Compliance Corner

Thinking about a new patio cover, fence, paint color, or landscaping update? Now is the perfect time to submit your upcoming projects! Architectural requests can be submitted through our online form:

 

The Architectural Standards Committee has up to 60 days from receipt of a complete application to respond in writing. Please plan ahead and wait for written approval before starting any work. Verbal approvals do not count.

 

 

“To request architectural approval, an owner must make written application to the Architectural Reviewer and submit 2 identical sets of plans and specifications, drawn to scale, showing the nature, kind, shape, color, size, materials, and locations of the work to be performed… Verbal approval by an Architectural Reviewer, the Declarant, an Association director or officer, a member of the ASC, or the Association’s manager does not constitute architectural approval by the appropriate Architectural Reviewer, which must be in writing.”

 

“If the applicant… has not received the Architectural Reviewer’s written response – approving, denying, or requesting additional information – within 60 days after delivering his complete application to the Architectural Reviewer, then such application shall be deemed disapproved. If the applicant receives the written approval of the Architectural Reviewer, the owner may then proceed with the improvement, provided he (1) strictly conforms to the requirements and construction specifications contained in this Declaration; (2) strictly conforms to any design guidelines for the Property in effect at the time of application; (3) adheres to the plans and specifications which accompanied his application; and (4) initiates and completes the improvement in a timely manner.”

A fresh coat of paint can make a big difference in curb appeal! Whether you’re touching up trim or planning a new color, here’s what to know.

 

Regular maintenance: Under Section 13.2(a) of the Declaration, each owner must “repair and replace worn, rotten, deteriorated, and unattractive materials” and “regularly repaint all painted surfaces.” This includes trim, shutters, doors, garage doors, and any other painted surface visible from the street.

 

Repainting the same color? Touch-ups and repainting with the same existing color do not require approval.

Changing a color? Approval is required first.

 

“The colors of buildings, fences, exterior decorative items, window treatments, and all other improvements on a lot are subject to regulation by the Architectural Reviewer… A change or addition of a color that is visible from the street, a common area, special common area or another lot is not permitted without the prior written approval of the Architectural Reviewer.”

This applies to:

• Body, trim, and shutter colors
• Front doors and garage doors
• Fences (clear stain or the original natural cedar tone only)
• Exterior decorative items

Submitting a color change: Please submit an ASC request with paint color names, codes, and samples, and indicate where each color will be used: Residential Modification Guidelines. Please wait for written approval before painting. The committee has up to 60 days to respond, so plan ahead!

 

Questions? Contact us at ArtesiaTX@CCMCnet.com or (945) 418-1685.

 

The cooler weather is a great opportunity to get outside and check off items on your “To-Do list,” and that includes freshening up your fence stain! A fresh coat brings your fence back to looking like new, protects the wood, extends the life of your fence, and keeps your curb appeal looking great.

 

Per the Declaration, fences may only be stained with:

• a clear stain, or the same color stain originally applied by the builder, a natural cedar tone: light-to-medium warm brown, semi-transparent so the wood grain still shows.
• Painted fences and solid, opaque, or other stain colors are not permitted without prior written approval from the Architectural Standards Committee.

“Each owner, at the owner’s expense, must maintain all improvements on the lot, including but not limited to the dwelling, fences, sidewalks, and driveways… and must stain fences with a clear stain or with the same color stain as originally applied by the Declarant every two years.”

Garage doors make up a large part of your home’s front view, so keeping them in good shape goes a long way for curb appeal. 

 

Maintenance: Under Section 13.2(a) of the Declaration, each owner must “repair and replace worn, rotten, deteriorated, and unattractive materials” and “regularly repaint all painted surfaces.” For garage doors, this includes:

• Repairing or replacing dented, cracked, or damaged panels
• Repainting faded, peeling, or chipped paint
• Replacing damaged trim, weatherstripping, or hardware visible from the street

Replacement panels must match. When replacing a panel or section, the new material must match the existing door in style, color, and finish, so the door looks uniform. A mismatched panel color is considered a color change visible from the street, which requires prior approval from the Architectural Standards Committee (Section 7.10).

 

Replacing the whole door or changing the color? Please submit an ASC request before making any change to the style, color, material, or windows of your garage door: Residential Modification Guidelines. Replacing a door with an identical style and color does not require approval.

 

Keep it closed: Garage doors are to be kept closed at all times, except when a vehicle is entering or leaving (Section 7.17). Garages must also remain available to park two vehicles.

 

Questions? Contact us at ArtesiaTX@CCMCnet.com or (945) 418-1685.

Maintaining a healthy, beautiful lawn can sometimes be challenging, especially with North Texas’ changing weather conditions. To help make lawn care a little easier, we’ve gathered some helpful online resources with tips and guidance to keep your landscaping looking its best throughout the year!

 

For the ultimate lawn care guide:

 

For general lawn care:

 

For Tree Maintenance:

https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/trees/tree-care/pruning/pruning-mature-trees/ 

https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/trees/tree-care/pruning/pruning-young-trees/ 

https://treenewal.com/when-is-the-best-time-to-trim-trees-in-texas/ 

https://travis-tx.tamu.edu/about-2/horticulture/ornamental-plants/pruning-trees-and-shrubs-with-a-purpose/ 

 

The holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate together, and we love seeing Artesia homes decorated for the season! To keep things festive and fair for everyone, here's a quick guide to holiday decorations.

 

 

Holiday	Decorations May Go Up	Decorations Must Come Down
Christmas / Winter Holidays	Day before Thanksgiving	Day after New Year's Day
All Other Holidays	7 days before the holiday	Within 7 days after the holiday

 

This Season: Christmas decorations may go up starting Wednesday, November 25, 2026, and must be removed by Saturday, January 2, 2027.

 

 

“Residents may display religious, cultural, and holiday decorations in and on their homes and yards subject to the Association’s right to regulate the time, place, and manner of displays that are visible from the street. Decorations, including lighting displays, are permitted inside windows, on the exteriors of homes, and on front yards provided (1) they are customary for residential neighborhoods, (2) they are to scale or proportionate to the size and setback of the home, (3) they do not create a noise or light disturbance for neighbors, (4) they are appropriate for the holiday, and (5) they are installed no earlier than 7 days before the holiday, and are removed within 7 days after the holiday, except that Christmas decorations may be installed from the day before Thanksgiving Day through the day after New Years Day.”

 

• Decorations should be proportionate to the size of your home and yard.
• Please be mindful of noise and bright or flashing lights that may disturb neighbors.
• Colored lights are welcome during the holiday season. Outside of holiday periods, exterior lighting, including permanent trim lights, should be white (Section 7.25).
• Light clips and hooks may remain installed year-round, provided they are not visible from the street.

 

Happy holidays from all of us! If you have questions, please contact the Association Management Team at ArtesiaTX@CCMCnet.com or (945) 418-1685.

The most common violations are related to lawn maintenance. Owners shall maintain their lot, including lawn, trees, hedges, and plantings, in a neat and attractive appearance. Such maintenance shall include regular mowing, edging of turf areas, weeding plant beds, removing all grass from landscape beds, applying fertilizer, weed control, and watering of the turf and landscaping. In addition, diseased or dead trees or landscaping must be removed and replaced within a reasonable period per the CC&Rs for the Association.

 

 

Accurate vs. Unkempt

 

  

 

Best Practices: Regularly check for weeds, water and fertilize grass, and mow to maintain a cohesive and aesthetic appearance.

 

 

 

Daily Maintenance: Regularly check for weeds, deadhead flowers, and water as needed.

 

Weekly Maintenance: Trim and prune plants, remove debris, and check for pests.

 

Monthly Maintenance: Add mulch, fertilize, edge the area(s), and inspect soil.

 

 

 

Best Practices: Avoid soil removal, use mulch, treat/remove weeds and overgrown grass, and ensure proper watering.

 

Purpose: Prevents trunk damage, regulates soil temperature, retains moisture, reduces competition from weeds, and maintains aesthetic appeal.

 

A common issue with these can be the presence of Tree Suckers. Tree Suckers are tiny shoots that look like mini trees emerging. When overgrown, they can create a shrub-like appearance.

 

 

 

Purpose: Removing the lower branches of your tree(s) to raise the height of your tree canopy keeps the sidewalks clear for pedestrians and promotes tree growth.

 

 

 

Purpose: Trimming your bushes helps maintain curb appeal, ensures a clear walkway for pedestrians, and promotes healthy plant growth.

 

 

Choosing the right tree starts with knowing how it grows, especially below ground. The table below is provided as a general reference only to help owners compare common North Texas trees by root system and mature size. This is not an approved or recommended list. Trees planted in the parkway (between the sidewalk and the curb) must be container-grown with a trunk of at least 3 caliper inches, measured 12 inches above grade (Declaration, Appendix B-12). If you are replacing a tree with the same species, no ASC request is needed. If you are planting a different species, please submit an ASC request before planting. We recommend consulting a certified arborist or nursery professional and calling 811 before digging.

 

Root Category	Common Name	Botanical Name	Mature Size (H × W)	Notes / Root Considerations
Deep Roots	Bur Oak	Quercus macrocarpa	60–80' × 60–80'	Very large tree; needs ample space
Deep Roots	Chinese Pistache	Pistacia chinensis	30–40' × 25–35'	Fall color; drought tolerant
Deep Roots	Chinquapin Oak	Quercus muehlenbergii	40–60' × 40–50'	Native; drought tolerant
Deep Roots	Lacey Oak	Quercus laceyi	20–40' × 20–35'	Smaller native oak
Deep Roots	Shumard Red Oak	Quercus shumardii	50–60' × 40–50'	Red fall color
Deep Roots	Texas Red Oak	Quercus buckleyi	30–50' × 30–40'	Native; red fall color
Deep Roots	Bald Cypress	Taxodium distichum	50–70' × 20–30'	May form knees in wet soils
Deep Roots	Texas Redbud	Cercis canadensis var. texensis	15–25' × 15–20'	Small ornamental; spring blooms
Deep Roots	Mexican Plum	Prunus mexicana	15–25' × 15–20'	Small ornamental; spring blooms
Deep Roots	Eve's Necklace	Styphnolobium affine	15–30' × 15–20'	Small native ornamental
Moderate Roots	Cedar Elm	Ulmus crassifolia	50–70' × 40–60'	Native; tolerant of local soils
Moderate Roots	Lacebark Elm	Ulmus parvifolia	40–50' × 35–50'	Attractive peeling bark
Moderate Roots	Caddo Sugar Maple	Acer saccharum 'Caddo'	30–50' × 25–40'	Heat-tolerant maple
Moderate Roots	Crape Myrtle	Lagerstroemia spp.	10–25' × 8–20'	Fibrous, shallow roots; often multi-trunk
Spreading Roots	Live Oak	Quercus virginiana	40–50' × 60–80'	Wide lateral roots may lift pavement
Spreading Roots	Sycamore	Platanus occidentalis	70–100' × 50–70'	Large spreading roots; heavy leaf drop
Problematic	Bradford / Callery Pear	Pyrus calleryana	—	Invasive; weak branches prone to splitting
Problematic	Silver Maple	Acer saccharinum	—	Shallow, aggressive roots; brittle wood
Problematic	Cottonwood	Populus deltoides	—	Aggressive, water-seeking roots
Problematic	Weeping Willow	Salix babylonica	—	Aggressive roots may affect underground pipes
Problematic	Arizona Ash	Fraxinus velutina	—	Shallow roots; relatively short-lived
Problematic	Mimosa	Albizia julibrissin	—	Invasive; short-lived

 

Important: Root growth depends on soil conditions, available space, irrigation, and proximity to structures. Even trees with deeper root tendencies may develop surface roots. This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute Association approval. Please consult a qualified arborist when selecting a tree and obtain any required ASC approval before planting.

The Declaration requires specific shrubs in certain locations, listed in Part 1. For all other landscaping, Part 2 is provided as a general reference only to help owners compare common North Texas shrubs by size and whether they stay green year-round. Part 2 is not an approved or recommended list. Replacing shrubs with the same type does not require an ASC request. New or different landscaping visible from the street may require approval, so please contact us before planting if you're unsure.

 

A/C equipment screening (Appendix B-16): A/C equipment outside the fenced backyard must be screened by a 5-foot fence, or by three 5-gallon evergreen shrubs planted about 6 feet in front of the unit plus one 10-gallon shrub about 3 feet from the side of the house.

 

Required Size	Common Name	Botanical Name
5-Gallon (Choose One)	Elaeagnus	Elaeagnus pungens
5-Gallon	Holly	Ilex spp.
5-Gallon	Nellie R. Stephens Holly	Ilex 'Nellie R. Stephens'
10-Gallon (Choose One)	Yaupon Holly	Ilex vomitoria
10-Gallon	Ligustrum	Ligustrum japonicum
10-Gallon	Red-tipped Photinia	Photinia × fraseri

 

Corner lots, side-yard fence along a street (Appendix B-15): Evergreen shrubs must be at least 3-gallon size and spaced every 4 feet along the fence. Part 2 below identifies common evergreen shrubs for reference. Homeowners should verify applicable Association requirements before planting.

 

The following table is provided for informational purposes only to help homeowners compare common North Texas shrubs by approximate mature height and evergreen status. Inclusion in this table does not constitute Association approval.

 

Common Name	Botanical Name	Mature Height	Evergreen?
Abelia	Abelia × grandiflora	3–6'	Semi
Anthony Waterer Spirea	Spiraea × bumalda 'Anthony Waterer'	2–3'	No
Armstrong Juniper	Juniperus chinensis 'Armstrong'	3–4'	Yes
Boxwood	Buxus spp.	2–6'	Yes
Bridal Wreath Spirea	Spiraea cantoniensis	4–6'	Semi
Burford Holly	Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii'	10–15'	Yes
Cleyera	Ternstroemia gymnanthera	8–10'	Yes
Columnar Juniper	Juniperus spp. (columnar forms)	10–20'	Yes
Compact Nandina	Nandina domestica 'Compacta'	3–4'	Yes
Cotoneaster	Cotoneaster spp.	1–6'	Semi
Crimson Pygmy Barberry	Berberis thunbergii 'Crimson Pygmy'	2'	No
Dazzler Holly	Ilex cornuta 'Dazzler'	8–10'	Yes
Dwarf Burford Holly	Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii Nana'	5–8'	Yes
Dwarf Chinese Holly	Ilex cornuta 'Rotunda'	3–4'	Yes
Dwarf Crape Myrtle	Lagerstroemia indica (dwarf types)	3–6'	No
Dwarf Yaupon Holly	Ilex vomitoria 'Nana'	2–4'	Yes
Elaeagnus	Elaeagnus pungens 'Fruitlandii'	6–10'	Yes
Encore Azalea	Rhododendron 'Encore'	3–5'	Yes
Foster Holly	Ilex × attenuata 'Fosteri'	15–25'	Yes
Gulf Stream Nandina	Nandina domestica 'Gulf Stream'	3'	Yes
Harbour Dwarf Nandina	Nandina domestica 'Harbour Dwarf'	2'	Yes
Indian Hawthorn	Rhaphiolepis indica	3–5'	Yes
Nandina (Standard)	Nandina domestica	6–8'	Yes
Needlepoint Holly	Ilex cornuta 'Needlepoint'	10–15'	Yes
Rosy Glow Barberry	Berberis thunbergii 'Rosy Glow'	4–5'	No
Texas Barberry	Berberis swaseyi	3–6'	Yes
Wilson Holly	Ilex × altaclerensis 'Wilsonii'	15–20'	Yes

 

Evergreen Key: Yes = Generally retains foliage year-round; Semi = May lose some foliage during colder weather; No = Deciduous and typically loses foliage seasonally.

 

Important: Shrub sizes, growth rates, and foliage retention vary depending on soil conditions, weather, watering, and maintenance. This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute Association approval. Please review the Association's governing documents and obtain any required ASC approval before planting.

Mailboxes are one of the first things neighbors and guests see, and they play a big part in Artesia’s curb appeal! Each homeowner is responsible for keeping their mailbox and post in good condition.

 

• Keep the mailbox and post upright, secure, and level.
• Repair or replace dented, rusted, faded, or damaged mailboxes, doors, flags, and posts.
• Keep address numbers clear, legible, and in good condition.
• Touch up peeling or faded paint on the box and post.

Keep grass and weeds trimmed and edged around the base of the post.

Replacing your mailbox? To keep a consistent look throughout the community, mailboxes and posts should match the existing style, size, and color used in Artesia. Changes to the style, color, or location of a mailbox, or decorative additions, require prior approval from the Architectural Standards Committee (Declaration, Appendix B-13 and B-14). Please submit an ASC request before making changes: Residential Modification Guidelines. 

Damaged by a vehicle or storm? Homeowners must repair mailbox damage caused by a vehicle or storm. If someone else damaged your mailbox, you may want to contact your homeowner’s insurance or the responsible party. For mail delivery issues, please contact your local Post Office.

 

Questions? Contact us at ArtesiaTX@CCMCnet.com or (945) 418-1685.

As a friendly reminder, we kindly ask that any bags of mulch currently stored in driveways be relocated to your garage or backyard. Thank you for helping maintain the neat and welcoming appearance of our community!

 

• Location: In the parkway, between the sidewalk and the back of the curb
• Quantity: At least one tree in the front parkway
• Corner lots: Three additional trees along the side-yard parkway
• Type: Container-grown
• Size: Trunk at least 3 caliper inches (corner side-yard trees at least 2 caliper inches), measured 12 inches above grade

Replacing a parkway tree? If you’re replacing a tree with the same species, no ASC request is needed. If you’d like to plant a different species, please submit an ASC request before planting: Residential Modification Guidelines. Please call 811 to have utilities marked before digging.

 

Common parkway tree choices in North Texas (for reference only; not an approved list): Chinese Pistache, Cedar Elm, Shumard Red Oak, Texas Red Oak, Lacebark Elm, Live Oak, and Texas Redbud. See our Tree Reference Guide for root systems and mature sizes.