Rules & Regulations

Vintage Heights Homeowners Association
Comprehensive Rules, Regulations & Covenant Interpretation

 
SECTION 1 — PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY

Vintage Heights Homeowners Association (VHHOA) is a Nebraska nonprofit corporation responsible for enforcing all restrictive covenants, administering approximately 40 acres of commons, maintaining community standards, and managing HOA operations. All directors and officers are unpaid volunteers.

SECTION 2 — ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS

Annual HOA fees fund maintenance of the commons, including:

  • Grass, trees, shrubs, and landscaping
  • Mowing of commons in summer
  • Snow removal on commons walkways in winter
  • Watershed and creek maintenance
  • Insurance, bookkeeping, and legal services

Fees do not include refuse collection.

SECTION 3 — PETS AND ANIMALS

All dogs must be leashed when in public-access areas including commons. City of Lincoln ordinances apply throughout the neighborhood. No animals or livestock may be kept on any lot for commercial purposes (§12).

SECTION 4 — COMMON AREA LANDSCAPING

Planting in commons areas requires:

  1. Commons Area License Agreement (printed on legal-size paper)
  2. Simple landscape plan
  3. Board approval
  4. Filing with Register of Deeds

Restrictions:

  • No structures, recreational equipment, or non-growing items in commons
  • Only grass allowed within gas line easement
SECTION 5 — MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

HOA maintains:

  • All commons areas (40+ acres)
  • Snow removal on perimeter sidewalks

Homeowners are responsible for:

  • Mowing private yards
  • Driveway and sidewalk snow removal
  • Townhome/rental residents must contact their management company
SECTION 6 — NEIGHBOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Residents must first talk directly with their neighbor before involving the HOA. Most issues are resolved through respectful conversation. City of Lincoln/Lincoln Police Department to be contacted in regard to noise, trespass, public street, or trash/lawn nuisance violations.

SECTION 7 — RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND PARKING

Per Covenant §13:

  • RVs, boats, trailers, campers cannot be stored outside except inside a garage
  • Driveway parking for RVs, boats, trailers, campers, etc. is limited to 14 total days per year

Street parking is governed solely by Lincoln Police Department regulations. HOA has no enforcement authority.

SECTION 8 — REFUSE & RECYCLING

Residents may choose any refuse service provider. HOA does not collect trash fees or enforce single-provider rules.

SECTION 9 — BUSINESS ADVERTISING POLICY

HOA does not permit business advertising on its website or social media to maintain neutrality and avoid negative interactions. Businesses assisting with HOA events may be acknowledged only as part of the event.

SECTION 10 — NUISANCE AND CONDUCT STANDARDS (§10)

No noxious, harmful, or disruptive activities may take place on any lot. No activity may unreasonably disturb neighbors or create hazards. All disruptive activities must be reported to Lincoln City Police Department for enforcement under municipal code.

SECTION 11 — SIGNS (§11)

Signs larger than 24” × 36” are prohibited except:

  • A “For Sale” sign on a single lot
  • Developer signs advertising lots
SECTION 12 — CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS (§§2, 4, 5, 6)
  • Dwellings must be completed within 12 months of starting construction
  • All structures must follow City of Lincoln building codes
  • Plan approval is required for all construction, including exterior materials, colors, plot plan, and roof design

Dwelling standards:

  • Ranch: 1,600 sq ft minimum
  • Two-story: 2,200 sq ft minimum
  • Multi-level: 1,700 sq ft minimum
  • Required front elevation materials: 20% brick/stone or 60% stucco/dryvit
  • Roof pitch: minimum 6:12
  • Solar panels must be flush-mounted

Other structures:

  • Fencing must not extend past the front elevation; finished side faces outward
  • Accessory structures must match home design and materials
  • Dog runs must be screened and placed at least 7.5 ft from lot lines
SECTION 13 — LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW LOTS (§6.E)
  • Full yard must be sodded/seeded within 6 months of dwelling completion
  • At least $500 must be spent on landscaping within 1 year of occupancy
SECTION 14 — MEMBERSHIP & VOTING (§§15–17)

All lot owners are members of VHHOA.

  • Class A Members: homeowners
  • Class B Member: developer (5 votes per lot until conversion)

Voting rights and membership structure follow the recorded covenants.

SECTION 15 — COMMONS USE RIGHTS (§§19–21)

Homeowners have easement rights to use common areas. HOA may:

  • Borrow funds and mortgage commons
  • Suspend use rights for unpaid assessments or rule violations
  • Establish use fees if needed
  • Dedicate commons to public entities
SECTION 16 — GENERAL MAINTENANCE OBLIGATIONS (§§22–23)

Lot owners must:

  • Maintain private property landscaping, mow yards, and manage debris
  • Ensure contractors maintain cleanliness during construction or service contract

Failure to do so after 7-day notice allows HOA to correct at owner’s cost plus 10% administrative fee and 14% interest.

SECTION 17 — ASSESSMENTS, LIENS, AND COLLECTION (§§24–27)
  • Annual dues are uniform across lots unless undeveloped (25% dues until building permit)
  • Unpaid dues accrue 14% annual interest
  • Attorney fees, filing fees, and other collection costs may be charged
  • Liens may be placed on any property with unpaid assessments or fines
SECTION 18 — AMENDMENTS & ENFORCEMENT (§§28–31)
  • Covenants may be amended only with two-thirds member approval
  • Enforcement may be by legal action, injunction, or lien
  • Invalid provisions do not invalidate the remainder
SECTION 19 — VIOLATIONS AND ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES

To uphold covenants and community standards, the HOA may enforce violations through the following, at their sole discretion:

Enforcement Process:

  1. Courtesy Notice — identification of violated section; 7–14 days to cure
  2. Formal Violation Notice — includes right to request a hearing
  3. Hearing — homeowner may present evidence; Board decides
  4. Fine — added as special assessment
  5. Escalation — ongoing daily/weekly fines for continued violations
  6. Collection — unpaid fines accrue 14% interest and may result in liens

Standard Fine Schedule (with references):

  • Lot not maintained (mowing, debris, snow) — §§22–23: $50 + $10/day
  • Nuisance/offensive activity — §10: $100 + $25/day
  • Unapproved structures/fencing — §§4–6: $150 + $50/week
  • RV/boat/trailer violations — §13: $75 + $10/day
  • Prohibited signs — §11: $50 + $10/day
  • Animal violations — §12: $100 + $25/week
  • Landscaping violations — §§6.E, 23: $100 + $25/week
  • General violations: minimum $50 + $10–$50/day

Administrative & Legal Costs:

  • 10% administrative fee (§23)
  • Attorney fees, filing fees, court costs (§26.2)
  • All unpaid fines become liens (§23, §26)

Member Rights:

  • Right to notice and cure
  • Right to hearing before fines
  • Right to inspect records
  • Right to appeal Board decision
SECTION 20 – DISCLAIMER

The Vintage Heights Homeowners Association (VHHOA) Comprehensive Rules, Regulations, and Covenant Interpretations are derived from and referencing the Neighborhood Covenants framework and applicable Restated Covenants for individual unit additions within Vintage Heights. While these rules are intended to provide general guidance, governing document language may vary among residences, additions, townhomes, or affiliated associations. Homeowners are solely responsible for reviewing and complying with the covenants and governing documents applicable to their specific property.

VHHOA does not provide legal advice and disclaims any responsibility or liability arising from interpretation, application, or reliance upon these materials. Where specific language differs, the intent and enforcement shall remain consistent with the governing covenants applicable to each unit.