• Installation of all trees over 2 ½ inches in diameter measured twelve inches above the ground and not listed on the suggested list of trees suitable for residential lots in Kingstowne (see Trees)

• Installation of any other plantings intended to form a hedge or natural screen, which will attain a height of more than two feet.

• Installation of railroad ties, garden timbers, dry-stacked or mortar-set stone, or similar structures which will form a wall over 12 inches high and more than 8 feet long.   Include a plan for all planter boxes showing that site drainage has been successfully accommodated.

• Installation of any proposed improvement, which is of such a scale or type that is inconsistent with the existing design features of the home, adjacent units and the surrounding area.

• Substantial or total removal of turf.  Include a plan for the replacement of turf with adequate plantings of suitable nature and scale to cover a minimum of two-thirds of  the yard.

• Vegetable gardens.   While allowed, vegetable gardens must be located behind the rear plane of the house totally within the property boundaries.  They must be located so as to minimize their visibility from neighboring properties and streets.

• MAINTENANCE OF GROUNDS:  Homeowners are also responsible for the continued maintenance of all grounds and landscaping within their lot.  The homeowner must keep grass, shrubs and trees neatly trimmed, properly cultivated and free of weeds and pet excrements and other debris.  Homeowners may not allow trees, shrubs or plantings of any kind to overhang or otherwise encroach upon any sidewalk, street, pedestrian walkway, KROC common area or another homeowner’s property. 
  
  Violations of these maintenance standards are subject to the Fine and Restoration Assessment actions described below.

• MAINTENANCE SUMMARY:  It is impossible to list and describe each and every component of a homeowner’s lot that must be maintained and how it should be maintained.  Suffice it to say that all exterior finishes, whether brick, metal, wood or any other material, should be maintained in a state of good repair.  A state of good repair consists of ensuring that the unit and its entire component parts look as good as it did when it was new.  Siding must be clean and free of significant warping or bubbling.  Peeling paint and rotting wood evidenced by cracks and black mold or soft areas must be sanded, caulked and repainted.  Homeowners must replace or, if possible, repair any rotted wood components.  Windows, doors, garage doors, exterior roof and gable trim all need to be caulked and repainted on an average every 2 years.  Paint on doors and shutters fade with time and even if it is not peeling, theses areas and others described above need to be repainted on average every 2 years.  You can save yourself many costly repairs if these areas are inspected and routine upkeep is performed every year.  These guidelines are designed to insure not only that all units look their best but also that costly repairs are not necessary because routine maintenance is performed in a timely fashion.
  
  If you have any doubt about the need for repairs or repainting, please contact the ARC Administrator at 703-922-9477.

• KROC YEARLY INSPECTIONS AND FINES:  KROC inspects all properties within Kingstowne on a yearly basis.  If a homeowner has not kept their unit in good condition, KROC will cite them for non-compliance under this paragraph of the Architectural Handbook.  Violations of these maintenance standards are violations of Kingstowne’s Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions and may result in a Violation Notice during our yearly inspections.  If a violation is not corrected within the specified time period, it can result in a Fine for non-compliance and an additional Restoration Assessment can be made if the community must take action to have the work performed to bring the unit into compliance.  This Fine and/or Restoration Assessment will be placed as a lien against the offending property, which must be satisfied before the property is sold.

• Visible portions of patios must be constructed only of brick, slate, stone, or concrete interlocking pavers.   Colors should coordinate with the existing materials and colors of the home and typically be neutral earth tones (such as gray, blue-gray, brown or red).  Where installation of a patio material dictates the use of joints or seams, the joint or seam must be entirely filled with sand, compacted stone dust, pea gravel or mortar.  Wooden borders or trim, as well as seating, planters, plant hangers or other similar fixed accessories, may be added if their material and finish matches that allowed for lower level deck construction.

• Poured concrete patios are discouraged.  If this material is proposed, it should be integrally colored and include some form of surface texture treatment to replicate stone, brick or pavers.  There are limits to the area of concrete than can be poured without including control joints to prevent cracking.  Seek professional advice if uncertain about these limits based on your particular installation.

• Foundations: Providing the proper foundation for a patio assures the homeowner many years of use. Slate and stone set directly on the existing ground is discouraged because of the unstable surface that will be created over time due to natural settlement and frost heave. The depth of a foundation for a masonry patio varies with the thickness and type of material. Foundations for both decks and patios must be constructed so as to prevent uneven or otherwise visible heaving or settling. Foundations must also be constructed to prevent the penetration by weeds, grass or other growth. Seek professional advice if uncertain about the depth and type of foundation that is appropriate for a particular material.

• Any impact to existing drainage requirements, which might result from the construction of the patio must be considered, addressed in the application and architecturally and environmentally sound mitigation proposed.   At least one foot of pervious ground surface (a mulch bed, "grass block" or partially porous surface) should remain between the sides and rear of the patio and any adjacent properties or common area. Construction of the patio must not adversely affect the existing drainage scheme for surrounding properties or common areas. All discharge must be addressed on the homeowner's property.  No portion of existing drainage systems shall be removed nor their functioning impeded. Any French drains or similar runoff management systems constructed, may not intrude into common areas (e.g., direct venting through piping extending beyond the owner’s property line).

PORTABLE STORAGE/MOVING CONTAINERS:       Portable storage/moving containers (commonly known as pods) or any similar units designed for the temporary storage or transportation of a resident’s personal household goods must be located in the resident’s own driveway or, in those neighborhoods with parking plans, the resident’s own reserved parking space, for no more than 10 consecutive days. 

Such containers may not be located on Common Areas or in designated fire or traffic lanes, and may not block public sidewalks or obstruct the access of other residents.  Such containers may be located in a neighboring resident’s driveway or reserved parking space with the neighboring resident’s prior written permission. 

Use of such containers for commercial or home business storage or for a period in excess of 10 days is expressly prohibited.

• Location: Generally, such equipment must be placed in rear yards.  All elements of the equipment must be within the homeowner’s lot boundaries.

• Scale and Design: The equipment must be compatible with the lot size.  The design and any individual screening are additional considerations in evaluating whether or not there will be an adverse visual impact.

• Height:  The equipment must not be readily visible from adjacent roadways and common elements.  Natural colors are encouraged.

• Basketball Backboards; Backboards may be attached to single-family homes, garages or carports.  The backboards may be left white or painted to match the trim color of the structure to which secured.