ARCHITECTURAL GUIDELINES FOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

If you are thinking of doing a home improvement that will be visible from the courtyards, sidewalks, or parking lot, you will need to complete a Architectural Change Application and receive approval before starting your project. Some examples of projects that require prior approval include installing new windows, sliding glass door(s), air conditioners, hardwood floors (only applies to 2nd story condo units), garage doors, and more.

Please read the Architectural Guidelines before beginning your project to understand MPHOA's esthetic requirements and other important information. If the Guidelines say “ACA required”, download the form, fill it out, and mail/email/fax it to Affirmative Management along with the documentation specified on the form before starting your project. Either our property manager or the board will approve your application or ask you for more information. Be aware that if your interior or exterior project requires a city permit, it is your responsibility to find that out and acquire it.

OTHER RULES & GUIDELINES: AIR CONDITIONERS, BALCONIES, PARKING, PETS, POOL, SMOKING

Homeowners associations are small cities and, like cities, they have their own unique rules and guidelines. Here are MPHOA's rules listed in alphabetical order. We suggest paying special attention to the balcony guidelines, parking tag system, pet rule, and smoking restrictions:

• Air Conditioners - Terminology, guidelines & diagrams, and a link to the city's permits webpage. And here are links to manuals for the original (circa 1988) Carrier air handlers and heat pumps. While not a referral, this company, Sandium, has serviced and replaced heating and air conditioning systems at MP.

• Balconies, Allowed Items - Only electric BBQs or BBQs with a maximum 1 lb liquefied petroleum (LP) or propane tank/canister), outdoor patio furniture, potted plants, and welcome mats. Potted plants must be elevated, e.g., on spacers, from the wood deck to create an air gap and have drip pans because trapped water will cause the deck wood to rot and deteriorate.

• Balconies, Prohibited Items - BBQs, fire pits, and space heaters that are wood-fired, charcoal-fired, or have a larger than 1 lb propane or LP tank/canister; rugs and indoor/outdoor carpeting (e.g., Astroturf) because they trap water which can promote rot & decay; empty pots & dead plants, bags of potting soil, gardening tools; indoor furniture, toys, brooms, and anything not listed in the Allowed paragraph.

• Parking - MPHOA has a general set of parking rules + a parking tag system for the lots behind 1904, at both ends of 1909, and the south end of 1912.

• Pets - Here is what is stated in our CCRs, Section 9.07, albeit paraphrased: Residents may keep up to two common household pets weighing no more than 20 lbs apiece. When in the common area, dogs must be on a leash held by their owner. Pet owners are responsible for picking up after their dog, i.e., dog owners should always bring a plastic bag along when going for a walk. Complaints about repeated dog barking should be directed to the Santa Clara Police Department.

• Pool Rules

• Smoking Rules - Smoking is prohibited at Miramar Plaza, including inside the units.

GOVERNING DOCUMENTS

Governing documents are similar to a city's municipal code: they contain a host of provisions and policies that dictate how MPHOA is governed, how maintenance and repair responsibility is parsed, what is expected of residents and owners, etc. Click Bylaws or CCRs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) to view the document you want to read.