What the recorded documents actually say about The Oaks in South Bend — fences, sheds, pools, pets, parking and the rest — with the part of the document each answer comes from.
14 homes have sold here in the last four years, which is why this neighborhood was compiled early.
Before you rely on this page
Covers lots 1 through 46 of the Plat of The Oaks.
A fence may not sit closer to any street than the rear of the house. Perimeter fencing is capped at six feet, and a privacy fence is allowed only around the immediate patio, also at six feet. Both have to match the architectural standard set by the style of the house and be approved in writing, unless a written variance is granted.
A detached storage or pet-shelter structure has to be quality construction, kept neat, blend with the house, and go to the architectural committee for approval before building starts. The committee can require screening around it. No trailer, modular or manufactured home, basement, tent, shack, garage, barn or outbuilding may be lived in.
Boats, motor homes, trailers and other recreational vehicles may not be stored closer to the front lot line than the minimum setback on the plat. Nothing may be parked on the street more than seven consecutive days, and a vehicle on blocks or without a current plate may never be stored outside an enclosed garage.
Both in-ground and above-ground pools are allowed, which is unusual for the area, as long as they sit no closer to a street than the rear of the house and have protective screening. Tennis courts are not permitted.
Nothing may be built, placed, maintained or altered, and the natural topography and drainage may not be changed, until the plans are approved by the architectural committee. Two full sets of plans go in, showing floor plan, quality of construction, materials and the outside colours, and approval comes back in writing. No deviation from approved plans without further written consent.
No exposed exterior radio or television transmission or receiving antenna may be put up, and no dish over 18 inches across. A dish of 18 inches or less is therefore the workable reading. 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.
Solar panels are allowed, but the developer has to approve the installation and its location in writing before construction.
Side, front and rear yards have to be planted with grass seed, sod or an approved ground cover within 120 days of the house being finished or occupied, whichever comes first. On a corner lot nothing between two and six feet above the roadway may block the sight triangle, and a tree there has to be trimmed high enough to keep the view clear.
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 →Only dogs, cats and pet birds may be kept, in reasonable numbers, and none for any commercial purpose. A dog may not run at large unless it is in an approved dog run or a fenced yard, or on a leash no longer than eight feet; a cat has to stay on its owner's lot. Owners must clean up after their pets and may not curb them near buildings, walkways or shrubbery, no dangerous animal may be kept, and a dog that barks persistently is not allowed. The association can require pets to be registered with it.
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 →One sign of no more than five square feet advertising the property for sale or rent is allowed. A builder may use larger signage during construction and sales, and the developer's own signs are exempt.
Driveways must be at least sixteen feet wide and built of asphalt at least three inches thick or concrete at least four. Stone and cinder driveways are not allowed and a circular drive must be at least eight feet wide. Nothing may be parked on the street more than seven consecutive days.
A home occupation is allowed within limits, and no mechanical equipment may be used for it. A barber shop, styling salon, beauty parlour, tea room, fortune-teller parlour, animal hospital or any form of animal care such as dog trimming never counts as one.
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. Trash and garbage have to be kept in sanitary containers, and the equipment for storing or disposing of it kept clean and sanitary.
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.