Welcome to the Loch Ness Homeowners Association governing documents page. This page is intended to help residents quickly locate the Association’s core governing documents and better understand the types of rules they contain.

By Laws – Easy Read Edition

Important: This is a convenience guide for quick reading, resident education, and board use. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace the original recorded documents.

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What is inside this edition

1. What appears to be in the 2016 packet
2. Governing-document timeline
3. Everyday rules in plain English
4. Quick homeowner checklist

1. What appears to be in the 2016 packet

The 2016 revived packet appears to bundle more than just the HOA’s Articles. It appears to include the revived declaration, the original 1972 declaration and later amendments, the Tract A declaration, the Articles of Incorporation, the By-Laws and amendments, a map exhibit, and a parcel list. That is why this document is organized as a companion guide rather than a rewrite of a single instrument.

Document group	What it appears to do	Why it matters
2016 Revived Declaration	Re-establishes the subdivision declaration and bundles exhibits	Sets the frame for reading the packet as one revived governing package
1972 Declaration	Original deed restrictions for the subdivision	Contains the core use, setback, fence, nuisance, and approval rules
Later amendments	Updates fences, vehicles, landscaping, committee powers, and definitions	Some topics must be read amendment-by-amendment, not from the 1972 text alone
Articles / By-Laws	Corporate governance and association procedures	Useful for membership, officers, voting, meetings, and internal operations
Map and parcel exhibits	Graphic depiction plus parcel/legal list used for revival	Helpful for reference, but not a substitute for current county/town mapping

2. Governing-document timeline

The packet reads most clearly when it is viewed as a timeline. The declaration started in 1972 and was later amended multiple times before being revived and re-packaged in 2016.

Year	Document	Document
1972	Original Declaration	Creates the base residential restrictions: single-family use, one residence per lot, minimum dwelling size, setbacks, fence limits, nuisance rules, sign limits, architectural approval, vehicle/boat restrictions, and waterfront limits.
1972	Tract A Declaration	Applies the Loch Ness restrictions to Tract A.
1983	First Amendment	Updates enforcement language and refines commercial trucks, trailers, campers, boats, and landscaping obligations.
1989	Second Amendment	Updates fence standards, storage shed rules, antenna/solar review, slope-line language, and enforcement wording.
1990	Third Amendment	Temporarily changes some committee and enforcement arrangements. This one should always be checked carefully before operational reliance.
2000	Fourth Amendment	Major modernization pass with definitions and more detailed rules for commercial vehicles, trailers, structural modifications, ACC review, and single-family use.
2003	Fence Amendment	Softens the blanket chain-link removal approach by allowing some existing compliant chain-link fences to remain while requiring correction of others.
2012	By-Law / House Rule Amendment	Adds leasing and rental procedures, including notice to the association and landlord/tenant application paperwork.
2016	Revived Packet	Packages the revived declaration with the historic declaration, amendments, corporate documents, map exhibit, and parcel list.

3. Everyday rules in plain English

This section is written for homeowners and residents. It is intentionally simple. When in doubt, ask the board or ACC before starting exterior work.

Topic	Plain-English working summary
Home use	The homes are meant for single-family residential use.
One home per lot	The original declaration says only one residence may be built on one lot.
Before you build	Do not assume visible exterior work is automatic. Ask for approval first.
Minimum size	The original declaration states a 2,000-square-foot minimum residence size.
Setbacks	The original declaration gives basic setback rules, including front, side-street, interior-side, and rear setbacks. Lot conditions can change how these apply, so check your survey.
Fences	Fence approval is required. Front setback, lake slope-line, height, and material rules matter. Older chain-link situations may be treated differently from new fence requests.
Sheds	Sheds are not an automatic yes. Approval is needed, and appearance/placement rules may apply.
Vehicles / boats / trailers	Restrictions exist. Do not assume a work vehicle, trailer, camper, RV, or boat is automatically okay without checking first.
Trash	Trash should be kept in suitable containers and generally screened from front view.
Signs	Only limited signs appear to be allowed under the original restrictions.
Pets	Typical household pets appear to be allowed. Livestock and poultry are generally not.
Noise / nuisance	Activities that become a nuisance to neighbors can violate the restrictions.
Landscaping / exterior care	Owners appear responsible for keeping landscaping and exterior appearance in good condition.
Waterfront lots	Docks, seawalls, shoreline changes, and anything near the lake require extra caution and likely extra review.
Renting / leasing	If you rent your home, later rules appear to require notice to the HOA and landlord/tenant application paperwork.

Quick homeowner checklist

• Planning a fence, shed, exterior addition, dock, deck, gazebo, or visible change? Ask first.
• Replacing something visible from outside? Submit photos, materials, and a simple plan.
• Near the lake or slope line? Assume extra review is needed.
• Renting your home? Ask for the current leasing paperwork before the tenant moves in.
• Not sure whether something needs approval? Treat that as a yes and check first.