Summers Ridge HOA FAQ

Anything that changes the outside appearance of your home or yard needs approval from the Building Control Committee.

No structures or improvements... shall be erected, altered, placed or maintained... unless... approved in writing by the Building Control Committee. Declaration, Art. VIII(D)(3)

No changes shall be made to the exterior of any Unit. Declaration, Art. VIII(B)(7)

If something is out of compliance, the board gives written notice and works with the homeowner, no surprises, no heavy-handedness.

Our dues are not just about today, they are about protecting all of us from big, unexpected costs later. The 2026 Budget shows that $37,100 of the $48,000 annual budget goes straight into reserves for future road maintenance.

Reserve Contribution (future road maintenance): $37,100.00 2026 Budget

Assessments must be made at least annually based on a budget adopted... by the Association. Declaration, Art. VI(B)(1)

This is how we avoid special assessments and keep the neighborhood strong long-term.

The 2026 notice clarifies this:

Mail payment to: 201 Chloe Ln, Morgantown, WV 26508. Budget Notice

Checks should be made payable to Summers Ridge HOA.

Annual dues... shall be due and payable in full by July 1, 2026. 2026 Budget Notice

The notice itself serves as both the budget meeting notice and the dues invoice, which is how WV Code 36B allows HOAs to operate.

We always try to work with neighbors first, life happens. But the governing documents require consequences if dues remain unpaid.

The Association has a lien on a Unit/Lot for any Assessment... from the time the Assessment becomes due. Declaration, Art. VI(D)(1)

A Member shall lose his good standing status... after ninety (90) days. Declaration, Art. V(G)(5)

Practically, this means you cannot vote at HOA meetings and a lien may be filed if dues remain unpaid long-term. Again, the goal is to resolve things neighbor to neighbor first.

The 2026 Budget Meeting Notice shows improvements are already being implemented:

This letter serves to give notice... and constitutes the invoice for annual dues.

We are also adding confirmation emails for payments, annual budget meetings required by WV Code 36B-3-103, and a simple website, Facebook group, and Google Drive to centralize documents.

Transparency is the goal.

We are not a new HOA. We are transitioning from the builder, the Declarant, to homeowner control, which WV law requires once most homes are sold.

The period of Declarant control terminates... sixty days after conveyance of seventy-five percent (75%) of the Units/Lots... Declaration, Art. V(C)(4)

We have reached that point, so the board is now elected by homeowners.

Summers Ridge has always been one single HOA, even though the neighborhood was built in four separate phases over several years. Each phase was added to the same Common Interest Community through recorded amendments, which means all four phases together make up the community we live in today.

So while construction happened in four waves, the legal structure has always been one unified HOA, with all homes sharing the same governing documents, budget, and voting rights.

Homeowners elect the Board of Directors. The Board appoints the officers: President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary.

Current Board & Officers (2026)

The HOA also maintains a shared Google Drive where homeowners can access meeting minutes, budgets, governing documents, forms, proxies, and architectural requests.

Summers Ridge does not have a clubhouse or pool, but the HOA does maintain several important shared features that keep the neighborhood safe, functional, and looking good.

• Roads throughout the community
• Snow removal, which is a major annual expense
• Drainage systems and stormwater infrastructure
• Common-area landscaping and beautification
• Mailbox cluster area
• Insurance and administrative needs for the community

These items are reflected directly in the 2026 budget, including snow removal at $6,000, beautification of common areas at $500, and general liability insurance at $800.

These shared responsibilities are why we pool dues, so no single homeowner is stuck with the cost of maintaining infrastructure that serves everyone.

Homeowners are responsible for maintaining their own lots, including trees planted on their property.

All individual lawn areas must be well maintained (mowed and trimmed) at all times. Declaration, Art. VIII(B)(23)

The HOA maintains only the Common Elements, not individual yard trees.

Architectural requests are homeowner requests to make exterior changes, such as fences, sheds, paint colors, landscaping structures, and similar updates.

The Committee shall approve or disapprove plans... within thirty (30) days. Declaration, Art. VIII(D)(4)

The process is friendly and straightforward:

1. Submit a quick description and sketch/photo.
2. The committee reviews the request.
3. You receive written approval or suggestions within 30 days.

The HOA can create a voluntary directory, but it cannot publish anyone's information without their consent.

Yes. The 2026 Budget Notice reinforces the need for transparency and easy access to information.

The HOA will have a simple website, Google Drive, and Facebook Group. It will include governing documents, meeting minutes, budget summaries, FAQs, contact info, and forms such as architectural requests and proxies.

This is all part of making the HOA neighbor-driven and easy to navigate.