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Hiddenbrooke Architectural Review Committee (HARC)

The Hiddenbrooke Architectural Review Committee (HARC) is the entity in the CC&Rs to ensure that the goals in the Hiddenbrooke Landscape and Design Guidelines are fulfilled. The intent of these guidelines is to maintain a memorable community image with a high-quality design of homes, uniform fencing, pastoral landscaping along other complementary exterior elements. The CC&Rs give HARC the authority to approve all home designs and landscaping for new custom homes, as well as future neighborhood developments. HARC approval is also required for any improvements, changes, additions, or enhancements to the exterior of an existing home and/or yard (including back and side yards, with some exemptions). HARC reviews the proposed improvements for compliance with the Landscape and Design Guidelines which are listed below. New construction and improvements are not to begin without HARC written approval and HPOA will issue a Cease and Desist letter if notified of such construction.

HARC consists of five members and an alternate, appointed by the Board of the Hiddenbrooke Property Owners Association (HPOA). Members serve for alternating two-year terms from September 1st to August 31st. 

HARC meets on the second Wednesday of every month at the Brookside Room at the Golf Club at 7:00 pm. However, Owners should check the meeting calendar for any changes.

Other Home Owner Associations in Hiddenbrooke

If you are living in one of the four HOAs in the community (Fairway Villas, Reflections, Summit, or Village) you will need to submit your plans to their HOA first, and then to HARC for approval.

Other HOA's in Hiddenbrooke, Vallejo

Most Frequent Inquiries:

Here are some of the basics for working with the Hiddenbrooke Landscape and Design Guidelines as currently adopted.
  • Repairs and Replacements: No HARC approval is required for either: a) repairs to existing features on a home or in the yard or b) replacements of existing features as long as they are kind for kind or similar.
  • Minor Projects: Some improvements are considered minor and can be approved by the Chair and do not require a fee. Contact HARC at: hharc@protonmail.com to determine if your project is considered minor.
  • Trees: Select trees carefully considering their size at maturity and views from other homes. Redwood trees, Sycamore trees, Pear trees, Palm trees, and Banana trees are not allowed. A complete list of approved trees can be found in Chapter 6 below. All tree removal must first obtain HARC approval and are subject to replacement.
  • Plants: Select plants that thrive in the Northern California climate. Palms and Cacti are prohibited. Succulents are to be used sparingly. A complete list can be found in Chapter 6 below.
  • Lawn Replacement with Drought Tolerant Plants (Xeriscape): The guidelines for lawn replacement can be found in Chapter 5, Section L-24.
  • House Paint: Residents must submit an application to repaint all or any features of a home even if it is the same color. If a HARC representative determines the color is the same, the fee will be waived. See Design Guidelines Chapter 4, Section A2, Subsection 5b. HARC has worked with a representative from Kelly Moore to provide some samples for residents to consider which you can see here.
  • Rock, Bark, Pots, and Planter Boxes should be kept to a minimum and used only to enhance the landscape rather than replace the landscaping.  White rock, lava rock, pea gravel, and ruby red bark are never permitted in front yards. Please be aware that the bark needs to be replaced every two to three years.
  • Cement Guidelines for Driveways: The Design Guidelines Chapter 5, Section L10 include limits on the amount of concrete that can be added next to driveways. The CC&Rs do not allow for concrete pads next to the driveway to be used for parking vehicles.
  • Backyard Patios should not cover the entire area. There should be some planting around the perimeter with irrigation running to these areas. A minimum of 30% planting is recommended for most yards.
  • Fence Stain: To assist homeowners, HARC has pre-approved specific stain colors that can be found in Chapter 4, Section I.
  • Mailboxes: New mailboxes need to be black and should be of the same kind and color when on the same pole. There are detailed guidelines in Chapter 5, L-16.
  • Sheds: The guidelines for sheds are in Chapter 5 below. Sheds need to be screened from the street, neighboring homes, and the Golf Course. Colored tarps are never permitted when visible for the same areas.

Summary of HARC Disclosures, Policies, and Procedures:

HARC approval is required for new home designs and landscaping of custom homes as well as any improvements, changes, additions, or enhancements to the exterior of an existing home and/or yard (including back and side yards, with some exemptions)

Applications with checks made payable to Hiddenbrooke Property Owners Association, Inc. may be dropped in the HPOA black box across from the Welcome Center. Please make sure the envelope says “HARC”.

If you need further instructions email hharc@protonmail.com

HARC Applications 

Landscape/Home Additions/Enhancements Application — $50 Fee

Preliminary Architectural Approval – custom home and additions — $150 Fee 

  • The Applicant may be required to submit plans to HARC’s consulting Architect at the expense of the applicant.
  • By submittal step 2, it is the owner’s responsibility to notify owners within 500 ft of the proposed construction and provide HARC with proof of mailing.
  • HARC has the right to inspect the property during construction.

Final Architectural Approval – custom home and additions $ 200 per meeting as determined by HARC. 

Applications must be received 10 days prior to the meeting.

HARC Applicants must be in good standing with the HPOA in order to be granted any approval. If you are unsure of your status please contact us at 1-866-4RealService (1-866-473-2573) from 5:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

upcoming meetings

meeting minutes

Recommended House Paint Pallets

Fence Stain Guidelines as of Jan 1, 2022

HARC Applications 

Landscape/Home Additions/Enhancements Application — $50 Fee

Rules for Maintaining Front Yards

Xeriscape Presentation – Annual Board Meeting 2023 (See Resources section)

Go From Lawn to Garden

Want to remove your grass?

 

Please refer to the following chapters:

Chapters 1-3: Table of Content – Neighborhood Identity

Chapter 4: Architectural Guidelines – updated Sept’23

Chapter 5: Landscape Guidelines – updated Sept’23

Chapter 6: Recommended Plant Material

Chapter 7: Submittal and Approval Process – updated Sept’23

Please contact us at hharc@protonmail.com if you have any questions or concerns.

neighborhood watch
  1. Disclosures: Listed on the website are the current members of HARC and HPOA. Members of HARC and HPOA own homes in Hiddenbrooke (HB).
  2. HARC Minutes: The approved HARC minutes will be posted here within one month of approval. Draft minutes can be emailed to owners upon request.
  3. CC&R Complaints are handled by the CC&R Manager who refers HARC-related issues to the Committee for discussion and decision. Complaints can be submitted via the RealManage Resident Portal.
  4. Ethics: HARC members, HPOA Board members, and our independent contractors will at all times act in the best interest of Hiddenbrooke and respond to requests in a timely and professional manner.
  5. Assessments: Annual HPOA assessments, HARC fees and any amounts due to HPOA must be paid before HARC can issue the final approval letter for any application.
  6. HARC Decision Appeals: An application that is not approved may be appealed to the HPOA Board by sending a letter or email stating the basis of the appeal to HPOA to OMNI Community Management, listed above. HARC forward their file to the Board for review. The owner will be notified of the date of their hearing. The HPOA Board will make every effort to hear the appeal at the next regularly scheduled board meeting.
  7. The City of Vallejo approved the original HB CC&Rs and Landscape and Design guidelines in 1999, including the required submittal steps. However, neither HARC nor HPOA can guarantee that what is approved by HARC will be accepted by the City of Vallejo. Each applicant is responsible for obtaining the required approvals from the City of Vallejo.
  8. Related Parties: HARC and/or HPOA Board members who have an interest in a property being submitted for approval by HARC may not vote on that project. They may be allowed to discuss the application at the HARC meeting. If this reduces HARC to fewer than 4 members, the HPOA President may appoint temporary members for the duration of this project.
  9. Record Retention: HARC approval letters should be kept by the applicant and provided to the next owner of the property.