Community Standards
Deed Restrictions
 

Contact us at CommunityStandards@clubsienna.com for information or deed restriction inquiries

Working with Residents to Keep Sienna beautiful. Working together
to maintain community 
pride.

One of the main functions of the Association’s Community Standards department is to ensure that all units, residential and non-residential, are in compliance with the governing documents and Deed Restriction Guidelines. 

Tips and Information

A review of home plans, homesite plans, and modification application appeals. 

The enforcement process regulated by Federal and State laws as well as governing documents and Board policies. 

Includes specific restrictions applicable to development areas.

COC forms are completed online.  Click above.  

Required for all property sold, residential and commercial. Click above for details. 

Go over the checklist above

and see if your property is ready.


Home and Lawncare
Maintenance Calendar

Life Cycle of a Deed Restriction (DR) Violation

In order to enforce the community’s deed restrictions, the Associations inspect each neighborhood regularly, as well as non-residential properties.  As a result of these inspections, a Deed Restriction letter may be sent to property owners identifying issues and requesting cooperation in correcting the noted issue(s) in a timely manner.  It is the goal of the Associations to achieve compliance through education. 

When a resident receives notice about a deed restriction issue, it can cause some questions and concerns. While the Association does not intend to cause residents any undue frustration or hardship, it is our responsibility to bring these issues to their attention so that the violation can be corrected, and the aesthetic beauty of Sienna maintained.

A Courtesy Letter is typically the first step in the process. Although the Courtesy Letter does contain legal language referencing the government documents, this first attempt is a way to bring the issue to the attention of the resident. The Association is aware that they might not even be aware that there is an issue.

If you receive a Courtesy Letter, it is a great time to email or call the Community Standards Department and work out a timeframe to resolve the issue to avoid any future letters or escalation. If you feel the letter has been sent in error, please also reach out to us to let us know.

A Stage 2 letter will be sent if there has been no contact  from the resident and the issue still exist after a couple of weeks from the mailing of Courtesy Letter. The Stage 2 letter is a formal notice and outlines a time frame for the issue to be resolved. Once received, it is in the residents’ best interest to contact the Community Standards Department via email or phone call to discuss solutions.

If there is still no contact from the resident and the issue still exists (typically around 15 days after the Stage 2 letter was sent), the Association will send a Stage 3 letter via certified mail to the resident. The Stage 3 letter is also referred to as a “209 Notice” (outlined in Chapter 209. Texas Residential Property Owners Protection Act). 

These notices are required to be sent via mail. The 209 notice informs the owner that they must resolve the issue in 30 days or fines could be imposed by the Hearing Advisory Committee (HAC) at their next scheduled meeting, access to amenities will be suspended, and the matter may be turned over to the Association’s attorney for further legal action.

The HAC is a resident volunteer committee who meet monthly to review properties that are at the stage of fine consideration. Please note that the only notice required by the Texas Property Code is the Stage 3/209 Letter; the Courtesy Letter or Stage 2 letter may be skipped in instances where the violation is egregious. In addition to these efforts, the Association also tries to establish communication with the property owner through calls, emails, door tags, etc. throughout the process.

The Association follows this cycle so that there are several opportunities for the resident to respond and work on a solution that benefits everyone. This cycle can also explain why it may seem like there is no immediate action to cure a violation that other residents have complained about. There are, unfortunately, situations in which a violation can take 6 months or possibly longer (if the matter involves further legal steps) to resolve.

Once a violation has been corrected, the matter is closed by the Association in our property records. The Association utilizes a software designed for Associations for tracking violations – this software is equipped with geographic mapping and data tracking.

If you receive a violation, the best strategy is to contact the Community Standards Department and see what can be worked out.

he majority of the Association’s deed restriction violations are resolved after the Courtesy Letter. Communication is key to avoiding further letters and escalation of matters.

The Community Standards Department can be reached by calling the main office at 281-778-0778 or emailing communitystandards@clubsienna.com.

What is the Association’s Role in Neighbor to Neighbor Issues?

Thank you for your question.

Sienna is renowned for its aesthetic appeal, location, and community events. In order to maintain the high community standards that residents deserve, there are some deed restriction issues that involve neighboring properties that residents must work together to resolve. Below is a highlight of some of the most common neighbor-to-neighbor issues, and the Association’s role in each.

Fencing: If a fence on a property line between two properties needs repair or replacement, and it encloses both properties, it is the responsibility of both property owners to repair or replace. Discussions about cost-sharing for fence replacement is a neighbor-to-neighbor issue, and the Association will not participate in these negotiations. If a neighbor does not agree that it is time to repair or replace the shared fence, then the cost may fall on the resident/owner wanting to replace. The Association cannot force a resident to participate or cooperate. The fence replacement must comply with the fencing guidelines, which are available online.

Tree and Shrub Branches: If the branches or roots of your neighbor’s trees or shrubs encroach on your property, you may send them a letter offering them a one-month period to stop the encroachment (by trimming the branches and/or blocking the roots with a root barrier), after which you reserve the right to take action on your own property without liability for any damage caused to the neighbor’s plants. The Association does encourage you to communicate with your neighbor before beginning work.

Noise: The Association does not have deed restrictions that prohibit noise, nor do we have equipment to measure noise level. If there is a noise disturbance caused by children, parties, equipment, animals, or other causes, please discuss this with your neighbor.

When residents work together to solve these shared issues as they arise, the resolutions are often quicker and more efficient. Please also note that the Association is unable to share your neighbor’s personal contact information with you so you will need to reach out to your neighbor personally.


What landscaping maintenance items should I focus on in spring?

Thank you for your question.

As temperatures begin to rise and spring approaches, it is an ideal time to give your yard and landscape beds some attention in order to maintain an aesthetically pleasing yard for all seasons.

Early spring is a good time to implement methods for weed control. Weeds will begin growing at a fast pace in spring and it is important to keep all landscaping beds, turf, and expansion joints free of weeds. Any landscaping that did not survive the winter freeze will need to be replaced by end of April. Spring is a good time to consider mulching your flower beds to help encourage growth of plants, maintain moisture, and reduce weeds. 

March and April are also a good time to evaluate the evergreen shrubs in your front beds to ensure that they are properly screening the foundation of the house. If they are dead or dying, they will need to be replaced. If they are aging, and the bottom is sparse and appears “leggy”, that is also a sign that they need to be replaced. Below is a diagram showing what is required for adequate front landscaping. 

Please visit  www.siennanet.com and click on the Modifications tab to find the Property Modifications and Maintenance Guidelines for more detailed landscaping guidelines. If you plan to make major changes to your turf, trees, or other landscaping, you will need to submit a modification request. Please reach out to our Modifications team at  modifications@clubsienna.com if you have any questions. Modification applications may be submitted online on  www.siennanet.com.  Happy spring!

What do I need to do after receiving a Deed Restriction letter?

The first step is to take some deep breaths and remain calm. We are here to assist all residents in making sure that our community continues to thrive and live up to the high standards that we have all come to expect. We understand that life happens and sometimes items such as yard care and home maintenance can fall through the cracks. That is why our first letter is a Courtesy Letter to simply bring the items out of compliance to your attention. Next, reach out to our office if there are any questions or concerns about the letter. You can ask for the inspector that signed the letter or any member of the Community Standards team. In addition to calling, you may also email CommunityStandards@ClubSienna.com. We can help clarify the efforts needed to bring the items into compliance and set a timetable in which the work will be finished. We are often able to work with residents that may need extended time to resolve items. Just remember that timely communication is key to ensure quick resolution and avoid further escalation. Do not forget to call our office back and let us know when the work has been completed. We will be able to send an inspector out and verify that the item is now in compliance and close out the issue on our end. This will prevent future escalation over the matter. Follow these simple steps and getting a letter from us will no longer be something to fear!

Who is responsible for care of street trees?

Thank you for your question.

The resident is responsible for the maintenance and care of street trees on their property. Branches on street trees are required to be kept trimmed to a height of eight feet above sidewalk and walkways, and fourteen feet above the street. In cases of younger trees, residents are responsible for keeping the trees pruned, shaped, and all sucker growth trimmed up to six feet. Sucker growth refers to the tiny, upright branches that sprout from the base of the tree trunk or near the soil at the base of the tree. If left alone, sucker growth can harm the health of the tree by absorbing nutrients and energy away from the canopy. After younger trees have taken root, the residents should remove any tree stakes. This process usually happens in a year, or growing season. Until removal, all tree stakes should properly installed and remain attached to the tree.   Please note that the builder guidelines regarding street trees are specific to each section of Sienna. If you have any question regarding the street tree requirements for your neighborhood, please contact the Association office for more information. This information is also available for review at www.siennanet.com.


The Deed Restrictions Team

Contact us at CommunityStandards@clubsienna.com for information or deed restriction inquiries

Doug McGee

Community Standards Manager

Aubree Hinski

Community Standards Coordinator

Kelly Knight

Community Standards Coordinator

Michelle Fontenot

Community Standards Coordinator

Ingris Flores

Community Standards Coordinator