covenants exist, and the peace of mind comes from knowing that community standards and guidelines regulate changes to homes. The ARC guidelines can be found here.
Send Comments to: [email protected] (reference the page number in your comments) or ask to attend Town Center’s Resident Speak Out on September 10 at 7:00 pm by sending an email to [email protected]
What is the Approval Process?
The property owner is responsible for obtaining all required Howard County approvals. Applicants should contact the Department of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits (410-313-2455) to verify and get the necessary permits before beginning any work.
Applicants who live in a townhouse or condominium community with a Homeowners Association (HOA) may need approval for exterior alterations. Check with your HOA to determine if this is the case. Approval by the Town Center Architectural Committee is independent of HOA approval and does not imply or supersede HOA approval, nor does HOA approval substitute for Architectural Committee approval.
Typically, the stricter criteria will apply and may result in further applications needing to be submitted to satisfy the requirements of all applicable entities, such as the village, an HOA, and/or the county. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to comply with all covenants, laws, and regulations.
THRIVE AT COLUMBIA TOWN CENTER
Town Center is one of the ten villages of Columbia, Maryland. Our Village offices are located in Historic Oakland, one of the most beautiful historic buildings in Howard County. In the heart of Columbia, Town Center’s residents enjoy living in an urban community in a suburban setting with close proximity to all Columbia amenities, attractions, and cultural activities. Visit us to learn more about our community at 5430 Vantage Point Road, Columbia, MD 21044. Call us at 410-730-4744 or visit our website https://www.columbiatowncenter.org/