Riverwood Estates Indentures
IINTRODUCTION
When considering any improvement or change in your home or its appearance, including that of the appearance of your yard and lot, certain considerations must be given to applicable City of Hazelwood and St. Louis County codes as well as to any Indentures and Restrictions of Riverwood Estates. The Riverwood Estates Indentures and Restrictions (Section VII), require that before any improvements are made that the prior approval of the Trustees be obtained. This prior approval of the Indentures is not intended to be an obstruction to the enhancement of property, but rather is intended to act as a filter to ensure that any changes to a dwelling or lot will improve the property.
With 462 homes in Riverwood Estates we must be aware that any changes and improvements to your home will affect the neighborhood. The responsibility of the trustees is to assure that their approval is for the betterment of the homeowner and all 462 homes. Remember, think in terms that if you install a basketball goal (permanent in-ground) in your front yard do you want all 462 homeowners to do the same. In other words, we cannot only be concerned for one homeowner but what is appropriate for all-inclusive.
This general guideline is not an all-inclusive list of all the improvements that require approval or require review by the trustees. These are simply the most common things either applied for or simply observed by the trustees. Any structure requires prior approval.
The prior approval provision in the Indentures is designed for all of our protection and to maintain the character, beauty and investment in your home and Riverwood Estates. All homeowners are bound by these Indentures and Restrictions. The Table of Contents is listed above to identify the categories most reviewed for approval. They are not all inclusive. These general guidelines are intended to give residents basic information on the most popular requests. However, these guidelines do not guarantee approval as each project and request must be judged on its own merit. These Indentures and Covenants are binding and must be followed. Before starting work on any project, consult the trustees for your protection and to prevent any problems.
NOTE:
The city of Hazelwood has agreed NOT to issue a permit without approval from the Riverwood Estates Trustees. If your project is approved, we will provide you with all necessary documents to received your permit from Hazelwood.
GENERAL RULES
All homeowners must obtain a written approval for any improvement project, in accordance with the Riverwood Estates Declaration of Residential Covenants and Restrictions. The procedure for this is to obtain a Design and Review Approval Form and submit completed form to the trustees for approval/rejection.
The City of Hazelwood will not issue any permits to Riverwood Estates homeowners unless the trustees provide written approval.
Contractors are not allowed to place any advertisement during or after performing work. The Riverwood Estates Indentures specifically prohibits any commercial advertising and no signs are allowed. This includes signs on fences.
Contractors are not to block public thoroughfares, street or sidewalks with construction materials, equipment, dirt or debris of any kind.
FENCES
All fences must comply with the Riverwood Estates Indentures, which specifically excludes chain-link fencing. It does allow for wooden and wrought iron fences.
All fences must be repaired and maintained in accordance with the “good lot” provision of the Indentures.
Fence must comply with the codes of the City of Hazelwood. This includes building and set back lines, double frontage lots and any zoning variances. If any fence is installed that does not comply with either the City of Hazelwood codes or the RWE restrictions the homeowner can be required to remove the fence or have it moved at the homeowner’s cost to be in compliance with the appropriate zoning, codes and ordinances.
On corner lots, no fence will be allowed to extend towards the side lot line beyond the building line established by the City of Hazelwood. This line is usually a 20 ft. set back from the street curb.
Face boards on wooden, picket or slat fences must be on the outside of the fence, facing lots surrounding the fence. It may also be on the inside as well at the discretion of the homeowner.
No contractor/advertising signs are allowed on the fence.
RETAINING WALLS
A variety of appropriate materials are allowed for retaining walls. It is important that the wall comply with the codes of the City of Hazelwood for structural integrity. The RWE Homeowners Association recognizes the difference between a decorative, ornamental and landscaping nature and a retaining wall meant to alter the grade of a lot. Please consult with the City of Hazelwood for questions on permit requirements.
DECKS
Decks are NOT allowed to extend towards the front of any lot beyond the plane of the rear wall of the house or garage. All structural integrity must be assured by following the City of Hazelwood’s code to ensure safety.
SWIMMING POOLS
No pool will be permitted to extend toward the front of any lot beyond the plane of the rear wall of the house or garage. It cannot be closer than fifteen feet from a side lot. It is imperative that you obtain a permit from the City of Hazelwood for code approval.
HOME ADDITIONS
No single slope roofs are allowed. A roof must have a gable (“A” frame) and must be compatible with the roof design and appearance of the house
STORAGE STRUCTURES
Storage structure, sheds of any kind are not allowed under the Indentures (See VI, Paragraph H). This includes a storage structure for firewood.
RECREATIONAL STRUCTURES
All recreational and/or play structures (children’s swing sets, play structures, slides, etc.) must be no further toward the front lot line than the plane of the rear wall of the house or garage and no closer to the side or rear lot line than six (6) feet.
Any basketball backboards, including on a pole or attached to the house or garage, may not be placed closer to the front lot line than 10 ft from the plane of the front wall of the house and not the garage on that lot. Basketball backboards on the side of a house or garage will be allowed only if there is an existing slab beneath it.
LANDSCAPING
No prior approval is required for landscaping. The Riverwood Estates Indentures do require each homeowner to maintain their lot and home to be compatible and harmonious with the neighborhood. If you are planning a significant change in the appearance to your home or lot, please contact the trustees to discuss if approval is needed. Any unusual or significant change that does not comply with the overall appearance of Riverwood Estates, and was not approved, would require removal by the trustees.
DRIVEWAY AND SIDEWALK ADDITIONS
Sidewalks of normal and appropriate proportions are not prohibited but are still subject to all the design review restrictions as well as any easements which must be observed.
Patios are not usually subject to the design review approval process. It is suggested that when planning any of these projects, contact a trustee to be certain that all easement and codes are observed to prevent removal. Concrete or equivalent is the only material approved for these additions. No blacktop driveway or sidewalk will be allowed.