Governing Documents and Resolutions

Reston Association is governed by four key documents. They are listed and described here in descending order of priority:

Deed of Dedication - The Deed is the legal instrument that created Reston, first filed with Fairfax County when Reston was established, and amended in 2006. The Deed defines the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of all RA members and owners of property in terms of how the land and property (both private and common) in Reston are used. It is binding on all parties who acquire property subject to the Deed – i.e., all owners of property located within the boundaries of Reston’s Master Plan. The shorthand version of this is “the Deed runs with the land”.

• Among other things, the Deed:

• Lists the purposes of the association

• Describes the categories of members and their respective voting and other rights

• Enumerates the membership and powers of the Board of Directors, the Design Review Board, the Covenants Committee, the Legal Committee, and the Elections Committee

• Addresses the uses and restrictions of the Common Area

• Establishes rules relating to assessments and budget

• Sets forth the design, use, and maintenance covenants

• Provides rules for Cluster operation

Articles of Incorporation - Registered with the Virginia State Corporation Commission, the Articles establish the legal entity under which RA operates. Specifically, the Articles:

• Identifies the name of the corporation

• Defines RA as a non stock corporation 501(c)4

• Designates governance of the Association by a Board of Directors

• Specifies reasons for removing a director

• Indemnifies officers, directors, and members of the DRB and committees.

Bylaws - Are the governing regulations for the administration and management of the association including:

Board Resolutions, Rules & Regulations – The resolutions, rules & regulations governing the association’s operations are adopted by resolution by the Board of Directors and must be consistent with restrictions and powers contained in federal and state laws as well as the association’s Deed, Articles of Incorporation, and Bylaws. They also must reasonably relate to the association’s purposes and policies and, their enforcement must be reasonable and fair. (To download a copy of a Board Resolution, visit the right-hand side of this page.)