Bellevue Park Protective Covenants

Bellevue Park is protected by a set of Bylaws and Deed Restrictions. These protective covenants help to preserve the intended beauty of the Park as well as maintain the intrinsic culture of what Bellevue Park has come to represent. The bylaws have evolved through the years to reflect the current needs of the residents and how they shape their community.

Deed Restrictions

The following Deed restrictions, as originally established by the Union Real Estate Investment Company when Bellevue Park was developed, continue to be incorporated into the deed of each property. These restrictions were, and still are, intended to insure the perpetuation of those qualities originally envisioned by its creators -- a natural, bucolic residential neighborhood.

To have and to hold the said promises with all and singular the appurtenances unto the said grantees, their heirs and assigns, to and for the only proper use and behoof of the said grantees, their heirs and assigns forever; but subject to the following conditions and stipulations:

  1. No building or any part thereof, except a porch extension of not exceeding 10 feet, shall be constructed or erected on said premises, at a distance less than 30 feet from the line of the road.

  2. No dwelling of one and one-half stories or less in height shall be erected or constructed on the premises herein granted and conveyed at a less cost, when finally completed, than $3,000.00; no dwelling of two stories or more in height shall be erected or constructed on the premises herein granted and conveyed at a less cost, when finally completed, than $4,000.00.

  3. Only single dwelling houses may be erected on said premises.

  4. No building shall be erected upon said premises at a less distance from the adjoining property owner than five feet.

  5. The main dwelling house shall be constructed before any other building may be erected upon said premises.

  6. No outside water closets shall be erected upon said premises, but all such closets shall be attached to and made part of the house, and no cesspools of any such nature shall be allowed.

  7. No hotel, tavern, drinking saloon, or club house, in which intoxicating liquors shall be sold, nor manufacturing plant, blacksmith, carpenter or wheelwright shop, mill, tannery, slaughter house, skin dressing establishment, livery stable, public garage; no glue, soap, candle or starch manufactory or other buildings to occupied for a dangerous or offensive purpose, for any use in any manner objectionable in a resident community shall be built or suffered to be built or maintained upon said premises and no other business of any kind whatsoever shall be permitted without the consent of the Bellevue Park Association, its successors or assigns. It being understood, however, that the erection of a private garage or such other buildings as usually appertain to a private dwelling is permitted.

  8. No billboards shall be erected upon said premises, nor shall there be any signs displayed not relating to business actually conducted on the premises, in which case such signs shall be restricted to the designated building lines, and shall not exceed in size a total of ten square feet.

  9. An excessive amount of black smoke shall be carried underground from the chimney, or stack upon said premises.

  10. All electric light, telephone and telegraph wires shall be carried underground from the nearest manhole connection with the mains to the point of entrance at the owner's cellar, at the cost of the owner.

  11. No solid board, paling or other unsightly fences shall be erected.

  12. For the purpose of providing and taking care of trees, shrubbery and grass in front of private lot lines, and for removing snow from the street sidewalks of private lots, and for the general and like care of public lots and park reservations within the limits of Bellevue Park, the premises hereby conveyed shall be subjected to any pay rate per annum; said payment to be made quarterly to the Treasurer of Bellevue Park Association or of its successors or assigns, until such time as the administering of the above named duties shall be assumed by the City of Harrisburg.

  13. Plans of buildings to be erected shall first be submitted to the Bellevue Park Association, its successors or assigns, for approval.

  14. No trees on said premises shall be removed without the consent of the Bellevue Park Association, its successors or assigns.

To assist residents on their responsibilities regarding trees and their care and maintenance, the Bellevue Park Association has adopted the Bellevue Park Tree Protection and Management Policy. For more information regarding this policy, please see the Tree Care and Management section on the Resources page. While Bellevue Park is not a designated historic district, there are many considerations that one should take when altering the exterior appearance of your home. Harrisburg has put together a Historic District Design and Preservation Guide to educate the public on many of these considerations.

BYLAWS

In addition to the deed restrictions, members are required to adhere to these amendments to the Bellevue Park Bylaws. 

ARTICLE XVI – AMENDMENTS

2004.1 Swimming Pools. In-ground pools shall be permitted in accordance with local municipality regulations. All such pools shall be erected at the rear or side of the property and shall not extend beyond the front of the principal dwelling. The design and location of all such pools must be approved by the Architectural Review Committee. Above-ground pools, regardless of size and shape, shall not be permitted on any individual lot, excepting such pools as commonly referred to as “kiddie pools,” which are considered temporary. The size of said pools shall not exceed 8 feet in diameter and 18 inches in depth.

2004.2 Fences. The following fences are permitted: open picket, split rail, or similar open ornamental type constructed of wood, metal, or plastic; provided that these fences shall not exceed 48 inches in height, and must maintain an open, clear space of at least 1 inch minimum between pickets, rails, or slats. All such fences shall be erected at the rear or side of the property and shall not extend beyond the front of the principal dwelling. The design and location of all such fences must be approved by the Architectural Review Committee.

RESIDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Residents are responsible for the maintenance of their property, including the following:

  • Mowing grass

  • Pruning trees and shrubs

  • Clearing walks of overgrown shrubs, snow and debris

  • Raking leaves to the curb for collection by the city in the fall

  • Maintaining street trees planted between the sidewalk and the street. These trees are the responsibility of the homeowner.

As part of the City of Harrisburg, all building codes and property ordinances apply to the entire Park. This also includes tractor trailer truck parking, which is prohibited by the City of Harrisburg as stated in this city ordinance.

Resale Certificates

When you sell a Bellevue Park property, a Resale Certificate is required pursuant to the provisions of Section 5407 of the Pennsylvania Uniform Planned Community Act. The certificate lists certain provisions of the association's operations, and details the assessments applicable to the individual property being sold. Accompanying the certificate is a copy of the Association Bylaws and current operating budget. A Transfer Fee of $100.00 is charged for the preparation and submission of these documents.

Every new resident of Bellevue Park needs to be aware of the provisions of the Association Bylaws as well as the annual dues and assessments required to support the association's Maintenance Fund.

At such time as you put your property up for sale, whether privately or through a realtor, we suggest you contact the association treasurer, Lacy Wood, at 917-856-6562, or by e-mail at bellevueparkhbgtreasurer@gmail.com, so that the appropriate documentation can be provided at the time of sale.

Trash and Recycling

Trash pickup in Harrisburg is explained in the Harrisburg Trash Collection reference document.

Glass Recycling

Since glass is not part of individual residents’ recycling pickup, the city has partnered with the Bellevue Park Association to collect glass at the Community Building. There are containers at the end of the Community Building Driveway (along Oakwood Road) that are marked for glass that residents can use. The containers will be emptied by the city on at least a weekly basis, if not more often. Please note that glass should only be deposited in the containers between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM daily.

Please observe the following:

  • Only glass bottles and jars should be placed in the glass recycling container (no light bulbs, windows, drinking glasses, etc.).

  • Absolutely no lids, bottle tops/caps, etc. should be placed in the glass recycling container.

  • No trash should be placed in the glass recycling container.

  • No trash should be placed in the area around the glass recycling container.

  • No bags of glass should be left inside or outside of the container.

  • Absolutely no loose trash or trash in small bags, such as dog waste, should be placed in the adjacent community garbage bin, which is larger than the glass recycling container and is all black.  This community garbage bin is only for trash from inside the community building that has been properly bagged. 

Note that it’s okay if the glass bottles and jars break going into the container. 

City Zoning

Bellevue Park is zoned as residential as per the Harrisburg city zoning plan. In the below proposed map, there were no real changes to the existing zoning.