← HOA answers

Farmington Hills

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

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

Before you rely on this page

This filing names Phase I lots 1-14, 25-47, 89, 90 and 112-127. Other phases may have their own recorded set.

What you can build and change

Conditional

Fences

Fencing has to be PVC or a similar product; wood and metal need the architectural committee's unanimous approval. Perimeter fencing up to four feet may be allowed with prior written approval of the style and location, and only in the side and back yards.

Paragraph V(B) Fencing
Conditional

Sheds & outbuildings

A detached storage building or pet shelter may be no larger than 10 by 12 feet, has to be quality construction kept neat and blending with the house, and needs written approval from the architectural committee before building starts.

Paragraph VII(C) Detached Buildings
✗ Not allowed

RVs, boats & trailers

Recreational and commercial vehicles - campers, trailers, trucks and boats - may not be kept in open areas anywhere in the subdivision, on a lot or off it.

Paragraph VII(K) Recreational and Commercial Vehicles
Conditional

Swimming pools & hot tubs

Tennis courts and above-ground pools are not permitted. An in-ground pool is not addressed directly, and anything built needs architectural approval first.

Paragraph VII(L) Tennis Courts and Pools, with Paragraph IV(B)
Conditional

Exterior changes & additions

Any alteration, improvement or remodelling that changes how the house looks from outside has to be submitted to the architectural committee and approved before work begins, and no building may be put up or altered until its plans are approved.

Paragraph VII(A) Alterations, with Paragraph IV(B) Architectural Control
Conditional

Satellite dishes & antennas

Outside above-ground TV, AM, FM and short-wave antennas of any type are not allowed. A direct-broadcast satellite dish of no more than one meter is permitted. Federal rules on over-the-air reception devices limit how far a private covenant can restrict a satellite dish under one meter across on property within your own exclusive use and control, so ask the association how this one is handled.

Paragraph VII(B) Antennas
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.

We can find out →
Conditional

Landscaping, trees & gardens

Side, front and rear yards have to be planted with grass seed or sod unless another ground cover is approved in writing. Grading and seeding are due by the time of occupancy, or as soon as the season allows and no later than June 15 after occupancy, and none of it may hinder drainage. Owners also have to keep the lawn mowed, remove debris, and cut down dead trees and stumps, or the association may do it and bill them.

Paragraph V(E) Landscaping, with Paragraph V(D) Homesite 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.

We can find out →

How you can live here

Conditional

Pets

Dogs, cats and other household pets are allowed, as long as none is kept or bred commercially and none becomes a neighbourhood nuisance or hazard. Livestock and poultry may not be kept. Dogs have to be leashed, kennels are not permitted, and a dog exercise area has to be approved; if approved it may be fenced five or six feet high tight to the side or rear of the house.

Paragraph VII(A) Animals and Pets, with Paragraph VII(G) Livestock and Poultry
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.

We can find out →
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.

We can find out →
Conditional

Yard signs

Apart from political campaign signs, the only sign allowed is one of no more than five square feet advertising the property for sale or rent, plus builder signage during construction and sales. Political signs have to come down within twenty-four hours after the election they relate to.

Paragraph V(H) Signs
Conditional

Street parking

Driveways must be at least twelve feet wide and built of asphalt at least three inches thick, brick, or concrete at least four inches thick. Stone and cinder driveways are not allowed and a circular drive must be at least eight feet wide. Minibikes, motorcycles, go-carts and snowmobiles may not be driven inside the subdivision.

Paragraph VII(C) Driveways, with Paragraph VII(L) Motorized Vehicles
Conditional

Running a business from home

A home occupation is allowed if it is run by a family member living in the house, stays entirely inside the dwelling and stays clearly secondary to living there, with no sign or display. The covenant separately bars commercial, business and professional office use of a residential lot, with an exception for the developer and its builders.

Paragraph V(C) Home Occupation, read with the nuisance paragraph
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.

We can find out →
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.

We can find out →
Conditional

Trash & recycling containers

No lot may be used as a dumping ground. Trash, garbage, weeds and other waste have to be kept in sanitary containers, and any incinerator or storage equipment kept clean and sanitary.

Paragraph VII(F) Garbage and Refuse Disposal
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.

We can find out →
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.

We can find out →
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.

We can find out →
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.

We can find out →

Where these answers come from

The documentProtective Restrictions, Covenants, Limitations, Easements, Agreements and Charges for Lots 1-14, 25-47, 89, 90 and 112-127 of Farmington Hills Subdivision, Phase I, City of South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana
Recorded asRecorded 2002-10-11
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 associationFarmington Hills Homeowners Association, Inc., with a three-person Architectural Control Committee appointed by the developer until the subdivision is turned over to an elected board. The covenant contains a standing pre-approval for houses built by Weiss Homes, Inc., removable only by a vote of every owner in the development.

Ask us about Farmington Hills

Tell us the question and we will get you the answer from the recorded documents.

We’ll get you an answer — usually the same day.