Welcome to Riverside Gardens civic Association

From Deed of Dedication of Riverside Gardens

Recorded on February 1, 1963, in Deed Book 2243, at Page 584, among the land records of Fairfax County, Virginia.

These Covenants provide that:

1. No trailer may be placed on any lot, and no trailer, basement, tent, shack, garage, barn or other outbuildings erected or placed on any lot shall at any time be used as a residence, temporarily or permanently, nor shall any structure of a temporary character be used as a residence.  Servant's quarters over a garage are permitted.

2. No trade, business, manufacture or nuisance of any kind or character shall be maintained upon said premises.

3. No lot in this subdivision shall be used for the conduct of any business; and no livestock, including horses, cattle and hogs, shall be kept on the property; and the breeding of cats or dogs or birds for commercial purposes is prohibited; and no fowls, such as chickens and pigeons, shall be kept on the property.

4. No fence may be erected in front of any inside or corner house in this subdivision other than a hedge that shall not exceed 4 feet in height, unless, and until, design, height and location thereof has been approved by the President or Vice-President of Clarence W. Gosnell, Inc., and the President or Vice-President of Monroe Development Corporation.  In the event such approval or disapproval is not obtained within thirty (30) days from date of written notice sent by registered mail to these two corporations, then such approval will not be required.  

It is understood in case of corner lots, side fences may not extend closer to a public street than thirty (30) feet, and may not in any case extend beyond the projected front line of the house.

For inside lots, the front of the house is defined to be the area between the front line of the house extended and the front property line.

Fairfax County Codes, Restrictions, and Zoning Regulations

 Dogs and other pets and the law
"Dogs are not allowed to run loose in Fairfax County…; they must be kept under leash control at all times and are not permitted to foul others' property.  All dogs four months old and older must be licensed each year.  Dog licenses, which go on sale in November for the coming year, may be purchased by mail or in person at the Department of Tax Administration in the Government Center and at the County Animal Shelter.  The fee is $10 for a fertile dog and $5 for an infertile dog.  Duplicate licenses are available for $1.  Licenses are good for one year and must be purchased by January 31.  A current rabies vaccination certificate must be shown for each dog.  A spay/neuter/infertile certificate or prior year license must be shown to acquire a reduced price dog license.  Persons moving into the County after January 31, or who obtain a dog later in the year must comply with the dog license requirement at that time. Rabies vaccinations are required for all cats in the County that are four months of age or older.  Rabies inoculations also are encouraged for ferrets."

p.3 Fairfax County Citizens Handbook 2001

"The Zoning Ordinance limits the number and kinds of animals kept according to the size of the owner's land.  Owners of more than two dogs must obtain clearance as to the amount of acreage required from Zoning Administration (222-1082)."
 

p.4 Fairfax County Citizens Handbook 2001
It is against the law for you to keep a dog which is known to be vicious unless you take adequate precautions to protect people and animals from it; keep any dog over six months of age which has not been inoculated against rabies and licensed by the County; let your dog run loose off your property; a leash is required at all times; leave the dog in the custody of any person (such as a small child) who is unable to control it; permit your dog to foul others' lawns. To report violations of animal regulations call animal control at (703) 830-3310 (Monday - Friday from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

Fairfax County Noise Restrictions

"The County's Noise Ordinance forbids excessive noise from musical instruments, radios, televisions or other sound systems, as well as disturbances by barking dogs or other domestic animals.  To violate the ordinance, noise must be clearly audible across property lines or through partitions.  In addition, the Noise Ordinance prohibits a number of specific actions such as loading and unloading of trash trucks during early morning or late evening hours.  All complaints usually require monitoring to establish that a violation exists. Complaints should be reported to Zoning Enforcement, (703) 324-1300, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.  In addition, noise complaints can be reported to the Police Department, (703) 691-2131, at any time."  

Items Stored on Property

p. 44 Fairfax County Citizens Handbook 2001
Zoning Ordinance Regulations, specifically regarding junk vehicles
"In Fairfax County, it is unlawful to keep inoperative motor vehicles, trailers or semitrailers on any property unless they are kept within a fully enclosed building or completely screened.  "Inoperative" is defined as a vehicle that is incapable of starting and moving by its own power, does not display valid license plates, does not display a valid inspection decal or displays an inspection decal expired for more than 60 days. Certain exceptions exist for the storage of vehicles on property properly zoned as a storage yard, junk yard, service station, etc.  Motor vehicles, trailers or semitrailers which are not in operating condition or which have been disassembled for 60 consecutive days or longer may be reported to the Impoundment Section of the Police Department, (703) 280-0587. For information on regulations covering outdoor storage of inoperable vehicles on private property, call the Police Department at (703) 280-0587 or (703) 691-2131." 

p. 36 Fairfax County Citizen's Handbook 2001 Storage of items on property
"Items can be stored in the home, in a garage, in a separate storage structure, or outside on the lot. There are limits to the size and location of garages and storage structures.  Items

stored outside must be located on the rear half of the lot, screened from the view from the first story window of any neighboring dwelling and the total storage area cannot exceed 100 square feet. You may not store merchandise for a store or a home occupation on residential property, nor may residential property be used for warehousing.  Call (703) 691-2381 for details." 

Fences and Walls

from "Questions and Answers about Using Residential Property in Fairfax County" - Placement and height of fences or walls
"The Zoning Ordinance regulates where you can locate a fence or wall on your property based on the size of your lot and the height of the fence or wall. Additional restrictions apply to electric and barbed wire fences, and fences on corner lots. On all Residential zoned lots of less than two acres, a fence or wall cannot exceed four feet in height in the front yard or seven feet in height in the side and rear yards.  Yard definitions are sometimes not what we would assume.  For instance, a corner lot has at least two FRONT yards.  Before making a costly mistake, call (703) 691-2381 for information regarding the placement of fences on your property. In addition to the limitations set forth in the Zoning Ordinance, many properties have covenants which further regulate the placement of fences. The County does not enforce covenants.  For information contact your homeowners' association."

Snow Removal, Potholes, etc.

"Most streets, roads, storm sewers (in the right-of-way) and sidewalks in the County are maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). For information on snow removal or to report road hazards (potholes, debris in the road, damaged signs, malfunctioning traffic signals, etc.) call VDOT's 24-hour customer service number (703) 383-8368. For questions concerning storm sewers, call the County Department of Public Works at (703) 934-2800."
p. 67 Fairfax County Citizens Handbook 2001
Citizens and businesses are asked to help keep sidewalks safe. They should, as soon as feasible, clear snow off the sidewalks in front of their property so that all pedestrians, especially schoolchildren, those with disabilities and the elderly, can walk securely. VDOT does not remove snow from sidewalks, concentrating instead on making the roads safe.