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Home Improvement & Covenants

Frequently Asked Questions

The HRCA is obligated by the Community Declaration and other governing documents to enforce the covenants of the community. If a homeowner is not abiding by the covenants outlined in these documents, the Community Improvement Services Department will take the appropriate steps to bring that property into compliance.

All exterior home improvements require approval from the Architectural Review Committee. Please see the Home Improvement Requests section for specific details based on the type of improvement.

Reference Section 2.30 Fences, on page 14 of the Residential Improvement Guidelines for all information regarding fencing.

Residential Improvement Guidelines (adopted October 2024)

Dumpsters and storage pods must be placed in your driveway and are not allowed on a public right-of-way per Douglas County officials. If you need to have a dumpster or storage pod in your driveway, please contact the HRCA Community Improvement Services Department at 303-471-8821 or covenant@hrcaonline.org. Provide your address and time frame.

Reference Section 2.47 on page 21 of the Residential Improvement Guidelines for the most current information regarding Motor Vehicles/Recreational Vehicles.

Residential Improvement Guidelines (adopted October 2024)

Yes, the Residential Improvement Guidelines and Site Restrictions (RIGs) require all paint colors to be submitted to the Architectural Committee, including existing colors. The HRCA may not have records of what color your home is painted until it has been submitted. Once a homeowner submits, the approved color is entered into our database for future reference, if needed.

Covenant enforcement is no one’s favorite topic, but HRCA is here to ensure that property values remain high in the community and that Highlands Ranch remains a great place to live, work, and play. 

As a covenant controlled community, HRCA is bound by the Community Declaration and other governing documents to enforce the covenants of the community. HRCA is tasked with regular residential and commercial property inspections to ensure compliance and respond to complaints.

Residents may encounter HRCA technicians walking on or around properties in the community. Compliance technicians drive HRCA-marked vehicles, or may be on foot, but will always have an HRCA-issued employee badge. Technicians are happy to verify that they are on a property in connection with HRCA business (following up on covenant compliance violations) and will also be able to provide a business card with HRCA administrative phone numbers.

Many times, to verify a complaint, technicians will take photographs, and may inspect properties by looking over backyard fences. Technicians will only photograph property not persons. A technician will never enter a backyard without prior permission from the property owners.

Anyone with concerns about HRCA compliance technicians should call the Community Improvement Services Department at 303-471-8821.

The HRCA does not regulate the number of vehicles that are parked within the property lines of a Residence unless they are violating the rules for commercial, inoperable or motor/recreational vehicles.  However, the RIGs prohibit the parking of vehicles on landscaped areas. The sidewalks and the streets are a public right of way and owned and maintained by Douglas County Public Works, 303-660-7490. If a vehicle is parked in any way as to be a safety issue or is abandoned, please contact Douglas County Sheriffs at their non-emergency number at 303-660-7505.

No, the Highlands Ranch Metro District owns and maintains the majority of open spaces and they prohibit the use of using the open space for the installation of any home improvement. For further information you can contact the HRMD at highlandsranch.org or 303-791-0430.

The HRCA is unable to monitor the number of people or families in a home. If you have concerns about the number of people in a home or believe that a home has been redesigned to no longer be a single-family dwelling, please call the Douglas County Zoning Department at 303-660-7497.

If you are having issues with a barking dog or other animal issue, please contact: 

  • Douglas County Animal Services, 303-660-7529, 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
  • Sheriff’s Department Dispatch, 303-660-7500 (After 6 p.m. if an animal problem requires immediate attention).

If you are having issues with the maintenance of the property due to pets, contact the Community Improvement Services Department:

  • Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Location: Recreation Center at Eastridge, 9568 University Blvd., Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
  • Email: covenant@hrcaonline.org
  • Phone: 303-471-8821

Trash and/or recycling containers should not be placed on the street earlier than 7 p.m. the evening before the scheduled pick-up.

Yes, and here are the rules associated with political yard signs:

In accordance with Colorado law, the HRCA does not prohibit or regulate the display of flags, yard signs, or window signs on the basis of their subject matter, message, or content. Adopted June 15, 2021 27 A. Location. Signs may only be displayed on property wholly-owned by the homeowner or in a window of the unit. Flags may only be displayed on Committee-approved flagpoles, in a window, or on a balcony adjoining the unit. B. Quantity. No more than two signs may be displayed on any Privately Owned Site, except that during the period commencing 45 days before any state or local election, and ending seven days after any state or local election only (“Election Period”), up to fifteen signs may be displayed on any Privately Owned Site. No more than two flags may be displayed on any Privately Owned Site, except that during the Election Period only, up to five flags may be displayed on any Privately Owned Site. C. Dimensions. Yard signs and window signs may be no larger than 18” by 24”. Flags may be no larger than 3’ by 5’. During the Election Period only, five of the permitted yard signs and window signs may be up to 36” by 48”. D. Unless otherwise required by the Federal Flag Code, Pub.L. 94-344; 90 Stat. 810; 4 U.S.C. secs 4 to 10, flags and signs shall not be illuminated. E. Flags and signs must be professionally designed and lettered and must be maintained in a neat manner. Signs may not be constructed of wood or metal, except to the extent necessary to provide a base or support for the sign. F. Signs bearing commercial messages are prohibited unless the sign has been approved by the HRCA Design Review Committee. Vendors and real estate professionals should contact the Design Review Committee to seek approval, which may be a blanket approval.

Please notify the county of any sidewalks that have not been shoveled.

Colorado Law 1139 went into effect on August 10, 2022 and prohibits HOA’s of a common interest community from regulating the use of a public right-of-way. This includes the sidewalks. Therefore the HRCA cannot enforce any issues located in these areas. 

Home Improvement Requests

The majority of exterior improvements must be approved by the Architecture Committee. For information about what does/does not require approval, please refer to the Residential Improvement Guide (RIGs) or call the Community Improvement Services Department at 303-471-8821 or email prior to beginning any work.

The Residential Improvement Guidelines are the official list of covenants adopted by HRCA. Often referred to as the RIGs, this document contains all the rules for the exterior home improvements.

The purpose of these documents are to:

  • Outline what exterior home improvements are allowable by the HRCA and what covenants are in effect.
  • Outline what exterior home improvements must be reviewed by the Architectural Committee prior to beginning work.

The Architectural Committee reserves the right to add to or modify these guidelines at its discretion.

Residential Improvement Guidelines (adopted October 2024)

All the information needed for submittal approval is in the actual Home Improvement Form. This is due to the individual specifications required of each improvement. Every form has an ‘attachment’ button which allows the uploading of all necessary information. Please note, even if you are replacing your improvement ‘like for like’ or are painting with the same colors, approval is still required. 

Home Improvement Request Forms Work Completion Notice

The HRCA has 30 days in which to decide regarding a submittal. Submit EARLY to ensure you are meeting HRCA requirements, contract deadlines, and other obstacles that may occur.

Extensive or complex improvement requests will need to be approved for review by the Architecture Committee and due by noon the Friday before the next scheduled meeting (the first and third Wednesday of every month).

Home Owner in-person appointments are available during the Architecture Meetings in 15-minute increments. Please call our main line at 303-471-8821 for more information.

Following the HRCA review, homeowners still may be subject to review by a sub-association architecture committee if applicable.

Covenant Violation Process

Each owner of a privately owned property within the Community Association is a member of the HRCA. When purchasing property in Highlands Ranch, every homeowner agrees to comply with covenant controls that are designed to enhance the quality, value, desirability, and attractiveness of all property. HRCA has adopted non-compliance procedures to help enforce the community covenants.

Submit a Violation

The violation is investigated by staff and photo-documented. Notice is then sent via regular USPS mail to the owner of the property (and/or designee) at the address provided in our records. Each violation has a specific timeframe to ‘cure’ or remedy. Once re-inspected, if the violation has been corrected, the property record is updated showing compliance and a letter is sent (via USPS regular mail) confirming the violation has been corrected.

** Self-Cure: Photo documentation of resolved violations can be sent to the Community Improvement Services office at compliance@hrcaonline.org at any time during this process

** A Notice of Compliance (and ledger balance, if applicable) will be sent via USPS mail confirming the violation has been corrected.

Pursuant to the Covenant Enforcement and Fine Policy of Highlands Ranch Community Association, Inc., adopted August 8, 2022, the following Schedule of Fines is hereby adopted: 

Continuing Violations

  • First Notice of Violation - $200
  • Second Notice of Violation - $300

Health and Safety Violations

Properties that have a health and safety concern will have a 72 hour cure period from the receipt of letter (via email and/or physical posting at the property). Failure to immediately comply with the rules of said violations will result in fines assessed and the file being forwarded to Legal Counsel.

  • First violation: $500
  • Second violation: $750
  • Third violation: $1,000
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