Authority
Explains where the Association receives authority to regulate Common Areas, exterior standards, and community restrictions.
Responsibilities
Shows what belongs to the HOA, what belongs to public agencies, and what belongs to each homeowner.
Disputed Issues
Addresses driveways, vehicles, trailers, fences, pets, grass, Common Area encroachments, and exterior maintenance.
References
Includes covenant sections and verified township references where they could be confirmed from official public sources.
Where the HOA Gets Its Authority
The Association does not create authority on its own. The HOA’s authority comes from the recorded governing documents, the Board’s duty to manage Association affairs, and the obligation to maintain Common Areas and uphold community restrictions.
Primary Governing Sources
- Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions
- Association By-Laws
- Board-adopted standards and rules consistent with the governing documents
- Applicable township or county ordinances where municipal enforcement also applies
The right to manage the affairs of the Association is vested in the Board of Directors, and the By-Laws incorporate the Declaration by reference.
Residents should understand that the HOA, Ypsilanti Township, Washtenaw County Road Commission, and Animal Control are not the same thing. Some issues are HOA matters, some are township matters, and some are handled by other public agencies.
Why the Board Must Act
- Protect property values
- Preserve neighborhood appearance
- Maintain Common Areas and related improvements
- Enforce restrictions consistently
- Avoid selective enforcement claims
- Support safe, orderly, and attractive community conditions
Failure to enforce restrictions can increase maintenance costs, create resident conflict, and undermine the standards that homeowners rely on when they purchase within the community.
HOA vs. Public Agency vs. Homeowner Responsibilities
The chart below helps explain which entity typically has primary responsibility for common issues. Some issues may involve more than one level of responsibility.
| Area / Issue | HOA Responsibility | Township / Public Agency Responsibility | Homeowner Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance signs & monuments | Yes | — | — |
| Common area landscaping | Yes | — | — |
| Lawn care on private property | May enforce standards | Township may enforce blight/weed code | Yes |
| Exterior home appearance standards | Yes | — | Maintain compliance |
| Architectural approvals (fences, sheds, driveways, etc.) | Yes | Permits may apply | Submit requests and obtain permits if required |
| Trash can storage and exterior storage rules | Yes | Possible nuisance/blight enforcement | Yes |
| Noise complaints | May address nuisance impacts under HOA rules | Township / law enforcement concern | Comply |
| Dog licensing / leash / animal-at-large issues | May address neighborhood nuisance effects | Animal Control / township-facing issue | Comply |
| Pet waste cleanup expectations | Can address nuisance / common-area issues | Animal control / local enforcement concern | Yes |
| Wild animal feeding concerns | May address nuisance or common-area impacts | Report to township / ordinance / animal control as appropriate | Comply |
| Tall grass / weeds | Yes, under HOA standards | Yes, under township code | Yes |
| Common area trees & ponds | Yes | Possible oversight | — |
| Retention pond / storm drainage common facilities | Yes | Possible oversight | — |
| Public road repairs / potholes | — | Road Commission / public agency | — |
| Public street snow removal | — | Road Commission / public agency | — |
| Police, fire, and emergency response | — | Public agency | — |
| HOA dues & assessments | Collects | — | Pays |
| Covenant / By-Law enforcement | Yes | — | Comply |
Township & Public Agency Contacts for Resident Concerns
Residents are encouraged to contact the appropriate public office directly when the concern is outside HOA authority or when public enforcement is needed — especially for dog issues, wild animal concerns, public road snow removal, road hazards, and township code issues.
General Township Concerns / Report a Concern
Phone: 734-544-4000
Address: 7200 S. Huron River Dr., Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Use for: General township concerns, routing to the proper department, code complaints through the township portal.
Township Ordinance / Code Enforcement
Email: ordinance.info@ypsitownship.org
Phone: 734-544-4000 ext. 1
Use for: Property maintenance complaints, code issues, blight-style concerns, and township ordinance questions.
Animal Control
Phone: 734-994-2911
Use for: Dogs at large, nuisance dogs, animal complaints, licensing-related concerns, and animal control enforcement questions.
Washtenaw County Road Commission
Phone: 734-761-1500
Email: wcrc@wcroads.org
Use for: Public street snow removal, potholes, road hazards, roadside tree issues, and other county road maintenance concerns.
Especially for dog complaints, wild animal feeding or animal-related nuisance concerns, and public street snow removal, HOA residents should not assume the HOA is the correct enforcement authority.
Standards & Enforcement Questions
Each section below explains a common issue, why it matters, and the covenant or public reference commonly associated with it.
HOA Common Areas belong to the Association and are maintained for the benefit of all homeowners. Residents may not appropriate, fence, stake, cultivate, garden, store materials on, landscape, or otherwise claim Common Area property for private use without prior Board approval.
- Private gardens or vegetable plots
- Landscape edging or private flower beds in HOA land
- Fencing, posts, stakes, markers, or barriers
- Storage of personal items or supplies
- Any attempt to block or redirect HOA contractors
Article IV, Section 4.01 — Parks/Common Areas are to be retained as open space areas in their natural state, with minimal intrusion, and the Association is responsible for their maintenance.
Because the Association is responsible for maintaining the Common Areas, it may remove unauthorized encroachments that interfere with HOA maintenance obligations.
The governing documents prohibit noxious or offensive activities and anything that may become an annoyance or nuisance to the neighborhood.
Article VI, Section 6.07 — No noxious or offensive activities shall be carried on, and nothing may be done that may become an annoyance or nuisance to the neighborhood.
This section may apply when conduct disrupts neighbors, interferes with community operations, creates repeated disturbance, or affects the quiet enjoyment of surrounding homes.
Exterior maintenance standards help preserve the appearance and condition of homes throughout the community.
Mold, Mildew, or Algae
Visible discoloration on siding, trim, garage doors, or exterior surfaces may require cleaning or power washing.
Grass, Weeds, and Landscaping
Excessive grass height, unmanaged weeds, and neglected beds may create a visible maintenance issue.
Trees and Shrubs
Dead, broken, obstructive, or visibly overgrown branches may require trimming or removal, especially near sidewalks or structures.
Paint, Trim, and Exterior Surfaces
Peeling paint, exposed wood, warping, detached trim, missing material, or deterioration may require correction.
Gutters and Downspouts
Detached, hanging, damaged, or visibly non-functioning gutters and downspouts may require repair.
Debris and Exterior Storage
Long-term visible clutter, discarded materials, or poorly maintained storage conditions may create a violation concern.
Article V, Section 5.05(b) regarding assessments tied to upkeep of specific lots;
Article VI standards relating to visible exterior conditions and nuisance-related impacts.
Article VI, Section 6.18 — When weeds or grass on a lot exceed six (6) inches in height, the owner must mow or cut them after notice. If the owner fails to do so, the Association may perform the work and charge the cost to the lot.
Sec. 66-31 — Grass and weeds.
Sec. 66-32 — Enforcement.
Residents should understand the HOA standard and the township standard are not identical. A homeowner may face HOA enforcement, township enforcement, or both, depending on the condition.
Residents should obtain approval before making exterior changes that alter the appearance, size, location, layout, or use of a driveway or hardscape area.
Article VI, Section 6.04 — Plans for driveways, pavement edging, or markers must be approved in writing prior to construction.
A project seen elsewhere in the community is not automatically approval for a different lot.
Inoperative and Stored Vehicles
Long-term storage of inoperative or noncompliant vehicles can affect neighborhood appearance and violate community restrictions.
Article VI, Section 6.15 — No trailer, boat, camping vehicle, commercial vehicle, or inoperative vehicle may be parked, stored, or maintained on a lot unless fully enclosed as allowed by the covenant language.
Commercial-Appearing Vehicles
Contractor vehicles, work trailers, vehicles with racks, tools, ladders, materials, or prominent commercial appearance may raise concerns where they create a business-storage appearance in a residential setting.
Article VI, Section 6.17 — No perimeter fences are permitted, and no fence, wall, or similar structure may be erected without prior written approval.
Residents should not assume that a visible fence elsewhere creates blanket approval. Written approval and covenant compliance remain controlling.
Pet ownership carries both community obligations and public legal obligations. Residents are expected to manage animals in a way that does not create a nuisance or disturbance.
Leash Expectations
Dogs should not be permitted to run loose. Off the owner’s property, public animal-control rules may apply.
Pet Waste
Owners are expected to promptly remove dog waste from public and private property.
Barking & Disturbance
Habitual barking or ongoing noise that disturbs the neighborhood may be treated as a nuisance issue.
Licensing & Vaccination
Dog licensing and rabies requirements are public-law issues, not merely HOA preferences.
Article VI, Section 6.07 — Animals may not become offensive to neighbors or to the community on account of noise, odor, or unsightliness, and no animal may run loose within the Subdivision.
Animal Control: 734-994-2911
Township Ordinance / Code Enforcement: 734-544-4000 ext. 1 • ordinance.info@ypsitownship.org
For dog issues needing public enforcement, residents should contact Animal Control and/or township ordinance staff directly.
Feeding wild animals may contribute to nuisance conditions, repeated animal activity, sanitation concerns, and resident complaints. Where wildlife behavior begins creating a neighborhood issue, residents should report the concern to the appropriate public office.
Contact township ordinance staff for nuisance or property-related impacts and Animal Control when appropriate.
Ordinance / Code Enforcement: 734-544-4000 ext. 1 • ordinance.info@ypsitownship.org
Animal Control: 734-994-2911
This page does not list an exact public code section for wild animal feeding because that citation should be confirmed from the exact official source used by the enforcing public agency.
Article VI, Section 6.16 — Trash, garbage, and waste must be kept in closed sanitary containers and promptly disposed of so that it is not objectionable to neighboring property owners.
Exterior refuse conditions, visible overflow, long-term storage of waste, or poor concealment may create both HOA and municipal concerns depending on the severity and location.
Window air conditioning units are not permitted in windows facing the street. This standard is intended to preserve residential streetscape appearance and consistent visual presentation throughout the community.
Residents with special temporary concerns should contact the Association before installation to discuss whether a less visible location or temporary accommodation may be appropriate.
The community is intended for private residential purposes. Businesses that generate customer traffic, repeated commercial vehicle activity, or a commercial appearance may violate the governing documents.
Article VI, Section 6.07 — No home occupation, profession, or commercial activity requiring public visits or commercial vehicle travel to and from the home may be conducted except as specifically allowed.
Public street snow removal is not an HOA service. Residents should report public street snow removal issues through the public road authority.
Washtenaw County Road Commission
Phone: 734-761-1500
Email: wcrc@wcroads.org
This applies to public roads and road-maintenance functions outside HOA control.
Frequently Requested Covenant & Public Reference Quick Lookup
This quick-reference section is intended to help residents understand where the most commonly discussed standards come from.
HOA Covenant References
- Common Areas / Open SpaceArticle IV, Section 4.01
- Storm Drainage / Detention Basin LimitsArticle IV, Section 4.02
- Entrance / Landscaping / Perimeter ImprovementsArticle IV, Section 4.04
- Maintenance of Common AreasArticle IV, Section 4.06
- Assessments Related to Upkeep / Lot ConditionsArticle V, Section 5.05(b)
- Driveways / Pavement Edging / MarkersArticle VI, Section 6.04
- Nuisances / Pets / Home OccupationsArticle VI, Section 6.07
- Vehicles / Boats / Trailers / Inoperative VehiclesArticle VI, Section 6.15
- Garbage & RefuseArticle VI, Section 6.16
- Fences & ObstructionsArticle VI, Section 6.17
- Landscaping & Grass CuttingArticle VI, Section 6.18
Verified Public References
- Grass & WeedsYpsilanti Township Code, Sec. 66-31
- Township Cleanup / Cost Recovery EnforcementYpsilanti Township Code, Sec. 66-32
- Township Ordinance / Code Enforcement734-544-4000 ext. 1 • ordinance.info@ypsitownship.org
- Animal Control734-994-2911
- Public Street Snow Removal / Road IssuesWashtenaw County Road Commission • 734-761-1500 • wcrc@wcroads.org
- General Township Report a Concern734-544-4000
Important Note About References
This page is intended as a practical resident guide. It summarizes commonly discussed standards and responsibilities in plain language for convenience. In the event of any conflict, the recorded governing documents, official resolutions, and applicable law control.
Public enforcement contacts are included so residents can report concerns to the correct office when a matter falls outside HOA authority or requires township, county, or animal-control involvement.
Residents with questions about a specific situation should contact the Board with the property address, photographs if helpful, and any relevant documentation so the matter can be reviewed accurately.