WHAT IS COVENANTS ADMINISTRATION? Role and Purpose The mission of the Covenants Administration department is to promote and foster the attractiveness and quality of life of the Reston community by administering – fairly and consistently – the adopted guidelines and protective covenants related to the design, maintenance, and use of residential and certain commercial and non-residential properties. These properties include more than 21,000 residential lots, non-residential, commercial complexes, and open and recreational spaces.
Who to Contact To contact someone in the covenants department, please call 703-435-6530.
Covenants Advisors Each neighborhood or cluster under the RA umbrella has an assigned advisor that is responsible for the following: (1) processing applications submitted for design review, (2) answering questions related to inspections, (3) consulting if a proposed project meets cluster standards or design guidelines, and (4) liaising with cluster association sub-HOAs.
Resale Documents and Inspections Being member of a common interest community, all members are required to order a resale disclosure package when selling their home. This package includes the governing documents, resolutions, insurance, most recent approved budget, and the results of an exterior lot inspection to ensure the lot and contained improvements conform with RA protective covenants.
Design Review Applications Most exterior modifications will require review by and the approval of the DRB. DRB applications are generally reviewed for conformance with cluster standards and/ or applicable Design Guidelines. All DRB applications require at least three (3) signatures as required by the Reston Amended Deed. Single Family Detached homes (non-cluster) require three neighboring lot signatures. Cluster properties require a signature from each of the following: an adjacent lot, a lot within view, and a cluster association board officer.
Design Guidelines and Cluster Standards RA’s Design Guidelines provide general guidance on acceptable exterior modifications and establish application review levels. Design Guideline changes are proposed by the Design Review Board (DRB) and approved by the RA Board of Directors. Cluster standards are specific to each cluster, cover basic or unique elements, and must still adhere to the Design Guidelines. Cluster standards are proposed by each cluster association’s Board of Directors and approved by the DRB.
Affected Party The Reston Amended Deed affords any member who is materially impacted by the use or design of another Property to register as an Affected Party (AP) on an application being reviewed by the DRB. Any Affected Party may be heard by a DRB Panel; will receive notice of decisions and any subsequent actions taken by the DRB; will be sent notice of the Applicant’s appeal, if made; and may file his/her own appeal. Applications with an AP must be reviewed by either a Panel of the DRB or the Full Design Review Board.
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