Living with Wintergreen's covenants
Ask. That’s the best way for homeowners to get answers regarding what Wintergreen’s covenants require.
Asking WPOA’s Architectural Review Board is the best and most practical way to get questions answered because answers involving a specific location often, although not always, have to start with “it depends.” Those that work with interpreting the covenants seldom struggle with providing answers–most questions have been asked and answered before.
Blanket ‘do’s and don’ts’ applicable to the development and management of all lots are impossible to enumerate. Each lot is not only unique in its location and natural features, but different parts of Wintergreen can have different formal rules in place.
One question the ARB gets often that can be addressed is, “What do I have to have approved by the ARB?” While the answer here might be “it depends,” WPOA’s ARB does not review any interior changes on properties. (The condominiums often have rules about interior changes as well as their own rules on exteriors, however.)
There are rules covering most all exterior changes on or around existing individual homes–even if it’s simply replacing or repairing. (If, for example, you’re repainting a house the same color, the ARB still needs to approve it; the rules on colors can change.) Also, landscaping changes, including decks and screened porches, need review. Any tree cutting requires prior approval.
For example, WPOA’s ARB approval is required on:
Exterior expansion or alteration of any type.
Conversion or additions to screened porches.
Changes, additions to or removal of windows, skylights, doors, etc.
Repainting home, trim, deck or other appendages to the home, even if the color is the same.
Installation of hot tubs, fish ponds, fountains, gazebos or storage buildings.
Planting of trees or shrubs in areas affecting the enjoyment of neighbors of their property.
Changes or additions to landscaping, yard slopes or irrigation systems, especially if drainage patterns might be affected.
Clearing of any trees beyond ten feet of the footprint of the house.
Clearing of understory, shrubs and native vegetation.
Addition of any exterior lighting.
Construction of any fences or similar landscape structures.
Construction of retaining walls, entrance columns or posts at the edge of the driveway.
Re-roofing materials used on a residence.
All exterior work has to be approved by the Architectural Review Board
434-325-8533, Monday through Friday
Search the Wintergreen covenants:
Guidelines for Fences & Landscape Structures
Application for Preliminary ARB Approval (pdf)
ARB Covenants Compliance Officer
Curtis McIver
434-325-8537
FAX: 434-325-1464
cmciver@wtgpoa.org
ARB Office Assistant
Jenny Hicks
434-325-8533
FAX: 434-325-1464
jhicks@wtgpoa.org
Wintergreen Property Owners Association's Architectural Review Board can be reached by calling 434-325-8533 Monday through Friday during business hours; leave a message with your phone number if there is no answer.