BV/S Deed Restrictions

What You Need to Know .... 

Deed restrictions are mandatory for ALL property owners, not only HOA members.  
  • During the closing on your home, you signed a document agreeing to adhere to the deed restrictions for your property and the community. 

Deed restrictions are NOT EXPIRED
  • They renew automatically every 10 years unless revised by 75% of property owners
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ALL project plans must be approved by ACC
  • Changes to the exterior appearance of your home and property
    • Room additions, fences, ornamental walls, pools, landscaping & etc.
  • Approval required in writing prior to construction. . 

Compliance with BOTH the BV/S Deed Restrictions and Austin Property Codes is required.  ACC approval and City of Austin permits are BOTH required. ​
  • BV/S Deed Restrictions primarily define the parameters impacting the appearance of the homes in the neighborhood
    • Size, spacing, exterior materials, and etc.   
  • City of Austin Property Codes address many factors that impact the appearance of the neighborhood that are not in the deed restrictions. Click here for Common Code Violations​
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Deed Restrictions are enforced.
  • Failure to comply makes you vulnerable to enforcement action to correct or remove the violation.
  • Potentially places your investment in the project at risk.   

​See below for a general summary of our property deed restrictions.
Questions?
​See Frequently Asked Questions
on ACC Page for more information
Or send us your question/comment via Contact Us
or email to acc.bvshoa@gmail.com

Deed Restrictions at a Glance!

  • Single family residences ; one per plot; 75% stone/brick minimum
    • Residential purposes only
    • No businesses or short-term rentals
    • Plots cannot be divided. 
  • Fences must be wrought-iron style, wood or masonry. 
    • No wire-type fencing including bull-wire; 
    • No front-yard fences
  • Detached buildings (sheds), tents, mobile/trailer houses, ​& temporary structures not allowed.
    • No temporary living spaces  (i.e. with kitchen, toilet, beds, etc.) – includes motorhomes & travel trailers
  • Guest houses, garages, workshops, storage rooms, etc. are limited to:
    • Limited to 1-story, less than 600 sq ft
    • Attached with a covered walkway or common wall
    • Same exterior materials and minimum % masonry as the house.
    • Garages or carports open to side or rear - No front-facing garages or carports. 
    • Guest houses are for family and friends only - not for rental. 
  • Setbacks (distance to property line with no structures)  
    • 5-feet min on side w/15-feet min total side
    • 35-feet minimum at rear (except 20’ in BV1 &  10’ in S@BV 7A & 9)
    • Applies to anything above ground like patio covers, etc.
  • No farm animals; Propane tanks must be buried​
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  • All structures, fences, walls, and etc., placed on the property or altered in appearance must be approved prior to construction. ​

Why are Deed Restrictions Important?

BV/S Sections

As Balcones Village and Spicewood at Balcones Village were developed and new sections were platted, the deed restrictions for each section were, in some cases, slightly modified and a few new restrictions added.  The result is 24 similar, but section-specific deed restriction documents. 

The Deed Restriction summary below provides guidance on what the requirements are in general, however, actions regarding the deed restrictions must utilize the specific deed restrictions for the section in which the property is located and with appropriate legal counsel.  

Neighbors can be next door or across the street and be in different sections with different restrictions, particularly setbacks, so it is important for you to understand the restrictions for your specific property.  

Here are convenient links to access the specific document for your home: ​
 Deed Restriction Lookup by Address ​
Deed Restriction Lookup by Section ​

Curious about what homes are in your section?  Click here to find out! ​

Summary of Deed Restrictions  

The summary Deed Restrictions below provides a guide to the requirements in general, however, each section has a unique set of restrictions. Actions regarding the deed restrictions must utilize the specific deed restriction document for the section in which the home is located and with appropriate legal counsel. 
  1. Designation of Use All single-family residences - No trade, profession, business or commercial purpose of any kind. No annoyance or nuisance to the neighborhood. No above ground storage of inflammable gases or fluids.
  2. Retention of Easements - Reserves easements as platted.
  3. Temporary Structures and Garage Apartments - No tent, shack, mobile home, house trailer, garage apartment or other outbuilding shall be placed, erected or permitted to remain on any of said plots, nor shall any structure of any temporary character be used at any time as a residence thereon.
  4. Size and Construction of Dwellings, Garages and Guesthouses - Specific dwelling size minimums depending on the floor plan. Garage doors cannot face the front of the lot.
  5. Minimum Plot Size - Average width of 80 feet. No re-subdivision of plots.
  6. Set-back, Front Line and Rear Line Set-back - For the front is the plat "building line"; side set-back is 5 feet minimum on one side with 15 feet minimum combined for both sides; rear set-back is 35 feet for most sections, except 20 feet in BV Section1 and 10' in SBV Sections 7A and 9.
  7. Ornamental Structures, Fences, Walls and Appurtenances - No wire type of fence is permitted. No fence, wall or hedge is permitted forward of the front wall line of the respective dwelling. The architectural committee permits ornamental structures, fences and walls subject to the approval in writing. No signs are permitted except indicating this plot is for sale.
  8. Architectural Control - To insure high standards of developing the subdivision as a residential area of high standards, an Architectural Committee reserves the right to regulate and control dwellings, structures or other improvements placed on each plot. No dwelling, wall, fence or other structure shall be placed upon such plot until the plan has been approved by the Architectural Committee. No alteration in the exterior appearance of any dwelling or structure shall be made without like approval. 
  9. Animals - No animals, livestock or poultry shall be raised, bred, or kept. Household pets, such as dogs or cats, may be kept provided they are not kept, bred, or maintained for any commercial purposes. 
  10. Cleanliness - No trash dumping. 
  11. Sewage - Specific to subdivision area.
  12. General Provisions - The restrictions, conditions, covenants and uses are binding and automatically extended for the successive periods of 10 years unless changed in whole or in part by a three-fourths majority vote of the plot owners in each specific BV/S section. 
  13. Penalty Provisions - If any person or persons shall violate or attempt to violate any of the above restrictions, conditions, covenants and uses, it shall be lawful for any other person or persons owning any of the plots in that specific BV/S section to prosecute proceedings in law or in equity against the violators, except in Spicewood at Balcones Village Sections
Disclaimer: The information on this webpage is provided by the BV/S HOA for convenience and reference purposes only. Information and  documents viewed, downloaded or copied from this website are not legally binding as they do not replace the original, legally enforceable, deed restrictions that are on file with Travis and Williamson Counties. The BV/S HOA makes no claims to the accuracy of the contents of these documents, and shall not be held responsible or liable for any transcription errors, or any damages that might result from such errors.