Property Maintenance Standards

Routine maintenance guidelines followed by Beacon Hill community members, and the information supporting those requirements, are summarized below. We encourage you to review the full governing documents available in the Community Library.

Home and Property Exterior

• Maintain the exterior of your home and property in good order and with such frequency as is consistent with good property management as described in the BHCA Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions and Easements.
• BHCA approval is required in advance of construction to add, modify, or install an improvement to the exterior of your property. Submit an Architecture Review application with supporting documentation to the community manager.
• BHCA approval is not required to replace or refurbish an existing component or structure with like-kind materials.
• Note for contractors and vendors: posting company advertisement signage at your project is not permitted in Beacon Hill. Residents may submit preferred vendor recommendations to Management for the Vendor List page.

Turf Management

• Engage in an annual maintenance program to promote healthy turf, control crabgrass, and prevent weeds.
• Mow every 7–10 days in season to maintain turf height on the lawn, drainage swale, and road easement adjacent to your property.
• Keep the drainage swale and driveway culvert free of accumulated leaves and debris.

Landscape Management

• Maintain landscaping as often as necessary to present a healthy, neat, and orderly appearance free from disease, pests, weeds, overgrown shrubs, leaves, and litter.
• Edge landscaped beds and walkways seasonally. Rake and fluff existing mulch, adding mulch as needed to cover exposed turf. Prune shrubs and trees as needed.
• Replace failed trees and shrubs with a similar kind, as required by Code 2, Design Guidelines.
• BHCA approval to replace existing landscaping is not required unless the replacement deviates from the approved landscape plan.
• Maintain masses of plantings that provide year-round screening to soften the view of play/recreation structures and utility units.
• Black mesh may be wrapped around individual plants for deer protection.

Trash Management

• Place containers roadside no earlier than dusk the evening before service. Because of plentiful wildlife and frequent strong winds, it is preferable to place containers roadside by 6:00 a.m. the morning of service.
• Remove containers from the roadside promptly on the day of service. Storing containers in your garage or an approved exterior trash storage unit, out of public view except on service day, is a Code 1 requirement.
• If you cannot remove your container on the day of service, make alternate arrangements.
• Do not leave unsecured trash out for collection. If you must use bags, secure them tightly. If you routinely have overflow, consider an additional container rather than bags so your trash does not become a litter nuisance or a food source for wildlife.
• Please see the Bates Trash Service Information for service details.

Driveways, Entrance Piers, and Lanterns

• Maintain your driveway with regular cleaning, sealing, and fill cracks as necessary.
• Power-wash the entrance stone pier(s) as necessary to maintain a clean appearance.
• Keep pier lantern(s) in operable condition. Use a photocell or timer so the lights burn dusk to dawn daily, as required.
• Bulb and lantern replacement information is here in the Community Library.

Mailbox Unit

• Keep your mailbox unit maintained in good order and consistent with the specifications defined in Code 2, Design Guidelines.
• Promptly replace unit components at the end of their life cycle. Specifications for the required community mail unit are here in the Community Library.
• No other mail unit design is permitted without BHCA approval.