Covenants/Violations

If you have a question about the architectural reviews or the covenants after you’ve read all the info on this page, use the QUESTION button below.

QUESTION

 

Authority

The Board of Directors of Ranch at Cypress Creek Municipal Utility District No. 1 has responsibility for the enforcement of restrictive covenants for the purpose of maintaining taxable property values within the District. The legal authority for this is established in the Resolution Adopting Rules Relating to Enforcement of Restrictive Covenants document.

Enforcement

In order to achieve consistency in the enforcement of these covenants, the District had passed a resolution defining the violations process.

Residents who wish to report a covenants and restrictions violation can contact the Restrictive Covenants Enforcement Committee.  After investigating the reported violation, if the Committee determines that additional follow-up is needed, you may be contact directly by a committee member of by a covenants administrator listed on the Service Providers section of the District’s web site.

RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS ENFORCEMENT COMMITTEE

 

Architectural Review

The restrictive covenants state that “No improvements shall hereafter be constructed upon any of the property without the prior written approval of the Architectural Committee”. The legal authority for the appointment of the architectural committee is established in HB4761. Please use the Architectural Modification Application form to request approval for any improvements you would like to make to your property. Note that “improvement” is defined as:

…every structure and all appurtenances thereto of every type and kind, including but not limited to buildings, outbuildings, storage sheds, patios, tennis courts, swimming pools, garages, storage buildings, fences, screening walls, retaining walls, stairs, decks, landscaping, poles, signs, exterior air conditioning, water softener fixtures or equipment, and poles, pumps, wells, tanks, reservoirs, pipes, lines, meters, antennas, towers and other facilities used n connection with water, sewer, gas, electric, telephone, regular or cable television, or other utilities.

If you would like to become a member of the Architectural Control Committee please contact us here.

Covenant Documents

The restrictive covenant documents are registered by section. If you don’t know what section your property is in, you can find that information at the Williamson County Appraisal District. Search for your property, then look at the legal description to find the section information.

MUD

MAPS of Ranch at Cypress Creek MUD Sections and Covenants Management

Please note: These files are scanned from the legally registered documents, and as a result are quite large; please be patient when downloading.

Restrictive Covenant and Enforcement FAQs

What are restrictive covenants?

Restrictive covenants apply to a group of homes and property that are part of a specific development, or ‘subdivision.’ They are normally put in place by the original developer. Their purpose is to maintain property values and to make our neighborhood a nicer looking and more pleasant place to live.

Restrictive covenants are created by separate document, which is recorded before any property in a subdivision is conveyed. They are contractual obligations that are assumed by each property owner at the time they purchase their home.

What is an architectural review and how can I request one?

In order to preserve property values within the community it is required that any homeowner considering changes or modifications to their property which effects the exterior of the home or lot submit their proposed plans to the Architectural Control Committee for an architectural review prior to initializing any change or construction. The District reserves the right to request removal of any changes or modifications that have not received prior approval.  A review can be requested by filling out and submitting an Architectural Modification Application.

Has the MUD always enforced restrictive covenants?

No. The MUD was formerly chartered as a WCID (Water Control Improvement District), which did not have the power to enforce covenants. In December 1999, in response to the request of residents who specifically wanted the District to enforce the restrictive covenants, the WCID was converted to a MUD by order of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission. A MUD has the authority to enforce restrictive covenants, and now regular inspections are conducted by the MUD’s covenant administrator.

Why is the MUD charged with the duty of enforcing covenants?

The MUD enforces covenants in order to maintain property values, and to preserve the MUD’s tax base. Many areas of the MUD do not have mandatory homeowners associations, and there is no other funded entity with the ability to enforce the covenants in those areas.

Who is paying for covenants enforcement?

The MUD pays for covenants with funds from the Maintenance & Operations budget, which is funded through property tax revenues. Therefore, all of the property owners in the MUD share in the cost of enforcement.

Does the covenants enforcer have the authority to take a photo of my property?

Yes, the covenants enforcer is designated by the MUD to perform inspections and administer the MUD’s covenant enforcement policy. The MUD has the authority to enforce restrictive covenants under Chapter 54 of the Texas Water Code.

Who is the board or committee that developed the restrictive covenants?

The original developers established the restrictive covenants for each section within the MUD. The restrictive covenants were recorded before any of the homes in each section were sold to homeowners, and apply to all of the property in a specific section.

Why is each section different?

Different sections in the MUD were developed at different times, and sometimes by different developers. Each developer utilized its own preferred set of covenants, resulting in variations in the covenants from section to section.

How are restrictive covenant violations handled?

The Board established a uniform policy to deal with covenant violations in cost-effective manner. That policy is followed in dealing with violations, whether the violation is a trash can that has been left out or another type of violation. The goal is to encourage voluntary compliance in order to make the neighborhood a nice place for all of us to live.

What is the big deal about trash cans?

The Board, as well as many residents, believes that having trash cans out in the public view adversely affects the appearance of the neighborhood and, therefore, property values.

What is the appeal process?

If you believe you have received a violation letter that was not warranted, you may contact Management 360 Services at (512) 265-8838. You are also invited to attend any meeting of the Board. Citizens’ communications are taken at the end of each meeting. The Board’s meeting dates and agendas are posted in advance on the MUD’s outdoor kiosks and on this website.

I never received a copy of the restrictive covenants. How do I obtain a copy?

You may obtain a copy of the restrictive covenants applicable to your property from the title company that closed your home purchase. The covenants may have been included with closing documents when you purchased your home. For your convenience, copies of the restrictive covenants are also included in the Covenant Documents section above.