What the recorded documents actually say about Stonehedge in South Bend — fences, sheds, pools, pets, parking and the rest — with the part of the document each answer comes from.
7 homes have sold here in the last four years, which is why this neighborhood was compiled early.
Before you rely on this page
THE 2015 AMENDED AND RESTATED RESTRICTIONS GOVERN - not the 1987 declaration and not the 2006 amendment, both of which are also on file and both of which get several answers wrong for today. The 2015 document is the one that permits a one-meter satellite dish, allows vinyl fencing and chain-link backing, names gazebos, pergolas, arbours and pool sheds as the only detached structures allowed, sets the mailbox standard, ties the sign rule to the City of South Bend Zoning Ordinance, and requires driveway cracks to be caulked and sealed. It covers 94 home sites, numbered 1 through 94. The county plat is Stonehedge; the document says Stonehedge Estates - the same place. STONEHEDGE AND STONEHEDGE ESTATES ARE THE SAME PLACE, and this is now settled by evidence rather than assumption: the MLS carries both names as separate neighborhoods, and documents were pulled under each - but the 2015 Amended and Restated instrument that came down under BOTH names is byte-for-byte the same document, 42,336 characters, referencing the same original instrument 8722995 and the same ninety-four home sites. One subdivision, two MLS spellings. This page covers both.
Perimeter fencing is split rail - with or without chain-link backing - or vinyl, four feet maximum, and it may not run toward the front lot line any further than the rear of the house. A privacy fence is allowed ONLY around a patio, pool or deck, up to six feet, matching the architectural standard set by the style of the house and approved in writing by the architectural control committee. It has to be stained, natural finish or vinyl - painted fences are not permitted - and all surfaces, including the ones facing out toward the lot lines, have to be finished.
Sheds are out, and the 2015 restatement is explicit about it: a storage shed is named alongside a trailer, recreational vehicle, boat, gazebo, camper, tent, garage, greenhouse, below-grade structure or tank and barn as things that may not be used or erected on a lot at any time. The only detached structures allowed are a gazebo, pergola or arbour approved by the architectural control committee, and an approved pool shed for pumps and heaters, which has to sit inside a privacy fence and may not stand taller than it. A tent or gazebo may go up for a non-commercial purpose for no more than three days in a calendar year.
A recreational vehicle, boat or camper may not be used or erected on any lot at any time - the covenant lists them with trailers and temporary structures rather than giving them a time limit, so there is no 48-hour or 5-day allowance here.
Above-ground pools are not permitted. An in-ground pool, a tennis court of no more than 60 by 120 feet, a platform tennis court, a putting green, a basketball court or backboard, or a similar recreational structure may be permitted - but only with the architectural control committee's prior written consent, and the committee also approves the placement, the fencing and the lighting and strictly regulates how it is used.
The architectural control committee approves what gets built and what gets changed, and a detached structure has to be in harmony with the existing houses and similar in quality of construction, materials and colour. Driveways have to be concrete at least four inches thick - asphalt, stone and cinder are all prohibited, which is unusual - at least twelve feet wide, with a circular drive at least eight feet, and every crack caulked and sealed so moisture and weeds cannot get in. Fireplace chimneys are brick, stone or masonry, with a case-by-case variance possible for fake brick veneer if the builder gives a written ten-year warranty against deterioration. Every lot carries an approved dusk-to-dawn light in front of the building setback line, placed where the committee approves, at the owner's expense.
Outside above-ground television, AM, FM and short-wave antennas and similar equipment are barred, subject to applicable law - but satellite dishes not exceeding one meter in diameter are permitted. All utility service runs underground and street and lot lighting sits on posts with no visible lines.
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 →Lawns and gardens have to be well-groomed and well-maintained at all times, attractive in appearance and character, free of trash and litter, and in keeping with the general standards of the community. The same standard covers the buildings and structures, and the board of directors decides what conforms.
A mailbox has to be structurally maintained and kept clear of anything blocking delivery - the covenant names vehicles, bicycles, scooters and snow. A replacement mailbox needs the architectural control committee's approval and should follow the neighbourhood standard.
Dogs, cats and other household pets are allowed, as long as none is kept, bred or maintained commercially and none becomes a nuisance or hazard. Livestock and poultry may not be kept.
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 →A basketball court or backboard is treated like a pool or a tennis court here: possible, but only with the architectural control committee's prior written consent, and the committee approves the placement and the lighting and strictly regulates the use.
Subject to state or other law, no sign of any kind may be displayed on a lot except as the City of South Bend Zoning Ordinance permits for an A Residential District. One sign of no more than five feet in height may be displayed to advertise the property for sale. No sign may go in a common area without the board's approval and on its conditions.
Driveways have to be concrete at least four inches thick - no asphalt, stone or cinder - at least twelve feet wide, with a circular drive at least eight feet.
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 →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 →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 →No lot may be used as a dumping ground for rubbish, and trash, garbage and other waste have to be kept in sanitary containers.
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 →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 →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 →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 →Tell us the question and we will get you the answer from the recorded documents.