FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
General
Who do I contact if I have questions?
Architecture and Community Standards
I would like to add a deck, fence, storm door (etc.) to my property. What do I need to do?
I submitted my application and haven't heard back yet. What should I do?
How are community standards maintained?
My neighbor is not maintaining their property per the community guidelines. What can I do?
Dues Collection
How is the assessment amount (HOA dues) determined?
What happens if my payment is late?
Noise Violations and Other Problems with Neighborhood Pets
My neighbor's dog barks continuously. What can I do?
My neighbor's dog runs loose and defecates on my property. What can I do?
Towing
My car was towed. How do I get it back?
So where should I park my (or my guest's) car?
Trash and Recycling
How must trash be packaged for pickup?
The trash at the tot lot or gazebo is overflowing. What can I do?
Can I place my Christmas tree at the curb for pickup?
I just moved in. What can I do with the boxes?
What about large items, such as furniture?
General
Who do I contact if I have questions?
The HOA has contracted with CHS Community Management as the management agent for Mason's Passage. Questions regarding dues payment, Architectural Review requests, general questions, etc. should be submitted to the management representative. Our representative may be contacted at:
Chris Huemmer
CHS Community Management, 703-913-1480
When are board meetings held?
Board meetings are held every other month. Please check the website for the date, time and location of the meeting.
Can I attend a board meeting?
Homeowners are welcome to attend board meetings. If you have an issue you would like to discuss, please contact our Management Agent as a courtesy prior to the meeting so that the agenda can be adjusted for time. Generally, any homeowner presentations are addressed first, followed committee reports and Board business.
If you would like to raise an issue for the Board but cannot be present, please send a letter or email to our Management Agent and request that the issue be included on the next board agenda.
Additionally, an annual meeting of homeowners is held each Fall. You will receive advance notice of this meeting by mail.
Architecture and Community Standards
I would like to add a deck, fence, storm door (etc.) to my property. What do I need to do?
Homeowners who wish to make changes to their property, for example the addition of fences, decks, patios, storm doors, etc. (please refer to the Architecture Guidelines for a complete listing) are expected to submit their request for approval in advance to the HOA Board. Homeowners are to complete the Architectural Review Form provided on this Web site, including complete information for decision making, such as plans and plats. Plans for the construction of decks, patios, sheds and other structures must meet Fairfax County building codes and appropriate building permits must be obtained before beginning any construction.
Requests are reviewed by the Architecture Review Committee and presented to the Board for approval. No work shall commence until the owner has received approval in writing.
I submitted my application and haven't heard back yet. What should I do?
The ARC is comprised of volunteers who meet on a monthly basis. Please allow enough time for the Committee to make a decision before making plans to commence your modification or improvement project.
The ARC will make every attempt to provide prompt notification of its decision within 30 days. If you have not received a written decision within that time, you should contact CSH Community Management, 703-913-1480, to confirm that a decision has been made. In the unlikely event that a decision has not been made within sixty (60) days, approval shall be automatic but shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any provision of the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, Article VII, Section 16.
How are community standards maintained?
Periodically our management company conducts a review of the property to ensure that homeowner's properties have not made changes without board approval and that the property is being maintained. This includes but is not limited to items such as lawn maintenance, shutters, painting of trim, doors, siding, etc.
Homeowners in violation are sent a letter giving them 30 days to bring their property into compliance. If after 30 days, the homeowner has not done so, they will receive a second notice informing them of the action that can be taken by the HOA.
The HOA has the authority to select a contractor to do the work required to bring the property into compliance and to charge the property owner for the associated cost. This cost will appear as part of the owner's assessment and may constitute a lien on the property.
My neighbor is not maintaining their property per the community guidelines (for example, shutters are down, paint is peeling, lawns are overgrown). What can I do?
Contact Chris Heummer at CSH Management.or the Architecture Review Committee to add this to the list for review. If there is indeed a violation, the homeowner will be sent a letter notifying them of the violation and the process as described above.
Dues Collection
How is the assessment amount (HOA dues) determined?
The Board of Directors shall establish the annual assessment at the time it approves the Operating Budget for the fiscal year. The board has the authority to increase the assessment up to 5% annually by a vote of the board. Any increases above this amount will require a vote of the Homeowner Association membership.
How are dues paid?
Members may pay the annual assessment in four (4) equal quarterly installments, due on the first day of January, April, July, and October. In addition, members may make arrangements with the Association's management company to pay the quarterly assessments through a direct debit program. If members choose not to pay the quarterly assessments through the direct debit program, they must ensure that the Association's management company receives payment on or before the thirtieth (30th) day of the first month the quarterly assessment falls due. If not, the Association shall consider the account "late".
Please refer to the complete Dues Collection Policy for more detailed information.
What happens if my payment is late?
If an account becomes "late", the Board shall impose a late charge of $25.00 on the account, and the management company will send a reminder notice to the member. If the member fails to pay the quarterly installment and any accrued late charges by the forty-fifth (45th) day after the due date, the Association will send a late notice to the member and will add administrative costs, including the cost of postage, to the account balance.
If the member continues to be delinquent, the Association shall send the account to the Association's counsel for collection. Before doing so, the Association can accelerate the balance of the account for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Counsel for the Association is authorized to record liens and file suits on behalf of the Association to collect all delinquent sums, and will add all legal fees and court costs to the account of the delinquent member.
Please refer to the complete Dues Collection Policy for more detailed information.
Noise Violations and Other Problems with Neighborhood Pets
My neighbor's dog barks continuously. What can I do?
Obviously, you may want to begin by speaking with your neighbor about the problem. They should be aware that this is considered a public nuisance and anyone may report it to the Fairfax County Police Department. If the problem continues, you may report it to the Fairfax County Police Department. The first time, a warning will be issued, the second time, a citation will be issued, and the third time, the police may make an arrest.
My neighbor's dog runs loose and defecates on my property. What can I do?
In Fairfax County, it is against the law to allow animals to trespass on, destroy or damage another person's property. Animals must not frequently and habitually make loud and objectionable noises or be kept in such a manner as to cause unsanitary conditions.
County Code concerning dog poop, pet waste:
The owner or custodian of any dog shall be responsible for the removal of excreta deposited by such dog on the property of another, including public areas ("pooper scooper" regulation).(County Code Section 41-1-2, Section 108-5-2 and Section 41-2-6)
As a courtesy, first remind your neighbor of their responsibilities as a dog owner in Fairfax County. If the problem continues, you can contact the Fairfax County Police Department's Animal Services Division at (703) 691-2131.
Towing
My car was towed. How do I get it back?
If towed, call: 703-691-2131 for instructions on how to recover your vehicle. This number is also posted at the entrances to the community. Towing is provided by Dominion Towing (703-978-7990).
Why was I towed?
Both the HOA and the Fairfax County Police Department have the authority to tow in Mason's Passage.
As of October 1, 2004, a towing company has been patrolling the community and is authorized to tow away vehicles that are parked in a prohibited manner, such as in a fire lane. Please refer to the HOA Parking Policy for a full listing of potential violations.
Fairfax County Police Department also has the authority to tow vehicles that are in violation of Fairfax County parking guidelines. These include, but are not limited to, parking on grass, parking in the street and in fire lanes, parking on the sidewalk, etc.
If you are towed, please keep in mind that these regulations are in place for the safety of you and your neighbors. These policies are designed to address the congested parking situation in our neighborhood and provide greater safety as cleared streets enable free access by emergency vehicles and life-saving equipment in cases of emergencies.
So where should I park my (or my guest's) car?
Homeowners are encouraged to use their garages and driveways for parking. Guest spaces are intended for guests and not for long term parking of neighborhood cars. Continued parking in guest spaces by residents is a violation of the parking policy.
If you are planning to have guests over (such as for a party) and are concerned about the availability of guest parking, you may wish to ask your neighbors if you can borrow some space in their driveway for parking during your event.
Trash and Recycling
When is trash picked up?
Trash is picked up twice a week between the hours of 6 a.m and 6p.m. If this time is not convenient, i.e. too early, then you may place your trash by the curb the night before pick-up (after dusk).
Trash and recyclables pickup occurs on all holidays that fall on a regularly scheduled pickup day, with the exception of THANKSGIVING DAY, CHRISTMAS DAY and NEW YEAR'S DAY. When a designated pickup day falls on one of these holidays, uncollected trash or recyclables will be removed on the next regularly scheduled pickup day. If special circumstances prevent pickup (i.e. snowstorm), pickup will occur on the next possible day.
How must trash be packaged for pickup?
Trash must be properly tied or otherwise secured and placed in plastic bags, standard trash cans, or AAA 96-gallon, wheeled carts placed at the curb by 6 a.m. Trash bags or containers shall not exceed 50 lbs. per bag or container. AAA will provide one AAA 96-gallon, wheeled cart per unit.
The trash at the tot lot or gazebo is overflowing. What can I do?
AAA is to remove trash from the 2 tot lots and gazebo on the same days as trash pickup for the homes. If trash pickup has occurred, and the trash is overflowing you can contact CSH Management about the problem so they can contact AAA.
What can I recycle?
Recyclables will be picked up once a week and must be separated from normal household trash. NEWSPAPERS and MAGAZINES must be bundled in paper grocery bags or tied with heavy twine. GLASS, ALUMINUM, and FERROUS METAL FOOD CANS should be rinsed out and placed in separate bags, cardboard boxes or AAA recycling bins. GLASS should be separated by color (clear, green, amber). Cardboard boxes should be broken down. AAA will provide one recycling bin per unit. All recyclables must be at the curb by 6 a.m.
What about yard debris?
Only during the months of January, February and March may you mix yard debris with trash. Place yard debris and brush at the curb on the designated collection day for yard debris. Place yard debris and brush in separate containers or biodegradable bags. While plastic bags are acceptable, they are not biodegradable and must be removed prior to composting. Containers should be secure so they will not blow away. The weight limit for yard debris is 35 lbs. or less per bag or container.
Brush should be cut in four-foot lengths with limbs no larger than six inches in diameter. Brush should be tied in bundles no larger than two feet in diameter and placed at the curb. A handling charge will be assessed to any individual homeowner who places more than five bundles of brush on the curb for any single pickup.
Can I place my Christmas tree at the curb for pickup?
Christmas trees will be collected separately the first two weeks of January. The specific dates for pickup will be published on the Web site and/or in the newsletter. Trees must be placed at the curb prior to 6 a.m. All tinsel and ornaments must be removed from the tree. Please do not place in bags.
I just moved in. What can I do with the boxes?
AAA will remove packing boxes and cartons placed at the curb by new residents. Boxes should be broken down.
What about large items, such as furniture?
AAA will collect all furniture and other large, non-metal household items placed on the curb at no extra charge. Ferrous metal/white good items, such as appliances, will be picked up with additional billing to the individual homeowner. Prior notice is requested when any large items are to be disposed. Contact AAA at 703-818-8222 to arrange for pickup of large items.