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(Q) What is the process for
making changes or exterior alterations to my property?
(A) To find out about the specific
architectural requirements of your village, call your
village Covenant advisor. Get
a listing of Covenant Advisors. You may need to
complete a Request for Exterior Alteration form. The
Village Resident Architectural Committee will review
your request and return the form to you with its decision
and any qualifying remarks. Be sure to tell your Covenant
advisor if you live in a town house or condominium association.
You may also need to get their architectural approval.
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(Q) Do I need Architectural
Committee approval for a home-based business?
(A) Yes, and in some villages, in-home
businesses require annual re-approval.
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(Q) Do the architectural guidelines
ever change?
(A) Every village reviews and revises
its guidelines periodically and invites community input
in the process. A copy of the current guidelines is
available at your village community association.
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(Q) When I buy a house, am
I responsible for the previous owner’s Covenant
violations?
(A) Yes. Make sure that you receive
a Certificate of Compliance from your builder or seller
during the settlement process. This certificate, issued
by the Village Architectural Committee, assures that
the home has met the committee’s standards.
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(Q) Who administers the Covenants?
(A) The village community associations
administer the Covenants through Covenant advisors and
residential architectural committees. The Covenant advisor
answers questions and handles the day-to-day requirements
of the approval process.
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Architectural Committee Information
Recap:
The Architectural Committee is comprised of qualified,
interested citizens of Columbia who volunteer their
time as a community service. The functions and powers
of the committee are established by the protective Covenants
applied to each village, including industrial and commercial
parcels. The architectural committees have the authority
to make the final decision regarding architectural issues.
Members of the architectural committee are appointed
by the village board and the Columbia Association.
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Exterior Alternations Information
Recap:
The village Architectural Committee has guidelines for
exterior alterations. These will be helpful in obtaining
approval for nearly any exterior alteration. Residents
need to complete a Request for Exterior Alteration form
and return it to the address on the form. The application
is processed, recorded and sent on to the appropriate
architectural committee. The committee of your village
will review the request, make its recommendation and
return its decision to you with any qualifying remarks.
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In-Home Business Information
Recap:
Architectural Committee approval is required for conducting
a profession, business or industry in a residence. Application
forms are available from your village office. Many townhouse
communities have a homeowners’ association, which
may also have Covenants on in-home businesses that are
different and more restrictive than those of the village.
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Letter or Certificate of
Compliance Information Recap:
At the time of settlement, the resident should request
a Letter or Certificate of Compliance from the builder
or seller who should get the document from the Architectural
Committee upon its inspection and approval of the property.
It is the builder’s or seller’s obligation
to furnish this certificate or to give a written indication
that he/she will satisfactorily complete or correct
all items required by the Architectural Committee so
that a certificate can be issued. This certificate is
the buyer’s assurance that the home has met the
applicable standards of the architectural committee.
Note that this certificate is necessary in addition
to the Use and Occupancy Permit required by Howard County.
For resale of properties, current owners should request
the document from the village architectural committee
to pass on to the prospective buyer, assuring that the
home complies with architectural guidelines.
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