Your Homeowners Association (HOA)

An organization (typically a non-profit corporation, composed of homeowners) that governs the affairs of a community. A primary goal of an HOA is to protect the value and desirability of the properties in the community. HOAs are normally charged with maintaining common areas and amenities, providing benefits established in the governing documents and enforcing rules related to homeowner/resident responsibilities. HOAs usually elect a Board of Directors as representatives, vested with the authority to operate, administer and manage the affairs of the Association.

On December 12, 2022, a Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the GA Secretary of State (https://sos.ga.gov) creating “Pebblewood Grove Homeowners Association, Inc.”, a non-profit corporation under Georgia Law (O.C.G.A. Title 14 Chapter 3). On March 3, 2023, the “DECLARATION OF PROTECTIVE COVENANTS, CONDITIONS, RESTRICTIONS AND EASEMENTS FOR PEBBLEWOOD GROVE” was filed with the Cherokee County Clerk of Courts office (https://deeds.cherokeega.com).

Living in an HOA community has benefits. For example, the Association can negotiate favorable contracts for services such as trash removal and recycling. And, at Pebblewood Grove, the HOA is responsible for much of the exterior maintenance (e.g. - roofing and exterior painting, lawn mowing and fertilizing, weeding and trimming in pine islands, periodic pine straw refresh, etc.). Another benefit is that the Association, thru it's Board of Directors, can ensure that Architectural Standards are being adhered to and that the rules, which all residents agreed to when they moved into the community, are being enforced.

That last point needs to be emphasized. By owning or renting property in an HOA community, the owner/resident has, by contract and law, agreed to abide by the Association's governing documents. Sometimes it feels like the standards and rules are restrictive or infringe on what seems to be a common right or freedom. But closer examination reveals that following the rules benefits everyone, even the person violating the rule. It is also important to understand that in the final analysis, it is the vote of the property owners that determines the rules. Even the Declaration and Bylaws can be amended by the Association.

DECLARATION OF PROTECTIVE COVENANTS, CONDITIONS, RESTRICTIONS AND EASEMENTS FOR PEBBLEWOOD GROVE (the “Declaration”)

The Declaration and Bylaws are often referred to as “the governing documents” of the Association. In addition to definitions and legal descriptions, they contain a multitude of information. Everything from voting rights and assessments to maintenance and architectural standards, to use restrictions and rules, and more. Below is a list of the Articles contained in each:

Declaration

ARTICLE 1 - DEFINITIONS

ARTICLE 2 - PROPERTY SUBJECT TO THIS DECLARATION

ARTICLE 3 - ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP AND VOTING RIGHTS

ARTICLE 4 - ASSESSMENTS

ARTICLE 5 - MAINTENANCE: COMMON PROPERTY

ARTICLE 6 - ARCHITECTURAL STANDARDS

ARTICLE 7 - USE RESTRICTIONS AND RULES

ARTICLE 8 - INSURANCE AND CASUALTY LOSSES

ARTICLE 9 - EASEMENTS

ARTICLE 10 - GENERAL PROVISIONS

EXHIBITS

Bylaws

ARTICLE 1 - NAME, MEMBERSHIP, APPLICABILITY AND DEFINITIONS

ARTICLE 2 - ASSOCIATION: MEETINGS, QUORUM, VOTING, PROXIES

ARTICLE 3 - BOARD OF DIRECTORS: NUMBER. POWERS, MEETINGS

ARTICLE 4 - OFFICERS

ARTICLE 5 - COMMITTEES

ARTICLE 6 - MISCELLANEOUS