Governance FAQ

🏡 Park Ridge Governance for Real People

Ever wonder who makes the rules around here and how they can be changed? Here’s the plain-English breakdown of the four layers of Park Ridge governance: CCRs, Bylaws, Policies, and Rules. Each one has its own job, its own power level, and its own legal source.

Park Ridge Subcommunities 🏡

 Park Ridge is made up of several distinct subcommunities, each with its own recorded Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CCRs). These CCRs apply only to the lots within that subcommunity and may differ from one another.

• Park Ridge East – Residential building lots

• Park Ridge West – Residential building lots

• Park Ridge Forest – Residential building lots

• HoneyTree – Residential building lots

• Park Ridge Central – Camping area

Each subcommunity’s CCRs are recorded with the county and govern only that area. Changes to a CCR require approval by 75% of the lot owners in that specific subcommunity and must be recorded with the county.

🧱 1. CCRs = The Foundation (One per Subcommunity)

Governing Authority:

• Virginia Property Owners’ Association Act (§ 55.1-1819)

• Recorded CCRs for each subcommunity

What they are:
The Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CCRs) are the legal backbone for each subcommunity. They’re recorded with the county and tied to your deed. Think of them as the “you can’t build a goat barn in your front yard” rules.

Who they apply to:
Only the subcommunity they’re written for.

How they change:

• Requires 75% of lot owners in that subcommunity to vote yes

• Must be recorded with the county

Example:  Let’s say Honey Tree votes to require a garden gnome in every front yard. 8 out of 10 owners say yes—gnomes it is. Forest votes no, so they stay gnome-free.  (Don’t worry, nobody’s actually asking for this. Please don’t start.)

📘 2. Bylaws = The Business Rules (All of Park Ridge)

Governing Authority:

• Virginia Nonstock Corporation Act (§ 13.1-847)

• Park Ridge Bylaws

What they are:
The Bylaws govern how the whole Association runs—meetings, voting, board elections, officer roles, etc.

Who they apply to:
Everyone in all subcommunities.

How they change:

• A meeting must be called with at least 14 days’ notice

• Electronic notice is valid (email, website, etc.)

• Changes are approved by a majority of members who show up

Example: “All board meetings must start at 7:00 p.m.” If members vote to amend the bylaws, that schedule applies to every Park Ridge board meeting, no matter the section.

🧾 3. Policies = The Procedures (Board-Approved)

Governing Authority:

• Virginia POA Act (§ 55.1-1815)

• Virginia Nonstock Corporation Act (§ 13.1-854)

• Must be consistent with CCRs and Bylaws

What they are:
Policies are created by the Board to clarify things not spelled out in the Bylaws or CCRs. They help with modern stuff—like voting reps for trusts or LLCs.

Who they apply to:
All members, unless scoped to a specific situation.

How they change:

• Approved by Board vote

• Can be revised or revoked by future Boards

Example:  The Voting Representation Policy (pending approval) lets a trust or LLC designate one person to vote and serve on the board. That’s a policy—not a bylaw or CCR. It’s there to fill in the gaps when the governing documents don’t spell something out clearly.

🚦 4. Rules = The “Don’t Be a Jerk” Stuff

Governing Authority:

• Park Ridge Bylaws, Article VIII

• Must be consistent with CCRs and Bylaws

What they are:
Rules are the everyday expectations—trash cans, parking, noise, common area use. They’re meant to keep things safe, clean, and neighborly.

Who they apply to:
All residents and guests.

How they change:

• Created and updated by the Board

• Must be reasonable and clearly communicated

Example: “No overnight parking on the grass.” This isn’t in the CCRs or Bylaws, but the Board can adopt rules like this to keep the neighborhood looking tidy—so it doesn’t resemble a tailgate party.

❌ What This Doesn’t Mean

Let’s clear up a few common misunderstandings:

• Just because you live here doesn’t mean you can vote. You must be a deeded owner or officially designated Voting Representative (policy pending approval).

• The Board can’t override the CCRs or Bylaws. If it’s not allowed in the governing documents, it’s not happening.

• Policies aren’t permanent. A future Board can change them. That’s normal.

• Rules aren’t laws. They’re expectations. We can’t arrest anyone for leaving their trash can out too long.

• Changing the CCRs doesn’t require all of Park Ridge. It only takes 75% of the owners in that subcommunity.

• Being mad doesn’t make something illegal. If you don’t like a rule, policy, or decision, there’s a process to challenge or change it—yelling isn’t it.