MAKING EXTERIOR CHANGES TO YOUR PROPERTY
Introduction
This section summarizes the responsibilities of Reston homeowners for obtaining approval prior to making any changes to the external appearance of their property. In most cases, the approval of the Design Review Board or Reston Association staff needs to be obtained. The following paragraphs outline the why, who, and what involved in getting such approvals. Some of the information contained herein is summarized from Reston Association documents.
The Deed of Dedication to which Reston properties are subject requires that initial construction and subsequent exterior change be approved by the Design Review Board (DRB). The Design Guidelines and the work of the DRB and the Reston Association (RA) help to foster and preserve an aesthetic balance among the variety of residential, public use, and commercial properties in the community.
One of the advantages to owning a Reston home is the protective covenants included in the Reston Deed of Dedication. When making a purchase in Reston, homeowners agree to comply with the property covenants and so help to maintain the design standard that was established for Reston properties. For more than 30 years, Reston properties have retained their beauty and usefulness because property owners participate in the design review process.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Design Review Board (DRB) is composed of nine Reston Association Members who serve for three-year terms. Six of the members must be professionals in the area of design - architects, landscape architects or planners; while no professional requirements are needed for the other three members. Appointments are made by the RA Board of Directors.
Individuals who seek appointment to the DRB should have a general interest in the design concepts on which the community was established and be motivated by a desire to serve fellow Members of the community. Experience in conducting public meetings and working with people is helpful in this role.
The DRB meets every Tuesday evening in groups of three, on a rotating basis, or as the Full DRB once a month. On average a DRB member is expected to attend two meetings each month, to review Design applications, and if feasible visit properties prior to the meetings.
The Reston Association (RA) performs the day-to-day administrative activities related to Design Covenants, including enforcement, and helps coordinate the property owner’s participation in the design review system. The RA staff is available to assist members with all aspects of the process.
Reston Property Owners complete the partnership by participating in the system with the DRB and RA. By planning ahead for exterior changes to their property, owners take part in the review process, and uphold and contribute to Reston’s high aesthetic standards
The Process for Making Changes to a Property
If a homeowner wishes to make exterior changes to a property, the first step is to think through how extensive the changes to the property will be. Does the project involve major structural changes, minor alterations or something in between? Might it affect neighboring properties?
The next step is to consult the NSCA design standards for your specific project. For any additional questions, contact the Covenants Staff at 703 437 9580, or the Reston Association Covenants Administration at 703-435-6530, who will:
The review system considers a great range of proposed changes, from the very simple to the very complex. Obviously, the more complex a proposed change is, the more involved the homeowners, the NSCA, the RA, and the DRB become. On the other hand, changes that conform to established guidelines or NSCA standards might be approved with a minimum of interaction, or may not require any application at all.
Application Form and Summary of Requirements
The Reston Association Design Review Application can be downloaded by clicking on the following link: RA Design Review Application. Upon completion, the application can be faxed to 703-435-2040 or it can be mailed or dropped off at:
Reston Association
Covenants Administration
12001 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 20191-3404
An application should include:
At the discretion of the DRB, applications that the DRB determines to have a wider impact on the community may be required to provide additional notice beyond the signatory requirements of this provision.
The application requires that the homeowner notify at least three nearest, reasonable available neighbors of the proposed changes and ask them to acknowledge the notification by signing the application. If the property is located in a cluster, one of the signatures must be a member of the Board of Directors.
Signing an application does not signify approval or disapproval of the proposed change; it simply acknowledges that the neighbors have been informed of the proposal. However, neighbors may register as “affected parties”.
Affected Parties
An Affected Party is any owner of property subject to the Reston Deed whose believes that their property will be materially impacted by an applicant’s proposed change. Affected Parties can present information related to an application during a DRB Panel meeting. Affected Parties are also notified about DRB decisions and other actions related to the application, and about applicant appeals of DRB decisions. Affected Parties may also file appeals of DRB decisions.
To register as an Affected Party, check the appropriate box when signing the application to note your intent to register as an Affected Party, and within 5 days of signing the application, submit to the DRB staff, a written statement of your concerns about the project.
Signing the application form only indicates awareness of the proposal. A signature does not indicate approval or disapproval of the application, nor does it serve to register an individual as an Affected Party.
DRB Appeals Process
Can a DRB decision be appealed?
Either the applicant or a registered Affected Party may appeal a DRB decision. The DRB will hear only one appeal of a decision.
• If there is new and/or additional design information that was not available to the original reviewer(s).
In most cases, the appeal decision becomes the final decision. If you wish to appeal a decision, call RA Covenants Administration at (703) 435-6530 for assistance.
Design Criteria and Principles
The design criteria that are the foundation for all decisions are explained in the next sections, and include specific objectives and design principles. The DRB develops design criteria with the following objectives in mind:
The Design Guidelines are based on the following principles:
Two other considerations may be important to property owners:
Newport Shores Cluster Association Guidelines
The Reston Master Development Plan designated certain groups of individual lots, such as Newport Shores, as residential “clusters.” Owners of such properties are members of a cluster association, such as the Newport Shores Cluster Association. The cluster association owns and maintains cluster common property.
In addition to the Design Guidelines, each cluster also has specific design standards that apply to its individual properties. Cluster standards are the criteria for essential exterior elements of the cluster architecture. These standards define basic requirements or limitations regarding alterations and describe acceptable design solutions. Please see Design Standards for the design guidelines for Newport Shores.
The essential exterior elements of the Newport Shores cluster design were reviewed and approved by the DRB prior to construction. Records of the initial approvals and subsequent changes for colors, materials, doors, fences, decks, light fixtures and such are on file at RA and are available to cluster residents. These original standards are expanded and updated through the cooperative efforts of the Newport Shores Cluster Association, the DRB, and the RA staff.
Cluster standards serve to sustain the consistence of design and the attractiveness of the neighborhood. Because the dwelling unit density is higher in clusters, continued design integrity maintains visual harmony among individual homes. High density also requires a greater degree of control regarding physical alterations. Because of the close relationship of one house to another within clusters, alterations and additions to one property may have a direct effect on adjacent property. The Design Guidelines, cluster standards, and the review process may restrict individual choices for the benefit of the cluster’s overall appearance and the protection of its individual residents.
An application for a change that conforms to established cluster standards may be approved quickly and easily through the staff review process, without the requirement for neighbors’ signatures. In other cases, review by staff in consultation with a DRB member or by a DRB Panel may be required.
In most cases, the DRB follows the cluster standards in reviewing applications. However, the DRB may review specific applications for variations from the cluster standards, and may approve such request if, after consultation with the cluster, it considers the request to be appropriate to the conditions of that property or its visual impact is not significant.
It is very important to note that the NSCA Board cannot review design alterations for its own residents. The Reston Covenants do not grant that authority to the clusters. Only the DRB is empowered to review and approve exterior alterations and additions.
Modifications to the Newport Shores Cluster Association Guidelines
Any new or modified standard must be in the form of a specific DRB decision, so that there is a clear record and mutual understanding of its terms. Although the DRB may have approved certain items by specific applications from individual cluster residents, those approvals do not constitute a cluster standard.
Generally, new standards are proposed, or existing ones modified, but an application from the cluster, signed by at least three cluster board members. Such applications are initiated in several ways:
The cluster board or a designated committee drafts the standard, assembling any appropriate supplementary information, and submits its request to the DRB on a regular application form. The form should be signed by at least three members of the cluster board, to verify that the proposal comes with the knowledge and agreement of the cluster association. For complex standards, the cluster may wish to bring in a draft of the standard for preliminary review by DRB or staff. Staff also can assist in providing information and guidance for this process and can share examples of other clusters’ standards.
The relationship between cluster and DRB is a cooperative one, with mutual benefits. Generally, the DRB will not establish a cluster standard, or modify one, without first notifying the cluster and seeking input from the board. If the cluster does not respond, however the DRB may, on its own volition, take action to develop and approve a cluster standard.
In most cases, the DRB will not approve a proposed cluster standard that violates a Design Guideline. If the proposed standard is unusually restrictive, the cluster must show that there is strong general support among its residents. However, the approved cluster standard will take precedence over the Design Guideline in matters of design review and enforcement.
Exemptions from the Applications Process
Not all changes require application for approval by Reston Association and the Newport Shores Cluster Association. Some examples include the following:
County Approvals
Fairfax County administers structural codes, zoning, types of property use and regulations related to health and safety issues. The County also issues permits, inspects construction and holds bonds. The DRB only reviews architectural design considerations and the possible effects on adjacent properties and the neighborhood.
Some projects require County review and permits in addition to DRB approval. Contact Fairfax County before beginning any work to verify what permits are required. Note: RA recommends contacting Fairfax County directly as the most reliable source of information regarding building permits and related regulations.
Compliance
Violations are identified in a number of ways, including the following:
Those who are preparing to sell property are encouraged to request from RA a “pre-POAA Inspection.” RA staff will perform an inspection at no charge, noting any possible covenants violations. The owner then will have opportunity to correct the violation, preventing it from being reported in disclosure documents and unnecessarily complicating a sale transaction. Simply call RA and staff will schedule an inspection. The inspection is a free service provided by RA Covenants Administration. However the “pre-POAA” inspection is not a legal document and is not considered a substitute for the POAA disclosure documents.
Consequences of non-compliance include:
The Use of Property and Residential Property Covenants
While the Design Covenants primarily seek to preserve the architectural integrity of the whole community, the Use of Property and Residential Property Covenants (Use/Maintenance Covenants) focus on the ongoing maintenance and specific use of properties within the community. The Use/Maintenance Covenants relate to the physical condition of property and certain uses made of it such as business in the home or parking of vehicles.
The Use/Maintenance Covenants are included in the Reston Deed and were developed, in part, to ensure that properties are kept in good repair, acceptable in appearance and substantially similar to their original condition. The Covenants require that the property, and any improvement or alteration, be kept in good condition so that it does not have a detrimental or adverse effect on other properties in the community. These considerations become even more important as Reston properties age and require more frequent maintenance. The Use/Maintenance Covenants provide both a reminder of property owners’ responsibilities and a process through which the community can protect its physical well being.
This section summarizes the responsibilities of Reston homeowners for obtaining approval prior to making any changes to the external appearance of their property. In most cases, the approval of the Design Review Board or Reston Association staff needs to be obtained. The following paragraphs outline the why, who, and what involved in getting such approvals. Some of the information contained herein is summarized from Reston Association documents.
The Deed of Dedication to which Reston properties are subject requires that initial construction and subsequent exterior change be approved by the Design Review Board (DRB). The Design Guidelines and the work of the DRB and the Reston Association (RA) help to foster and preserve an aesthetic balance among the variety of residential, public use, and commercial properties in the community.
One of the advantages to owning a Reston home is the protective covenants included in the Reston Deed of Dedication. When making a purchase in Reston, homeowners agree to comply with the property covenants and so help to maintain the design standard that was established for Reston properties. For more than 30 years, Reston properties have retained their beauty and usefulness because property owners participate in the design review process.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Design Review Board (DRB) is composed of nine Reston Association Members who serve for three-year terms. Six of the members must be professionals in the area of design - architects, landscape architects or planners; while no professional requirements are needed for the other three members. Appointments are made by the RA Board of Directors.
Individuals who seek appointment to the DRB should have a general interest in the design concepts on which the community was established and be motivated by a desire to serve fellow Members of the community. Experience in conducting public meetings and working with people is helpful in this role.
The DRB meets every Tuesday evening in groups of three, on a rotating basis, or as the Full DRB once a month. On average a DRB member is expected to attend two meetings each month, to review Design applications, and if feasible visit properties prior to the meetings.
The Reston Association (RA) performs the day-to-day administrative activities related to Design Covenants, including enforcement, and helps coordinate the property owner’s participation in the design review system. The RA staff is available to assist members with all aspects of the process.
Reston Property Owners complete the partnership by participating in the system with the DRB and RA. By planning ahead for exterior changes to their property, owners take part in the review process, and uphold and contribute to Reston’s high aesthetic standards
The Process for Making Changes to a Property
If a homeowner wishes to make exterior changes to a property, the first step is to think through how extensive the changes to the property will be. Does the project involve major structural changes, minor alterations or something in between? Might it affect neighboring properties?
The next step is to consult the NSCA design standards for your specific project. For any additional questions, contact the Covenants Staff at 703 437 9580, or the Reston Association Covenants Administration at 703-435-6530, who will:
- explain how the review process works and what level of review and application will be necessary;
- supply relevant guidelines or cluster housing standards;
- provide information about how to fill out an application; and
- estimate how long the review process might take.
The review system considers a great range of proposed changes, from the very simple to the very complex. Obviously, the more complex a proposed change is, the more involved the homeowners, the NSCA, the RA, and the DRB become. On the other hand, changes that conform to established guidelines or NSCA standards might be approved with a minimum of interaction, or may not require any application at all.
Application Form and Summary of Requirements
The Reston Association Design Review Application can be downloaded by clicking on the following link: RA Design Review Application. Upon completion, the application can be faxed to 703-435-2040 or it can be mailed or dropped off at:
Reston Association
Covenants Administration
12001 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 20191-3404
An application should include:
- A detailed written description of the proposed exterior modification or addition
- Scale drawings
- A site plan showing size and location of project
- Photographs of the existing condition
- A brochure, detail sheet or catalog photo of materials
- Estimated project completion date(s) (projects must be started within six (6) months of the date of approval and completed within eighteen (18) months of the date of approval)
- The signatures of at least three different property owners adjacent to or within view of the applicant’s alteration or improvement.
- In addition, if your property is located within a Cluster Association at least one of the signatures must be that of a Cluster Officer. Please note, the neighbors' acknowledgment is neither an approval nor disapproval of your application.
At the discretion of the DRB, applications that the DRB determines to have a wider impact on the community may be required to provide additional notice beyond the signatory requirements of this provision.
The application requires that the homeowner notify at least three nearest, reasonable available neighbors of the proposed changes and ask them to acknowledge the notification by signing the application. If the property is located in a cluster, one of the signatures must be a member of the Board of Directors.
Signing an application does not signify approval or disapproval of the proposed change; it simply acknowledges that the neighbors have been informed of the proposal. However, neighbors may register as “affected parties”.
Affected Parties
An Affected Party is any owner of property subject to the Reston Deed whose believes that their property will be materially impacted by an applicant’s proposed change. Affected Parties can present information related to an application during a DRB Panel meeting. Affected Parties are also notified about DRB decisions and other actions related to the application, and about applicant appeals of DRB decisions. Affected Parties may also file appeals of DRB decisions.
To register as an Affected Party, check the appropriate box when signing the application to note your intent to register as an Affected Party, and within 5 days of signing the application, submit to the DRB staff, a written statement of your concerns about the project.
Signing the application form only indicates awareness of the proposal. A signature does not indicate approval or disapproval of the application, nor does it serve to register an individual as an Affected Party.
DRB Appeals Process
Can a DRB decision be appealed?
Either the applicant or a registered Affected Party may appeal a DRB decision. The DRB will hear only one appeal of a decision.
- Applicants' appeals must be received by the DRB Secretary within fifteen days after notice of a decision has been mailed.
- Affected Parties' appeals must be received by the DRB Secretary within seven days after notice of a decision has been mailed.
- Requests for appeals must be submitted to the DRB Secretary in writing. The Secretary will schedule the appeal to the next available full Design Review Board. DRB decisions may be overturned on appeal for either or both of two reasons:
• If there is new and/or additional design information that was not available to the original reviewer(s).
In most cases, the appeal decision becomes the final decision. If you wish to appeal a decision, call RA Covenants Administration at (703) 435-6530 for assistance.
Design Criteria and Principles
The design criteria that are the foundation for all decisions are explained in the next sections, and include specific objectives and design principles. The DRB develops design criteria with the following objectives in mind:
- Preserving the design integrity, architectural quality and aesthetic character of Reston’s properties that make Reston a desirable place to live.
- Encouraging environmental responsibility.
- Promoting the continued physical vitality of neighborhoods in order to enhance property values for all residents.
The Design Guidelines are based on the following principles:
- Harmony with the overall community design of Newport Shores. Within the context of the Reston Master Plan, neighborhoods and clusters were designed so the individual homes would be architecturally compatible with each other, displaying some differences while maintaining a visual and physical harmony of style, proportion, color and materials. Additionally, the original designs of residential, commercial, and public use properties were reviewed and approved to fit within an overall context, or balance, of architectural aesthetics and intended use. The design guidelines and review process assist in maintaining that harmony as exterior changes are made to individual properties.
- Effect on neighboring properties. The proposed change should be compatible with the neighborhood’s overall architecture, site design, landscaping, topography, and existing character. Accommodation of access, sunlight, ventilation, view, noise, odors, trash, drainage, vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and the privacy and normal use of neighboring properties are primary considerations.
- Workmanship and materials. Long-term durability and appearance of proposed alterations are important considerations, and the quality of the workmanship and materials should be equal to or better than originally used in the neighborhood. Construction methods and materials are expected to comply with current industry standards and building codes.
- Timing of completion. Once begun, projects should be completed in a timely manner so as to limit the impact of ongoing construction upon the community.
Two other considerations may be important to property owners:
- Safety. Safety can be maintained within the context of acceptable design and construction. Fairfax County, through its building code, administers safety standards. Neither RA nor the DRB have authority or responsibility for enforcing safety standards.
- Security. It is the property owner’s responsibility to provide the needed security without offending neighboring property owners or the community. In almost all cases, security can be provided within the parameters of good and acceptable design.
Newport Shores Cluster Association Guidelines
The Reston Master Development Plan designated certain groups of individual lots, such as Newport Shores, as residential “clusters.” Owners of such properties are members of a cluster association, such as the Newport Shores Cluster Association. The cluster association owns and maintains cluster common property.
In addition to the Design Guidelines, each cluster also has specific design standards that apply to its individual properties. Cluster standards are the criteria for essential exterior elements of the cluster architecture. These standards define basic requirements or limitations regarding alterations and describe acceptable design solutions. Please see Design Standards for the design guidelines for Newport Shores.
The essential exterior elements of the Newport Shores cluster design were reviewed and approved by the DRB prior to construction. Records of the initial approvals and subsequent changes for colors, materials, doors, fences, decks, light fixtures and such are on file at RA and are available to cluster residents. These original standards are expanded and updated through the cooperative efforts of the Newport Shores Cluster Association, the DRB, and the RA staff.
Cluster standards serve to sustain the consistence of design and the attractiveness of the neighborhood. Because the dwelling unit density is higher in clusters, continued design integrity maintains visual harmony among individual homes. High density also requires a greater degree of control regarding physical alterations. Because of the close relationship of one house to another within clusters, alterations and additions to one property may have a direct effect on adjacent property. The Design Guidelines, cluster standards, and the review process may restrict individual choices for the benefit of the cluster’s overall appearance and the protection of its individual residents.
An application for a change that conforms to established cluster standards may be approved quickly and easily through the staff review process, without the requirement for neighbors’ signatures. In other cases, review by staff in consultation with a DRB member or by a DRB Panel may be required.
In most cases, the DRB follows the cluster standards in reviewing applications. However, the DRB may review specific applications for variations from the cluster standards, and may approve such request if, after consultation with the cluster, it considers the request to be appropriate to the conditions of that property or its visual impact is not significant.
It is very important to note that the NSCA Board cannot review design alterations for its own residents. The Reston Covenants do not grant that authority to the clusters. Only the DRB is empowered to review and approve exterior alterations and additions.
Modifications to the Newport Shores Cluster Association Guidelines
Any new or modified standard must be in the form of a specific DRB decision, so that there is a clear record and mutual understanding of its terms. Although the DRB may have approved certain items by specific applications from individual cluster residents, those approvals do not constitute a cluster standard.
Generally, new standards are proposed, or existing ones modified, but an application from the cluster, signed by at least three cluster board members. Such applications are initiated in several ways:
- A cluster may determine that a color or product is discontinued and apply for approval of an alternative.
- Several residents may want to have a particular type of addition or alteration, and may petition the cluster board to seek DRB approval for a cluster standard.
- Staff may observe repeated alterations of a particular type within the cluster, and suggest that the cluster apply to make it a standard.
- The DRB may request that the cluster develop and submit a standard to assit in its review of a specific application.
The cluster board or a designated committee drafts the standard, assembling any appropriate supplementary information, and submits its request to the DRB on a regular application form. The form should be signed by at least three members of the cluster board, to verify that the proposal comes with the knowledge and agreement of the cluster association. For complex standards, the cluster may wish to bring in a draft of the standard for preliminary review by DRB or staff. Staff also can assist in providing information and guidance for this process and can share examples of other clusters’ standards.
The relationship between cluster and DRB is a cooperative one, with mutual benefits. Generally, the DRB will not establish a cluster standard, or modify one, without first notifying the cluster and seeking input from the board. If the cluster does not respond, however the DRB may, on its own volition, take action to develop and approve a cluster standard.
In most cases, the DRB will not approve a proposed cluster standard that violates a Design Guideline. If the proposed standard is unusually restrictive, the cluster must show that there is strong general support among its residents. However, the approved cluster standard will take precedence over the Design Guideline in matters of design review and enforcement.
Exemptions from the Applications Process
Not all changes require application for approval by Reston Association and the Newport Shores Cluster Association. Some examples include the following:
- Play equipment that is comparable to lawn furniture or toys, and can easily be carried by one person.
- An electronic insect trap.
- Small landscaping-related elements such as bird feeders, stepping stones, wind chimes, small decorative garden ornaments or removable plant support structures.
- An underground drainpipe as long as it does not have a substantial effect on the original drainage patterns.
- An “invisible fence” (i.e., an underground electronic fence).
- A motion detector can be added to an exterior light.
- Areas of grass can be replaced with planted areas mulched with shredded/chipped wood or natural colored gravel (not white).
- Landscape edging can be installed if it is no higher than four inches.
- Enclosed planters can be constructed as long as they are no higher than 18 inches and made of stone or square landscaping timbers.
- A vegetable garden can be planted in the rear or side yard.
- Flowers, shrubs and trees can be planted, trees can be pruned, and dead trees can be removed.
- A sign that is less than one square foot can be posted.
- Holiday displays of lights can be put up as long as they are removed promptly at the close of the season.
- Curtains, blinds, interior shutters or other window treatments can be installed inside the glass.
County Approvals
Fairfax County administers structural codes, zoning, types of property use and regulations related to health and safety issues. The County also issues permits, inspects construction and holds bonds. The DRB only reviews architectural design considerations and the possible effects on adjacent properties and the neighborhood.
Some projects require County review and permits in addition to DRB approval. Contact Fairfax County before beginning any work to verify what permits are required. Note: RA recommends contacting Fairfax County directly as the most reliable source of information regarding building permits and related regulations.
Compliance
Violations are identified in a number of ways, including the following:
- Reston residents, RA staff members, or cluster representatives sometimes report possible violations of the design covenants (see form in Appendix 4). People can call Lucy Renault, the RA Covenants Advisor, at 703-435-6527 or RA’s Covenants Administration department at 703-435-6530 to find out if specific changes to a property are within the guidelines or are DRB-approved. RA staff can then determine if the project received CRB approval and contact the owner if necessary.
- Cluster associations can request RA to make inspections of the exteriors of cluster residential properties to identify covenants violations. If found, violations are recorded in the file for that property, the owner is notified in writing, and RA begins communicating with the owner about correcting the violation.
- Under the Virginia Property Owner’s Association Act of 1989 (POAA), sellers of Reston residential property are required to provide, upon the request of buyers, disclosure documents that include, among other things, information about whether the property complies with the covenants. RA supplies these documents and inspects the exterior of the property to determine if the property maybe in violation of the Design Guidelines and the Use of Property and Maintenance Covenants. Any violations are recorded in the file for that property. There is a fee for providing property sellers with a set of disclosure documents.
Those who are preparing to sell property are encouraged to request from RA a “pre-POAA Inspection.” RA staff will perform an inspection at no charge, noting any possible covenants violations. The owner then will have opportunity to correct the violation, preventing it from being reported in disclosure documents and unnecessarily complicating a sale transaction. Simply call RA and staff will schedule an inspection. The inspection is a free service provided by RA Covenants Administration. However the “pre-POAA” inspection is not a legal document and is not considered a substitute for the POAA disclosure documents.
Consequences of non-compliance include:
- When a possible covenants violation is discovered, RA staff will begin a series of communications (usually by letter) with the property owner to inform the owner about the violation(s), open a dialogue about potential remedies, and follow through until the matter is resolved.
- As noted above, violations will be reported in disclosure documents related to the sale of Reston property.
- If the violation is not corrected, a Notice of Claimed Violation of Design Covenant may be filed in the Fairfax County land records.
- When a possible covenants violation is discovered, RA staff will begin a series of communications (usually by letter) with the property owner to inform the owner about the violation(s), open a dialogue about potential remedies, and follow through until the matter is resolved.
The Use of Property and Residential Property Covenants
While the Design Covenants primarily seek to preserve the architectural integrity of the whole community, the Use of Property and Residential Property Covenants (Use/Maintenance Covenants) focus on the ongoing maintenance and specific use of properties within the community. The Use/Maintenance Covenants relate to the physical condition of property and certain uses made of it such as business in the home or parking of vehicles.
The Use/Maintenance Covenants are included in the Reston Deed and were developed, in part, to ensure that properties are kept in good repair, acceptable in appearance and substantially similar to their original condition. The Covenants require that the property, and any improvement or alteration, be kept in good condition so that it does not have a detrimental or adverse effect on other properties in the community. These considerations become even more important as Reston properties age and require more frequent maintenance. The Use/Maintenance Covenants provide both a reminder of property owners’ responsibilities and a process through which the community can protect its physical well being.
