We’ve compiled a list of some Frequently Asked Questions below. If you can’t find the question/answer you are looking for on this page, select Search – we’ll search the entire site for you. If you’d like to ask your own question, click Ask A Question and we’ll get back to you with an answer.
What is a homeowner’s association?
What are the CC&Rs?
What are the Bylaws?
What is the Board of Directors?
Are there any other rules?
Are Board Meetings open to all residents? If so, where and when are they held?
If I want to serve on a committee, how do I find out what committees are active and how I can get involved?
What is my assessment?
How is the amount of my assessment determined?
Will my assessment go up?
What happens if I don’t pay my assessment?
Do Pine Mountain Lake members get special rates on products or services?
How do I Opt In or Opt Out of email or other programs?
Q: What is a homeowner’s association?
A: It is a non-profit corporation registered with the State and governed by a duly elected Board of Directors. Its purpose is to maintain all common areas and to govern the community in accordance with the provision of the legal documents: CC&Rs, Bylaws, and Articles of Incorporation. The governing legal documents for the association may be viewed online within the Governing Documents page of this site. The corporation is financially supported by all members of the homeowners association. Membership is both automatic and mandatory.
Q: What are the CC&Rs?
A: The Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs) are the governing legal documents that set up the guidelines for the operation of the planned community as a non-profit corporation. The CC&Rs were recorded by the County recorder’s office of Tuolumne County and are included in the title to your property. Failure to abide by the CC&Rs may result in a fine to a homeowner by the Association.
Q: What are the Bylaws?
A: The Bylaws are the guidelines for the operation of the non-profit corporation. The Bylaws define the duties of the various offices of the Board of Directors, the terms of the Directors, the membership’s voting rights, required meetings and notices of meetings, and the principal office of the Association, as well as other specific items that are necessary to run the Association as a business. The Bylaws for the association may be viewed online within the Governing Documents page of this site.
Q: What is the Board of Directors?
A: The Homeowner’s Association again is a corporation and therefore a governing body that is required to oversee its business. The Board of Directors is elected by the homeowners, or as otherwise specified in the bylaws. The limitations and restrictions of the powers of the Board of Directors is outlined in the Association governing documents found within the Governing Documents page of this site.
Q: Are there any other rules?
A: Most associations have developed Rules and Regulations as provided for in the CC&Rs and adopted by the Board of Directors. Rules are established to provide direction to the homeowners for common courtesies with regard to parking, vehicles, pets and pool use hours, etc. In addition, your Association has adopted guidelines with procedures for submitting requests to make exterior changes to your home. Such changes may include patio covers, decks, landscaping, exterior color changes or extensive interior changes and additions. These rules and guidelines are set up to maintain the aesthetic value and integrity of the community on behalf of all owners, and hopefully protect the market value of your investment as well. Violations of these rules may result in action by the Board of Directors and a fine. In addition, if you proceed with an exterior improvement or change, without written approval of the Board of Directors, or the Environmental Control Committee, as applicable, you will be required to remove or correct the alteration and/or be fined for the violation.
Q: Are Board Meetings open to all members? If so, where and when are they held?
A: Yes. Notice of the time and place of any regular board meeting will be noted in the Pine Mountain Lake Newspaper, or accessed online on the Board Meetings page. Normally the meetings are held monthly at the Lake Lodge. The only exception are executive session meetings where the Board deals with matters that require confidentiality.
Q: If I want to serve on a committee, how do I find out what committees are active and how I can get involved?
A: The Committees page of this website will inform you of the status of current committees organized and committee contact information. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the online volunteer form found on the Committees page of this site.
Q: What is my assessment?
A: The assessment is the periodic amount due from each homeowner to cover the operating expenses of the common area and provide for reserve funds for replacement of common facilities in future years. Your assessments are due on the first of the month. Statements will be sent for late assessments as a reminder of the amount due.
Q: How is the amount of my assessment determined?
A: Subsequent budgets are developed by the Board of Directors and adjusted periodically to meet anticipated expenses. The budget is set upon specific guidelines for utilities, landscaping, administration, etc. Reserve funds are monies set aside for future expenses due to the life expectancy of certain items: lighting, street resurfacing, pool equipment, etc.
Q: Will my assessment go up?
A: There is no concrete answer to this. Typically the Civil Code provides for annual increases, but not to exceed 20 percent per year without the vote of the membership. The Board of Directors may approve an increased budget, increasing your assessment up to this percentage in order to cover increased costs of operating and maintaining the common area and sufficient reserve funds.
Q: What happens if I don’t pay my assessment?
A: The maintenance and management services incurred by the Association are dependent upon timely receipt of the assessments due from each homeowner. Late payments will result in a late charge as assessments are due on the first of the month. In addition, the CC&Rs allows the Association to charge late charges and interest and proceed with a lien on your property, or foreclosure proceeding for nonpayment of assessments.
Q: Do Pine Mountain Lake members get special rates on products or services?
A: Yes, Kelly Moore paints and Dunn-Edwards in Sonora offers PML residents 30% off of paints and stains. All that is needed is proof of residency, i.e. your photo Gate Card. They will also deliver free of charge for quantities of 10 gallons or more. Suburban Propane also offers preferred pricing to PML residents. Call them for current rates.
Q: How do I Opt-In or Opt-Out of email or other programs?
A: Go to “Resources” and “Forms” and you can download the form from there or simply click on this link “Email Opt-in Authorization Form“.