The Highlands HOA

What The Highlands HOA's governing documents say

The Highlands is a single-family home HOA in Chelsea, Alabama. These rules apply to homeowners (lot owners) and cover what you can build, how you must maintain your property, and what the HOA controls.

• Building & design requirements: Main homes must be at least 2,000 sq. ft. finished area (2,600 sq. ft. living space). Exterior materials, roof pitch (min. 8/12), window style, and colors must be approved by an Architectural Review Board. No trailers, shacks, or barns. Detached garages must match the main house; fences need approval and can't be chain-link, vinyl, or metal (wrought iron allowed if visible from street; street-facing fences need stone columns every 25 ft.).
• Architectural review: Any new structure, exterior alteration, fence, or major landscape change requires written ARB approval before starting. Plans must include site, grading, landscaping, and drainage. The ARB can reject for appearance, style, or incompatibility with the neighborhood. Approval expires if construction doesn't begin within 6 months.
• Landscaping & trees: At least 30% of the front landscaped area must be cleared and mulched; driveway area must be groomed. Trees over 10" diameter must be plotted and approved before removal; a $5,000 tree deposit is required. Street-front lawns need at least 4 ft. of sod or seeded grass along the road.
• Pets & animals: No livestock or birds. Owners may keep up to 2 dogs and 2 cats as domestic pets, confined to the owner's lot.
• Vehicles & parking: No boats, trailers, RVs, or campers may be stored in the open. Garage doors visible from the street must have automatic closers. Large events must plan off-site parking. Construction vehicles follow specific hours (M–F 6 a.m.–6 p.m., Sat 7 a.m.–4 p.m., no Sun).
• Use restrictions: No business, commercial, or manufacturing activities requiring a business license. No signs except a 5 sq. ft. real estate sign or builder's sign (must be ARB-approved). No satellite dishes visible from the main road. No window A/C units. No garage sales except community-wide events. No burning trash without a county permit. No nuisances or illegal activities.
• Assessment & HOA fees: All lot owners pay annual assessments (set by the Board at a uniform rate) plus possible special assessments (needing 2/3 member vote). As of the 2017 supplemental, the interim annual assessment was $1,181 per lot (without pool) until certain conditions; once the pool complex is built, a minimum $2,838 per year. Unpaid assessments accrue 8% interest and can become a lien on the property.

Plain-language summary generated from the governing documents on file for this community. It may be incomplete and is not legal advice — read the full documents below or consult the official recorded versions.