News Articles
Covenant Spotlight - Commercial Uses Prohibited
Posted on Feb 11th, 2022
It is easy to lose track of the big picture and all the small incremental developments and improvements Applewood HOA has accomplished over the years. During the annual meeting, we heard good comments and thought-provoking questions that made me seize the opportunity, take note and reflect on our smaller changes, they really do add up to big improvements.
Your HOA is committed to continuing the climb higher. During the next few months, We will come into email inboxes a little more often to help give our homeowners insight and more information on the topics covered and much more. This is one reason homeowners made the decision to move into a community governed by an HOA. Right?
Covenant Spotlight - Commercial Uses Prohibited ????
"Hey, my neighbor runs a small business out of his home as a freelance writer, is that a violation of the HOA Covenants"? The CC&R reads:
Article V, Section B - Commercial Uses Prohibited. No business uses or activities of any kind whatsoever shall be permitted or conducted in Applewood Estates. Nor shall any residential lot be used for a trade, business, or religious activity including day schools, nurseries, or church schools.
The HOA understands that some homeowners may use their home address for a business license and some may work from home such as a consultant, financial advisor, pastry chef, blogger, tutor, seamstress, accountant, realtor, jewelry maker, interior decorator, etc.
The HOA also recognizes many jobs are becoming more remote, so it approved a guideline back on October 16, 2018, to permit such businesses if the trade or activity did not present an annoyance, nuisance, or safety issue to the neighbors or the community.
The HOA feels this meets the intent of the CC&R and experience shows most homeowners find this an acceptable position (or interpretation). The guideline allows the current HOA board and future boards to be fair and consistent with everyone while protecting homeowners from their HOA being a nitpicker.
You can find all the HOA policies and guidelines on the website.