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1. Why does Brambleton conduct inspections?

As a planned community Brambleton has certain recorded covenants which require its owners to take certain actions to preserve the aesthetic nature and character of the community. These responsibilities can be found in The Declaration for Brambleton and in the Design Guidelines for Brambleton.

The Brambleton Community Association also has certain responsibilities outlined within these documents. One of those responsibilities is to enforce various covenants and responsibilities that are placed on the owners within the community. In our ongoing efforts to meet this obligation and to maintain Brambleton as one of the most architecturally pleasing and best-maintained communities in this area, exterior inspections of homes and lots is ongoing throughout the year.

2. What items are inspected?

Changes, improvements or enhancements to the appearance of your lot or exterior of your home require submission and approval of a Design Review Application. For more detail, see The Design Guidelines for Brambleton. Read on...

3. Why can Association staff conduct an inspection of my property?

Authority for these inspections is found within the Declaration for Brambleton, Section 3.3. Easement for Upkeep.

(a) Association Access. The Declarant, on behalf of itself and its successors and assigns, hereby grants the right of access over and through any portion of the Property (excluding any improvement) to the Association, the managing agent and any other Persons authorized by the Board of Directors or the appropriate Covenants Committee, in the exercise and discharge of their respective powers and responsibilities, including without limitation to make inspections.

All inspections are performed by members of the Brambleton Community Association staff. Staff does not typically enter fenced yards or access decks during these inspections unless necessary to view conditions. In accordance with the Association’s enforcement policies, notice will be sent to provide time to correct items noted to be in violation of the Brambleton’s governing documents or policies. Please contact our Community Standards Department by email if you have questions regarding the inspection process or any other Covenants related matter.

4. When are inspections conducted?

Most inspections are conducted during the business day however; routine evening inspections are conducted for attention for vehicle related concerns and attention to the proper operation of carriage lights.

5. Why do I need to apply for improvements on my property?

As a planned community Brambleton has recorded covenants which require its owners to take certain actions to preserve the aesthetic nature and character of the community. One of these required actions is that owners must seek approval from the Covenants Committee prior to making exterior modifications.

6. What steps do I take if I want to make changes to the exterior of my home or property?

Most exterior changes or alterations to your home require review and approval by the Covenants Committee. The committee typically meets the second Monday of every month, at the Brambleton Community Association office, to review completed design review applications. You are welcome to attend but attendance is not required for your application to be reviewed.

To submit a proposed exterior modification to the Covenants Committee for review, an owner must complete the Design Review Application. This form is available on the Association’s website, in our office or in response to requests submitted by email.

Brambleton’s Design Guidelines contain specific information on a variety of exterior modifications and owners should familiarize themselves with the guidelines related to their proposed improvement before completing a design review application.

Completed applications may be submitted via email, by fax to 703-542-6266 or to the management office at 42395 Ryan Road, Suite 210, Brambleton 20148. A drop box is located outside of our lobby entrance for after-hours submissions and materials are retrieved each business morning.

7. Who reviews my application?

Brambleton’s Covenants Committee members are homeowners that have been appointed by the Board of Directors. The Committee members volunteer their time to meet once each month to review and render decisions on proposed exterior modifications.

8. What should be included with my design review application?

A complete application must include detailed information describing the proposed change (typically, plans and specifications including sketches, photos, catalog illustrations, etc. showing the nature, kind, shape, color, dimensions, and materials; and a copy of the survey / plat with the location marked). As the committee only meets once per month, please ensure your application is complete.

An application submitted without all required submissions will be considered incomplete. In such case, the Covenants Committees review period will not commence until all required submissions have been provided. Other exhibits may be requested to permit adequate evaluation of the proposed change.

If you have any questions regarding the required submissions or the application process, please contact the Covenants team at 703-542-6263 or email.

9. When will my application be reviewed?

Covenants Committee meetings are held once each month. Their meeting schedule is published on the Association’s website and in our monthly e-newsletter. Any changes are shared on this website and on Brambleton Community Association’s Facebook page.

A decision letter will be mailed to your home address within a week informing you of the decision of your Design Review Application. Decision letters for applications that have been approved as submitted will be mailed via First Class U.S. Mail to the Brambleton address of the applicant. Decision letters for applications which have been approved with conditions or denied must be sent via Certified Return Receipt Mail so that the Association has proof of mailing. As a courtesy, a copy of the letter will also be sent via First Class U.S. Mail.

If you need the status of your application prior to receiving our letter, you may submit an email to inquire about your application status.

10. Do I have to attend a meeting?

Applicants are not required to attend the Covenants Committee meeting to have their application reviewed. The committee meeting is an open meeting of the Association and residents are welcome to attend.

For applications received three days prior to the scheduled meeting, staff will review the application and contact owners to request additional information to complete the application. For projects with major construction, unique or complex features, staff or the applicant may initiate a request for a review appointment with the Covenants Committee.

11. What if I want an expedited review or I want to submit my application on the day of a meeting?

Walk-in applications are accepted at the meeting; please note that the committee may not be able to review with you directly as their agenda typically includes scheduled appointments and business items.

In response to requests for expedited review, the committee members have agreed to perform an expedited review of applications outside of their regularly scheduled meetings if the following conditions are met:

• All 7 members must be available to review the application
• All 7 members must unanimously agree to approve the application
• Any member may opt to defer consideration to the next regularly scheduled meeting

The time-frame for response to a request for expedited review varies. The committee members will make every effort to provide a timely response however, as the committee members are volunteers, not employees of the Association, their availability outside of a meeting is not certain. Please be aware that not every request for expedited review can be honored. Applications which cannot be reviewed in an expedited manner will automatically be referred to the next regularly scheduled Covenants Committee meeting.

If you have questions or need more information about the Design Review Application process, or any other Covenants related matter, please contact 703-542-6263, or email.

12. How long is the approved design review application valid?

Any resident obtaining approval from the Covenants Committee must begin construction or alterations within 6 months and substantially complete the work within 12 months after the date of approval; otherwise, the approval expires and will need to resubmit for approval.