Columbia’s Covenants

Columbia was created in the 1960’s based on James Rouse’s vision that a “better city” could be built. From the outset, Covenants were created for each village to balance the needs and wants of the property owner with the philosophy behind the development of the community. The Covenants establish the architectural review process and assure minimum standards for land use, architectural design, and property maintenance.  The Covenants are legal documents and are binding on the property owner and “run with the land.”

The River Hill Community Association has developed Architectural Guidelines that interpret the Covenants and give direction to residents when planning changes to their properties. The Guidelines were adapted to the unique situations found in River Hill and are designed to prevent excesses and abuses. The Guidelines promote privacy and individual taste while at the same time protecting the owner’s rights, providing flexibility in property use, and avoiding encroachment on or interference with the rights of neighbors to privacy and comfort.  Property owners need to review the Guidelines prior to making any exterior changes to their homes or starting an in-home business to assess whether Association approval is required.

The River Hill Architectural Committee (RHAC) is responsible for the review and final approval of all exterior alterations and in-home businesses.  Applications are available at Claret Hall or may be downloaded from this website.  The Association has also established the Resident Architectural Committee (RAC) to assist in the review process.  Members of the RAC conduct site visits, review the plans, and provide recommendations to the RHAC regarding approval and disapproval.

The Association’s Covenant Advisor assists residents in preparing and filing the applications, addresses inquiries and complaints, and carries out all other duties associated with covenant enforcement. Complaints, which may remain anonymous, should be brought to the attention of the Covenant Advisor who will investigate to verify if a Covenant violation exists.  Complaints may be made in person or via telephone, email, or fax.

To prevent covenant violations from passing to a new homeowner, the Association strongly encourages all residents to request a Letter of Compliance prior to the sale of their home.  The Covenant Advisor will inspect the property to determine whether any maintenance or exterior alteration violations exist.  When violations are found, the Covenant Advisor will work with the owner to bring the property into compliance.

RAC Meeting Dates