HOW WE PROTECT RIVER TRAILS TOGETHER
River Trails was built on a simple idea: that the right land, protected the right way, becomes more valuable over time. Not just financially, but as a place to live.
The covenants below exist because everyone who buys here shares that belief. We've summarized the key points in plain language, and the full recorded document is available to download if you want every detail before you decide.
Community Standards
+ Covenants
What makes River Trails worth investing in is the same thing that keeps it worth living in. These shared standards are how we protect both.
Size and Design
The principal residence may have up to 2,500 square feet of footprint and up to 4,500 square feet of total heated area. Garages max out at 900 square feet. Guest houses at 1,000 square feet. One additional outbuilding could include a sauna, studio, greenhouse, and garden shed, may total up to 400 square feet collectively. All structures must match the design of the principal residence.
Permitted siding materials include wood, manufactured siding, stucco, metal, stone, and brick. Vinyl siding is not permitted. Roofing options include metal, composite shingles, and solar roof.
The Land Around You
A portion of each homesite must remain in its natural state. Lawns may not extend closer than 20 feet to any property line except along the main access road. Lot lines should feature natural plantings including taller grasses, shrubs, and trees.
Healthy trees may only be removed as reasonably necessary for construction, yard space, road access, or a reasonable view. Dead or unhealthy trees may be removed at any time.
No synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers are permitted. Naturally sourced fertilizers are welcome.
Vehicles
One passenger vehicle may be parked outside within 25 feet of the principal structure. Recreational vehicles, boats, campers, tractors and trailers must be stored indoors. Snowmobiles and ATVs may be used for trail grooming and maintenance but not for general recreation on the homesites.
Your Home
Homesites are for single-family residential living. Each lot may include a principal residence, a guest house, and a connected garage. Home offices are welcome as long as they don't generate outside traffic. Limited home-based work is supported; commercial operations are not.
Renting Your Home
The guest home can be rented short term or long term. The principal residence can also be rented short term or long term, but rentals of the principal residence are limited to a combined total of 30 days per year. Those 30 days don't need to be consecutive; they can be used a few days at a time throughout the year, as long as the combined total for the principal residence doesn't exceed 30 days annually.
Lighting
Exterior lighting should not impact neighboring properties. Downlighting is permitted. Vapor lights and dusk-to-dawn fixtures that remain on through the night are not.
Pets
Common household pets are welcome, including dogs, cats, fish, hamsters, guinea pigs, and birds under 200 grams. Pets must be leashed or contained and may not be bred commercially. Service animals and emotional support animals are always permitted.
Fishing and the River
Fishing is permitted in the Pilgrim River in accordance with DNR regulations. Hunting and trapping are not permitted on the homesites.