Academy Heights
Covenant of Restrictions

In 1949 Academy Heights was planned as a distinguished housing development. To maintain this status, restrictions affecting the outside appearance of homes were imposed on present and future owners and occupants. By purchasing a house in Academy Heights, you have agreed to comply with these restrictions, even if you were not informed of or did not receive a copy of the Restrictions at settlement.

The Covenant Of Restrictions, a part of your deed, is an official document recorded among the land records of Baltimore County. Briefly, the restrictions state: “No additions or alterations of any exterior part of the property can be made until plans showing kind, nature, shape, height, colors, materials and location of such additions or alterations be submitted and approved by the Academy Heights Civic Association Board of Governors.”

Homeowners are expected to maintain the exterior of their homes in good condition and make necessary repairs as needed. The Board of Governors has the right to ensure that these repairs and maintenance are performed so as to preserve good property values and the integrity of the community.

Over the years, many requests for improvements have been submitted. Therefore, The Academy Heights Civic Association Officer and Board Members adopted the following guidelines to assist homeowners with frequently requested alterations:

1. All gutters and down spouts must be of copper construction or aluminum painted white or brown.
2. All windows: front, back, side and basement MUST have dividers, with the same number of panes as the original windows. Glass block windows are not allowed.
3. All exterior trim and doors must be white and of original design. Trim and doors must be free from peeling paint and no bare wood visible. If trim is to be covered with either aluminum or vinyl, it must conform to the original design.
4. Storm doors must be of original design or of aluminum or wood painted white with at least half the construction open for glass or screen.
5. PORCHES: Front porches and steps must be of original design and construction and made of concrete. Back porches and decks: Must not exceed 19’6” wide by 9’ deep. All decks should be made of steel, concrete, wood or alternate building material. Alternate building materials are subject to approval by the Restrictions Committee on a case by case basis. Steel porches and railing must be painted forest green or black. Wood porches and railings must be painted gray, white or unpainted if constructed of pressure treated lumber. Residents with elevated porches/decks with ground level walk out basements that wish to either add a staircase or replace the existing porch/deck and add a staircase MUST ensure that the stairs are built PARALLEL to the porch/deck and not perpendicular (coming straight out).
6. Front porch railings must be forest green or black.
7. Mailboxes must be black, green or brass. If BLACK OR BRASS they attach to the brick in front of the home just below the house numbers, or if GREEN to the side of the porch railing if it is green.
8. House numbers must be black or brass, placed on a white piece of wood, attached to the brick in front of the home just below the porch light.
9. Front porch lights must be black or brass.
10. AWNINGS;
    1. Awnings, front and side of property, must be seasonal of canvas or cloth only. Forest Green color only with edge trimmed in white or green. The awnings must be removed for the winter season. The supports and poles may remain standing through the year.
    2. Awnings, rear of property, may be of any variety or type desired by the homeowner, but they must not be visible from the front of the home or extending beyond the house line. If canvass, green or brick in color, if metal, green or white.
11. ROOFING MATERIAL MUST BE SLATE.
12. FENCES: Chain link or picket type are allowed in rear of property only. Solid PRIVACY FENCES ARE PROHIBITED. Chain link fences can be forest green, silver, or galvanized. Picket fences can be white or unpainted if constructed of pressure treated wood. Fences can be 42” high maximum and must not extend beyond the chimney at end of group homes.
13. Storage Sheds in the rear of the property and must not be visible from the front of the property. Sheds are limited to 150 cubic feet (cf) volume IE: 5’ wide by 5’ deep by 6’ high.
14. Swimming pools must be temporary in the rear of property only and removed in the fall and winter seasons.
15. All masonry foundations must be painted white, gray or sandstone.
16. Attic vents must be in the rear of the house, not visible from the front of the home and painted brown or black.
17. The use of DBS, MMDS AND TVBS satellite dishes is now acceptable. Dishes may not exceed 30 inches in diameter. Approval for installation including location must be received from the Restrictions Committee 30 days prior to installation. Refer to satellite dish installation guidelines.

When planning an improvement or change to your property, you MUST SUBMIT a plan of your project to the RESTRICTIONS COMMITTEE 30 DAYS BEFORE you begin work. The burden is on the homeowner, not the Board of Governors. The Restrictions Committee will review the application and issue a letter of approval or denial as the application may warrant.

Restrictions violations may be reported by any resident to the Board of Governors or any member of the Restrictions Committee. Report violations promptly. The neighborhood will benefit from the elimination of an unsightly or dangerous condition and the homeowner may be spared a costly removal if warned in time.

Enforcement is handled by the Civic Association, who will investigate the complaint, and if necessary send a violation notice. The homeowner is given 60 days to correct the situation. If not corrected in this time frame, the Association’s attorney will begin legal action. The homeowner will be responsible for any and all legal fees.