Community Rules & Guidelines

Living in Olympic Ridge means we all agree to certain standards to keep our neighborhood safe, beautiful, and valuable. Below is a simplified summary of the official Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) and the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) guidelines.

General Living & Lifestyle

Rentals & Leasing

• Minimum Stay: Short-term rentals (like daily Airbnbs) are not allowed. Leases must be for a minimum of 30 days.
• Whole Unit: You must lease the entire home; renting out individual rooms is not permitted.
• Written Agreements: All leases must be in writing and tenants must agree to follow all HOA rules.

Pets

• Allowed Animals: Domestic dogs, cats, and conventional household pets are welcome. Poultry (chickens, ducks, turkeys) and livestock are strictly prohibited.
• Leash Law: When not on your property, pets must be leashed.
• Waste: You must clean up after your pet immediately.
• Nuisance: Pets cannot be a nuisance to neighbors [e.g., excessive barking].

Garbage & Signs

• Trash Cans: Trash containers must be screened from view. They cannot be visible from the street or neighboring homes. Addendum: Trash containers must not be placed on sidewalks in order to maintain a clear path for pedestrians.
• Signage: General advertising signs are not allowed. Exceptions include:
  • For Sale/Rent Signs: One temporary sign (max 6 sq. ft.).
  • Political Signs: Washington law protects political yard signs before primary and general elections. The current community standard is a 4 sq. ft. maximum, and the HOA may apply reasonable placement and display rules to the extent those rules remain consistent with Washington law.
• U.S. Flags: Washington law protects outdoor display of the United States flag, subject to reasonable placement and manner rules.

Business Use

• Commercial enterprises are generally prohibited. Home offices are allowed only if they do not cause traffic congestion or disrupt the neighborhood.

Vehicles & Parking

Neighborhood Speed Limit

• Community Speed Limit: The speed limit throughout Olympic Ridge is 25 mph. Please check your speed and slow down for children, walkers, and neighbors using our streets.

Storage Restrictions

• Prohibited in View: You cannot store boats, trailers, campers, RVs, or broken-down vehicles where they are visible from the street.
• Temporary Loading: You may park these vehicles in your driveway temporarily for loading/unloading for up to 48 hours.

Driveways

• Shared driveways are for entering and exiting only. Parking or storage in shared driveway areas is prohibited unless all owners agree.

Fire Lanes

• Addendum: Cars parked in fire lanes are subject to parking violations and impound.

Home Maintenance & Appearance

General Upkeep

• Homes and yards must be kept clean, sanitary, and attractive.
• Firewood: Cannot be stored in front yards.
• Window Coverings: Permanent window coverings (curtains, blinds) must be installed within 90 days of move-in. Sheets and newspapers are not allowed.
• Unsightly Conditions: Laundry lines, broken furniture, and debris are not permitted in public view.

Landscaping

• Owners are responsible for maintaining their own landscaping in a healthy state.
• Do not dump yard debris onto adjoining lots or streets.
• Washington law does not allow HOA documents to prohibit drought-resistant landscaping, pollinator habitat, or wildfire ignition-resistant landscaping, though the HOA may apply reasonable placement and appearance rules.
• During a qualifying state drought condition order, the HOA cannot fine owners or residents for reducing or eliminating watering for the duration of the order.

Making Changes to Your Home (ACC)

If you want to make any exterior change to your property (painting, fences, sheds, major landscaping), you must get approval from the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) before you start.

The Approval Process

1. Submit an Application: Submit the ACC Request Form to the Committee. Submissions can be made via this website .
2. Review Timeline: The ACC has 30 days to review a complete application (with a possible 30-day extension).
3. Requirements: You must include a plan view, material list, and color swatches.

Specific Design Standards

• Fences:
  • Must match the community “Fence Detail” style (see Exhibit B in CC&Rs).
  • Stain Color: If stained, you must use Sherwin Williams Superdeck® Exterior Oil-Based Transparent Cedar Tone Stain.
• Colors: Exterior paints and finishes must be “earth tones”.
• Roofs: Must be composition roofing with a 30-year life.
• Decks: Must be cedar, pressure-treated wood, or visually similar composite material.
• Walkways: Front entry walks generally must be concrete.
• Solar, EV Charging, and Heat Pumps: Washington law limits HOA restrictions on solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations, and heat pumps. Submit visible exterior work through the ACC process so the HOA can apply reasonable architectural standards without prohibiting or unreasonably restricting qualifying installations.

Enforcement & Fines

To ensure fairness, the HOA follows a specific policy for violations.

1. First Notice: A warning letter. You have time to fix the issue (usually 48 hours to 30 days depending on the issue).
2. Second Notice: A final warning reminder.
3. Third Notice: A $50.00 fine is assessed.
4. Fourth - Sixth Notices: Fines double with each notice, up to $400.00.
5. Continuing Violations: An additional $100.00 per month accrues until fixed.

Note: Fines over $50.00 become a lien against the property.

Appeals

If you receive a violation notice you disagree with, you must submit a written appeal to J&M Management within 48 hours of the notice.

Certain owner-specific assessments for damage or losses require notice and an opportunity for a hearing under Washington law. Enforcement records may be redacted before disclosure to protect individual owner files and confidential matters.