Architectural Home Page

Board Liaison, Jamie Burnett

Members [as of 04/18/2025] / Listed alphabetically]

• Jon Darling (Harnett)

• Dede Harris (Harnett)

• Carolyn Jerkovich (Sampson)

• Marty Levin (Lenoir)

Purpose: To make timely recommendations on architectural changes proposed by MHOA members, based upon the language specifying the procedure in Article VI Architectural Control on page 8 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Covenants for Millcroft Close (as approved by the community on October 10, 2012 and as filed with Chatham County's Registrar of Deeds on October 22, 2012).. This is an advisory committee to the board.

IMPORTANT: It is always a good idea to submit ANY architectural modification or addition to the committee before moving forward.  Any reasonable change is likely to be approved; however, the Board has the authority to cause any architectural change to be reversed, which would cause considerable distress and expense. 

Please Ask First and Act Later.

In late 2014, given evidence of interest in key safes (Knox-Box devices) within Fearrington Village, the MHOABoard, with advice from the Architectural Committee, published its policy on key-safe installations within Millcroft Close. If installations are followed as described on this Knox Box description page, the policy permits installation without MHOA Architectural Committee review or MHOA Board approval.

UPDATE ON WINDOW BOXES

In Mid-April 2013, the Architectural Committee reviewed the installation of a window/flower box in Millcroft.  The committee quickly determined that this external addition did not require a review; however, it also noted that any such devices installed in the future:

1. should be window-mounted, 

2. should be of reasonable size, and 

3. must be colored white to match our house trim color.

Applying to MHOA for a Deck Project -- How It Works:

• Be sure to apply for Architectural Committee review before filing for with the county for your building permit. To apply to the MHOA for approval of your plans, contact Jamie Burnett, current chair of the committee.

• After MHOA Board approval of your project, file the required three-page Chatham County building permit application form and send us a copy of the application. For your convenience, CLICK ON the Residential Building Permit Application FILE at the bottom of this page to download their application form. When the county approves your building permit, be sure to send us a copy of their approval for the Association's documentation record.

Basic Application Requirements for Proposed Decking

The applicant must submit a drawn deck design, which will need to be reviewed and approved by the MHOA Board before any construction activity ensues.

The design needs to include an overall plan view and an elevation view, showing all planned components. 

No portion of the deck (including its railings) shall exceed the height of a nearby berm at any point.

As with all Millcroft decks, the components need to be specified in detail as to construction material, finish, and color. While composite, maintenance-free materials are preferred, premium kiln-dried pressure-treated lumber may also be used and then sealed (following an appropriate seasoning time period according to the manufacturer's specifications) with a premium clear waterproofing finish or suitable premium stain as specifically noted in the next item below.

The color(s) of all decking and support materials shall be neutral, preferably matching or attractively complementing the house siding color. If any accent color is used, such as for railings and/or railing vertical supports, the accent color shall be white to match the house trim color.

No part of the deck structure shall encroach upon any Common Area of Millcroft Close, or restrict access to any utility easement. As is standard, if utility access is later found to be significantly impeded, the MHOA may compel the homeowner to permanently remove offending deck components solely at the owner's expense. If any portion(s) of the structure might need to be removed to permit the maintenance, repair, or replacement of any utility components under the nearby easement, the removal and replacement of the structure would be solely at the homeowner's expense.

Construction and installation of the deck shall not substantially alter the nearby terrain, including berms, drainage ditches, storm drains, and the like. If nearby terrain must be temporarily disturbed to accommodate construction and installation of the deck, those disturbed areas shall be restored to their original pre-construction state solely at the homeowner's expense.

Direct any questions and communication to the current chair of the committee.

Information About Required County Building Permits

A Chatham County Building Permit is Required for Building, Repairing, or Replacing a Deck

In North Carolina, decks have their own permit law. Decks are load-bearing structures; therefore, by North Carolina State Law, a building permit is required to:

• build

• repair

• replace

• or to change its design.

The application for a permit must be filed (in our case) with Chatham County. The Chatham County Building Permit office web site is located HERE.

Have Some Other Home Structural Improvement or Home Alteration in Mind?

It is YOUR PERSONAL responsibility to know whether you must have a building permit for the project you are planning.

You may also need a building permit from the county for other external and/or internal structural home projects you may be planning.

North Carolina statutes and the residential building code mandate permits for certain repair and renovation projects. Generally, a permit is required to do work that affects a load-bearing structure, an addition or change to a heating, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) or plumbing system, and all electrical work.

These important safety regulations are enforced by the city or county inspections department or inspections division of the planning department which has jurisdiction over the property. The inspections department issues the permit and inspects the completed work for compliance with the code. Some inspections departments interpret the law and code more strictly than others, so permit requirements may vary locally. Note that in Fearrington Village, all building permits are handled by Chatham County. A good rule to follow is, "When in doubt, find out!" Call your local inspections department with your questions.

Permit requirements apply even if the homeowner does the work. The code may require that a licensed contractor do the work if a permit is required. As the owner's agent, review the contractor's proposal carefully to ensure that the permit fee is included in the contract price and that the contractor will arrange for inspections. Be aware, however, that the homeowner is responsible for compliance with the code's requirements even if he or she hires someone to do the work.

To find out whether you need a county building permit, contact the county's permit office at:

OFFICE LOCATION: 80 East Street, Pittsboro (behind the BP station and Hardee’s).

OFFICE HOURS: 8 am to 5 pm, Monday-Friday, except holidays 

PHONE:  919-542-8293 or 919-545-8403

MAILING ADDRESS: P. O. Box 548, Pittsboro, NC 27312

DIRECTOR: David Camp

EMAIL:  david.camp@chathamcountync.gov

If you prefer, you may submit the convenient "WHEN FORM," which is hot-linked just below at the bottom of this page.