Morgan’s Crossing Homeowners Association
Rules and Regulations [Dec – Article IX (c)]
(Lawncare regulations effective as of 17 May 2024, all other regulations remain in effect as of last previous publication.)
Rationale
An orderly and neat exterior appearance is essential for maintaining the character and charm of the Morgan’s Crossing Community. In order to perpetuate the design concept of Morgan’s Crossing, no building, fence, paving, or other structure shall be erected without prior written approval by the HOA Architectural Control Committee (hereafter, ARC). [Dec – Article VIII]
2023.001
The Board reserves the right to make or change Rules and Regulations from time to time as may be deemed necessary for the safety, care and cleanliness of the units and property for securing the comfort and convenience of all occupants thereof. All such changes must remain consistent with the law and the provisions of the Declaration and Bylaws. [Dec – Article XIII.02]
2023.002
The Board may levy fines upon unit owners for violations of the Declaration, Bylaws, or Rules and Regulations. Unit owners shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with the Declaration, Bylaws, or Rules and Regulations by their guests, licensees, relatives, employees, and any other persons they invite or otherwise cause to be upon the premises, and penalties for such violations by such persons may be levied against the unit owner. [Dec – Article XIII.01 (b)] Requests for changes or additions to the Rules and Regulations of Morgan’s Crossing should be submitted in writing to the Board.
Rules and Regulations
2023.003 Dec - Article VIII
CHANGES TO EXTERIOR: Any permanent, exterior structural modification/addition must be submitted for approval and approved in writing by the ARC prior to construction.
2023.004
FEES MUST BE CURRENT: No approvals will be granted from the Board to a Unit owner until all unpaid fees are collected by the Association. All fees must be current to be elected to the Board.
2023.005 Dec Article IX.9.01.g
CLEAN APPEARANCE: All parts of Morgan’s Crossing shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition, with no rubbish, refuse, or garbage allowed to accumulate on a property’s exterior.
2023.006 Dec Article IX.9.01.e
TRASH - No garbage, trash cans, or other refuse containers shall be kept in front of any Unit for a period in excess of twenty-four (24) hours before or after the day or days of regular scheduled pickup. Garbage (exclusive of bulk items) and materials to be recycled must be placed in cans or recycling bins and properly secured. Littering is always prohibited in all Common Areas.
2023.007 Dec Article IX.9.01.l
MAINTAIN - Unit Owners shall maintain, at their own expense, all portions of their unit, including roof, driveway, garage door, siding and all of the exterior, and the Limited Common Elements appurtenant thereto in a safe, clean condition. All lawns, shrubs, plants, and other vegetation shall be groomed and maintained regularly as needed. Lawns must be kept to a height of no more than six (6) inches.
2023.008 Dec Article VIII
IMPERVIOUS COVERAGE - The maximum permitted impervious coverage is limited to 3,500 square feet per lot. No exceptions will be approved.
2023.009 Dec Articles VIII and IX
PATIO/DECK/FENCE: - No patio or deck shall be constructed without the advance written approval of the ARC.
Decks/Patios – Plans must be submitted and approved by the ARC before construction may begin. The unit owner is responsible for obtaining all municipal and governmental approvals and/or permits. Approval by the ARC is not to be construed as approval from any municipal or governmental agencies.
Fences – No fence, wall, or other dividing instrumentality over six (6) feet in height will be constructed on any unit except if required by Township ordinance to enclose a swimming pool. All fences constructed on any unit must be approved in advance in writing by the ARC, and the unit owner is responsible to obtain any required Township approval. Fences may not extend forward past the front of the unit. No chain link fences are permitted unless required on Common Areas by the township. Any fence/privacy panel/privacy screen constructed prior to written approval will be subject to a fine.
2023.010 Dec Article IX.9.01.k
ANTENNA - No satellite dish antennas, outside radio or television antennas, earth stations, or towers or antennas of any type shall be permitted to be erected on any unit unless such device is less than thirty-nine (39) inches in diameter.
2023.011 Dec Article IX.9.01.p
LIGHTING - Each unit must have a front lamp post that is lit from dusk to dawn. The light must be maintained and replaced, when necessary, by the Unit Owner. The cost of the electric will be paid by the Unit Owner. The light must be 4 or 6 Watt Edison-style Light Emitting Diode lamps or incandescent lamps of at least 75 Watts, white, yellow, or clear in color.
2023.012 Dec Article IX.9.01.q
SIDEWALKS - Each Unit Owner is responsible for maintaining sidewalks on their property and repairing or replacing them if damaged.
2023.013 Dec Article IX.9.01.r
EASEMENT AREAS – All fences must be 10 feet off the easement. Unit Owners may not construct any improvements, fences or other structures and may not plant any trees or shrubbery within any sanitary sewer, stormwater or utility rights-of-way or easements except with the written approval of the Township.
2023.014 Dec Article IX.9.01.d
SIGNS - One for Sale or For Rent sign is permitted. A small name plate and house number is permitted. No advertising or obnoxious signs are permitted.
2023.015 Dec Article VIII
FLAGS – Erection of flag poles must be submitted to the ARC for approval at least 30 days prior to installation.
2023.016 Dec Article IX.9.01.g
LAUNDRY - No poles, wires or appliances upon which clothes are exposed or hung for any purpose shall be erected or maintained on any property unless screened by a privacy fence.
2023.017 Dec Article IX.9.01.g
BURNING - No burning of trash, rubbish, garbage or other waste material, leaves, or tree products is permitted. Burning of tree products in outdoor fireplaces is permitted.
2023.018 Dec Article IX.9.01.s
SWIMMING POOLS - Above-ground and in-ground swimming pools are permitted pending the approval of the ARC and acquisition of any permit required by the Township.
2023.019 Dec Article IX.9.01.h
VEHICLES - No commercial or non-passenger vehicles of any type, other than business van-type vehicles, pick-up trucks, box trucks, or trucks that do not exceed twenty (20) feet in length, and no unlicensed motor vehicle of any type, shall be permitted to remain overnight on a Unit or on any public or private street within the Premises unless garaged, other than as may be used by a contractor in conjunction with building operations. No semi-trailer trucks or semi-trailers shall be permitted to remain overnight on a Unit or on any public or private street within the Premises unless garaged. No boats, campers, trailers, or recreational vehicles of any type shall be permitted on any street for more than five (5) consecutive days, or at any time within any Common Facilities.
2023.020 Dec Article IX.01.b
PETS - All pets must be registered and inoculated as required by PA law and leashed when off owner’s property. Owners must clean up pet excrement. Pet owners are fully responsible for all personal injuries and/or property damage caused by their pets. Excessively noisy or menacing pets are not permitted outside of the unit. Only domesticated pets are permitted. No poultry or livestock is permitted.
2023.021 Dec Article IX.9.01.j
MAILBOXES - No Unit Owner may install a different mailbox without written approval from the ARC.
2023.022 Dec Article VIII
RAISED GARDEN BEDS – Raised beds, being structures, must be approved by the ARC prior to construction unless they are built within fenced-in areas. The ARC will apply the following criteria when evaluating applications for unfenced raised beds:
Location – Unfenced raised beds must be sited in the back yard of a unit property. Raised beds may not impede surface drainage.
Dimensions – Unfenced raised beds should take up no more than 500 square feet of total space on a given property.
Appearance – Unfenced raised beds must be regularly maintained so they do not detract from the overall charm of the Morgan’s Crossing community.
Schedule of Fees and Fines
Effective May 17, 2024
Association Dues
Yearly $300.00
Late Fee $10.00 per month
Late fees and interest will be assessed when yearly Association fees are not paid by the 10th day of January and July, as outlined in the Declaration, Section 5.02.
Violation Policy
For each violation of the Morgan’s Crossing Declaration, Bylaws, or Rules and Regulations, the following procedure will be followed by the Executive Board and the ARC.
Written notice of the infraction will be delivered to the homeowner, with clear communication as to the nature of the infraction, the remedy required, and the fine that will be assessed should the infraction not be remedied in ten (10) days for a lawn care infraction, and thirty (30) days for all other infractions.
If homeowner remedies the situation, she or he should communicate that to the Board as instructed in the written notice received, and the situation will be considered resolved.
If homeowner disagrees with the infraction claim, the following appeals process may be initiated:
Within 30 days of reception of notice, homeowner may appeal decision by the Board or the ARC by requesting a face-to-face meeting with all members of both the Board and the ARC as directed in the written notice. After the meeting, the Board and ARC will vote, and if a two-thirds majority sustains the original decision, the original decision stands and the 30-day clock commences again. If less than a two-thirds majority sustains the original decision, homeowner is no longer held liable for the infraction and is free to continue whatever practice led to the situation. This appeal decision is final.
No appeals may be made for lawncare infractions.
2. If the infraction has not been remedied after the ten-day period for lawncare or thirty-day period for everything else, homeowner will be assessed a fine of $50. Notice of fine and explanation of means of payment will be delivered in writing to the homeowner. Homeowner has thirty (30) days to pay the fine.
3. If fine is not paid and/or the violation continues another 30 days, a second fine will be assessed, this time for $100.
4. If after a final 30-day period the fine has not been paid and/or the offense still not remedied, daily fines of $100 begin to be assessed. Should the homeowner continue to fail to address the problem or pay the fines, the HOA Board will begin to pursue legal action against the homeowner as outlined in Section 5.09 of the Declaration.
Specific infractions:
Failure to get written Association approval for an exterior modification:
Warning
Written notification will be delivered to the homeowner, giving homeowner 5 business days to
submit a written request for approval. If request is denied, homeowner may follow the appeals process described above. If on appeal the request is still denied, homeowner has 30 days to remove the modification.
Non-compliance
If after the 30-day period the unapproved modification remains, the fine schedule described above goes into effect.
Failure to obey pet regulations:
Warning
Written notification will be delivered to pet owners and/or homeowners who are in violation of any pet regulation anywhere in the development, including but not limited to allowing pet off-property without a leash, excessive noise, and failure to clean up after pet. The owner will have 30 days to remedy the situation.
Non-Compliance
If after the 30-day period the offending behavior continues, the fine schedule described above goes into effect.