? ¿ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ? ¿

Does Heritage Ranch have a Lost and Found Department?
If you are searching for an item lost, or found an item and want to turn it in, you should go to the Main Gatehouse.  The Main Gatehouse inventories all "Lost and Found" items.  (Large items are kept in the Maintenance Yard.)

The Main Gatehouse can be reached at 805-227-6560.

Why do the decals expire on April 30th each year instead of December 31st?
Decals expire on April 30th each year due to two reasons: 1) the weather and 2) the number of vehicles and vessels.  The Association actually begins applying new decals on approximately January 1st each year, weather permitting.   (The weather needs to be 50 degrees and rising.)   Appointments can be made for an HROA representative to apply the decals at your residence or at the RV/Boat Storage Lot through the Main Gatehouse.  Since there are thousands of vehicles and vessels which must be updated each year this process takes several months to complete.

Why is there one trash rate, and why is the trash payment mandatory?
Trash pick-up is administered through the Heritage Ranch Community Services District (HRCSD) excepting Tracts 447, 466 and 720.  The HRCSD determines the rates and options available, and is under contract with San Miguel Garbage to perform those services.  The Heritage Ranch Owners' Association (HROA) Board of Directors passed a resolution in 1999 to require all those property owner lots which have a water meter to take (a form of) mandatory trash service through the HRCSD.  (See HROA Mandatory Trash Resolution) 

Tract 447 is for part-time living only (RVs) and HROA provides a dumpster site for which the owners of Tract 447 pay a separate trash assessment directly to HROA.  Tract 466 and 720 are both condominium tracts which are managed by Condominium Associations who provide a dumpster site on their property and collect appropriate fees.

The HRCSD can be reached at 805-227-6230.  San Miguel Garbage can be reached at 805-467-9283.

Why do some people have private boat docks along the HROA shoreline?
The HROA Board of Directors passed a resolution in 1998 to grandfather in the 62 existing private docks that had been registered through Monterey County at that time and ban any future private docks.   The Private Boat Dock Policy's stated goal is to phase out all private docks over a period of time.  The grandfathered private docks cannot be sold or transferred except to an immediate family member who inherits the owner's property at Heritage Ranch.  As of May 1, 2006 there were 32 legal docks left around the Main Marina and 10 legal docks left anchored up Snake Creek.  The two (2) Condo Associations in Heritage Ranch also have docks up Snake Creek which are separate from HROA.   The private dock owners must register with both HROA and Monterey County each year, pay a fee and provide appropriate insurance.  They must also keep their private docks in good repair.  (See Private Boat Dock Policy)

What are red tags and how are they used?
A red tag is only needed during the "off season" (excepting Tracts 424, 446, 474, 1910 and 1990 -- see below).  A red tag allows you to temporarily park your camper, vessel/trailer or recreational vehicle unit in your driveway overnight.  During the "boating season", which runs from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, you can park or store your camper, vessel/trailer or recreational vehicle unit in your driveway without needing a red tag. 

Each red tag is good for 24 hours.  Property owners are allowed a maximum of 30 total in a calendar year.  Contact the Main Gatehouse to register for a red tag.  

Tracts 424, 446 and 474:  NO RED TAGS REQUIRED -- As of May 1, 2006 Tracts 424, 446 and 474 have amended their CC&Rs to allow for parking of campers, vessels/trailers and recreational vehicle units on a lot in the front set-back on a driveway without the need for screening year-round. 

Tracts 1910 and 1990:  RED TAGS NOT ALLOWED -- Tract 1910 and 1990 CC&Rs allow owners in those tracts to park their camper, vessel/trailer or recreational vehicle unit in their driveways year-round (for up to 72 hours without moving), but they cannot store their camper, vessel/trailer or recreational vehicle unit in their driveways.  After 72 hours without moving, any camper, vessel/trailer or recreational vehicle must be stored away from view in a garage-type enclosure (excepting trailers). 

The Main Gatehouse can be reached at 805-227-6560.

Can I moor my vessel to the shoreline?
The shoreline is available on a first-come first-serve basis for use by all property owners and their guests.   Where there is room, any property owner or their guest has the right to temporarily tie up their vessel to the shoreline as long as that vessel is registered through the Main Gatehouse.  If a vessel is left for more than 72 hours unattended (not used for boating within that 72 hours), that vessel is considered "stored" and a citation may be issued against the owner.

When are the pools opened?
The small pool at Equestrian Park is opened around May 1st each year and the large pool at Heritage Park is opened a few weeks later.  Both pools are closed shortly after Labor Day weekend.  This is determined by the weather each year and subject to adjustment. 

The pool temperatures are checked on a regular basis.  As long as they maintain a minimum of 78-80 degrees, HROA's goal is to schedule a longer swimming season.

What are the office hours at the HROA Office?
The HROA Office is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.    Special arrangements can be made (on weekdays) to meet you at the HROA Office between 7:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.

The HROA Office can be reached at 805-238-9641.

When are assessments due to HROA?
Assessments are to be paid quarterly and are due at the HROA Office on: January 1st, April 1st, July 1st and October 1st.  They are considered delinquent if not paid through the HROA Office by the 15th for which a $10.00 late charge is assessed.  The HROA Office sends out payment booklets prior to the beginning of each Fiscal Year, in June.  (HROA is not responsible for the mail service to make proper delivery, so please mark your calendar to remind you of the due dates for assessments.) 

HROA offers you a convenient way to pay your assessments at no charge to you.  Simply complete an 'Automatic Assessment Payment' form at the HROA Office indicating the method of payment you prefer (credit card or checking account).  The HROA Office will then automatically charge your account when due.

Where did the names for our three (3) parks come from?
Each of our three (3) parks are named for the streets they are located on:  Equestrian Park is on Equestrian Road; Gateway Park is on Gateway Drive; and Heritage Park is on Heritage Road.

How do I reserve more than two campsites?
The rules allow each property owner to reserve up to two (2) campsites at any one time, with the provision that special arrangements can be made through the HROA Office for group reservations.  In order to obtain a group reservation, each of following must be complied with: 1) the reservation dates cannot correspond with one of the three (3) major holiday weekends or during fair week; 2) the property owner must pay in full at the time of reservation; and 3) the campsites selected are subject to not having use of premium spots.  Additionally, no refunds will be given under any circumstances and the property owner is subject to revocation of future privileges depending on the negative activity of their guests.

Campground reservations are made through the HROA Office.  (See HROA Rules and Regulations for additional information.)

Who is responsible for maintaining the Country Store and Deli area?
This property does not belong to Heritage Ranch and therefore, we have no authority or responsibility for maintaining it.  (This area will eventually be torn down and houses built in its place.)  Occasionally, the Maintenance crew receives authorization to knock down the weeds and cold patch gaping holes in the road area, which we do for safety purposes.

What is the mowing schedule for HROA Maintenance?
Mowing of HROA common areas along the roadways, and in areas reasonably accessible with HROA equipment, under normal circumstances begins around April 1st of each year, when we are satisfied the growth-cycle has stopped or slowed.  We want to encourage native species to reproduce so the seed-head is important to see.  This allows us to stay away from thistle forming.   This is a big job and time-sensitive.   When we have a particularly wet Spring, we start mowing when the ground is dry enough to try to catch up.  On June 1st, the Fire Department cuts us back and we stop mowing at 10:00 a.m. (or "mow at our own risk").   Typically, two or three mowings occur each year. 

Vacant lot owners (excepting lots in Tracts 1063, 1910 and the 20 acre parcels) receive the option to mow their own lot by June 1st each year, and maintain it thereafter throughout the fire season, or have HROA Maintenance mow it for them for a fee.  If they decide to mow it themselves and don't, they receive a warning or a fine.

Tell me how I have input on the speed bumps on my street?
Speed bumps, like them or hate them, you decide.  The speed bumps around Heritage Ranch are handled by vote of a majority of those property owners that travel over them.  In other words, if you want one out, 50% + 1 must agree.  If you want one added, 50% + 1 must agree.  The HROA Office can give you the names of those you need to solicit and if you are successful in your endeavor they are scheduled to be put in or removed when your road is being overlaid or when it receives major road repair work.

What are the restrictions regarding dogs at the Main Marina?
Dogs must be leashed at all times while in the Main Marina except while in the water.  Proper pooper scooper rules apply at all times.