← HOA answers

Cross Creek

What the recorded documents actually say about Cross Creek in South Bend — fences, sheds, pools, pets, parking and the rest — with the part of the document each answer comes from.

40 homes have sold here in the last four years, which is why this neighborhood was compiled early.

What you can build and change

Conditional

Fences

Fences must be submitted in writing and approved by the developer or the architectural committee for quality of materials, height, location and views. Four feet is normally the maximum height, though a six-foot screening fence may be put up on the outside of perimeter lots with approval. Swimming pool fences must also meet city or county requirements and be approved.

Section III.C - Fences and Signs, with pool and pet fencing at Section IV.C
Conditional

Sheds & outbuildings

Detached buildings, including storage annexes, pool houses and dog houses, must have architectural approval from the developer or the committee and are limited to 6 feet by 8 feet unless a written exception is given. In Phases IV and V the covenants also require detached structures other than pools to be wood or simulated wood on the exterior.

Section II.A - Land Use
Conditional

RVs, boats & trailers

Mobile homes, house trailers, boats, boat trailers, motor homes, camping trailers, recreational vehicles and larger commercial trucks and trailers may not be parked on any lot for longer than seventy-two hours. A lot also may not be used to store boats or cars in a way that makes it look unsightly.

Section III.B - Temporary Structures, with Section IV.A - Storage
Conditional

Swimming pools & hot tubs

Only in-ground swimming pools are permitted, and pools require architectural approval from the developer or the committee. Above-ground hot tubs and spas are allowed subject to design and location approval, and pool fencing must meet city or county requirements and be approved.

Section II.A - Land Use, with pool fencing at Section IV.C
Conditional

Exterior changes & additions

No building may be erected, placed or altered until the plans, specifications and a site plan are approved in writing by the developer or the architectural control committee, covering materials, harmony with existing homes, location and finish grade. If the developer or the committee does not disapprove within thirty days of submission, formal approval is no longer required.

Section II.E - Architectural, Location, and Construction Approval
Conditional

Satellite dishes & antennas

The Phase Three covenants first state that satellite dishes are prohibited and then state that dishes 24 inches or less in diameter are permitted, so small dishes are the workable reading. The Phases IV and V covenants permit antennas but prohibit satellite dishes, and note that the developer provides cable television to each lot.

Section II.A - Land Use for Phase Three; Section III.B - Temporary Structures for Phases IV and V
Not stated

Solar panels

We don’t have this one confirmed yet — we can ask the association and get you an answer before you commit to anything.

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Conditional

Landscaping, trees & gardens

Grading, landscaping and seeding for grass or sod must be completed within one year of the start of construction, and must not hinder drainage or the natural flow of surface water. Drainage swales, drainage easements and road ditches must be left open and not filled in. Owners must keep the lawn and buildings maintained.

Section II.G - Landscaping, with Section IV.E - Lot and Building Maintenance
Not stated

Mailboxes

We don’t have this one confirmed yet — we can ask the association and get you an answer before you commit to anything.

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How you can live here

Conditional

Pets

Domesticated dogs, cats and other ordinary household pets may be housed inside the residence or garage, provided none are kept or bred for commercial purposes. Dogs must be kept on a leash, and kennels and dog runs are not permitted; split rail fencing with invisible mesh may be used to contain a dog if the materials are approved. Poultry, sheep, hogs, horses, cattle and other farm animals may not be kept.

Section IV.C - Animals and Pets
Not stated

Renting your home

We don’t have this one confirmed yet — we can ask the association and get you an answer before you commit to anything.

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Not stated

Basketball hoops

We don’t have this one confirmed yet — we can ask the association and get you an answer before you commit to anything.

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Conditional

Yard signs

Only one sign of no more than five square feet, advertising the property for sale or rent, may be displayed to public view on a residential lot or building. Builder signs during the construction and sales period, and the identifying signs of the developer, are exempt.

Section III.C - Fences and Signs
Conditional

Street parking

Driveways must be hard-surface concrete for their full length and width. Recreational vehicles, boats, trailers and larger commercial trucks may not be parked on a lot for more than seventy-two hours, and a lot may not be used to store cars or boats in a way that makes it look unsightly. Everyday resident parking is not otherwise addressed.

Section III.B - Temporary Structures, Section IV.A - Storage and Section II.F - Lot Driveways
✗ Not allowed

Running a business from home

The covenants prohibit commercial, business or professional office uses on any residential lot, and limit every lot to private, one-family residential purposes. The only exception named is the use of several lots by the developer for realty sales, promotion and construction.

Section III.A - Nuisances, with Section II.A - Land Use
Not stated

Short-term rentals (Airbnb)

We don’t have this one confirmed yet — we can ask the association and get you an answer before you commit to anything.

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Not stated

Vehicle repair in the driveway

We don’t have this one confirmed yet — we can ask the association and get you an answer before you commit to anything.

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Conditional

Trash & recycling containers

Incinerators, garbage cans and barrels must be located inside permanent structures, or be of the concealed type and kept underground, and no ashes or rubbish may be left in public view. Burning trash is not allowed, other than trees or leaves burned by residents.

Section IV.B - Rubbish
Not stated

Grilling & outdoor cooking

We don’t have this one confirmed yet — we can ask the association and get you an answer before you commit to anything.

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Not stated

Clotheslines

We don’t have this one confirmed yet — we can ask the association and get you an answer before you commit to anything.

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Not stated

Flags & flagpoles

We don’t have this one confirmed yet — we can ask the association and get you an answer before you commit to anything.

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Not stated

Window coverings & decorations

We don’t have this one confirmed yet — we can ask the association and get you an answer before you commit to anything.

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Where these answers come from

The documentProtective Restrictions, Covenants, Limitations and Easements for Cross Creek Subdivision Phase Three and First Replat of Cross Creek Phase Three, executed November 1994, together with Protective Restrictions, Covenants, Limitations and Easements for Cross Creek, Phases IV and V, executed September 1992, St. Joseph County, Indiana
Recorded asNumber 9443377 stamped on the Phase Three covenant scan
Replat record number stated in the text as 9442987
First Replat filed with the St. Joseph County Area Plan Commission October 27, 1994, with a plat committee hearing November 17, 1994
Phase Three covenants executed November 1994, day not legible; ratification and consent by the owner of Lot 272 dated November 8, 1994
Phases IV and V covenants executed September 1992, day not legible, with no recording number legible on that scan
How it was readThe recorded copy on file is a scan of paper with no digital text, so it was read by optical character recognition. That can misread individual words, which is why nothing on this page is presented as a direct quote.
The associationPhase Three Cross Creek Homeowners Association, Inc., an Indiana not-for-profit corporation, with annual dues of 70 dollars per lot and an Associate Member class open to owners in Cross Creek Sections I through V. The separate Phases IV and V covenants name no association and leave approvals with the developer, Cross Creek, Inc., or its architectural control committee.

Ask us about Cross Creek

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