Part of the enjoyment of living in this wonderful community is having our children, grandchildren, relatives and friends stay with us from time to time. So if you’re expecting a full house this summer, here’s a refresher on guest rules.  

Guests, under the age of 45, may temporarily reside in a residence for up to sixty (60) days in any calendar year. Any request for extended time must be approved by the Board.

When accompanied by a resident, guests can use the facilities for up to sixty (60) visits per year at no charge. After the sixty (60) free visits have been used, the host may purchase additional Guest passes.

If guests want to use the facilities without being accompanied by the resident, they must have a Guest Pass Card and show it before using any facilities. Guest Pass Cards can be purchased by the resident at the Membership /Activities desk and the Fitness Center.    

Children are welcome to use Association facilities at times when resident programs are not scheduled or during light resident use periods. Adult supervision is required at all times by either the resident or an adult guest with a valid Guest Pass Card.

Children age 4 to 17 may swim, with adult supervision, during specified times at the Orchard Creek Fitness Center. The pool at Kilaga Springs is for residents and adult guests over age 18 and does not have children’s hours.

At all Sports Pavilion Facilities, including tennis courts, bocce ball courts, pickleball courts, and the softball field, children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a resident or an adult with a valid Guest pass.

For more information on rules, see CC&Rs and Rules & Regulations

Weeds pop up all over, shrubs get out of hand and bark ground cover loses its useful life. But in spite of all these challenges, we continue to get lots of compliments on the appearance of our community.

So, to keep up our great reputation, take a critical look around your lot and see if your yard can be improved.

Does your lot have living plants in a least 40 percent of the landscape area or is it a desert of bark and rock?

Can you refresh the bark, pull weeds, trim shrubs and trees, or remove any unapproved items from view?

A little tune-up adds to your neighborhood curb appeal and is especially important in the current housing market. A well kept yard pays dividends and enhances the value of our homes

By David Stone, Compliance Committee Chair

As we have welcomed more than 500 new owners in the last year, it may be a good time to summarize the top ten types of violations seen by the Compliance Committee (with apologies to Dave Letterman).  In no particular order:

1. Front yard maintenance.  Attack the weeds, keep lawn green and cut, prune and trim trees and bushes, and rebark when needed.

2. Get ARC approval.  Don’t start any exterior projects on house or front yard without checking whether ARC approval is needed.  Honor set-back requirements.

3. Pet conduct.  Keep dogs on leash, control barking, and keep those cats from roaming.

4. Vehicles.  No overnight street parking, no car parking in golf cart spaces, and no dripping fluids on driveways.  Certain RVs may park on streets for 48 consecutive hours not to exceed 120 hours in any calendar month.

5. No business.  Don’t conduct a business from your home unless it generates no traffic or noise, and does not involve employees or contractors.

6. Open space.  Do not enter or allow pets to enter the open space preserves, and do not spray, water, cut, plant or store in the preserves.

7. Underage.  With certain detailed exceptions, residents must be 55 years or older.  Persons under 55 may reside as guests for up to 60 days per calendar year.

8. Frogs, bunnies, gnomes.  Keep those front yard decorations out of sight unless approved by ARC.

9. Trash containers.  Keep out of sight except on collection days.

10.  Compliance Committee.  Where you will be invited if you ignore the above.

Because of space limitations, I have not included much detail for the items listed, and have not listed the many other provisions of the governing documents that residents must abide by.  If you are uncertain about a project or activity, refer to the governing documents which can be accessed on the SCLH website or at the library, or contact Kimberly Bahan, Community Standards Manager, at 625-4006.

Complaint Report Forms are available at either the Membership Desk in Orchard Creek or online. Once the form is completed, be sure to drop it off in the ARC/Compliance box located in the Business Office next to the OC Membership Desk. The Community Standards Department will then follow-up with an investigation.

The form asks you to include a brief description of your concern, along with your name and address. However, if you wish to remain anonymous, you're welcome to complete the form without providing your personal information.

Please feel free to contact Kimberly Bahan, Community Standards Manager at 916-625-4006 kimberly.bahan.sclhca.com, or Cece Dirstine, Community Standards Coordinator at 916-625-4008 should you have any questions.