Tuscany Estates A planned residential community in Union Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania Community Rules and Regulations for Tuscany Estates Owners, Residents, and Guests as of October 7, 2016 The Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions provides for certain restrictions on the use of the real estate and common elements in a Planned Community. Tuscany Estates Association has adopted these Rules and Regulations which apply equally to Owners, Residents, Tenants and Guests in the Tuscany Estates Community. These Rules and Regulations may be amended or modified by the Association Board according to the procedures established in the Declaration and the Association bylaws. Non-compliance of the following rules will result in a written warning from the Board for the first offense; offenses thereafter will result in a monetary fine. See schedule of fines. 1. INSURANCE Townhomes and Patio Homes Common wall unit owners (patio and town homes) must insure their unit against loss or damage by fire, wind, flood and other hazards under standard home owners and liability policies. Proof is required by the TEA and must be submitted within thirty days after closing. 2. MEMBERSHIP Each Unit owner becomes a member of TEA at the time he/she acquires legal title to a Unit in Tuscany Estates. 3. MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING a. Unit members will be considered members in good standing if their dues or assessments are current (within 60 days) and they have no infractions of the rules and regulations of the TEA. b. Only members in good standing are permitted to vote on TEA issues or use any common facilities.
4. UNITS a. Units may be used only as a residence and for no other primary purpose. Owners may lease their Units to Tenants, who are bound by these rules, regulations and restrictions. Owners will be responsible for their tenants and guests and therefore are responsible for fines imposed due to infractions made by their tenants and guests. b. Owners who rent or lease their Unit must notify the TEA of the tenants name, phone number and email address. All owners, through their closing representative, must submit a NEW Certificate of Membership form to the TEA. A REVISED Certificate of Membership form must be submitted by the owner every time there is a change of tenants/occupants. (see forms under Documents section of the website) c. No retail or commercial business shall be conducted from any Unit. Owners or residents may operate a home-based business or professional service, so long as it does not create traffic or visitor parking problems in the community or cause unsightly debris throughout the community. Owners or residents conducting such activity should notify the Association of the name and nature of the business by email to the Board (via Website comments/suggestions ). d. No Unit may be used or in connection with any unlawful purpose or in a manner which creates a nuisance. Owners, Residents and Tenants may not keep anything in their Unit, or in the Common Elements, which could cause harm to residents or damage to other units. e. No garage or other structure constructed on a Lot may be used as a residence, either temporarily or permanently. No dwelling under construction may be occupied until an occupancy permit is issued by the appropriate authority. f. An Owner or Resident may identify his/her Unit with a nameplate of type and size mounted in a place and manner approved by the Association. g. Balconies, terraces, patios, decks, and exterior stairways, and yards should not be obstructed or used to hang, store or clean household or recreational items. 5. SATELLITE DISH No antenna, satellite dish or exterior wiring of any kind shall be installed on the exterior of a building or common element without Board authorization. Exceptions can be made upon completion of a waiver of liability form. (see Documents on the website)
6. SIGNAGE The TEA and designated builder/sellers and Unit owners may use signage for the purpose of marketing and selling a residence. Any sign, other than a standard real estate sign, must be approved by the TEA. Builder/sellers, or unit owners, shall remove real estate signage from Units that are sold. 7. MAINTENANCE Maintenance and repair of the Unit is the responsibility of the Owner, except for the common walls and Controlled Facilities. No work of any kind may be done on common walls, roofs, exterior walkways, driveways, or parking areas that are Controlled Facilities without prior Association approval. 8. EASEMENTS 9. PETS Easements are shown on the recorded Plats and Plans, and reserved for sewers, drainage, utility installations, maintenance, and such purposes and use as may be shown on the recorded Plans. All Lots are subject to such easements. No structure, planting, or other material shall be placed where it may damage or interfere with installation and maintenance of utilities or which may change the flow of drainage channels in the easements. Pets are permitted in Tuscany Estates. Residents and Owners are advised to check county and/or township ordinances regarding pets. a. Owners or Residents wishing to keep a pet at Tuscany Estates are subject to the following requirements: (i) pets must be on a leash at all times when outside; (ii) pets may be unleashed in rear yards that are fully fenced, and no pet may be left outside overnight; (iii) Owners must clean up after their pets at all times. b. Pet owners are liable for all damages to persons or property caused by their pet or resulting from its presence. c. If the Association finds that a specific pet is vicious, annoying to residents, or creating a nuisance, the Owner will be asked to remove that pet from the premises. 10. NOISE At no time shall any Owner or Resident make disturbing noises, or allow family, friends, or visitors to make disturbing noises or permit actions that interfere with the rights, comforts, or convenience of other community residents. Union Township noise ordinance is in effect from 9pm to 7am. 11. SNOW REMOVAL Homeowners with sidewalks are required to shovel said sidewalk within 24 hours after each snowfall. Homeowners with sidewalks should also consider safety precautions when ice is present on walkways.
12. ARCHITECTURAL AND VISUAL HARMONY GUIDLINES a. Owners should request approval by submitting the Request for Association Action form prior to going to the township to secure any permits for any of these matters: 1) authorization to replace or modify existing exterior fixtures; 2) approval to build/install new structure on their Lot; 3) variance from the community architecture and visual harmony standards. b. Do not commence any activity until you have been notified of the ARC s [Architecture Review Committee] decision. You may be asked to meet with Board members to answer questions about your request. If your project requires concurrence of neighbors in adjoining Units, the Board may contact your neighbors. Once a request is approved, the Owner is responsible for obtaining all necessary permits, insurance, and inspections required for the project. 13. EXTERIOR UPGRADES [See Request for Action form in the Documents section of the Website] a. Fences: Owners of Common-wall Units must have prior approval from the Association to construct or change a fence. Owners should submit the Request for Association Action form prior to starting any work. The project may require approval by adjacent Unit Owners, and plans must meet local codes and zoning requirements. TEA is not responsible for any lawn maintenance inside a fenced area. b. Owners of Free-standing Units may erect a fence on their lot if it complies with Association Guidelines for Architectural Control and Visual Harmony. The fence may not extend beyond the main front wall of the dwelling and height may not be more than six feet from the ground. c. Decks and Patios. Unit owners must submit Request for Association Action before building or installing a deck or patio. The application should include a sketch of the proposed deck/patio with dimensions and materials. d. All Fences and Decks must be built in compliance with local ordinances and building codes and with Association guidelines for materials, size, and finishes. Owners are responsible for obtaining and posting appropriate permits for such projects. e. Association standards for decks and patios describe acceptable materials, maximum size and extension, use of awnings, concurrence of adjoining owners, and obtaining proper building permits. Refer to Association Guidelines for Architectural Conformance and Visual Harmony (below). f. Owners working on their property may not put debris or materials on any other lot or open space in the Community. Owners must remove all debris and materials upon completion of a project or while work is suspended.
14. PARKING a. Automobiles may be parked only in designated areas provided for such purpose. Community parking facilities are for passenger cars, passenger vans, motorcycles, and noncommercial pick-up trucks (street-legal and licensed vehicles). b. No large trucks or commercial vehicles with gross vehicle weight greater than ten thousand (10,000) pounds, and no boats, trailers, campers, mobile homes, or recreational vehicles, may be parked or stored on any lot or driveway in the community unless the vehicle is inside a closed garage or parked at the rear of a free-standing dwelling where it cannot be viewed from the street. c. No large trucks or other vehicles may be parked overnight in common parking areas. Reasonable and occasional use of trailers and large vehicles will be allowed for Residents moving into or out of the dwelling. d. No automobile or motor-driven vehicle may be left on a Lot or in a driveway for a period of thirty (30) days or more if it is unable to be operated on a public roadway. After thirty days, such vehicle shall be considered a nuisance and the Association may have it removed at the Owner's expense. e. No parking on grass areas at any time. f. Overnight street parking is prohibited. 15. RECREATIONAL FACILITIES a. Recreational facilities and Common Elements should be used in a manner that respects the rights of other Owners and Residents. Specific rules may be issued about use of recreational facilities. But, in general, use of these facilities is prohibited between the hours of 9:00pm and 8:00am. b. Use of community recreational facilities is restricted to residents, their guests, and others approved by the Association. Proper conduct is expected of residents and guests at all times. c. Rules and hours for use of the Community Pool and Clubhouse will be established by the Association. If there is no lifeguard on duty, residents swim at their own risk. d. Owners, Residents and Guests use Common Facilities (including picnic areas, walking trails, athletic fields, swimming pool) at their own risk. Users are expected to maintain the appearance and safety of Common Facilities by removing trash and reporting items in need of maintenance to the Association. 16. Garbage All garbage/recyclable containers must be stored in rear/side of residence or in the garage.
As of November 19, 2015 1. Changed Rule # 1 Insurance 2. Added Rule # 11 Sidewalk Snow removal As of November 1, 2016 3. Added Rule # 16 Garbage