The Architectural Review Committee (ARC) is appointed by the HOA Board. The job of the Committee is to review and approve plans and specifications for improvements by homeowners at Summer Hill Farm. The Covenants of the Homeowner’s Association spell out how this process works and what kinds of home improvements need ARC approval.

ALL REQUESTS TO BE SUBMITTED FOR CONSIDERATION MUST BE EMAILED. THE EMAIL MUST INCLUDE PHOTOS/SKETCHES AND INCLUDE THE ARC REQUEST FORM. PLEASE CONSIDER REVIEWING THE COVENANTS TO ENSURE YOUR REQUEST MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE COMMUNITY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR WOULD LIKE SOME GUIDANCE WITH YOUR UPCOMING REQUEST, PLEASE CLICK HERE

The two main categories that must be approved by the ARC are:

  • Any building, fence, wall, driveway, or other structure, including additions and alterations to existing structures must be approved by the ARC before work can commence.
  • Temporary shelters, tents, recreational vehicles, trailers, and storage buildings must all be approved by the ARC.

The required form and instructions for submitting projects to the Architectural Review Committee is located at this link.

In addition, the following guidelines are spelled out in the Summer Hill Farm Homeowner’s Covenants.

  • No automobile, pickup or other vehicle shall be parked on any street except for guests who may park on the streets for reasonable periods of time not to exceed 48 hours.
  • No above ground pools except for children’s wading pools, which must be located in the homeowner’s back yard.
  • Tennis courts, swimming pools, and similar outdoor recreational areas must be screened from public view by a material approved by the ARC.
  • The discharging of firearms and bows and arrows in the neighborhood is prohibited, as is hunting in the neighborhood.
  • Only two kinds of signs are allowed: signs of a real estate company listing the property and signs promoting a particular builder who is constructing a building on the lot. All other signs must be approved by the ARC.
  • No commercial or recreational vehicle, boat, trailer, or similar vehicle shall be kept or permitted to remain on the lot unless approved by the ARC and stored out of site in an enclosure approved by the ARC.
  • All trash receptacles shall be placed in an area screened from view from the road.
  • Owners should prevent unclean, unsightly, or unkempt areas on their lot.

The above are highlights from the SHF Covenants. Additional details are available in the Covenants themselves, available at the following links:

Original Covenants — Article V is the section that deals with the Architectural Review Committee

Covenants Amendment 1 — additional guidelines on garages and outbuildings, building exteriors, and mailboxes. Also has guidelines for seasonal decorations, such as for Christmas.

Covenants Amendment 2S — addition of phase 2 of Summer Hill Farm development. This is also called a “Supplement to the Covenants.”

Covenants Amendment 2 — provides for $250 Working Capital Assessment for each and every transfer of ownership in the development.

Covenants Amendment 3 — additional guidelines on driveways and fences. This removes the requirement that “All driveways must have NCDOT approved drainage pipe with a brick headwall on both ends which complements the exterior ofthe dwelling located on the Lot where the driveway is located.”