Frequently Asked Questions of the Board
Q: Can you add lighting to the walkways for security and safety?
A: We appreciate the suggestion and understand the appeal for safety. The board has considered it, however lighting the walkway system would be considerably expensive and because the paths run directly behind homes, our experience is that many homeowners would likely not support lights shining into their backyards at night. So lighting is not part of the proposal at this time.
Q: Can you remove snow on the walkways for security and safety?
A: This one has come up from time to time, and it is a fair idea worth exploring, but in the right order. The current path surfaces, with their heaving and unevenness, cannot be plowed without damaging equipment and the paths themselves. Once the rehabilitation project is complete, plowing becomes physically practical, and the board would be open to reviewing it at that point. The honest caveat is that snow removal is an ongoing annual operating cost and can be quite variable and hard to budget for, and the current dues are not structured to fund it. So, adding it would likely require a separate member vote to increase dues.
Q: The house next door has tall grass, weeds and overgrown shrubbery. What can be done?
A: The board shares the concern. There are many in the neighborhood that raise concerns. I would ask for your help on that front: the board members are volunteers and we simply do not see everything. The best way for us to know what is going on is when Northridge homeowners reach out and tell us, exactly what the problem is. Never hesitate to flag a specific property or situation.
I do also want to be candid about our limitations: the Northridge covenants, written by the original developers in the 1990s, give the board fairly limited enforcement tools for ongoing lawn maintenance. Within those limits, our approach is to provide guidance and apply steady pressure directly with homeowners, and for the worst cases, to work with the City of Ames, whose ordinances on tall grass and noxious weeds carry real enforcement authority that the HOA does not have. That combination has been producing movement, and we will stay on it.
Q: I have been attacked by a dog(s) in Northridge! What should I do?
A: We understand these encounters have been frightening for you, your dog, and your children. As a note, the board is made up entirely of volunteers – your fellow homeowners here in Northridge Parkway, so while we take every report seriously, responses can take a day or two rather than a few hours. We appreciate your patience.
We want to point you to the right resource, because for incidents like these the HOA is honestly not the authority with the tools to act. However, the City of Ames is.
Please report these incidents to Ames Animal Control at (515) 239-5530. This is important for several reasons. First, dogs running at large and dog attacks are violations of City of Ames ordinances, which Animal Control has real authority to enforce. This includes citations and, for repeat situations, impoundment. Second, under Iowa law, a dog bite or attack is required to be reported to a local health or law enforcement official, so the attack on your leashed dog should be on record with the city. Third, every report you file builds a documented history on that property, which is exactly what gives Animal Control the ability to escalate with a repeat offender. We would encourage you to report both the original attack and the recent encounters; with the dates and details you provided to us.
One small clarification that may actually work in your favor: the walking trails are technically not public property, but are private common areas owned collectively by the Northridge homeowners, including you. City animal ordinances apply everywhere in Ames regardless, so this does not change the Animal Control route at all. But it does mean the dogs’ owners have even less standing to let their animals roam there as it is not technically public property.
For the HOA’s part, the covenants do not contain leash requirements, so the board has no direct enforcement authority of its own. With that said, we welcome you to keep the board in the loop as you work with Animal Control and if any further incidents occur. Staying informed helps us determine if and how the board may need to act on our end if this situation is not addressed appropriately by the City of Ames.
You have every right to walk those trails in safety and peace of mind. Please do make the reports to Animal Control – that is the path with real enforcement teeth – and know that the board will do its part if it continues.
Q: Can I rent my house or do an AirBnB?
A: Quick answer is No. You cannot rent your house short or long term. The covenants state “That all lots shall be used for private, single-family residential purposes”.
The HOA board had an attorney review the covenants specifically regarding home businesses and business-related effects. The results of that review were that the Northridge covenants prohibit most home businesses and any undesirable business-related effects from business use of homes. These effects include truck traffic, extra noise, general unkept curb appearance, parking of equipment, etc. It also includes using a home to rent as a primary business. (AirBNB would meet this definition as an example)
However, the Board acknowledges that renting your home while on sabbatical does not violate the covenants since this scenario does not qualify as a ‘primary business use’ of your home and the rental period is less than one year. But the covenants necessitate that residences are single-family dwellings. Renting to college students or renting a room to an unrelated person would violate the covenants. But to rent your house, you must register your house with the City of Ames, abide by the city’s rental laws and must pass an inspection. You must also inform the Association Board of your plans to rent. Failure to do so will result with fines from both the City of Ames and the Association.
To summarize, the HOA covenants allow the renting of your home while on sabbatical, as long as the renters abide by the covenants, which includes keeping your property presentable with the lawn mowed, qualify as ’single-family’, refraining from any undesirable business-related effects from home businesses and pass city rental regulations.
Q: Can I have a fence in Northridge?
A: The spirit of the subdivision is to have open spaces without obstructions. But most additions allow it with certain specifications. This depends on the Covenants for your addition in the subdivision. Please fill out the fence form and submit it to the board to get approval before building it.
Q: Can I have a shed or dog run in Northridge?
A: Yes, but they must be properly screen by shrubbery decorative fence or both. Again, fencing restrictions also apply.
Q: My mailbox needs replacing. Where can I get one?
A: The developers of the subdivision standardized on mailbox posts when the subdivision was built and has been followed since. The metal mailbox is standard and can be found at Lowes or Menards. However, the post will have to build from scratch, there are no kits that are available. The plans for the mailbox post are on the Northridge website – NR Mailbox Plans.pdf.
Update – The Greenspace Manager Ron Frantzen has now offered to rebuild resident’s mailbox posts. Contact Ron at – volunteerboardmember2022@gmail.com
Q: My Mailbox was damaged by the snowplows. Is the Northridge Association responsible?
A: The Northridge Association (the Board) does not contract for any snow removal. It is done by the City of Ames. You can report this issue at the City of Ames website at: https://www.cityofames.org/government/departments-divisions-i-z/public-works/operations/snow-ordinance-and-removal. It says: “If you have questions about the snow removal process or wish to report street plowing concerns, including damage to a mailbox, please e-mail snowstreets@city.ames.ia.us, or call the Snow Desk at 515-239-5543 with the address/location and specific nature of the street concern.”
Q: Can I have a pool in Northridge?
A: No above ground or non-permanent swimming pools shall be permitted on any lot. Also no semi-submersed pools are now not allowed.
Q: Can I have a garden in the Green Space?
A: No you can not have a garden in the green space. There are entry way and green space gardens that the board would like volunteers for upkeep.
Q: Can I plant trees in the Green Space?
A: Only with Board approval. The board must approve the planting of trees, shrubs or other plants in the green spaces. Any trees planted in the green spaces become property of the association. Unapproved plantings can be removed by the Green Space Manager without notice. Submit a proposal to the board for approval.
Q: Can I have an TV or Ham antenna tower?
A: No, extension towers of any kind are allowed. However antenna of less than ten feet are allowed on dwellings.
Q: My neighbors dogs are constantly barking. What can the Northridge Association do?
A: Nothing. This is regulated by the City of Ames, Check the city noise ordinances. The Board suggests talking with your neighbor as a first step.
Q: Can I have chickens or pigs in Northridge?
A: No. The covenants have specific restrictions against poultry, livestock, etc. ” No animals, livestock, nor poultry of any kind shall be raised, bred or kept on any lot, except that dogs, cats, and other common household pets may be kept so long as they are not kept, bred, or maintained for commercial purposes.”.
Q: Can I have a business in Northridge??
A: No. The covenants forbid any commercial activity in the subdivision.
Q: I’m selling my house, what needs to be done with dues payment?
A: See the dues page on – Selling your house – can dues be prorated?
Q: I’m selling my house, what needs to be done with the special assessment payment?
A: See the dues page on – Selling your house – Special Assessment Payment?