Covenant FAQs

Wilde Lake’s Covenants are a legally binding contract between Wilde Lake property owners and the Wilde Lake Community Association. The purpose of the Covenants is to ensure property maintenance and design standards, goals that are beneficial to all Wilde Lake residents.  Owners agree to maintain their properties on a regular basis and to seek Architectural Committee approval for any changes to the exteriors of their properties.

Application deadlines are one week prior to Resident Architectural Committee (RAC) meeting dates.  Applications submitted by the deadline will be considered at the following RAC meeting.  RAC members are community volunteers and this one-week deadline allows them sufficient time to review applications and visit properties prior to meetings.  The RAC currently meets virtually via Zoom on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM.  (Holidays may require rescheduling meetings.  There is typically a single meeting in December.)  Meetings are open to the public.  Check the RAC Agenda page for the next application deadline and meeting date.  Agendas are also sent out the Friday prior to each meeting in the WLCA e-newsletter.

For most applications, the time from submission to approval is about 2 weeks.  All applications are reviewed by the Resident Architectural Committee (RAC), which acts as an advisory panel to the Wilde Lake Architectural Committee.  At a RAC meeting, a recommendation is made on each application to approve as submitted, approve as modified, disapprove, or table.  The recommendation is sent to the Architectural Committee Liaison, who makes the final determination.

Application deadlines are due one week prior to Resident Architectural Committee (RAC) meeting dates.  Applications submitted by the deadline will be considered at the following RAC meeting.  RAC members are community volunteers and this one-week deadline allows them sufficient time to review applications and visit properties prior to meetings.  The RAC currently meets virtually via Zoom on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM.  Meetings are open to the public.  Check the RAC Agenda page for the next application deadline and meeting date.  The agenda is also posted at Slayton House.

It is recommended, although not mandatory, that applicants attend the RAC meeting at which their application will be reviewed.  Your attendance helps prevent delays if the committee has questions about your application.  Also, by attending the meeting, you will know what the RAC recommends to the Architectural Committee Liaison who is required to make a final determination within five business days of the RAC recommendation.  The Covenant Advisor will mail (or email) you a letter stating the decision along with a copy of the application for your records.

Any applicant may, within ten (10) days of receipt of notice of an adverse decision (disapproval or approval with modification), file with the Covenant Advisor a written request to have the matter reviewed by the entire Wilde Lake Architectural Committee.  The applicant’s request may be made via mail or email.  A hearing will be set during a regularly scheduled Wilde Lake Village Board meeting.  The applicant will be notified of the date and is strongly encouraged to attend.  The decision of the majority of the Architectural Committee will be final and binding.

The Covenants require that applications be submitted to and approved by the Architectural Committee prior to beginning any work.  Projects, started before obtaining approval are in violation of the Covenants and are done at the residents’ own risk.  Some unapproved alterations have been removed at the homeowners’ expense.

The Wilde Lake Village Covenant Advisor can be reached by phone at 410/730-3987 (ext. 16) or by email at [email protected]. If you wish to meet with the Covenant Advisor in person, please call ahead to ensure availability.

If you suspect a Covenant violation, you may contact the Covenant Advisor by phone, by mail, by email, or in person.  See the “Contact” page for information.  All Covenant inquiries are treated anonymously.

The Covenant Advisor will inspect the property you have reported.  If violations exist, the Covenant Advisor will contact the homeowner by mail, at least twice.  It is preferable when the homeowner voluntarily and promptly corrects the Covenant violations.  When this is not the case, the Covenant Advisor may request the Wilde Lake Village Board and Columbia Association to pursue a lawsuit against the homeowner.

The Wilde Lake Resale Packet comprises two files, one containing the umbrella Columbia Association documents and the other containing documentation specific to the Village of Wilde Lake. Resale packets may be downloaded or shared free of charge from the WLCA website. Please visit the Resale Packet page to access the files.

WLCA is actively recruiting Wilde Lake residents to serve on the RAC! Read on for additional details and to apply.

What does a RAC member do?

  • You review written applications for exterior changes to homes in Wilde Lake – everything from fences to light fixtures.
  • You visit each property assigned to you to get a better sense of how the proposed changes would affect the property and its surrounding neighbors. All proposed changes are to the exterior of the properties, so site visits can be done on your own schedule.
  • You consistently attend RAC meetings two evenings a month to discuss applications with your RAC colleagues and make recommendations to the Wilde Lake Architectural Committee (WLAC). RAC meetings are currently held via Zoom on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.
  • You enjoy knowing that your efforts are key to keeping Wilde Lake a desirable, attractive place to live!

Do I need to be an architect/urban planner/master gardener?

No – just an interested community member! Prospective RAC members and alternates should be willing to become familiar with Wilde Lake’s Covenants and its Architectural Guidelines and Maintenance Standards, be available for RAC meetings on a regular basis, and have 4-6 hours per month total to consistently devote to RAC activities. RAC members do not evaluate Covenant violations or provide general advice regarding architectural standards or maintenance.

How can I find out more about what RAC service entails?

We suggest that all interested residents attend a regular RAC meeting via Zoom and talk with a current member of the committee before applying. RAC membership is subject to the approval of the Wilde Lake Village Board.

I’m ready to apply!

Wonderful! Contact Lexi Levy Milani at [email protected] or 410-730-3987 x 16.

Applications & Forms

Architectural Guidelines and Maintenance Standards

The Architectural Guidelines and Maintenance Standards (PDF version) will help you determine what alterations to your property require an application, what documentation and information is required for your application, and what types of alterations are most likely to be approved. The Guidelines change with time to accommodate changing trends and technology, and are currently in their seventh revision as of September 2022.

Thanks to RAC Chair Phil Schulz, the Guidelines are also available in HTML as of Dec. 2023. This document permits you to easily jump to your desired section without searching, may be easier to see on your mobile device, and works well with language translation apps: Architectural Guidelines and Maintenance Standards (HTML version). Our sincere gratitude to Phil, who volunteered his time to code the Guidelines for WLCA.

Residential Exterior Alteration Application

This application is submitted for any alternations that materially changes the exterior appearance of your property. You can click on the link to the Residential Exterior Alteration Application to get a fillable/printable copy (Adobe Reader required), or stop by Slayton House during normal business hours to pick up a hard copy.

Completed applications may be emailed to the Covenant Advisor ([email protected]) or mailed to or dropped off at Slayton House. If your property is part of a Homeowners’ or Condo Owners’ Association (HOA/COA), separate application to that entity may also be required. It is your responsibility to make sure all necessary applications are made and the most restrictive rules apply in all cases.  Incomplete applications cannot be processed and will be returned. The Covenant Advisor is happy to answer any questions you might have as you prepare your application.

Specific requirements vary by project, but generally, applications should include a site plan, description of materials, color samples, and drawings (including dimensions) to assist the Architectural Committee in visualizing your exterior alteration.  Please refer to the Architectural Guidelines (link is at the right)  for the type of project you are proposing.  Simple repairs do not usually need Architectural Committee approval.  However, if the repair projects will involve a change in color, materials, or style then you must apply for AC approval.

Non-Residential Exterior Alteration Application

An application is required for any alterations that materially change the exterior appearance of commercial property within the Village of Wilde Lake. Please contact the Covenant Advisor at [email protected] or 410-730-3987 for more information.

In Home Business Application

Architectural Committee approval is required if you plan to conduct a business from your home. Please refer to the In-Home Business section of the Wilde Lake Architectural Guidelines and Maintenance Standards for application requirements.  The application for In-Home Profession or Industry may be completed online (requires Adobe Reader) or printed and filled out by hand.

Completed applications may be emailed to the Covenants Advisor ([email protected]), or dropped off at or mailed to Slayton House (10400 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia, MD 21044).

 

Tree Removal Application

Removal of trees with a diameter of six inches or more as measured two feet above the ground requires approval from Columbia Association Open Space Management.  The Wilde Lake Tree Removal Request (requires Adobe Reader) is submitted directly to Columbia Open Space Management, which will inspect the tree prior to issuing approval. Contact CA Open Space at [email protected] or via phone at 410-312-6330 with questions.

 

Request for Letter of Compliance

A compliance inspection is conducted prior to property in Wilde Lake changing hands to ensure that the property is in compliance with the Wilde Lake covenants and architectural guidelines. Only the property owner or a duly-authorized representative can request a compliance inspection.

Upon receipt of the request, Wilde Lake’s covenants advisor will perform an on-site, visual inspection of the property. If the property is in compliance, a formal Letter of Compliance is issued; if not, reasons for non-compliance will be listed. Property owners are always invited to request a reinspection once the property has been brought into compliance.

Property owners can complete the Request for Letter of Compliance online (requires Adobe Reader) or request a copy from Slayton House. Completed requests can be emailed to the Covenants Advisor at [email protected] or mailed to or dropped off at Slayton House during business hours.

 

Invasive Plant Brochure

This brochure helps residents identify non-native plants and provides information on gardening responsibly.

 

Columbia Street Listing

A complete listing of all CA-Assessed Streets in Columbia.

 

Environmentally Friendly Landscaping Practices

Recommendations from Wilde Lake CARES (Community Action and Resources for Environmental Stewardship).

For more information about Wilde Lake CARES, visit:  https://www.wildelake.org/village-board/board-committees/