Rules + Regs

FIRE PREVENTION
Colchester Code of Fire Prevention and Protection 
Sec. 7-14.   Open burning
(a)  No refuse, grass, leaves, or downed trees shall be burned.

(b)  All open burning shall be extinguished when not attended to.

(c)  No open burning shall occur within a fully enclosed structure.

(d)  The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), Fire Warden, or their designee may order any open burn to be extinguished if the AHJ judges the fire or the conditions under which the burning occurs is a threat to public safety or property.

(e)  All open burning shall require a permit obtainable at Police Dispatch except as herein specifically excluded:

(1)  The burning of fuels for cooking purposes;

(2)  Barbecue pits less than thirty (30) inches in diameter; or

(3)  Campfires and bonfires less than thirty (30) inches in diameter.

(f)  At the discretion of the Fire Warden, a permit may be issued for special occasions allowing bonfires greater than thirty (30) inches in diameter.

(g)  Open burning permits and fees. A specific permit may be granted by the Fire Warden or duly appointed designee to engage in open burning in accordance with the following:

(1)  No hazardous condition will be created by such burning and the emission of air contaminants will not create a danger to public safety and health. Permits shall be for specified days, specified location, and for a specified material. The hours within which said burning may take place may be specified on the permit.

(2)  Open burning of leafless brush four (4) inches or less in diameter shall be permitted if the outermost edge of the burning site is:

a.  At least one hundred fifty (150) feet or more from the closest dwelling located in the vicinity of, but not including, the permit holder’s dwelling during the months of January and February.

b.  At least (300) feet or more from the nearest dwelling located in the vicinity of, but not including, the permit holder’s dwelling during the remainder of the year.

All distances shall be measured from the outermost edge of the burning site in a straight line to the nearest point on the closest dwelling. The minimum distances imposed in subsections (g)(2)a. and (g)(2)b. shall not limit the Fire Warden from imposing greater distances between the site and any structure as a permit condition under subsection (g)(1).

General Reminders

  • Please reduce your driving speed throughout the development and obey the stop signs in the neighborhood. Speeding in the development is dangerous and illegal!!
  • Clean up after your dogs – use scoopers or bags but never leave a surprise for a neighbor.
  • Dogs must be on leash or in control of owners at all times.  (See Colchester dog ordinance*, text at bottom of page)
  • No dumping leaves, Christmas trees, etc. on trails.
  • Please don’t blow leaves and grass clippings into the road. They just wind up on your neighbor’s property.
  • Please carefully review the enclosed copy of the Sunderland Woods Pool Rules.
  • The Port-O-Potty will be in place from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
  • The tennis courts are for the use of Sunderland Woods residents and their guests ONLY. All guests must have permission of residents of the development. If you don’t recognize someone on the courts, please ask if they are residents or invited guests of homeowners. No biking, rollerblading, skate boarding, baseball or any activities other than tennis are permitted on the tennis courts. Also it has been noted that foul language has been overheard and can be offensive to others.
  • If you see something amiss in the recreation areas that’s easily corrected (ex: litter on tennis court. frog in the pool filter) we’d appreciate everyone doing what they can to help.
  • When using the common areas, please be considerate of your neighbors.
  • If you need to use the bus turnaround or pool lot for extended parking, please touch base with a board member.

Pool Rules

All Sunderland Woods residents have the right to enforce these rules.

1. The pool is open from 7am to 9pm for residents and guests only.
2. No children under age 13 are allowed in the pool enclosure unless accompanied by an adult (18 years).
3. No pets are allowed within the pool enclosure.
4. No glass or sharp objects are allowed within the pool enclosure.
5. Proper swimming attire must be worn within the pool enclosure.  Please remember this is a family recreation area.
6. The entrance gate to the pool enclosure must be closed at all times.
7. No cannonball jumps permitted. No hanging on the rope or pushing others into the pool is allowed.
8. Rinse feet off before entering the pool.
9. Clean pool area up before leaving. Please take your own trash home with you for disposal. Trash at the pool area is picked up only once a week and containers there fill up quickly.
10. No parking on the road in front of the pool. Please use the parking lot that is provided.
11. Use suntan lotion, not oil. Suntan oils damage the pool filters which are expensive to replace.
12. Do not add chemicals to the pool or tamper with pool equipment. Hired professionals handle this job.
13. We strongly recommend that no one, including adults, swim alone.
14. Adults only swim time are Monday thru Friday from 6pm to 6:30pm.

Tennis & Pickleball Court Rules

• No biking, rollerblading, skate boarding, baseball or any activities other than tennis & pickleball are permitted on the tennis courts.
• Only appropriate footwear (i.e., athletic shoes) are permitted on the courts.
• The tennis & pickleball courts are for the use of Sunderland Woods residents and their guests ONLY.
• All guests must have permission from a resident of the development. If you don’t recognize someone on the courts, please ask if they are residents or invited guests of homeowners.
• Please refrain from using foul language that may be offensive to others.

*Dog ordinance for Colchester:
Sec. 6-2 Running at large – a person who owns, harbors, keeps, or controls a dog (s) shall not allow said dog (s) to run at large off the premises of said person’s property  or any public or private property. (At large is defined as off the premises of the owner, and not in the presence of and under the control of the owner, a member of his immediate family, or an agent of the owner.) (Under control of such person means that at all times the dog is prevented from causing injury, damage, disturbance and annoyance.)