Discover Key Info About Your Community and Responsibilities

Below is essential information about the Merion Station Townhouse Association (MSTA). This includes details on the annual fees required from each household, the elected officials representing our community, and the schedules for garbage and recycling collections. You’ll also find guidelines on maintaining and modifying the exterior of your home, as well as the various responsibilities of MSTA, such as lawn maintenance, pest control, and community safety. Additionally, the page covers parking regulations, property lines, snow removal responsibilities, and tree maintenance. If you have any questions that are not answered here, please feel free to contact us (link).

Annual Fees

The annual fee for each household within MSTA is $240 (in 2022).  Payment of annual fees is due 30 days after receipt of statement. Failure to pay annual dues will result in legal action.

Garbage and Recycling

Garbage collection occurs on Friday mornings. Recycling is picked up on Wednesday mornings. Please place your garbage or recycling along the curb no earlier than 6pm on the evening prior to collection.

Bulk or oversized items will not be picked up from the curb. These items should be brought to the Alpha Ridge Landfill in Marriottsville where they can be disposed of free of charge.

Parking

Each household is assigned two parking pads (The end Townhouses have three). Generally, these spaces are located directly in front of a home. If you require additional spaces, please be courteous and mindful of your neighbors by parking in a location that is not labeled “MSTA reserved.” Note that commercial vehicles (e.g. those displaying logos or signs of a business nature) are not permitted to be parked in a space for greater than 6 hours. 

Maintenance of the parking pads (e.g. repaving, striping, etc.) is the responsibility of MSTA.  Snow removal is the responsibility of the homeowner. The streets within MSTA (excluding the parking pads) are the responsibility of Howard County. 

Property Lines

Each homeowner’s property line extends to the curb where the parking pads begin.  Sidewalks that are parallel to the parking pads are maintained by Howard County (Snow removal is the homeowner’s responsibility). Be aware that each homeowner’s property line extends several feet into the easement area behind their privacy fence. 

Home Exterior Maintenance and Modifications

Homeowners are responsible for the maintenance of the exterior of their homes.  Any substantive modifications (e.g. color changes, changes in style of windows, doors, patio additions, removal of shutters, etc.) must be approved by the Harper’s Choice Architectural Review Committee. Repainting of exterior surfaces with the same color does not require prior approval. 

Trees

The maintenance of trees located between the sidewalk and parking pads is the responsibility of MSTA. Any other trees located on a property is the responsibility of the homeowner. 

Snow Removal

Removal of snow from the sidewalks and parking pads are the responsibilities of the homeowner.