The Covenants and Restrictions for Okehocking Hills were created in 1981 when our neighborhood was being planned by the developer. This document describes how our neighborhood common space is preserved, maintained, and made available for the enjoyment of all residents. It also lays out how and why annual dues are assessed and defines membership and voting rights for homeowners.
Notably, the Covenants includes a list of rules that all homeowners in Okehocking Hills must follow. Examples of these restrictions include prohibitions on raising chickens, storing RVs, removing topsoil, and installing a fence without permission from adjacent property owners. An excerpt of Article V. General Provisions and Restrictions is below.
Please note that all restrictions described in the Association Covenants and Restrictions shall be in addition to any restrictions contained in Township Ordinances, rules or regulations. In the case of a conflict between such Township rules and regulations and the Association Restrictions, the most stringent of the two shall apply.
In May 2021 a majority of homeowners voted to approve the updated Covenants and Restrictions. The updated Covenants may be downloaded here: Covenants and Restrictions for Okehocking Hills, 5/21/2021.
Excerpt: Article V. General Provisions and Restrictions:
Section 1. Compliance with final plan. No use of any lot shall be made which is contrary to the final plan approved by the Supervisors or Edgmont Township, Delaware County, as provided for in the provisions of the Township Zoning Ordinance as pertains to Planned Residential Development, or such changes or amendment to such plan as may from time to time be properly approved by the Supervisors of Edgmont Township.
Section 2. Lot Size. No lot shall be subdivided, partitioned, changed or reduced in size except that the Developer reserves the right to itself, its successors or assigns, to modify the final plan in accordance with the proper consent and approval of the Supervisors of Edgmont Township.
Section 3. No construction shall begin and no major alterations shall be made to the exterior of an existing building until the plans have been submitted to and approved by the Board, to be in general cohesion with the then-existing character of the neighborhood. All such plans shall have been prepared by and bear the seal of a registered architect and/or engineer when required by Township Ordinances.
Section 4. The following uses and improvements are prohibited or restricted unless hereinafter specifically permitted with the prior approval of the Developer and/or Association or Nominee.
(a) No fence, hedge or other continuous obstruction or barrier shall be erected or maintained within twenty-five (25) feet of a property line unless approved and agreed upon by all adjoining property owners and the Board, to be in general cohesion with the then-existing character of the neighborhood.
No fence, hedge or continuous obstruction or barrier greater than twenty-five (25) feet in total length shall be erected or maintained unless approved and agreed to by the Board who will determine if same is in general cohesion with the then-existing character of the neighborhood.
(b) No outside or freestanding TV, radio, short wave or other similar aerial or antenna shall be erected or maintained.
(c) No trailer, tent, recreational vehicle, boat, outbuilding or structure of a temporary nature shall be used as a residence.
No trailer, recreational vehicle, boat or any unused, unlicensed or non-registered wheeled vehicle including, but not limited to, garden tractors, lawn equipment, all terrain vehicles (ATVs) of any character or nature shall be stored on any lot unless the item and any protective cover is more than ninety percent (90%) hidden from view from any adjoining property or from any street located within the said community. Said vehicles must be stored on an impervious surface and said items may be stored in a garage, shed or behind a natural barrier consisting of trees or shrubs provided that such storage does not conflict with any other provisions set forth in this section.
(d) No commercial vehicle or equipment shall be parked on a lot except when performing work or making a delivery, unless the item and any protective cover is more than ninety percent (90%) hidden from view from any adjoining property or from any street within the development.
(e) No fowl shall be raised or kept and no kennel for the breeding or boarding of dogs shall be erected or maintained on any lot, nor shall any large animal be housed, raised or otherwise maintained on any parcel under one ownership less than three acres in size. No vegetable gardens shall be planted or kept in front yards.
(f) No septic tank, cesspools, field drains, or wells shall be constructed within twenty (20) feet of common boundaries or roadside lines.
Section 5. No lot shall be used other than for residential purposes, including uses accessory thereto as permitted by the zoning ordinance of Edgmont Township.
Section 6. No dwelling house shall be created on any lot which shall be designed for occupancy by more than a single family; however, this shall not prohibit quarters for domestic service. On any lot only one dwelling house shall be permitted; however, this clause shall not be construed to prohibit the construction of private garages, barns or outbuildings as may be permitted by the Township Zoning Ordinance and approved by the Board.
Section 7. Construction of any dwelling or other permitted building must be completed within one (1) year of the date of ground breaking. Lots under construction must be kept in neat and proper condition at all times with respect to mowing of grass and other external care. Roads adjacent to construction sites shall be kept free of mud and debris caused by the construction and same is the responsibility of the owner of the subject lot and/or property.
Section 8. It shall be the duty of every lot owner abutting the road rights-of-way within Okehocking Hills to be responsible for the proper seeding, care and maintenance of the land lying between the portion of that owner’s property line which abuts such right-of-way and the cartway lying within such right-of-way. In performing this duty, the owners shall not obstruct or make any use of such area which is detrimental to or inconsistent with the proper use of the right-of-way.
Section 9. The sale or removal or topsoil from any lot or common space is prohibited.
Section 10. Owners will be responsible for their actions and for the actions of their builder, subcontractors, employees and independent contractors regarding and including, but not limited to, the following items:
(a) Any damage to concrete gutters or other site improvements caused by equipment such as bulldozers, backhoes or similar types of construction equipment being used and/or operated in connection with the construction upon development or said lot.
(b) Said lot is to be kept clean during construction.
The provisions of this paragraph shall survive settlement hereunder and shall not merge into the Deed conveying legal title or any lot.
Section 11. The use of motorized vehicles not licensed for road use including motorbikes, minibikes, ATVs, golf carts and the like are strictly prohibited on any street.
Section 12. No grading, landscaping or excavation or driveway installation shall be constructed on any lot in a manner that burdens, damages or interferes with drainage along, across or under the road right-of-way.
Section 13. All restrictions provided for herein shall be in addition to any restrictions contained in Township Ordinances, rules or regulations, and in all events, in the case of a conflict between such rules and regulations and the Restrictions provided for herein, the most stringent of the two shall apply.
Section 14. Grading. Each Owner who intends to construct any dwelling or structure on his lot shall prepare a grading plan therefore in conformance with all applicable soil and erosion control laws, ordinances, and standards. Such plan shall be filed with Developer. Owner shall be solely responsible for the implementation and shall implement said plan.
Downloads
Covenants and Restrictions for Okehocking Hills (5/21/21) [PDF]
Okehocking Hills 