Anniston Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the functions and responsibilities of the Association? 

The Community Association was formed to protect the investment owners make to live in Anniston and to keep property values high by ensuring rules are followed, as well as amenities, lakes, landscape, and entrances continue to enhance the value of those living in Anniston. Anniston Community Association is a Corporation in the State of Texas and must follow the laws required for Non-Profit Associations. There are laws that govern how a Single-Family Homeowner Association must operate. The Board of Directors “the Board” oversees the running of the Association. The Association is also governed by the documents on file in the County Records: Certificate of Formation, Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (DCCRS) and the By-Laws. There are also Resolutions and Policies on file as well to enable the Board and owners to understand the expectations of the Association. 

2. What role does the Association’s Board of Directors serve? 

The Board of Directors are the decision makers and are responsible for ensuring the Community is managed properly. During the development period for Anniston, the Developer holds seats on the Board. Ultimately, the owners in Anniston will vote for the Board Members. The first role of the Board is to secure funds, hire required consultants and businesses to manage the daily affairs of the Association. Anniston has hired a landscape company, management company, and will ultimately hire a pool company and any other services that may be needed to maintain the community and/or consult the Board when needed. 

3. What role does the management company serve? 

The management company has the largest role in overseeing the daily operations of the Association. The Management Company is comprised of employees who oversee every aspect of the Association’s corporate needs. This includes all accounting functions for the Association, interacting with contractors and consultants as needed, driving through the community to check status of all amenities and grounds as well as homes to ensure proper maintenance and adherence to the governing documents. The Management company interacts with homeowners who call, email, mail or visit our office for their specific question or needs. They are the consultant and liaison to the Board. 

4. What are the planned amenities? 

Anniston is in the early phases of the amenities and each one will bring value to our owners. Plans are in place for a playground, walking trails, lakes, and green space for our owners to enjoy. Future plans include a pool and recreation area, as well as lakes with access by non-motorized boats (paddle boats, kayaks, canoes). 

5. What are Declarations of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions? 

The Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, often called “DCCRSs”, is a document recorded in the County Records. You should have gotten a set of them from the builder or at closing. The DCCRSs are legally binding documents and should be adhered to by all owners, residents, tenants, and guests.

The DCCRSs are important written rules for all owners and residents within the Anniston community to follow. They establish the rules of what can, and what cannot be done on a property and that before there is a change, an Architectural Review form must be submitted for approval to ensure the integrity and harmony expected at Anniston is not breached. 

They also protect owners by stipulating rules for how the Association can be run by the Board, along with the other governing documents and laws. The following questions are a compilation of questions our Management Company has fielded in the past several years. The answers to these questions are referenced in your DCCRSs and for a full description, please refer to the DCCRSs. 

6. Can I operate a business from my home? 

Reference DCCRS Article 10, Section 10.02 

An owner may conduct business activities that are “incidental to residential use”. This means you may work out of your home if there is no visible activity or nuisance to your neighbors or neighborhood. The DCCRSs stipulate the following: 

1. No professional, business or commercial activity shall be conducted on any Lot if it does not comply with the applicable zoning ordinances.
2. The activity must be conducted without the employment of persons not residing in the home.
3. The business activity does not involve customers, contractors, clients, or the public visiting the residence to conduct activities related to the business.
4. The existence or operation of the business activity is not apparent or detectable by sight (including, but not limited to, signs advertising the business), sound, or smell from outside the residence and does not involve door‐to‐door solicitation within the property. 

7. How many Pets can I have? Can I raise chickens? 

Reference DCCRS Article 10, Section 10.14 

1. No animals, or livestock of any kind shall be raised, bred or kept on any Lot, except dogs, cats, or other commonly considered household pets (not to exceed three of each category) provided they are not kept, bred or maintained for commercial purposes.
2. No animals or fowls may be kept on the Property which results in an annoyance or are obnoxious to residents in the vicinity.
3. No animals may be allowed to run at large and must be controlled on a leash if they are not on a Lot.
4. The Board of Directors may restrict pets to certain areas on the Property and ask for the removal of the pet from the Property if the pet becomes a source of unreasonable annoyance to others. 

8. Am I responsible for mowing my yard? 

• Maintenance and upkeep of the backyard. 
• Seasonal color for the front yard. 
• Planting or replacement of shrubbery, grass, trees, or other landscaping in the front yard. 
• Maintenance and repair of the irrigation system in the front yard and backyard. 
• Owners have the obligation to replace dead or diseased trees, landscaping, grass, or vegetation. 

Owners must have ARA approval to enhance the landscaping, grass, and vegetation of the yard. Below you will find more information about the Front Yard Maintenance program. 

9. Are commercial vehicles allowed in the community? Can I park in the street? I have an RV; can I keep it at my house? 

Reference DCCRs Article 10, Section 10.20 

The DCCRs prohibit one (1) ton and larger/heavier trucks. RV’s, campers, boats, etc. cannot be stored on the property unless it fits in the garage. 

1. A passenger vehicle or light truck is allowed to be parked in your driveway for no more than forty-eight (48) consecutive hours.
2. Vehicles parked in the driveway cannot partially or fully block a sidewalk.
3. Vehicles cannot park on the street overnight. 

Please read this full section for your specific question or situation or contact KRJ Management, Inc. at 713-600-4000 or smile@krjcares.com weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. for assistance. 

10. Am I allowed to Lease/Rent my home to others? 

Reference DCCRS Article 10, Section 10.30 

Yes, you can lease your home. The lease term can be NO LESS than six (6) months and must include full-service landscape maintenance as part of the base rent. The landscape maintenance shall include Landscape not serviced by the Association in the front yard. Additionally, the backyards must be maintained weekly, and service must include weed control, tree and shrub trimming, and any other service required to keep the backyard neat and orderly. All leases shall be in writing and provided to the Association along with the name and contact information of the renter and the Owner. The Owner must provide to its lessee copies of the Restrictions. 

Notice of any lease, along with additional information required by the Association, must be remitted by the Owner on or before the expiration of ten (10) days after the lease's effective date. The owner is responsible and liable for the actions of their tenants, including common area damage, violations fees. 

11. What do I need to do before making an improvement to my house and/or property? 

Reference DCCRs Article 7 Section 02(e) Failure to Act 

Before making any alterations, additions, or improvements to the exterior of your house or yard/shrubs on your property, please contact KRJ Management or download an Architectural Review application from the portal to submit for review by the Architectural Review Authority (ARA). Per article 7, Section 02(e), the ARA Committee has sixty (60) days to review the application and provide a decision. If the ARA does not respond within the allowed sixty (60) days, rejection of the submission shall be presumed. 

The Association charges an ARA Application Fee: Standard process time (up to 60-days) $75.00 / Expedited 7-business day response, $125.00. Payments are made payable to Anniston Community Association or through the portal. 

A. Can I add a Storage Shed (Outbuilding) to my property? 

Reference DCCRSs Article 10, Section 10.11 and Article 7, Section 7.01/Residential Improvement Guidelines, Section E11 

Outbuildings, defined as structures not connected to the residence on a lot including but not limited to storage buildings or sheds, or similar structures, whether temporary or permanent, are limited to only one (1) per lot. Outbuildings shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet and eight (8) feet in height measured from grade. No metal or vinyl buildings, only the standard, type, quality and color of the materials used in the construction of the outbuilding shall be harmonious with those of the main residence and may not be visible from any public area. Exact specifications can be found in the Residential Improvement Guidelines for Homeowners (September 9, 2024) Section E11. 

B. Can I add a Play Structure to my property? 

Reference ADCCRSs Article 10, Section 10.12 and Article 7, Section 7.01/ Residential Improvement Guidelines, Section E18 

One (1) free-standing play structure is permitted on a Lot with the PRIOR written approval of the ARA; provided that, in no event shall a permitted play structure exceed ten (10) feet in height, measured from the ground to the highest point of the play structure, and in no event shall a platform of a play structure extend above the ground by more than five (5) feet. The canopy of a play structure, if any, shall be a solid color approved in writing by the ARA; a multi-colored canopy is not permitted. A play structure on a Lot must be located within the rear yard of the Lot and in accordance with the applicable side and rear building setbacks. The ARA shall have the authority to require a play structure on a Lot adjacent to a Common Area to be located farther from the rear or side property line than the applicable building setbacks to minimize the visibility of the play structure. A play structure on a corner lot shall not be located nearer to the side property line adjacent to the side street than twenty (20) feet. A free-standing play structure shall not be deemed to be an outbuilding for purposes of Section 10.11, above. Exact specifications can be found in the Residential Improvement Guidelines for Homeowners (September 9, 2024) Section E18. 

C. Are Basketball Goals allowed at my property? 

Reference Article 10, Section 10.13/ Residential Improvement Guidelines, Section E17 

YES, after the ARA has reviewed and approved the installation of a basketball goal. One (1) Basketball goal with pole per lot. ALL basketball goals must be approved by the ARA prior to installation. SEE Article 10.13 for exact specifications or Residential Improvement Guidelines for Homeowners (September 9, 2024) Section E17. Portable basketball goals are allowed but must not be stored in public view. Basketball goals are not allowed to be used in the streets or common areas. ALL goals must be kept in good condition. 

D. Can I build a Swimming Pool or Other Water Feature? 

Reference Article 10, Section 10.25 

Swimming pool, outdoor hot tub, reflecting pond, sauna, whirlpool, lap pool and other water features must have prior written approval of the ARA. Permanent, above-ground swimming pools are not permitted. 

12. What can the Association do to correct a violation of a Deed Restriction? 

Enforcement remedies are granted to the Association by governing legal documents and each Board of Directors adopts an enforcement policy containing a specific course of action. Violations are cited by the management company during a drive-through inspection of the community. Letters are sent out informing residents of violations and asking for their cooperation in correcting the problems. If a violation is not corrected within the time frame specified, the Association may take the appropriate corrective action to remedy violation and charge the property owner with the costs incurred (if governing documents allow this) or the Association may hire an attorney and file suit against the property owner. The Board of Directors has the responsibility and the duty to enforce the deed restrictions. Enforcement of rules and regulations is not optional. 

13. What are the Annual Assessments used for? 

A budget is developed by your Board of Directors based on operating history and an evaluation of the needs of the community. Assessments may be spent on various services, which may include the landscape contract, utilities, insurance, and maintaining the recreational facilities as well as the accounting and administration of the Association. The Association must also build reserves to maintain our facilities and to be prepared for natural disasters which may damage the facilities. 

14. What happens if a homeowner does not pay the Assessment? 

The assessment is secured by a lien on each lot and/or home, and which grants the Association the ability to take legal action up to and including a foreclosure. The Association has a collection policy, which is filed in the County records, and is followed when necessary. Installment Plans are available if needed. If you have a question regarding your bill or about setting up an Installment Plan, please contact KRJ Management, Inc. at 713-600-4000 or smile@krjcares.com weekdays between 9:00a.m. and 5:00 p.m. 

15. What is the Anniston Community Foundation Fee used for? 

The Anniston Community Foundation, “Foundation”, is a nonprofit corporation funded by collecting a percentage of the sale of each house in perpetuity The Foundation funds are used for the support and betterment of the Samara Community and the greater surrounding area of the community. Such areas include schools, police stations, fire stations, food banks, and other public services and private organizations. This is a separate corporation from the Association and is operated independently with a separate Board of Directors. 

Any inquiries about the Foundation may be sent to smile@krjcares.com. 

16. What can I do to help my Association? 

Follow Best Homeowner Association Practices: 

• Paying your HOA Assessment on time. 
• Know and abide by all Association Rules and Regulations. 
• Actively participate in Association activities. 
• Attend the Board and Membership meetings to stay informed. 
• Be a good neighbor – get to know your neighbors. 
• Consider serving on the board of directors, join a committee, and lend your talents where they can be most useful. 

For more information about joining the board of directors or a committee, please contact KRJ Management, Inc. at 713-600-4000 or smile@krjcares.com weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

To view the Anniston Welcome Packet, please visit the "About Anniston" page at myneighborhoodnews.com/about-anniston.