FAQ

Ashford Village Neighborhood

Frequently Asked Questions . . .

If you don’t find the answer here to your question, please refer to the AVHOA bylaws or covenant, or contact RTI Property Management.  Answers to these questions are excerpted or paraphrased from the Ashford Village covenant (approved by homeowners, and available elsewhere on this website) and from Pittsfield Township ordinances or policies. These answers are intended as a quick reference, and are not a legal or binding document. The AVHOA board may not be held liable for any misinterpretation of the source documents.

Who’s responsible for . . .

  • Mowing in common areas & how often

AVHOA contracts with Lightning Lawn & Landscape to mow the grass in our common areas, and other seasonal maintenance. (This is a new company working for AVHOA beginning with the first snowfall in December 2017.) The lawns are mowed once a week beginning in May. Questions/concerns about this should be addressed to RTI Property Management or (810) 991-1235, who will handle it or forward the message to the AVHOA board if needed.

  • Plowing snow from our streets

The Washtenaw County Road Commission is responsible for plowing and maintaining the roads in Ashford Village. Call the Road Commission at 734-761-1500 or click here for details about plowing priorities.

  • Clearing snow from the sidewalks in front of my house

Homeowners are responsible for clearing the snow from sidewalks in front of their property. Snow should be removed within 24 hours whenever there is 1” of more of accumulation, from either snowfall or drifting.

  • Clearing snow from the sidewalks in the common areas

AVHOA contracts with Lightning Lawn & Landscape to clear the snow on sidewalks in our common areas, and also for mowing grass in our common areas. (This is a new company working for AVHOA beginning with the first snowfall in December 2017.) These sidewalks are to be cleared within 24 hours whenever there is 1” or more of snow. Questions/concerns about this should be addressed to RTI Property Management or (810) 991-1235, who will handle it or forward the message to the AVHOA board if needed./

  • Clearing snow from the sidewalks in Hickory Woods Park

According to Rich Wade at Pittsfield Township, on December 19, 2017, “The township does plan on maintaining the walking paths [in the parks], Hickory Woods included, after the high priority locations are completed first.”

  • Planting/maintaining gardens in entrances

AVHOA contracts with Lightning Lawn & Landscape to mow the grass in our common areas, and other seasonal maintenance. (This is a new company working for AVHOA beginning with the first snowfall in December 2017.) The lawns are mowed once a week beginning in May. Questions/concerns about this should be addressed to RTI Property Management or (810) 991-1235, who will handle it or forward the message to the AVHOA board if needed.

  • Maintaining street trees

Individual homeowners are responsible for maintaining and trimming all trees and bushes that overhang sidewalks or the street, including those planted in the right-of-way lawn between the sidewalk and the road. If a tree in the right-of-way dies, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to remove the tree. Likewise, it is the homeowner’s responsibility (choice) to replace/plant trees in the right-of-way.

  • Trash, yard waste and recycling pick-up

Click here for information about rubbish, recycling and yard waste pick up.

  • Can I get a new trash or recycle can if mine is broken?

Yes. If a rubbish or recycle cart is damaged, please contact Pittsfield Township at 734-822-3105. Provide your name, address, and phone number in order to schedule a repair or replacement of the cart.

  • For yard waste, do I need to use paper yard waste bags?

The preferred way to dispose of grass clippings and leaves is to mulch them into your lawn. For larger yard waste, you MAY use the biodegradable Kraft paper yard waste bags if you choose, but you don’t HAVE to. You may also use plastic or fabric cans, clearly labeled for Yard Waste. Please use cans no larger than 35 gallons. There is no limit on the number of bags, or cans per week. Large or long branches should be cut into lengths no longer than 4 feet, and tied with natural fiber twine into bundles easy to manage by one person. Yard waste is collected from mid-April through mid-December.

  • Picking up loose trash in common areas

Homeowners are expected to pick up and properly dispose of any trash they see loose in Ashford Village. Occasionally garbage and recyclables blow out of bins as the bins are tipped upside down to be emptied into the trucks. Please help out by doing your part throughout the year to keep our neighborhood clean. Also, consider joining neighbors in the Spring and Fall for “Cleanup Day”.

  • Replacing/repairing lights in the entrance gardens

RTI Property Management monitors the condition of our entrance lighting, signs and gardens, and orders repairs as needed. If you notice that a repair is needed, feel free to contact RTI Property Management or (810) 991-1235

  • Replacing/repairing street lights

If you notice a streetlight that needs repair or replacement, please call DTE at 800-477-4747.

What’s the rule about . . .

  • Antennae – No radio, television or other communication antennas of any type, or television disc, can be installed on or outside of any residence without the written consent of the Architectural Review Committee.
  • Animals – Domestic animals commonly deemed to be household pets are allowed so long as such pets are not objectionable or offensive to others due to noise, odor or unsanitary conditions. Domestic animals shall be kept either on a leash or in a run or pen, and shall not be allowed to run loose or unattended. Animals may not be kept or bred for commercial use.
  • Animal Kennels – Animal kennels/pens must be located in the rear yard adjacent to a wall of the main dwelling or garage and facing the rear or the interior of the lot. Such pens may not extend beyond the end of the dwelling or garage into the side yard, and may not measure more than 12 feet in any one direction.
  • Boats – No house trailers, commercial vehicles, boat trailers, boats, campers, recreational vehicles or camping trailers, horse trailers or other utility trailers or vehicles may be parked on or stored on any lot for more than 48 hours, unless stored fully enclosed within an attached garage.
  • Building/Construction – Approval of the Architectural Review Committee is required before beginning construction of any building, fence, wall, deck, swimming pool, out -building or other structure; landscaping or exterior improvement, or exterior addition to or change or alteration in the exterior appearance of the dwelling or change in landscaping. The committee must be allowed to review the plans and specifications showing the kind, size, shape, height, colors, materials, topography and location of the same on the Lot. Click here to access the Alteration/modification request form.
  • Commercial Vehicles – No house trailers, commercial vehicles, boat trailers, boats, campers, recreational vehicles or camping trailers, horse trailers or other utility trailers or vehicles may be parked on or stored on any lot for more than 48 hours, unless stored fully enclosed within an attached garage.
  • Compost Piles – No Lot shall be used or maintained as a dumping ground for rubbish, trash, garbage or other waste. These materials should be kept except in sanitary containers properly concealed from public view. Garbage containers shall not be left at the roadside for more than 24 hours in any week.
  • Fences – Above ground fences are not allowed, except surrounding swimming pools, and for animal kennels (see above). Underground fences are allowed to contain domestic pets.
  • Laundry – No laundry shall be hung for drying outside the dwelling.
  • Playsets – See “Building/Construction”.
  • Recreational Vehicles – No house trailers, commercial vehicles, boat trailers, boats, campers, recreational vehicles or camping trailers, horse trailers or other utility trailers or vehicles may be parked on or stored on any lot for more than 48 hours, unless stored fully enclosed within an attached garage.
  • Rental or Lease of Home – Owners may lease and/or sublet the whole house, but may not lease or sublet a portion of their house. Any lease period must be for a minimum of one year.
  • Signs – No sign or billboard of any kind shall be placed, erected or maintained on any lot. Exceptions are such signs as may be installed or erected on a lot by a contractor, for the short length of time when the residence is being used as a model or for display purposes, or for purposes of resale by any owner.
  • Storage Sheds – No external structures are allowed. Each lot is to have only one single family home and its attached private garage.
  • Swimming Pools – No swimming pools may be built without prior approval of the Architectural Control Committee. Pools shall not be allowed more than 2 feet above the final lot drain, and plans must be submitted to the Architectural Control Committee, along with a landscape plan. Swimming pools must be built with some portion of the pool within 20 feet of the residence. All swimming pools must be constructed so that they drain into the storm sewer system only. All pools most be surrounded by a fence with a lockable gate.
  • Tents – Tents for entertainment or recreational purposes are permitted for periods not to exceed 48 hours.
  • Temporary buildings – Trailers, shacks, barns or any temporary buildings of any description whatsoever are expressly prohibited and no temporary occupancy shall be permitted in unfinished buildings.
  • Trailers – Long-term parking of trailers and commercial vehicles on lots or in driveways is not allowed.
  • Trash Cans/Recycle Cans – Trash cans, recycle cans and yard waste barrels are to be stored inside the garage. These containers are not to be left outside the garage (at street side) for more than 24 hours in one week.
  • Utility Lines – All utility lines, including electric, gas, telephone and cable television, must be installed underground.
  • Weapons – Weapons, including but not limited to BB guns, firearms, rifles, shotguns, handguns, pellet guns, cross -bows or archery equipment, are not allowed to be used or discharged within Ashford Village.
  • Wood Piles ­– Wood may not be stored in front of or on the side of the dwelling or garage. Wood must be stored in the rear of the house or inside the garage.