HILLTOP HOA REQUIRED ARCHITECTURAL STANDARDS
EAST HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP, LANCASTER COUNTY, PA
INTRODUCTION
The Hilltop Homeowners Association (HOA) is providing Owners with these Hilltop HOA Architectural Standards (Hilltop Standards) so Owners have the relevant information to maintain and protect their neighborhood’s character, uniformity, and home values.
The HOA reserves the right to periodically revise and update this document.
HOA approval is required for all improvements made to the exterior of an Owner’s property. An Owner requesting approval for an exterior improvement will be provided with any relevant update on the Hilltop Standards as part of the approval process. An Owner is responsible for obtaining required permitting or township approval. The HOA must be notified of any deviation from Hilltop standards.
The HOA’s responsibilities include providing maintenance, painting, and repair services to an Owner’s property that are part of the property’s original construction. An Owner is responsible for the maintenance, painting, and repair of exterior improvements, including landscaping/mulching, building additions, or other exterior improvements made to an Owner’s property that are not part of the property’s original construction.
Exterior Improvements, including Exterior Additions, Landscaping, Repairs, Alterations, and Changes, require an Owner to submit a written request to the HOA’s Architectural Committee. Have a question – PLEASE ASK first!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1) Cover page
2) Preface and Table of Contents
3) Front Courtyard Fencing
4) Front Courtyard Gates
5) Rear Divider Fencing
6) Front Decks
7) Front Steps
8) Rear Decks
9) Front Doors / Rear Doors and Trim
10) Storm Doors and Trim
11) Garage Doors
12) Siding (Attaching decorations, signs, or lights is prohibited)
13) Chimneys
14) Windows (Candles, Blinds, Weather Proofing, Screens, and Window Covers)
15) Roof and Skylights
16) Exterior Lighting
17) Gutters and Downspouts (Attaching decorations, signs or lights is prohibited)
18) Satellite Dishes
19) Address Signs
3) Front Courtyard Fencing:
HOA Approval is required. An Owner is responsible for the maintenance and repair of any exterior improvement. All front courtyard fencing must be constructed of wood material and in the style/height and board orientation shown in the photographs. Slight variation in board size, trim, accents, and post caps will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The HOA can request the removal of unsightly decorations, signs, planters, or lights that negatively impact appearance or interfere with HOA-provided painting. Trex (or similar), vinyl, or other synthetic materials are prohibited. Fences must be painted in the correct matching color. An Owner is responsible for negotiating work with adjacent neighbor for fences located on the property line.
4) Front Courtyard Gates:
HOA Approval is required. An Owner is responsible for the maintenance and repair of any exterior improvement. All courtyard gates must be constructed of wood material and in the style/height and board orientation shown in the photographs. Slight variation in board size, trim, accents, and post caps is permitted and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The HOA can request the removal of unsightly decorations, signs, planters, or lights that negatively impact appearance or interfere with HOA provided painting. Trex (or similar), vinyl, or other synthetic materials are prohibited. Gates must be painted in the correct color to match fencing. Gates must remain attached and in working condition. The switch to the straight top gate style can be postponed until the time of the next gate/fence replacement project.
5) Rear Divider Fencing:
HOA Approval is required. An Owner is responsible for the maintenance and repair of any exterior improvement. All rear divider fencing must be constructed of wood material and in the style/height and board orientation shown in the photographs. Slight variation in board size, trim, accents, and post caps will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The HOA can request the removal of any unsightly decorations, signs, planters, or lights that negatively impact the appearance or interfere with HOA-provided painting. Trex (or similar), vinyl, or other synthetic materials are prohibited. Rear divider fencing must be painted in the correct color to match front fencing. An Owner is responsible for negotiating work with their adjacent neighbor for fencing located on the property line.
6) Front Decks:
HOA Approval is required. An Owner is responsible for the maintenance and repair of any exterior improvement. All front decks must be constructed of wood material and in the style/lattice work shown in the photograph (unless building code requirements change). Slight variations in board size and trim will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The HOA can request the removal of any unsightly decorations, signs, planters, or lights that negatively impact the appearance or interfere with HOA-provided painting. Trex (or similar), vinyl, or other synthetic materials are prohibited. Decks must be painted in the correct matching color. An Owner is responsible for negotiating work with adjacent neighbor for steps/railings located on the property line.
7) Front Steps:
HOA Approval is required. An Owner is responsible for the maintenance and repair of any exterior improvement. Front steps must be constructed of wood material and in the style/lattice work shown (unless building code requirements change).: Slight variations in board size and trim will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The HOA can request the removal of any unsightly decorations, signs, planters, or lights that negatively impact the appearance or interfere with HOA-provided painting. Trex (or similar), vinyl, or other synthetic materials are prohibited. Steps must be painted in the correct color to match front courtyard fencing.
8) Rear Decks
HOA Approval is required. An Owner is responsible for the maintenance and repair of any exterior improvement. As determined by the HOA, rear decks in “Gateway Plexes” that are within the direct view of Nolt Road must remain closely matching in colors and materials. The use of Trex (or similar) or synthetic materials on deck railings or decking will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. All rear deck posts must remain wood and shall be painted in the correct matching color. The HOA can request the removal of any unsightly decorations, signs, planters, or lights that negatively impact the appearance or interfere with HOA-provided painting.
9) Front Doors / Rear Doors and Trim:
HOA Approval is required. An Owner is responsible for the maintenance and repair of any exterior improvement. All doors must be replaced in the style shown in this photograph and painted in the correct matching color (Door color varies by plex with white trim). Doors of different materials/colors or doors that incorporate windows are prohibited. Doors and trim are painted by the HOA in a 5-year cycle. See the website for more info.
Approval is required for rear door replacement and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
10) Storm Doors and Trim:
HOA Approval is required. An Owner is responsible for the maintenance and repair of any exterior improvement. All storm doors will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Storm doors with white trim with a full glass window are recommended. Storm door windows must be clear of stickers, objects that are detrimental to the appearance. Painting of storm door windows is prohibited.
11) Garage Doors and Trim:
HOA Approval is required. An Owner is responsible for the maintenance and repair of any exterior improvement. Garage doors should be free of dents and scratches. All garage doors must be replaced in the style shown in the photographs. Garage doors and trim should be painted in the correct matching color. Garage doors and trim are painted by the HOA in a 5-year cycle. See the website for more info. Door color varies by plex with white trim. Garage doors with different materials, colors, or accents are prohibited. Garage doors that incorporate windows are prohibited.
12) Siding:
HOA Approval is required. The HOA is responsible for the maintenance, repair and replacement of siding due to normal wear and tear. The Owner is responsible for any damage to siding NOT caused by normal wear and tear.
Selection of a new siding color without HOA approval is strictly prohibited. Siding is reviewed on case by case basis. The HOA will continue to provide updates on approved siding colors and brands. Attaching any decorations to siding is prohibited.
Blue Siding Approved Color: Oxford Blue by Certainteed, Encore is the D 4 ½ Dutchlap is the style and profile
13) Chimneys:
HOA Approval is required. The HOA is responsible for the maintenance, repair and replacement of chimney surface due to normal wear and tear. The Owner is responsible for any damage to a chimney surface NOT caused by normal wear and tear. Any chimney surface must be replaced and maintained in white siding as shown.
Note: beginning in 2020 the HOA is replacing all stucco chimney surfaces with vinyl siding as shown over a 5-year period.
14) Windows (Candles, Blinds, Weather Proofing, Screens and Window Covers):
HOA Approval is required. An Owner is responsible for the maintenance and repair of any exterior improvement. Windows should be free of cracks, breaks, worn divider strips, etc. Windows and blinds must be repaired, replaced, and maintained in the same style as the existing windows.
As shown in the photograph, larger windows have a 9 over 9 grid pattern and smaller windows have a 6 over 6 grid pattern. Small candles in the windows are permitted as shown in the photograph.
Blinds and screens must be maintained in good condition or the HOA can require repair, replacement or removal.
Winter weatherproofing must be clear and transparent material that has no impact on the window’s appearance.
Window covers with advertising are prohibited. The use of blankets, sheets, towels, or other fabric (including with bright colors/patterns/sports team logos, etc.) as window covers are prohibited. Windows must be clear of stickers or objects detrimental to their appearance.
15) Roofs and Skylights
HOA Approval is required. The HOA is responsible for the maintenance, repair and replacement of roofs due to normal wear and tear. The Owner is responsible for any damage to the roof NOT caused by normal wear and tear.
Roof shingles must be replaced in the correct color and brand to match the surrounding and adjacent units.
An Owner is responsible for all maintenance, repair, and replacement of skylights.
Note: Skylights pictured are the newer style. Some homes still have original skylights from 30+ years ago.
16) Exterior Lighting:
HOA Approval is required. An Owner is responsible for the maintenance and repair of any exterior improvement. Matching light fixtures between adjacent neighbors or the entire plex is preferred. If this is not possible, the HOA will review on a case-by-case basis.
The HOA will review motion sensor and security lights on a case-by-case basis. Uniformity between the garage light, front door light, and rear deck or patio lights is also preferred and the HOA will review on a case-by-case basis.
17) Gutters and Downspouts:
HOA Approval is required. An Owner is responsible for the maintenance and repair of any improvements to gutters and downspouts, including but not limited to: gutter guards, splash guards, increased spouting sizing, providing for a drainage system. The owner is responsible for choosing how to move water away from the bottom of the downspout to avoid water buildup on the owner’s property or water draining onto a neighbor’s property.
All gutters and downspouts must be white as shown in the photograph. No decorations may be attached to gutters or downspouts.
18) Satellite Dishes:
HOA Approval is required. An Owner is responsible for the maintenance and repair of any exterior improvement. Rear installation of a satellite dish is preferred. The HOA will review requests for alternative satellite dish locations on case by case basis. An Owner is responsible for any roof damage caused by the current or past installation of a satellite dish antenna. An Owner is also responsible for removal upon resale.
19) Address Signs:
HOA Approval is required. An Owner is responsible for the maintenance and repair of any exterior improvement. Address signs must be a maximum of 1’ wide by 1’ high. An Owner is responsible for removing as necessary prior to fence or deck painting.
