Frequently Asked Questions:

HOA Operations:

The HOA Governing bodies - Board and ACC

The HOA has the Board of Directors that oversees the day-to-day operations of the HOA and (among things like finances) they are responsible for the HOA Annual meeting. The Architectural Control Committee (ACC) is responsible for enforcing the HOA's Covenants and Restrictions. Property owners typically interact with the ACC when seeking approval before adding or changing anything on the exterior of their property.

As a WCH property owner, do I need to join the HOA?

Every property/homeowner in Willow Creek Highlands is a member of the HOA, and becomes a member in good standing by paying the annual dues.  Only members in good standing can vote on WCH HOA member-related items. These dues primarily pay for the HOA's largest expense:  the required liability insurance policies.

Regardless of paying the HOA dues, all property/homeowners are legally required to abide by the covenants and architectural guidelines.

How are the HOA dues used?

Our WCH HOA annual dues are relatively low ($50/yr in 2024). The HOA dues support the normal operations of the HOA/ACC including postage for mailing information to property owners, D&O liability insurance, cash reserve for possible legal action to enforce covenants and design guidelines, expert consultation for reviewing building plans, and to partially defray the cost of our Winter and Summer neighborhood gatherings.  The dues also pay for the insurance required by the Town of Silverthorne that allows us to have local USPS mail delivery. The dues are set annually by the WCH HOA Board of Directors. Note that the HOA owns no common property and thus there are no expenses such as property maintenance or snow removal.

When buying or selling a property in WCH

When buying or selling a property, the new owners and a Title company generally need to know about the HOA related business and finances, and a property's status from an HOA perspective.

Board meeting minutes: The annual Board meeting is generally held just before the Annual HOA meeting. Other Board meetings may occur but are not required.  (Available on this website under the Document Center page and then the Meeting Minutes link.)

HOA Treasurer Report and Budgets: The HOA reports its financials annually at the annual meeting.  (Available on this website under the Document Center page and then the Meeting Minutes link.)

Statement preparation fees: Regardless of a property Owner's standing (pay annual dues or not), the HOA charges a $75 statement preparation fee for the Homeowner's Association Status Report that most Title companies require the HOA to submit. On this form, the HOA must identify and document any covenant violations and related fees, any delinquent charges, any assessments, and then submit the completed form to the title company.

Mailbox:  A new Owner should be discuss with the previous Owner if the property being sold has a mailbox in the neighborhood cluster on Eveningstar CT.  If so, then they should jointly work the details of transferring the mailbox (and its keys) to the new owner.  The HOA is not involved in this transfer (other than maintaining a list of the properties that own mailboxes in the file named "09 - WCH Properties with Mailboxes.pdf" on the Document Center/HOA Documents page).  The Owners must work through the USPS to change locks with new keys,  and each owner may need to fill out change of address forms. (See more details in the Mailboxes FAQ below.)

HOA Meetings

The HOA is required to have an annual meeting. This meeting is generally held outdoors in June or July with food and refreshments usually provided by the HOA.

The HOA traditionally hosts a Winter Gathering meeting in Jan or Feb. While not a required meeting, it is run like an annual meeting and generally held in someone's home. Often this is pot-luck affair with refreshments provided. 

How do I access other property owner's information?

The WCH HOA/ACC will not provide home/property owner information to others. The best way to get the name and address of a homeowner in Willow Creek Highlands, is to look on the Summit County website (http://www.co.summit.co.us/) where property owner information is available as part of the County's public records.

What if something on the website isn't working, or you'd like a website change?

Please report website issues or suggest improvements by sending an email to willowcreekhighlands@gmail.com .  

HOA Covenants and Restrictions

What if I suspect someone is violating a covenant?

Consider following the following process. (Note: step 1 is optional, but recommended.)

• 1. (optional) Contact a member of the WCH HOA Board of Directors or the ACC to discuss. Their email contact information is found at the bottom of each web page. 

  2. If you suspect a covenant violation, then you should fill out the Covenant Enforcement Violation Form that can be found in our Document Center. 

  3. Once the completed form is provided to the ACC (as instructed on the form), the covenant enforcement process will begin. The process is documented in the Covenant Enforcement Policy that can be found in our Document Center.

What are the more frequently violated covenants?

For the most part, very few homeowners in our neighborhood violate the WCH HOA covenants or architectural guidelines. The few exceptions tend to deal with garbage being set out before the day of collection or recreational vehicles parked for extended periods in driveways. 

By and large, all our neighbors tend to follow the WCH HOA rules and do what they can to keep our neighborhood attractive and a great place to live!

May I park a Recreational Vehicle in my driveway?

Yes, but only temporarily (<72 hours). The Covenants and Restrictions Article III Section 3.10 states the following:

No trailer, snowmobile, recreational vehicle, camper, boat, hang glider, glider, airplane, mobile home, motor home, house car, commercial vehicle, truck larger than 3/4 ton, inoperable automobile, or similar equipment shall be permitted to remain upon any area within the Property (unless stored within approved, completely enclosed structures or within areas completely removed from public view) other than temporarily for purposes of loading, unloading or cleaning. No trail bike, dirt bike, snowmobile, or other off road vehicle or similar noisy vehicle shall be operated within the property.

The ACC has determined that 3 days (72 hours) is a reasonable time to park a Recreational Vehicle for "loading, unloading, or cleaning". More time may be approved by the ACC to handle the beginning and ending of camping season.

What is considered a RV motor home?

Recreational vehicle identification criterion:

A vehicle provides lodging when it contains a sleeping area, cooking area, and any combination of a toilet, shower, or sink, and therefore, is considered a recreational vehicle as a motorhome, camper, or house car as called out in our covenants and use restrictions. (Pertains to Declarations document Section 3.10)

This rule was adopted as some large passenger vans can be configured as RVs and the ACC needed an objective criterion when applying Section 3.10.  The ACC’s views the intent of Section 3.10 is allowing passenger vans and pickups with toppers while disallowing motorhomes or campers to be parked on a property.

Building or Remodeling

What do I need to do before I build on my lot?

Go to the HOA Documents in the Document Center and review the Covenants, By-Laws, and the Architectural Design Guidelines. 

At the end of the Guidelines you will find the checklists to follow during the building approval process. You are required to provide a deposit to the WCH HOA/ACC before you begin building; ACC permission is required before the Town of Silverthorne will grant a building permit.

What is required to remodel a home?

In general, remodels that impact only interior of a home do not require ACC approval. Please be aware of our dumpster policy. (see Design Guidelines document)

For exterior remodels, please contact the ACC to discuss. Most exterior remodels will require ACC approval and the ACC may require a deposit and a fee for significant remodels such as building a room addition or extending a deck. We use a shortened version of the Design Guidelines checklist, and base any deposit/fee on the scope of the remodel. Please reference the Design Guidelines for restrictions on dumpsters during your remodel. (Work with the ACC if you need relief on the dumpster restrictions.)

Property Improvements

May I erect a storage shed or other out-building on my lot?

No. Anything but a single family home is prohibited by our covenants and architectural guidelines. Since a building has both a roof and walls, things like a raised garden (but not something like a greenhouse) are not allowed. Gazebos are allowed as they do not have walls that extend from floor to roof.

May I install a satellite dish?

Yes. Per federal law, you do not need ACC approval to install a satellite dish.  (For more info, see http://jbshome.com/FCC/index.htm)

May I install solar panels?

Yes, you can install solar panels on your house as long as you receive written approval from the ACC before installation. Several homes in WCH have installed solar panels on their roofs. The Covenants (Section 3.14) require the homeowner to receive written approval from the ACC, and this requires the ACC review the proposed solar installation location and aesthetics. Solar panels may be installed on a house's roof and cannot be installed on any structure other than the house's roof; a freestanding structure capable of supporting solar panels anywhere else on the lot is not allowed.  The solar panel frames shall be non-reflective and generally blend with the roof colors. Panels must be installed parallel to the existing roofline (not significantly raised, or angled, more than a few inches above the roof).  These review criteria are consistent with Colorado State Law that restricts HOAs from preventing solar installations.

May I put up a fence on my lot?

Yes, this is allowed as long as the fence is approved by the WCH ACC. For details on what kind of fence is allowed, please contact an ACC member and/or review the section in our Design Guidelines that pertains to acceptable fences styles and requirements.

May I erect children's playground equipment in my backyard?

Yes, in general this is allowed as long as it doesn't evolve into a playhouse or other significant structure that could be classified as an out-building (something with both a roof and floor-to-ceiling walls.

May I have an outbuilding (not attached to house) such as a garage, shed or greenhouse?

No. The Covenants restrict only one single-family dwelling per lot, so freestanding outbuildings are not allowed. This includes buildings such as garages, sheds or greenhouses. A building is defined as a structure that has both a roof and walls. So, something like a gazebo is allowed (as it has no walls).

May I have a garden?

A garden can be an acceptable feature of an approved landscaping plan. Potted gardens (plantings in pots) or raised gardens are allowed. Freestanding structures, regardless of height, built over a garden are not allowed. This includes any type of greenhouse that has a frame forming a roof and walls, or a dome that could hold glass or clear plastic sheeting. A greenhouse structure not integrated into a dwelling is not allowed (See restriction for outbuildings.) If you wish to add a garden to a previously approved landscaping plan, then you must submit and receive approval from the ACC of a new landscaping plan before creating a garden.

May I change my property's landscaping?

In general, yes. The ACC needs an updated landscaping plan if the change to the current landscaping is significant. A rule of thumb is if powered equipment is being brought in to move soil, rocks, boulders, and large quantities of landscaping material, or if a wetlands area could be impacted, then please provide the ACC with an updated landscaping plan.  No ACC approval is needed to plant a new flower garden, add/remove some flower pots, add/remove a walkway, add/replace a tree, or add a sprinkler system (Town building permit may be needed for this), then ACC approval is not required.

Property Maintenance

May I paint my house a different color?

Please submit the following to the WCH ACC for approval: 

1 - paint samples (electronic are preferred)

2 - picture of your home (so we can see roof and stonework color)

3 - picture(s) of the homes immediately adjacent to your home

May I paint my house the same color?

No problem. There is no need to submit plans to the WCH ACC since you aren't changing the appearance of your house.

May I replace my roof's shingles?

If the color is the same, then no need to submit plans to the WCH ACC since you aren't changing the appearance of your house.

If the color is different, then please submit the following:

1 - info about replacement shingles and gutters (if they are also being replaced) -- mfg, style, and color (electronic is preferred)

2 - picture of your home (so we can see the siding and trim colors)

3 - picture(s) of the homes immediately adjacent to your home

When resealing my asphalt driveway, where do I park?

Easiest is to ask your neighbors if you could park in their driveway for a day or so. Or, get a parking permit from Town of Silverthorne to park on the street. They give you a permission slip to place on the dashboard of your veihicle allowing you to park on the street. Either go to the Town Hall and ask at the front desk, or look on-line to request and receive a permission slip. It is easy to do, and the Town is constantly monitoring the parking in our neighborhood, so you would likely get a ticket without the permission slip. Here is a link to do it on-line: https://www.silverthorne.org/town-government/police-department/parking-permits 

May I add, or replace, my outdoor hot tub or spa?

If you are replacing an existing hot tub with one that is visually the same and in the same location, then no approval is required. Otherwise, please submit your plans to the WCH ACC for approval.

Section 2.5 of the DECLARATION OF COVENANTS, CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS states that no dwelling, building, fence, wall, pool, spa, antenna, solar satellite dish, balcony, screen, patio, patio cover, tent, awning, carport, carport cover, trellis, or structure of any kind or other improvement, including without limitation landscaping, or substantial modifications or replacements thereof, shall be commenced, constructed, erected, established, placed, altered, or maintained upon any Lot, nor shall any alteration or improvement of any kind be made thereto, or to the exterior of any residence, until plans and specifications therefore have been approved in writing by the Committee.

May I remove trees or shrubs on my property?

Yes for dead or diseased trees, trees that are are a significant risk to life/limb/property, blowdown, or as part of a Summit Fire & EMS recommended fire mitigation assessment. (But, please note the wetlands caveat below.)

Cutting healthy trees/shrubs may be allowed if they are part of a recommended fire mitigation plan, or part of an updated ACC-approved landscaping plan.  For example, removing trees/shrubs/grass too close to a house, thinning dense areas of new growth pine trees, and pruning bottom branches from larger trees is encouraged to maintain a healthy forest and reduce wildfire risk. Please contact the ACC to discuss.  

We live on a relatively high risk wildfire boundary. Dead trees and shrubs can become dangerous fuel for wildfires and it is every property Owner's duty to do appropriate fire mitigation on their property. A good way to help you determine what should be done is to ask the Summit Fire & EMS to do a fire mitigation assessment on your property. Then follow their recommendations. 

An important caveat is if such trees/shrubs are in a wetlands area. In this case, please work with the ACC to determine if, when and how best to accomplish the mitigation while abiding by the wetlands protection restrictions that are part of our Covenants. For example, to avoid disturbing wetlands soils and vegetation, it may best to do any tree removal during the winter when the ground is frozen and the wetlands plants are less likely to be damaged during mitigation activities. Or if the dead/diseased tree can be removed without disturbing the wetlands.

May I ask my neighbor to cut down a tree that blocks my view?

You may, but there is nothing in our covenants or design guidelines that requires your neighbor to do so; thus, it is not an issue for HOA involvement.

Living in the Neighborhood and the Town of Silverthorne

How do I report an animal nuisance such as vicious, roaming, or barking dog?

The laws relating to an animal nuisance are best enforced by the Town of Silverthorne police department. 

Consider the following process so that your call can be recorded and become part of an official record. The key is to build a history of repeated violations so the responding officer can decide to take any action. For repeated violations, then a presiding judge will consider if the violator will go to trial.

• 1. You MUST file any complaint through Dispatch’s non-emergency number of 970-668-8600.

  2. The dispatcher will collect basic information from you and will then inform the Town of Silverthorne police.

  3. You MUST specifically ask that the responding officer contact you so you can add to the basic information you have provided.  This will be done either by telephone or in-person.

Note: If the officer observes the violation, then he/she can issue a ticket with no further input from you.  If the officer does not observe the violation, then he/she can still issue a ticket but only if you, as a witness, sign a statement describing the violation.

How does trash service work?

The HOA does not provide any trash service. As of early 2023, there are two providers in Summit County: Waste Management and Timberline. Please contact these providers to find out pricing, pick-up days, and recycling options. Also check out any on-line reviews as these may allow you to better compare these providers with each other.

How does snow removal work?

The HOA does not provide any snow removal service. The Town plows the streets. Private driveways are the responsibility of each homeowner. Most homeowners own a snow blower to help remove snow from their driveway. Many homeowners also contract snow removal with a local company. There are many different snow removal companies in Summit County, and consider talking with your neighbors and looking in the local newspaper (Summit Daily) to see who is offering this service and/or advertising. The pricing varies, so be sure to contact a few providers and check with references before picking one.

May I park a vehicle along the street (not in my driveway)?

No. An exception is with a Town-issued special event parking permit displayed in your windshield. This is especially important if you are having a party or gathering that could result in more cars than fit in your driveway. (See Silverthorne Parking Permit)

The Town of Silverthorne generally has at least a 12' easement/right-of-way along the streets in WCH, and parking in this easement/ROW is often strictly enforced.

As the HOA does not enforce any Town easements/ROWs, please contact the Town with any complaints about parking along the street.

Note that our covenants and restrictions (Article III Section 3.12) state that vehicles parked in driveways may not extend over any public right of way. Vehicles should only be parked in the home's driveway.

Mailboxes

What if I want a mailbox?

Several mailbox clusters have been installed in Eveningstar CT by the HOA on as-needed basis. Whenever there are enough people to pay for another cluster of 16, the HOA will consider coordinating and installing another cluster. If the previous owner of your home bought a mailbox, then you should check with them to get the key (see transfer process below). If there are only a few people needing new mailboxes, the HOA Board will determine when there are enough people to pay for another cluster; this should be worked through the HOA Board. The USPS has dictated that Eveningstar CT is the only location mailboxes are allowed in our neighborhood. The alternative to a local mailbox is a PO box at the post office.

As of mid-2024, four mailboxes were available in the existing clusters. for homes that have not bought a mailbox. Price is ~$200. Contact the wchhoa.bod@gmail.com to purchase a mailbox and get the keys. (Same basic process as a mailbox transferal described below.)  The HOA also keeps a list of which properties have mailboxes, so please contact them to check if your property has a mailbox or not.

Is there an annual fee to own a mailbox?

No, but if you have a mailbox, you really should join the HOA. The annual HOA dues defray the cost of the Town of Silverthorne-required liability insurance that the HOA must carry.

How is a mailbox transferred when a property is sold and bought?

Note: The process seems to change frequently by the USPS.  The description below was current circa 2023.

The current property Owner should:

• Inform the new property Owner of the mailbox, it location and number

• Provide all the mailbox keys to the new property Owner

• Fill out a USPS change of address form that provides a new address for their mail delivery

The new property Owner should:

• When purchasing a new mailbox in an existing cluster (not transferring from previous owner because the property had no mailbox prior to sale):

  • Work with the WCH Board to identify available mailboxes and buy a mailbox from the HOA

  • Request a mailbox transfer letter from the HOA (send email request to:  wchhoa.bod@gmail.com) -- please include the new residents' names, address, and mailbox #.  This letter is meant for the USPS and verifies there is a new owner of the mailbox and that the new property's owner mail should be delivered to box # at the mailbox cluster.

  • Drop off this letter to the Silverthorne post office  (Note: The post office responsible for our mailboxes could also be the Dillon post office as the responsibility occasionally moves between the Silverthorne and Dillon post offices.)

• When transferring a mailbox associated with the Property, then work with the Seller to acquire all mailbox keys.

• Complete a change of USPS address form that transfers delivery from an their old address to a new address.  (The new address is of the form:  HouseNumber StreetName, Silverthorne, CO 80498)

• (circa 2024) Work with the Post Office to get additional keys, or replace mailbox locks.  If your mailbox key was lost, or it was not transferred when you bought the home, then please contact the Postmaster for this area.  (As of mid-2024, the Postmaster is:  Mike Mendillo @ 970-730-1914 (cell).  His email is Michael.D.Mendillo@usps.gov. ) The cost to replace the lock and key is about $30.  Proof of residency is required. 

Mailbox etiquette

• • Get out your car to access your mailbox (don't try to drive so close that you attempt to reach out the car window to access the mailbox as this packs any snow into ice)

  • Shovel snow in front of mailbox to avoid a sheet of packed snow/ice (shovels are generally at the mailbox clusters)

  • Throw down some sand or deicing salt when ice forms in front of the mailbox (usually a bag by the mailboxes in winter)

  • Check your mailbox regularly (especially during holiday shipping season) so the shared large pkg mailboxes can be re-used

  • If you expect a pkg, please check often and pickup asap so the large shared boxes are available.

  • If the keyed lock is getting hard to open, use a small amount of silicon spray to keep it lubricated (do not use oil of any type)