Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a Homeowners Association?
A: It is a non-profit corporation registered with the State and managed by a duly elected Board of Directors. Its purpose is to maintain all common areas and to govern the community in accordance with the provision of the association governing documents: Bylaws, CCR&E (Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions, & Easements), and R&R (Rules & Regulations). The corporation is financially supported by all members of the homeowners association. Membership is both automatic and mandatory.
Q: What are the benefits of living in a neighborhood with an HOA?
A: A homeowners association (HOA) manages and maintains the common areas, preserves a consistent look throughout the community, and enhances the sense of community. An HOA may prevent your neighbors from making changes to their homes or using their property in ways that might negatively impact other homes.
Q: What does the annual assessment pay for?
A: The annual assessments (also referred to as “dues”) are each home’s share of the annual operating costs of the HOA. For example, assessments cover:
Q: What happens if a homeowner doesn't pay their assessment?
A: The maintenance and management services conducted by the association are dependent upon timely receipt of the assessments due from each homeowner. Late payments will result in a late charge. In addition, the CCR&E allows the association to charge late charges and interest and proceed with a lien on a property for nonpayment of dues.
Q: What is the Board of Directors?
A: The Homeowner's Association is a non-profit corporation and therefore a governing body is required to oversee its business. The Board of Directors is elected by the homeowners, or as otherwise specified in the bylaws. The responsibilities, limitations, and restrictions of the powers of the Board of Directors are outlined in the association governing documents. The board President is a one year term and board Directors are two year terms. All board positions are unpaid and are volunteer only.
Q: What is the Architectural Control Committee (ACC)?
A: The ACC approved the initial building of each home and lot when the Candle Ridge neighborhood was first built. Today, the ACC has the responsibility of enforcing the CCR&E (Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions, & Easements) and the R&R (Rules & Regulations) for Candle Ridge.
Q: What are the CCR&E's and R&R's?
A: The CCR&E's are the "Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions, & Easements" and the R&R's are the "Rules & Regulations" that outline how the homeowners association operates and what rules all homeowners and their guests must follow. These documents and rules are legally enforceable by the homeowners association.
Q: Does a homeowner need prior approval for routine maintenance on their home or lot?
A: In general, no prior approval is needed for routine maintenance or repairs on a home or lot. Owners are expected to maintain their homes and lots and keep in good repair and in clean, sightly, and sanitary condition. Painting of homes, other structures, and fences does not need prior approval provided there are no color changes. There are restrictions on pruning trees and prior approval may be required to prune or remove trees.
Q: Does a homeowner need prior approval for changes to their home or lot?
A: Yes, prior approval is needed for most changes to a home or lot. Prior approval is needed for painting of homes, other structures, and fences if there is a change in color. Most requests are granted and the approval process is simply to ensure that no changes are being made that could negatively affect the community.
Q: How are barking dogs dealt with?
A: If you own a dog that is having a barking problem the expectation is that you’ll address it before it becomes a nuisance. There are many products available to help stop barking that are safe and effective. Petco and the Country Store have products or look online (for example, ultimatebarkcontrol.com or petsafe.net). Barking dogs are considered a nuisance and are not allowed.
Barking dogs are also a violation of Stanwood City Ordinance per Section 8.02.230: “Noisy dogs and cats prohibited. It is unlawful to allow a dog or cat to unreasonably disturb persons with loud and continuous noises.”
If a dog is causing a disturbance, you are encouraged to speak with the owner of the dog and let them know of the situation. If that is not effective or if you are unable or unwilling to speak with the owner, call the non-emergency dispatch at 425-407-3999 and report the problem to Stanwood Police. You’ll need to provide a specific address where the dog is barking. Candle Ridge ACC will also address specific barking dog complaints, but it’s best to first report the disturbance to the Stanwood Police.
Q: What are the restrictions on vehicle parking?
A: In general, regular parking of passenger vehicles on a driveway is allowed. For the convenience of visitors, temporary parking of passenger vehicles on the street is permitted (up to 72 hours). Long term parking (over 72 hours) of boats, trailers, campers, and other recreational vehicles on driveways or on the street is not allowed. Parking of boats, trailers, campers, and other recreational vehicles in areas that are in open view from the street is not allowed.
Q: Is leasing or renting a home within Candle Ridge allowed?
A: Leasing or renting a home or lot or portion of a home or lot in Candle Ridge is not allowed. There are rare and temporary exceptions when a homeowner can demonstrate that not being allowed to lease or rent would cause a severe hardship upon the owner. These exceptions require prior written approval from the Board of Directors in accordance with the CCR&E.
A: It is a non-profit corporation registered with the State and managed by a duly elected Board of Directors. Its purpose is to maintain all common areas and to govern the community in accordance with the provision of the association governing documents: Bylaws, CCR&E (Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions, & Easements), and R&R (Rules & Regulations). The corporation is financially supported by all members of the homeowners association. Membership is both automatic and mandatory.
Q: What are the benefits of living in a neighborhood with an HOA?
A: A homeowners association (HOA) manages and maintains the common areas, preserves a consistent look throughout the community, and enhances the sense of community. An HOA may prevent your neighbors from making changes to their homes or using their property in ways that might negatively impact other homes.
Q: What does the annual assessment pay for?
A: The annual assessments (also referred to as “dues”) are each home’s share of the annual operating costs of the HOA. For example, assessments cover:
- Management and maintenance of common areas (greenbelts, playgrounds, mailboxes, etc.)
- Landscaping of common areas (plants, trees, shrubs, bark, etc.)
- Watering of common areas
- Contributions to long-term capital reserves
- Insurance
- Legal and accounting fees
Q: What happens if a homeowner doesn't pay their assessment?
A: The maintenance and management services conducted by the association are dependent upon timely receipt of the assessments due from each homeowner. Late payments will result in a late charge. In addition, the CCR&E allows the association to charge late charges and interest and proceed with a lien on a property for nonpayment of dues.
Q: What is the Board of Directors?
A: The Homeowner's Association is a non-profit corporation and therefore a governing body is required to oversee its business. The Board of Directors is elected by the homeowners, or as otherwise specified in the bylaws. The responsibilities, limitations, and restrictions of the powers of the Board of Directors are outlined in the association governing documents. The board President is a one year term and board Directors are two year terms. All board positions are unpaid and are volunteer only.
Q: What is the Architectural Control Committee (ACC)?
A: The ACC approved the initial building of each home and lot when the Candle Ridge neighborhood was first built. Today, the ACC has the responsibility of enforcing the CCR&E (Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions, & Easements) and the R&R (Rules & Regulations) for Candle Ridge.
Q: What are the CCR&E's and R&R's?
A: The CCR&E's are the "Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions, & Easements" and the R&R's are the "Rules & Regulations" that outline how the homeowners association operates and what rules all homeowners and their guests must follow. These documents and rules are legally enforceable by the homeowners association.
Q: Does a homeowner need prior approval for routine maintenance on their home or lot?
A: In general, no prior approval is needed for routine maintenance or repairs on a home or lot. Owners are expected to maintain their homes and lots and keep in good repair and in clean, sightly, and sanitary condition. Painting of homes, other structures, and fences does not need prior approval provided there are no color changes. There are restrictions on pruning trees and prior approval may be required to prune or remove trees.
Q: Does a homeowner need prior approval for changes to their home or lot?
A: Yes, prior approval is needed for most changes to a home or lot. Prior approval is needed for painting of homes, other structures, and fences if there is a change in color. Most requests are granted and the approval process is simply to ensure that no changes are being made that could negatively affect the community.
Q: How are barking dogs dealt with?
A: If you own a dog that is having a barking problem the expectation is that you’ll address it before it becomes a nuisance. There are many products available to help stop barking that are safe and effective. Petco and the Country Store have products or look online (for example, ultimatebarkcontrol.com or petsafe.net). Barking dogs are considered a nuisance and are not allowed.
Barking dogs are also a violation of Stanwood City Ordinance per Section 8.02.230: “Noisy dogs and cats prohibited. It is unlawful to allow a dog or cat to unreasonably disturb persons with loud and continuous noises.”
If a dog is causing a disturbance, you are encouraged to speak with the owner of the dog and let them know of the situation. If that is not effective or if you are unable or unwilling to speak with the owner, call the non-emergency dispatch at 425-407-3999 and report the problem to Stanwood Police. You’ll need to provide a specific address where the dog is barking. Candle Ridge ACC will also address specific barking dog complaints, but it’s best to first report the disturbance to the Stanwood Police.
Q: What are the restrictions on vehicle parking?
A: In general, regular parking of passenger vehicles on a driveway is allowed. For the convenience of visitors, temporary parking of passenger vehicles on the street is permitted (up to 72 hours). Long term parking (over 72 hours) of boats, trailers, campers, and other recreational vehicles on driveways or on the street is not allowed. Parking of boats, trailers, campers, and other recreational vehicles in areas that are in open view from the street is not allowed.
Q: Is leasing or renting a home within Candle Ridge allowed?
A: Leasing or renting a home or lot or portion of a home or lot in Candle Ridge is not allowed. There are rare and temporary exceptions when a homeowner can demonstrate that not being allowed to lease or rent would cause a severe hardship upon the owner. These exceptions require prior written approval from the Board of Directors in accordance with the CCR&E.