Frequently Asked Questions
Rolling Hills Estates Home Owners' Association Frequently Asked Questions
I need to replace/replant some grass on my property. What kind of grass do I need to use?
“All Lots shall be attractively landscaped and well manicured. All Lots shall be fully sodded with St. Augustine grass, except in areas where other attractive landscaping features are placed. The Owner shall promptly resod any area on a Lot where sod has died or been removed. No portion of a Lot may be paved or similarly covered except as approved by the Board, its designee, and the Master Association.”
Do I need an irrigation system on my property?
“All Lots shall be equipped with an underground irrigation system to supply adequate water to all landscaping on the Lot.”
Can I build a shed or accessory buildings on my property?
“No tool shed, lean-to, or other accessory building or out-building may be placed upon a Lot except in the rear and only after the Owner has obtained Board approval and approval from the Master Association as required elsewhere for the construction of Improvements. Any accessory building on a Lot shall be maintained in good repair and attractive condition.”
Who is responsible for the sidewalk on my property?
Owners are responsible for the maintenance, upkeep, and replacement, as needed, of sidewalks on their property. “Sidewalks complying with the Design Standards shall be constructed on each Lot. The sidewalks shall extend from the lot line on each side of the Lot that borders a street or right-of-way. The sidewalks on each Lot shall connect with the adjacent Lots' sidewalks. Each Owner shall maintain all sidewalks and paved walks and paths on his Lot in good repair, and shall not allow sidewalks upon his Lot to become obstructed.”
Can I plant a vegetable garden on my property?
“No vegetables or other garden for raising produce shall be permitted within the Property unless concealed from view from adjacent properties and right-of-ways.”
Can I paint or change the perimeter wall adjacent to my property?
“A perimeter wall or fence encircling much of the Property has been constructed or is planned for construction by the Declarant. This perimeter wall lies or may be constructed to lie upon Lots near the boundary of the affected Lots. Declarant hereby reserves an easement across all Lots for the purpose of constructing and maintaining this perimeter wall and for the purpose of providing access to the construction and maintenance thereof. No Owner upon whose Lot a portion of the perimeter wall lies may damage or alter the perimeter wall.”
Can I install a boundary wall, fence, and fencing-type barrier like a hedge on my property?
”No boundary wall, fence, or fencing-type barrier, including without limitation, shrubs and hedges, shall be placed, allowed, or maintained on a Lot without the prior written consent of the Master Association or its designee as required above. The Master Association may issue guidelines detailing acceptable fence styles or specifications, but in no event may chain link fence or hog wire fence be approved. No cages, dog runs, animal pens, or similar enclosures shall be permitted on a Lot without prior approval of the Master Association.”
Are short-term rentals allowed in the neighborhood (e.g., Airbnb, VRBO, etc.)?
Yes. "All Lots shall be used only for residential purposes. No business or business activity shall be conducted upon any Lot at any time except with the written approval of the Association. Leasing of a Lot for purposes of human habitation (including long-term and short-term rentals) shall not be considered a business activity and shall be permitted.”
What kinds of animals are allowed?
“No animals, livestock, or poultry of any kind may be raised, bred, kept, or permitted on any Lot, with the exception of dogs, cats, birds (kept indoors), and fish in reasonable number, as determined by the Board. Any pets permitted to roam free or, in the board's sole discretion, endanger the health, make objectionable noise, or constitute a nuisance or inconvenience to the Owners of other Lots or the owner of any adjacent property may be removed by the Board. No pets shall be kept, bred, or maintained for 'any commercial purpose. Dogs who are household pets shall, whenever they are outside the Owner's Lot, to be confined on a leash.”
Can I park my work truck, RV, or boat on my property or in the neighborhood?
“Commercial vehicles with commercial writing on their exteriors, vehicles primarily used or designed for commercial purposes, tractors, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, trailers (either with or without wheels), campers, camper trailers, boats, and other watercraft, and boat trailers shall be parked only in enclosed garages or, if approved by the Board, in another location concealed from view from adjacent property and streets and rights-of-way.”
What vehicles are prohibited in the neighborhood?
“The following vehicles are prohibited within the Streets:
(a) Heavy equipment, tractor-trailers, and other construction or commercial vehicles.
(b) Recreational and all-terrain vehicles and the like.
(c) Any other vehicle that the Association determines in its discretion is a nuisance or unreasonable inconvenience or disturbance, or likely to cause extra-ordinary damages or pose an unreasonable hazard.”
Can I store my unregistered/undrivable vehicle on my property or neighborhood?
“Stored vehicles and vehicles which are either inoperable or do not have current operating licenses shall not be permitted on the Property except within enclosed garages. For purposes of this provision, a vehicle shall be considered "stored" if it is put up on blocks or covered with a tarpaulin, or otherwise appears in a state of disrepair and remains in that condition for seven (7) consecutive days without the prior approval of the Board.”
I need to replace my mailbox. Are there any requirements?
“The design, color, materials, size, location, and other details relating to the placement of a mailbox on any Lot shall conform to the architectural design of the current residence on that Lot and shall be subject to prior approval as required elsewhere in this Declaration for construction of improvements. Each Owner shall always maintain his or her mailbox in a clean and attractive condition.”
Can I put up a basketball hoop, trampoline, clothesline, play equipment, or store wood on my property?
“All basketball hoops and backboards, trampolines, and other recreational equipment, clotheslines, garbage cans, wood piles, and other similar items on Lots shall conform to the architectural design of the principal residence on that Lot and shall be located or screened to be concealed from view of neighboring Lots, streets and property located adjacent to the lot."
Where am I allowed to store my trash/recycling cans?
“All basketball hoops and backboards, trampolines, and other recreational equipment, clotheslines, garbage cans, wood piles, and other similar items on Lots shall conform to the architectural design of the principal residence on that Lot and shall be located or screened to be concealed from view of neighboring Lots, streets and property located adjacent to the lot."
"All rubbish, trash, and garbage shall be stored in appropriate containers approved as required elsewhere for construction of Improvements, and shall regularly be removed from the Lot and shall not be allowed to accumulate thereon.”
What changes to my property require the pre-approval of the Association?
Some of the changes that require approval include, but are not necessarily limited to include:
- Pool
- Patio enclosure
- Patio extension
- Fence
- Driveway
- Pool enclosure
- Trash enclosure
- Exterior painting
“Architectural Control. No Improvement, alteration, construction, installation, excavation, demolition, erection, or any work or activity that may change the configuration or appearance of a Lot or Improvements thereon, may be commenced or performed on a Lot until the approval procedures prescribed by the Master Declaration have properly and timely been followed. Approval in connection therewith has been given.
45 Declarant's Variances from Design Standards. Regarding particular proposed Improvements, Declarant shall be allowed to grant variances from requirements of the Design Standards, provided that Declarant concludes in its discretion that the variance shall not substantially detract from the appearance or aesthetic quality of Formosa Gardens. A variance so granted by Declarant shall be honored by the Master Association.”
Can I convert my garage into a living space?
In short, no.
“All garages shall be designed for a minimum of two automobiles. No garage may be placed on a Lot unless attached to and made an integral part of the dwelling. All garages shall resemble in color, materials, and architecture the dwelling to which they are attached. No garage may be constructed on a Lot unless the plans are first approved by the Master Association as required elsewhere in this Declaration. No garage may be converted into a living space. Carports on Lots are prohibited.”
Note: Any statements in quotes (e.g., “words”) were taken directly from the ROLLING HILLS ESTATES COMMUNITY DECLARATION OF EASEMENTS, COVENANTS, CONDITIONS, RESTRICTIONS, dated September 29, 1997, and as amended September 24, 1998, and September 23, 1999. Additional changes may have been made or made in the future that may not be reflected in this document.