COVENANTS AND DEED RESTRICTIONS IN HILLSMERE SHORES
View the 1955 Original Deed of Covenants, Restrictions & Conditions
The following covenants and deed restrictions control and limit the use of all residential lots in Hillsmere. Recorded among the Land Record of Anne Arundel County, Maryland in Liber 900, Folio 334, they are binding as a matter of law and are for the benefit of all other lot owners in Hillsmere.
- Hillsmere Shores Improvement Association, Inc., has the right to use an easement over a strip of land five (5) feet in width along the rear line of each of the lots as shown on the plats of Hillsmere for the purpose of laying, erecting, maintaining, repairing pipes, poles, wires, conduits, and other material and equipment for gas, water, electric light, power, telephone, telegraph, sewerage, and other public or community service and utility.
- No building or other structure may be erected, converted, permitted, maintained or operated for any other purpose than residential, and no business of any kind shall be permitted except by special permission of HSIA, and then must be in a specially designated area.
- The Building Committee of HSIA must approve the exterior plan and construction or any alterations of any building and the position of the building on the lot. No construction shall commence without first having a permit issued by the HSIA Building Committee. No building shall be more than 2½ stories in height. No fence, sign, billboard or advertising matter of any kind may be placed upon any lot without the approval of HSIA.
- No building, or part thereof, except as hereinafter provided, shall be erected or maintained on any part of any lot, as shown on the plats of Hillsmere, closer than thirty (30) feet to any road, street, or highway thirty (30) feet or more in width on which the plot upon which the building is erected fronts. No building or any part thereof erected shall be closer than fifteen (15) feet from the division line of any lot, and only one building for private residential purposes shall be erected on each lot. HSIA has the right to approve deviation from these distances if the contour or shape of a lot will not permit compliance with these restrictions.
- No privy, cesspool, vault or any other form of privy, except sewage systems as approved by HSIA, and no toilets or bath houses shall be erected on the property except in such as shall be built in or attached to either the main dwelling or garage and shall be constructed in compliance with the Health Department Regulations and may not drain into the tide waters of the South River or any pond, creek, or lake.
- No lake, pond, park, playground, wharf, pier or community beach shall be construed by these covenants, restrictions and conditions as dedicated to the public.
- No tent or other structure or trailer intended for temporary or permanent living quarters shall be permitted.
- No animals shall be kept or housed on any lot or in any building situated on any lot in numbers, that in the opinion of HSIA, may be considered obnoxious to the health, peace and quiet of any purchaser in Hillsmere or HSIA.
- No waterfront property owner may erect any fence, piers, wharfs, or any other obstructions to water rights without obtaining written permission of HSIA.
- All covenants, restrictions and conditions are to run with the land and are to be expressly recited by reference in all future conveyances. A majority of owners of the lots may amend, cancel, annul or obligate any and all of the covenants, restrictions or conditions by a written, duly executed instrument properly recorded among the Land Records of Anne Arundel County.
- Any violation of any of the foregoing conditions, covenants and restrictions shall be a breach, and HSIA or any purchaser may exercise their rights in any Court of Record against said violation.
*****END OF COVENANTS AND DEED RESTRICTIONS IN HILLSMERE SHORES*****
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HSIA GENERAL RULES AND DEFINITIONS
Approved by HSIA Board, March 25, 2021
Updated September 28, 2023
- Definitions
1.1. “Resident” means a person whose permanent legal home is in Hillsmere, as evidenced by Hillsmere Shores property ownership, or leasehold interest or rental agreement in Hillsmere Shores property of no less than 6 months duration. Government-issued ID cards and utility bills showing a Hillsmere Shores address may serve to demonstrate intent of establishing a permanent legal home. “Resident” does not include lodgers, boarders, or temporary renters of Hillsmere Shores property.
1.2. “HSIA Community Property” and facilities includes the Community Beach, Marina and Sand Spit, Boat Ramps, Boat Park, Kayak Ramp, Hillsmere House, and Pool.
1.3. “Community Beach” or “Beach” includes its shoreline, bathing area, pavilions, playgrounds, lawns, and parking lot.
1.4 “HSIA Board” means the Hillsmere Shores Improvement Association Board of Directors.
- Rules
Public Safety and Roads
2.1. No firearms are to be discharged in Hillsmere Shores.
2.2. The speed limit on all roads in Hillsmere Shores is 25 miles per hour, unless otherwise posted. The speed limit on Hillsmere Drive is posted at 30 miles per hour.
2.3. No overnight parking on Hillsmere Drive.
2.4. No commercial vehicles shall park overnight on Hillsmere Shores roads. Parking of commercial vehicles is permitted on private property.
2.5. It is unlawful to remove stakes marking road curbs or storm water drains for snow removal purposes.
2.6. No snow shall be shoveled onto roads, causing a traffic hazard.
2.7. All bicycles must have proper lights after sundown on roads in Hillsmere Shores.
Residential Lots
2.8. Weeds on any lot in Hillsmere Shores must be cut at least once during the growing season, preferably before going to seed.
2.9. No animals shall be kept on any lot or in any building situated on any lot in numbers which the HSIA Board considers obnoxious to the health, peace and quiet of residents. No ponies, goats, sheep, cows or other farm animals shall be kept or housed on any lot in Hillsmere Shores, except as authorized and licensed under the Anne Arundel County Code.
2.10. Political signs supporting or opposing candidates for public office or ballot questions may be placed on privately owned lots by the property owner or resident for up to 30 days before or 7 days after a public election. The signs must be no greater than 2 by 3 feet or equivalent area. Political signs may not be placed on HSIA Community Property.
2.11. Shipping or cargo containers such as PODS and PACK-RAT, trailers, dumpsters, trucks and similar portable storage containers are prohibited for more than 60 days unless used in connection with an active Anne Arundel County and HSIA building permit for construction.
Carports
2.12. A carport, whether temporary or permanent, is an accessory structure, defined as a structure which is on the same parcel of property as a principal structure and the use of which is incidental to the use of the principal structure. Residential accessory structures such as carports require an HSIA building permit, must follow HSIA setback requirements, and may require a County building or grading permit. Carports are of two types:
- Temporary carports, tents and membrane structures having an area of 200 square feet or less with tube metal or wood frame and a tarp or membrane fitted cover, may not be subject to County approvals or permits, but the location and use of concrete, pavers or gravel to create a parking area are subject to further County approvals and grading permits, especially if located in the Critical Area.
- Permanent carports, framed steel or wood construction and roofed, are accessory structures typically used to protect vehicles, and can be either free standing or attached to a primary structure. A County building permit and an HSIA building permit are required prior to starting work. These carports must also follow HSIA setback requirements.
Trash
2.13. Trash cans must be kept tightly covered with lids at all times.
2.14. Trash cans must be removed from the roadside within 24 hours after collection.
2.15. Builders/contractors must provide trash cans for trash generated by workers at the site.
Community Property
2.16. The use of HSIA Community Property and facilities is restricted to Hillsmere Shores property owners/residents and their accompanied guests only, unless specifically authorized by the HSIA Board. Guests must be accompanied by host owner/resident at all times.
2.17. No signs can be erected on HSIA Community Property without the approval of the HSIA Board, and can only be erected on places designated by the HSIA Board.
2.18. No motorized vehicles on the grass or walkways on HSIA Community Property unless specifically authorized by the HSIA Board.
2.19. No swimming or bathing from HSIA Community Property shorelines after sunset.
2.20. No littering of HSIA Community Property. All trash and debris must be disposed of properly.
Community Beach
2.21. No fires allowed at the Beach without prior approval of the HSIA Board. Grilling is permitted in grills only.
2.22. No dogs allowed at the Beach or in the bathing area.
2.23. No glass containers allowed at the Beach.
2.24. No large party tents at the Beach.
2.25. The Beach closes at sunset and can be closed anytime by any officer of HSIA or any person designated by the HSIA president. Use of the Beach outside of designated hours must have prior approval of the HSIA Board.
2.26. Residents/Owners are permitted to bring up to eight (8) guests, and must accompany guest(s) at all times. It is the responsibility of residents/owners to ensure guests know and abide by all Beach rules. The HSIA Administrator is authorized to grant additional guest privileges.
2.27. Approval must be obtained from the HSIA Board for any organized group activity at the Beach.
2.28. Parents are responsible for their children’s behavior.
2.29. No amplified music allowed. Residents and guest must respect the rights of other people using the Beach and not engage in behavior that is offensive, including excessive noise, abusive or threatening behavior, and obscene language, gestures, or actions. Disorderly or illegal conduct is prohibited.
2.30. Motorized watercraft may not be launched, retrieved, or beached at the Beach.
2.31. No kayaks, canoes, or other non-motorized watercraft may be launched or retrieved at the Beach from November 1 to April 1 in order to protect the migratory tundra swan.
2.32. No interfering with the nettle nets or cables. Do not hang on or stand on nettle nets or cables. Only persons authorized by HSIA Board may lower or raise nettle nets.
2.33. Alcoholic beverages and their consumption are not allowed at the Beach, except with the prior approval of the HSIA Board or its representative, and an Anne Arundel County one-day liquor license must be obtained.
2.34. Vehicles at the Beach must display current HSIA stickers, unless attending an approved event.
2.35. No trailers at the Beach parking lot.
*****END OF HSIA GENERAL RULES AND DEFINITIONS*****
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