Rear of House Edit page

Awnings
Location:
The awning is to be located on the rear of the home. It must adjoin the rear wall centrally located above the French doors at a height of 10 feet above the first floor deck floor. 

Dimensions: 
Awning size is determined by the size of the deck.  If the deck is 12X12 feet, the width of the awning is to be 14 feet across the rear of the house and extending out to a length of 12 feet.  If the deck is enlarged to 14X14 feet, the awning must be 14 feet across the rear of the house and extending to a length of 14 feet.  

Color:
All awnings in Cromwell Station will be in colors that are in harmony with the overall look of the community and the colors of individual homes.  The following colors are acceptable: 
 

• Light beige
• Light gray
• Light cream

Striped awnings are allowed, so long as the stripes are in an appropriate and harmonious contrasting color.  Awnings may not contain words or display advertising or sports logos.

Installation:
Awnings must be able to be operated at time of installation and thereafter by an electric motor and /or hand crank. Awning shall be installed by a licensed contractor and the electric motor will require a licensed electrician.

Fences
General: 
A homeowner is allowed to build a fence only on his/her property.  It is a good idea to consult the land plat before construction to determine the exact property boundaries.  Homeowners are strongly encouraged to discuss the proposed fence in advance with their neighbors.  Fencing must be located so that it does not prevent the adjoining homeowner reasonable access to their back yard. In such cases the fence will need to be curtailed in such a way as to allow access without posing harm or danger due to grade or other geographic obstructions. In particular, ensure that neighbors will have a level path behind the property to facilitate movement of lawn mowers, trash cans, etc.   

Style:
Fencing of the rear yards must match the original "board on board" privacy fence. Where the grade of any lot changes, the fence must be installed in a "step" fashion or "run grade" with approval of the ARC to accommodate the grade. The fence panels must be 6 feet in length except where smaller panels are needed to complete the runs of fencing.

Material:
The fence boards must be l X 6, pressure treated wood or No.2 red cedar, with a nominal width of 5 l/2 inches. The fence must have 3 "cross supports" of 2 X 4 red cedar. All vertical posts must be 4 X 4 treated posts set in concrete.
Man-made (composite) materials are acceptable.  The color should most resemble unstained wood.  For reference, see the lightest colors in these lines of Trex materials (other brands are acceptable):  http://www.trex.com/decking/. 

Black plastic caps on the 4 X 4 vertical treated or cedar posts are permitted. A 1 X 4cap board may be placed on the top of the fence.

Height:
The height of the fence must be 6 feet with 3 3/4 inch spacing between boards.

Gates:
A Solid single entry gate of 1 X 6 pressure treated wood or red cedar, no less than 36 inches but no greater than 48 inches wide, is permitted on the rear portion of the fence. An arched top on the gate is permitted.

Painting/Staining:
Wooden fences may be stained the same color as the deck at the homeowner’s option. 

End of Group:
Side yard fencing is allowed provided that it begins at a point between the front and rear wall (approximately 17 feet), except when a side box bay window is involved, then the fence should begin approximately 12 1/2 feet from the rear of the house. A single entry gate as described above is also permitted on the portion of the fence that faces the road or the side.

Drainage:
Where a common drainage area flows across a portion of the rear or side yard, the submission must contain a paragraph that state that the homeowner agrees to correct any further drainage problems that may occur in their neighbor’s yard due to the installation of the fence.

Permits:
The fence shall be in accordance with the Zoning Regulations or other regulations of Baltimore County, Maryland. All building permits and other approvals are the responsibility of the homeowner. ​

Ground-Level Patios
A patio is a major construction project and the home owners association strongly recommends that it be built by a licensed contractor.  Patios that are poorly constructed or particularly unattractive may become the target of legal or other action by the association.   

Dimensions
The following are maximum allowable dimensions:
 

• 14 feet deep from rear wall of home Width not to exceed 20’ on middle units
• Width not to exceed 20’ 6" on end units. 
• Patio must be setback 6" from left and right property lines per Baltimore County Regulations

Grade
Should begin 2" below the slider sill or the same level as the existing slab

Pitch
Depending upon the depth of the patio from the rear of the house to the front edge, the following pitch (slope) is required.1" over 8 feet
1.25" over 12 feet
1.75" over 14 feet

Materials
Patio surface may be constructed from any of the following materials:

• Poured Concrete
• Steel reinforced
• Minimum thickness 4"
• Grey in color or exposed aggregate
• Brick
• Brick paver (cinder or concrete type paver are not acceptable)
• Blue stone/flagstone
• Pressure treated or cedar wood
• Natural finish, or stains or paints that match the upper deck are acceptable

​Construction Details

1. When using brick, paver, stone or wood the entire specified dimension (surface area must be covered with selected material.
2. When using brick, paver, stone or wood the perimeter edge of the surface material must be stabilized by one of the following methods.
3. 6 X 6 pressure treated wood framing
4. Back-filling with soil up to the surface line
5. When using brick, paver, stone or wood weed blocking ground cloth must be applied below the surface material.
6. Regardless of surface materials used, homeowner will be responsible for re-routing the down-spout using one of the following two methods:
7. Re-installation of original concrete splash block on the patio surface
8. Connect down-spout to existing underground drain tile.
9. Homeowner has the option to remove or retain the existing original concrete slab.
10. Any addition structure, i.e., flower boxes, etc. must be stipulated in the plan submittal and will be reviewed on an individual basis.

Sheds
General:
A maximum of two outdoor storage sheds, located at the back of the house, are permitted.  They can be made of wood or plastic, must sit on a solid and level foundation other than dirt, and can be no larger than four feet wide, four feet deep, and 78 inches in height. 

Note:  A second shed is allowed only if the back yard is fully fenced.  

Location:
The shed must be located at the rear of the house and placed with its back either toward the privacy fence or the rear of the house opposite the heat pump. The outside wall of the shed must be a minimum of 6 inches from the adjoining fence of the offset wall, whichever is appropriate and provide clear drainage for the downspout and rain leader. The inside wall of the shed must be a minimum of 18 inches from the outside edge of the basement sliding glass door exterior molding.

Depth and Width: 
The structure may not extend beyond the rear wall of the house more than 4 feet.  The maximum width may vary slightly from house to house depending upon whether the offset wall or the fence is used to measure the 6" setback. However, in no case may it be larger than 4 feet wide.

Height:
The rear wall of the shed (facing the house) must be no more than 78 inches high and must slope forward to provide rain runoff. 

Foundation:
The flooring shall be a concrete slab 4 inches in thickness or on an existing concrete, brick, wood or paver patio. Sheds shall not be placed directly on the ground. 

Wooden Sheds:

• Framing Walls:  All walls shall be framed using 2 x 4’s pressure treated lumber shall be used for the bottom plate material of the framed walls. (i.e. the bottom of the wall that touches the concrete.
• Exterior Covering:  The shed may be covered in vinyl siding that matches the color, texture and size of the siding on the exterior of the home. The siding is to run in a horizontal direction.
• Roof Sheathing and Shingles:  The roof shall be sheathed with asphalt shingles over 15# felt over ½ inch exterior grade plywood. The color of shingle must be a black-gray blend.
• Fascia and Trim:  Trim must installed using 1 x 3 or 1 x 4 material, all such surfaces shall be painted to match the home’s existing trim color. 
• Doors:  Shall be constructed using 2x 4’s covered with siding or simply painted to match the trim. 
• Hinges:  Hinges must be hidden by framing. Hinges must be in a galvanized steel or gray finish.
• Locks:  A hasp and lock shall be used to secure the shed. No door knobs shall be allowed. Hardware must be in galvanized steel or gray finish.
• All building permits or other approvals are the responsibility of the homeowner.

Plastic Sheds: 
Plastic sheds have become increasingly popular, due to their durability and reasonable cost.  Rubbermaid is the best known brand but there are several others.  All are acceptable so long as they are no more than four feet wide, four feet deep and 78 inches in height.  They can be either tan or gray in color.  ​

Playground Equipment
Stationary (permanently installed) playground sets are acceptable if they meet the following specifications. 

• Equipment cannot be installed on common ground; only on private property. 
• Equipment should be modest in scale, in keeping with the size of most lots.  A slide and swingset would be acceptable; an elaborate structure with "fort," "monkey bars" or "jungle gym" would not.  
• Equipment may be installed only in back yards.  Yards must be fully fenced for safety reasons.  
• Wooden or plastic structures are both acceptable and must be neutral in color or painted.  
• Homeowner must receive permission from the ARC prior to installation.  

Fire Pits
Small fire pits are permitted. Location and usage must follow Baltimore County's Fire Code for Open Burning. CLICK HERE for more information. 

Firewood Storage
Firewood shall be neatly stacked in the rear yard as inconspicuously as possible, with individual stacks not to exceed four (4) feet in height or (8) feet in length. Firewood must be stacked inside the property line and not allowed to lean on fences. To prevent rot, insect and rodent infestation, firewood must be stored on an appropriate storage rack and be elevated at least 6" and not more than 12" above the ground. Covers or tarps must be dark brown/grey or black in color.