Frequently Asked Questions
If you are new to the neighborhood (or maybe you have been a resident for a while) you may have questions about the HOA and amenities. This website has been designed to provide lots details on many topics– so please explore the site! For quick reference, some of the most common questions and answers are listed below.
Pro Tip: If you still haven’t found the information you are looking for, please reach out with specific questions!
Architectural FAQ
More information about the Architectural Committee can be found here.
What if I want to paint or alter the exterior of my home or build a garage or other outbuilding?
SCCE covenants require that you fill out an Architectural Change Form and submit plans, specifications, and/or color swatches to the Architectural Committee for approval.
What roofing materials are acceptable?
Roofing materials must consist of one of the following: wooden shingles, concrete tiles, cedar shakes, steel stone coated shakes, or architectural asphalt shingles (commonly called shangles) of no less than 300 lbs/square.
These materials must simulate the appearance of a flat wood shake or tile. The color of these roofing materials shall be of earth tones. All proposed roofing materials must be submitted for approval by the Architectural Committee.
What about siding?
The exterior of every building shall be composed of one or a combination of the following: natural wood or other rustic materials, native stone or brick veneers, steel (vinyl-coated) siding. Please see the Residental Area Covenants below for additional requirements.
What colors can I use?
All exterior surfaces shall be painted an earth tone color as defined in the building trade or shall be painted using a semitransparent stain or clear sealer, Solid body paints or stains may be used on the trim only and steel siding shall be solid color in earth tone colors unless otherwise approved by the Architectural Committee.
What level of maintenance is expected?
The exterior materials of all buildings are to be kept in good condition so as to contribute to the attractiveness of the community. Care must be taken that stain, paint, or coated materials are not peeling, flaking, fading, or darkening with age
Covenant FAQ
Where can I park cars, boats, RVs, or other recreational vehicles?
Vehicles should be garaged whenever possible and must be parked on your property. They may not be parked on the public road right of way. All parking must be off-street on private land. Aside from occasional necessary repairs, no rebuilding or refinishing is permitted. Recreation vehicles may be parked but not utilized (as in no camping).
The covenant currently requires campers to be parked in an enclosed garage or behind a dwelling. An amendment allowing more flexibility in where campers can be parked is under review. In the meantime, please be mindful of your neighbor’s view and park in an enclosed garage, behind, or adjacent to your home, or the least intrusive or inconspicuous area of your property.
How should I address barking dogs or animals running loose in the neighborhood?
Per the covenants (Article II, #14): All dogs must be confined to lot owned by the owner. No animal shall be permitted to run at large, nor shall chronic barking dogs be kept on any property.
Very often, homeowners are unaware that their pets are bothering others. Most issues can be resolved by simply (and respectfully) bringing your concern to their attention. We strongly encourage you to reach out to your neighbors as a first course of action. If the issue persists, please contact a board member.
Can I rent my home out?
Short-term rentals are allowed. A short-term rental is considered to be any primarily residential property, home, cabin, or similar building which is rented, leased, or furnished, in whole or in part, on a daily or weekly basis to the public. South Dakota allows a maximum regulatory exemption of 14 days per year per property. Generally, short-term rentals do not exceed more than 30 consecutive days for any single renter or party in other states.
If you are considering renting your property as a bed and breakfast or vacation home, please be sure you follow all county and state ordinances, and regulations, and have obtained the proper licenses. A Vacation Home Rental Checklist is available through the Pennington County Planning Department and a Lodging Establishment License can be obtained from the South Dakota Department of Health.
Can I discharge a firearm or other weapon on my property?
For the safety of all residents, firearms or bows should not be discharged within the community. Please refer to the laws provided by Game Fish & Parks for safe firearm practices. We ask that other recreational-use weapons (ie. throwing stars, hatchets, knives, Samurai swords or light sabers) be used with caution and at your own risk.
Water System FAQ
More information about our water system and water reports are located here
What are average water use rates in the development?
Household water use can vary greatly depending on the number of people in the house, time of year, and yard watering habits. Generally speaking, most households use around 75 gallons per person per day. Using this rule of thumb, average use for a family of four would be around 9,000 gallons per month.
How do I find my curb stop?
Curb stops can be found on a front property line near a common lot line with a neighbor—often around a transformer. Your curb stop is metal, circular in shape, and approximately 3 inches in diameter. Curb stops should be on or near the surface, they require a key to operate, and should only be accessed by a licensed plumber or water operator.
What type of water meters are required?
As of February 2022, SCCE requires all residents to purchase a remote-read Kamstrup water meter which will allow us to more accurately track water usage community wide, identify water loss and/or leaks within the system and eliminate the need for homeowners to read and report water usage every month.
Am I responsible for meter purchase, repair or replacement?
Yes. Homeowners are required to purchase and are responsible for replacement and any related maintenance to the water meter unit installed within the home. The Kamstrup water meters required by the HOA come with a 10-year warranty.
Am I responsible for costs associated with water leaks?
Yes. Homeowners are responsible for costs related to any leaks identified from the curb stop to your home.
Do we add fluoride to our system?
No. Systems of our size are not required to add fluoride. However, our water does contain naturally occurring fluoride at levels that fall within the federally required concentration range (between 0.9 mg/l to 1.7 mg/l) for water systems serving more than 500 people.
Do we add chemicals to our system?
The only chemical added to our water system is chlorine. Chlorine levels are kept within the range required by the State and tested weekly.
What type of testing is done on our system?
All required water sampling and testing is conducted by our certified water operator and submitted to the State as required. Tests vary in frequency (from weekly or monthly to annual or every three years) and include monitoring levels of bacteria, chlorine, lead, copper, nitrates, and many other volatile organic chemicals. To date, SCCE has received annual awards and recognition from the State for providing safe, reliable drinking water with no violations.