CC&Rs | My River Islands

Apply for CC&R Approval

Home Improvement Application Instructions

Be sure to fill out the form and send via email your application for your home improvement ideas to the CC&Rs Team at ccrteam@riverislands.com to avoid the cost of making changes that are not in compliance with our CC&Rs.

Your application can also be dropped off to the CC&R office at
401 Stewart Rd.

Click here for (PDF)

Continue scrolling to learn all about the CC&Rs. Then, if you have additional questions or need advice, send them along to ccrteam@riverislands.com, and we will get back to you with the information you need.

The DOs and DON'Ts of CC&Rs

DO: Maintain your front yard, side yard, back yard, lake slope if applicable, parkway strip (the area between the sidewalk and street, also known as "Easements"), sidewalks and street trees in parkway strip
DO: apply for a permit with the CC&R team and obtain approval before make any changes to the original design of your home (paint color, front landscaping, backyard structures, pool, etc.).

DON'T: make any changes without the approval of the CC&R team.

If you make a change that required a prior CC&R permit but you did not ask for permission, the CC&R team will notify you of your violation. You will need to come into compliance with the permit conditions, or you will need to remove your improvement. Please note that failure to comply may result in monetary fines.

What changes are typically considered acceptable
WITH a permit from the CC&R team?

Parkway strips: Generally, each parkway strip has a minimum of 1 tree and 6 plants. Because parkway strips are owned by the City and not the homeowner, there are City requirements that must be adhered to. Replacing original plants with same or like kind or restoring bark/mulch do NOT need a permit.

Approved rocks: VIEW PDF

Approved plants: VIEW PDF

Approved trees: VIEW PDF

Approved fence colors: VIEW PDF

Backyard structures: The backyard structure that is above 8ft in height must be 5ft away from the property line, and the structure under 8ft in height needs to be 3ft away. All structures must be 10ft. away from the street on the side yard, and structures over 120sg. ft, or one that has electrical/plumbing, will require a building permit from City of Lathrop.

Driveway extensions: A 6" gap must be around all ground utility/services boxes and the homeowner is responsible for repairing any damage incurred. Front yard living landscaping must remain at 35%, of that only 5% can be rock and all plants/trees must be from the approved list. Bear in mind that the parkway strip, the landscape area between the sidewalk and the street curb, is not to be included when calculating the 35% landscape requirement.

Artificial turf:
- Shall be made from from polypropylene, polyethylene, a blend of such fibers, or new industry standard that has very little to no known toxic substance on a permeable backing. Nylonbased or plastic grass blades are not permitted. The use of indoor/outdoor carpeting and artificial shrubs, flowers, trees, and vines instead of natural plantings is prohibited.
- Artificial turf shall have a minimum blade length (pile height) of 1.5 inches or as determined by the community development director or designee. An appropriate solid barrier device (i.e., concrete mow strip) is required to separate artificial turf from soil and live vegetation.
- Artificial turf shall be lead free. Artificial turf shall be trimmed to fit against all regular and irregular edges to resemble a natural look.
- Artificial turf shall be designed to allow water to percolate through synthetic grass at a minimum drain rate of twenty-five (25) inches per hour (or an alternative rate as determined by the public works director to an adequate drainage system installed underneath the artificial turf to prevent run-off, pooling, and flooding.

Outdoor lights: String lighting in a neat and orderly condition around the perimeter of your home. Additionally, Only white LED bulbs must be used and not colored bulbs.

When DON'T you need approval for making changes to an area of your house?

Certain changes do NOT need approval from River Islands or the CC&R committee. Changes that do NOT need approval include:

Replacing plants for ones that have died (as long as you use a plant from the approved plant list or your neighborhood) or replacing mulch in parkway strips.
Repainting your home with the exact same colors.
"Hard scape" in your backyards. You can build a concrete patio for example, without seeking a permit.
Seat walls (less than 48" tall) in your backyard as long as the seat wall does NOT retain soil an is not near a slope.

When DO you need approval for making changes to an area of your house?

Many changes DO need approval from River Islands and the CC&R committee. Changes that DO need approval include:

Any new structure in the front or back yard (including gazebos, fences and swimming pools).
Any change in the front or side yard that differs from when you purchased your property. For example, if you wanted to modify your parkway strip or widen/extend your driveway, you DO need a permit.
Any change on a lake slope that differs from the original design.

How are the CC&Rs enforced?

Upon First Identification: A Notice of Violation will be delivered to the homeowner by either personal delivery or posted on the front door with a copy by U.S. mail. The Notice will allow the homeowner 30 days to remedy the violation. No subsequent Notices will be served.

Within 7 Days of Notice: If no attempts are made to remedy the violation that are visibly apparent or the homeowner has not contacted the CC&R Team to confirm a remedy is in progress, the CC&R Team will report the issue to the City of Lathrop Code Compliance Division. The violation may also be reported to the Lathrop Police Department, Lathrop Manteca Fire Department, Lathrop Irrigation District, Reclamation District 2062, and/or River Islands Public Financing Authority.

Within 30 Days of Notice: If the homeowner fails to remedy the violation within 30 days of the Notice of Violation, the violation will be corrected by the CC&R Team, and the homeowner will be billed for all related costs and fees.

Reimbursement within 30 Days of Correction: Failure to pay the bill for such remedy within 30 days from the date of the invoice will result in court action against the homeowner and/or a lien against the property. Homeowner will be taken to court to enforce payment.

If you notice a violation of the CC&Rs, please report the violation by sending an email to ccrteam@riverislands.com.
Your personal information will remain confidential.

The enforcement of CC&R violations is primarily based on complaints received by or visual observations of the CC&R Team. All violations are reviewed on a case‑by-case basis. The failure to enforce any provision of the CC&Rs does not constitute a waiver of any right to enforce any such subsequent or other provisions thereof. The CC&Rs run with the land and are enforceable against all owners, subsequent owners, and tenants without exception.