Covenants and Restrictions

As an alternative, here are the contents of the legal document in an easy-to-read fashion.

Section 1 – Single Family Residential Use (pg. 3)
All Lots, except those specifically listed herein, shall be used, improved and devoted exclusively as a one family dwelling and no gainful occupation, profession, trade of other nonresidential use shall be conducted on any such Lot. This section shall be no more restrictive than the city ordinance. Nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent the leasing of any such dwelling from time to time by the Owner thereof, subject to all the provisions of this Declaration. Not more than one (1) dwelling house shall be constructed on any one lot and each dwelling house shall be designed for and used as the residence for only one (1) family, provided that the necessary garage may be constructed in connection with said dwelling house, and provided that no garage shall be constructed unless it is of sufficient size to accommodate two (2) or more standard size automobiles.

Section 2 – Animals (pg. 3)
No animals, fowl, or livestock, other than a reasonable number of generally recognized house pets, shall be raised, bred or maintained on any Property and then only if they are kept solely as domestic pets and not for commercial purposes. All animals are restricted to the Owner’s Lot, except when leashed and under control of the owner.

Section 3 – Improvements and Alterations (pg. 3)
No residence, building, fence, wall, exterior of any other structure shall be commenced, erected, improved, or materially altered without first obtaining a building permit which is a standard requirement of the city of Springfield. The exterior surface of a single family structure, if painted or resurfaced, must be in good taste and compatible and in harmony with the surrounding residences. Residence, outbuilding(s), and fence must be kept in good condition and repair at all times and not allowed to fall into disrepair. No fence or wall shall be erected, placed or altered on any lot closer to the street than the applicable minimum setback lines as set forth in Section 10. No old house, modular, prefabricated, manufactured, or other old building shall be moved in or placed upon any lot. All outbuildings constructed prior to September 1, 2005 shall be allowed to remain on the lot at which it is located as of that date, but must be maintained or improved to meet the standards applicable to the construction of any new buildings.

Section 4 – Temporary Occupancy (pg. 4)
No trailer of any variety, incomplete building, tent, shack, or garage and no temporary building or structure of any kind shall be used at any time for a residence on any Property within the Ravenwood Subdivision. Temporary buildings or structures used during the construction of a dwelling on any such Property shall be removed immediately after the completion of construction.

Section 5 – Trailers, Boats and Motor Vehicles (pg. 4)
No truck larger than a pickup, motor coach, travel trailer, camper or boat shall be permitted to remain in the Subdivision longer than necessary for loading and unloading and for general cleaning. All visible vehicles must be registered, have a license plate and current tags.

Section 6 – Maintenance of Lawns and Plantings (pg. 4)
Each Owner of a Lot within Ravenwood Subdivision shall keep all shrubs, trees, grass and plantings, including the area located between the boundary line of his property and the street on which such Owner’s property abuts, neatly trimmed, properly cultivated and free of trash, weeds and other unsightly material. In the event that any Owner fails to maintain his lawn or plantings as provided herein, the Board, or its agents, may enter upon said Lot and may do so and the Owner shall reimburse the Board for all of its costs upon demand.

Section 7 – Nuisances (pg. 4)
No rubbish or debris of any kind shall be placed or permitted to accumulate upon or adjacent to any Lot within Ravenwood Subdivision, and no odors shall be permitted to arise therefrom so as to render any such Lot or any portion thereof unsanitary, unsightly, offensive, or detrimental to any other Lot in the vicinity thereof or to its occupants. Without limiting the generality of any of the foregoing provisions, no exterior speakers, horns, whistles, bells, or other sound devices, except security devices used exclusively for security purposes, shall be located, used or placed on any such Property. No Owner, nor any guest, tenant or invitee of any Owner shall engage in any noxious or offensive activity that is reasonably likely to disturb the peace and well-being of the other Owners of the Subdivision.

Section 8 – Signs (pg. 4)
No sign of any kind shall be displayed to the public view of any Lot except:

1. 1. 1. One sign of not more than five (5) square feet advertising the property for sale or rent;
      2. Signs of such shape, size and location as the Board deems necessary for security control;
      3. Signs used for the advertisement of a garage sale, which shall not be placed for a period longer than 5 days;
      4. Political election signs displayed not more than 30 days prior to a primary or general election and displayed less than 5 days after the election.

Section 9 – Residence Size (pg. 5)
See Article IV, Sec. 9, page 5 for information.

Section 10 – Residence Location and Setbacks (pg. 5)
See Article IV, Sec. 10, page 5 for information.

Section 11 – Easements (pg. 5)
See Article IV, Sec. 11, page 5 for information.

Section 12 – Garages (pg. 5)
The doors of all garages shall be kept closed at all times except when necessary for ingress and egress. Each residence shall have a minimum of a two-car garage.

Section 13 – Basketball Goals (pg. 5)
No permanent basketball goal shall be attached to or on the front or side of any residence or garage, and neither shall any basketball goal be permanently placed or erected at any place in a front or side yard. Portable basketball goals will be permitted on or adjacent to driveways. Good judgment and consideration for our neighbors and the neighborhood should be exercised as to late evening hours and removal of any basketball goal when not in use. The Board recommends that all basketball goals be removed nightly by 9:00 pm and altogether during the winter months. All permanent goals in existence prior to June 1, 2005 shall be allowed to remain.

Section 14 – Septic Tanks (pg. 5)
See Article IV, Sec. 14, page 6 for information.

Section 15 –  Covenants and Restrictions Applicable to Two Family Dwellings (pg. 5)
See Article IV, Sec. 15, page 6 for information.

Section 16 – Remedies (pg. 6)
In the event that an Owner (or guest, invitee, licensee, tenant, lessee, family member, agent or employee thereof), shall violate, or permit to be violated, any of the provisions set forth in this Article, the Board shall cause to be delivered to said Owner a written Notice of Violation. Said Notice of Violation shall set forth the nature of the alleged violation and shall request that the violation be voluntarily terminated and remedied within a reasonable time from the mailing date of said Notice of Violation.

If, after ten (10) days have lapsed from the date of said Notice of Violation, the violation has not been voluntarily terminated by the Owner, the Board shall have the authority to pursue and effect any and all remedies which may be calculated as reasonably necessary to remove and/or terminate the cause of said violation, including actions at law, monetary fines, or equitable remedies such as injunctions compelling removal of improvements made to property in violation of any provisions set forth herein. This authority shall include, but shall not be limited to, the power to employ laborers to enter upon the premises of said Owner for the purpose of removing and/or terminating the cause of said violation. If, by virtue of the exercise of the authority granted herein, the Association shall incur expenses in connection with the process of removing and/or terminating said violation, the Owner will be liable for all expenses related thereto, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and all litigation costs.

For purposes of administering this section, the determination of whether a violation has been or is being committed shall be made exclusively by the Board after taking into consideration the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular violative situation, condition, or occurrence.

General Provisions

Section 1 – Enforcement (pg. 7)
The Board shall have the right to enforce, by any proceeding at law or in equity, all restrictions, conditions, covenants, reservations, liens and charges now or hereafter imposed by the provisions of this instrument as modified and amended, including the recovery of all attorneys’ fees and costs. Any unpaid attorneys’ fees or costs shall constitute a lien on the Lot, until said Lot Owner pays said fees and costs in full. Failure by the Board or by any Owner to enforce any covenant or restriction herein contained shall in no event be deemed a waiver of the right to do so thereafter.

City of Springfield Ordinances: A list of all city ordinances