1. Which improvements require prior approval from the Woodbridge Village Association Architectural Committee?Virtually all exterior improvements, including improvements to your home or to your property itself require prior approval. Beside the standard items, permanent and portable basketball backboards, play structures, garage doors, screen doors, exterior lighting, and certain satellite dishes are all examples of improvements that require prior approval. Please refer to Section 3-100 (d)(1-5) of the Architectural Guidelines & Standards for more information. Interior improvements which do not affect the exterior of the home do not require approval from the Architectural Committee (homeowners living in Maintenance Associations should check with their Maintenance Association as to the need for prior approval for interior improvements).

2. Where and when can I obtain an application?
Applications are available at the Association web site at wva.org, or in the Community Center at 31 Creek Road. We recommend that you pick up your application during business hours (9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday - Friday) so that your questions can be answered by Community Relations staff members. However, applications are available for pickup from 8 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week.

3. Is there a processing fee for having my plans reviewed?
There is a $50.00 Plan Processing Fee to review a Home Improvement Application. However, that fee is waived for homeowners who submit their completed application and any plans and receive written approval from the Architectural Committee prior to the commencement of construction/installation (except for room additions/remodels for which a processing fee is applicable).

4. I was assessed a $50.00 Plan Processing Fee. Why?
The Plan Processing Fee is not waived for homeowners who commence construction/installation of their improvement prior to submitting their application and receiving written approval from the Architectural Committee. The philosophy behind this policy is to encourage homeowners to submit their plans ahead of time to ensure they are in compliance with the Standards and to prevent future problems for homeowners. Please note that improvements completed without approval may require alterations or removal in order to be in compliance with the Standards.

5. What is “Neighbor Awareness?”Neighbor Awareness is required as a part of many Home Improvement Applications. Applicants must share their applications and plans with the homeowners who own property adjoining the applicant’s lot and with those who own property across from or directly behind the lot, depending on the location of the proposed improvement. The intent of neighbor awareness is to advise adjacent homeowners of the proposed improvement by requiring their signature on both the application and plans. Please note that applicants need not obtain the approval of their neighbors for their plans. Approval or disapproval of an application is solely at the discretion of the Architectural Committee. Neighbors who have concerns with proposed plans are to sign the application and plans and then submit their written comments/concerns to the Community Relations office immediately. Staff will then attach the comments to the application so that they may be evaluated by the Committee during their review. Disagreements between homeowners may necessitate attendance by both the applicant and the neighbor at a meeting.

In 2001, the Board of Directors did eliminate the need for neighbor awareness for specific items, provided that the proposal complies with the Architectural Guidelines and Standards. For a list of the types of improvements for which neighbor awareness is not required, go to the Neighbor Awareness article posted in the Architectural Department on this web site.

6. What if my neighbor is an absentee landlord or won’t sign my application?In that case, the Association will contact the adjacent owner in writing upon submittal of the application to the Architectural Committee. The adjacent owner will be allowed ten (10) days to respond with comments/concerns. The application will not be considered complete and submitted to the Committee until that ten (10) day period has elapsed.

7. What if I live in a Maintenance Association?
These homeowners must first submit their plans to their Maintenance Association Board of Directors for a property rights review prior to submitting their plans to the Woodbridge Village Association Architectural Committee. The Architectural Committee cannot review any application until a property rights review has been completed by the applicable Maintenance Association.

8. What is a property rights review?
A property rights review is a legal review of the Maintenance Association’s governing documents to determine if the proposed improvement is within the applicant’s legal rights. For example, in some Associations applicants may not have the right to attach an object to or improve the common area or restricted use areas. Check with your Maintenance Association for more information as to the acceptability of your proposed improvement(s). Proposed improvements which are found to be within property rights are not considered to be approved. Once property rights are granted for your application by the respective Maintenance Association, it is forwarded to the Architectural Committee at which time approval will be considered.

9. What if I have questions regarding my application? Who can my questions be directed to? What is staff’s role in the application process?
The Community Relations staff is available to answer your questions by telephone or at the Association’s office on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The staff acts as a liaison between the Architectural Committee and the homeowner. Staff receives the applications, makes sure they are complete and prepares comments for the Committee. The application is then forwarded to the Committee for a decision.

10. How often does the Architectural Committee meet? Do I have to wait for a meeting to have my plans reviewed?The Architectural Committee meets once a month. However, staff sends applications to the Committee on a daily basis and often only large remodel plans and controversial applications are reviewed at the monthly meeting. This process allows the Association to maintain its seven (7) to ten (10) day average for plan review.

11. What criteria does the Architectural Committee use when considering my application?
The Architectural Committee reviews applications for aesthetic purposes and to determine compliance with the Architectural Guidelines & Standards. Any condition not covered in the Standards becomes a matter of discretionary judgment on the part of the Architectural Committee. In all cases, the Committee shall determine if the proposed improvement is compatible with the architectural character of the applicable tract and if it is an enhancement to the desirability and attractiveness of the community.

12. How long will it take to have my plans reviewed? How do I know if my plans were approved or not?
The CC&R’s for the Woodbridge Village Association specify a maximum thirty (30) day review period upon submittal to the Architectural Committee of a completed application and plans, including neighbor awareness and a property rights review (if applicable). The current average review period for Home Improvement Applications is seven (7) to ten (10) days. Homeowners are notified in writing once a decision is rendered.

13. What if my plans are disapproved?Homeowners with disapproved plans are encouraged to contact the Community Relations Department. Disapproval letters often contain suggestions from the Architectural Committee for revisions that would make the plans approvable. Staff is available to answer questions and assist homeowners in making revisions and resubmitting the plans to the Committee. Homeowners also always have the option of appealing the disapproved plans to the Board of Directors as long as a written appeal request is received by the Association no more than thirty (30) days from the date of the disapproval.

14. Who is on the Architectural Committee?
The Architectural Committee is comprised of volunteers appointed by the Board of Directors to review Home Improvement Applications. They must have an appropriate background in fields such as landscape design, architecture, engineering, etc., and be able to interpret blueprint drawings.

15. What happens after I finish construction/installation of my improvements?
Community Relations staff members conduct final inspections of all approved work to ensure that the improvement was constructed in accordance with the approved plans. Homeowners who have not abided by their approved plans and need to make alterations are notified in writing and given a compliance date for completion of the alterations.

16. If I select exterior house colors from the Association’s color palette, is my application automatically approved?
No. The Association’s color palette is a suggested guideline only. Each tract has its own exterior color theme and colors that may be acceptable in one tract may not be in another. Additionally, some colors, such as dark green and blue, were established by the builders and may not be acceptable except on those homes which used these colors originally. The Architectural Guidelines & Standards do not allow homes directly across the street from each other to be painted the same colors and also requires a two-house separation between homes painted the same color scheme.

17. Do I need to apply to replace an item on my home or in my yard if I am replacing that item exactly as is?
For replacement of elements on the home or in the yard that were previously approved, a new application is generally not necessary and replacement may be commenced provided that the exact same product/material is being used. There are some notable exceptions, however, for improvements for which the Standards have changed. For example, replacement basketball backboards require an application and prior approval and must be clear acrylic only. Also, “grape stake” wood fencing as originally installed by some of the developers is not an acceptable replacement and must be changed out to the “picture frame” style wood fence in compliance with the Association’s “Replacement Fence Standard.” The Association recommends that you contact the Community Relations Department any time you plan to replace items to be sure that you are in compliance. Please be advised, however, that any change including style, color, size, material, height, etc. does require an application and prior approval from the Architectural Committee prior to commencement of the project.

18. Can I install a play structure in my yard? What are the Standards for play structures?
Play structures do require a Home Improvement Application and prior approval from the Architectural Committee prior to installation. The Standards require that they be screened from view as best as possible and that they blend with the architectural characteristics of the home and neighborhood in both colors and materials. They may not be located in front yards and no structure shall exceed eighteen (18) inches above the nearest adjacent fence at its highest point. Finally, the setback requirement for play structures is three (3) feet from the property line or fence to the roof overhang.

19. Why can’t I have the same type of roof that my neighbor on the next street over has?
Each tract has its own roofing theme as established by the developer. The Architectural Guidelines & Standards specify that applications are reviewed for compatibility with each tract. Therefore, when reviewing applications for a new roof, the Architectural Committee must decide whether the proposed roofing material blends in and is compatible with the tract in question only. Roofing materials approved for one tract may not be acceptable for another tract.

20. Do I need to submit a Home Improvement Application for concrete replacement?
Provided that you are merely replacing your concrete driveway, walkway or patio as is, no application is necessary. However, if you are making any changes/upgrades in the front or visible side yards, including adding brick or simply widening the driveway or walkway, you do need to submit an application and receive approval before commencing your project. Normally, flat concrete work (slabs, walkways, etc.) in rear yards do not require an application. Please call the Association for clarification prior to beginning any work, especially in easement/zero lot line areas. Homeowners living in Maintenance Associations need to check with their Association before replacing concrete as certain areas may be designated as common and are replaced by the Association only.

21. Does the Association assist me in getting my neighbors to pay for half of my new fence?
Many homeowners lease or rent their property and live elsewhere. This can be frustrating for neighbors who are trying to replace a shared fence which has deteriorated but do not have a mailing address or phone number for the absentee landlord. In this case, the Association recommends that neighbors write a letter to the owner and then bring that letter in a stamped envelop to the Association offices. Association staff will write the absentee landlord’s address on the envelop and mail it for you. However, obtaining reimbursement for replacement of a fence is strictly a neighbor to neighbor issue.

22. My neighbors trees hang into my yard. What can I do about it? What will the Association do about it?
The Association asks that homeowners be courteous to their neighbors in ensuring that their trees are properly trimmed and maintained. This is considered a neighbor to neighbor issue. However, the Association recommends that neighbors contact each other in writing and request proper tree trimming.

23. My property is in escrow. Why does the Association have to inspect my property? Does the Association have the right to do so?
Chapter 1, Article V of the Rules, Regulations & Operating Policies grants the Association the right to inspect properties in escrow. The purpose of this inspection is to determine whether any violations exist on the property and to ensure that the violations are corrected before the buyer closes escrow. The sellers are notified of existing violations and must either correct those violations before escrow closes or obtain the buyers’ agreement to correct the violations within 30 days from the close of escrow. When a home is sold, any unapproved architectural additions to the exterior of the home must be submitted and the proper modifications made and approved. The Association’s policy is to make sure all new buyers move into Woodbridge with all architectural modifications to the exterior of the home in compliance with the Architectural Guidelines & Standards.