FAQ

It depends whether the road is owned by the County or the POA. Mountain Way, Dutch Canyon, Cold Springs Drive, Canyon Ridge Way and Red Pine are mostly County owned.  The remaining (40%) are privately owned by the POA.  In general, the owner of the road is responsible for summer & winter maintenance, except a small portion of Mountain Way that was deeded to the County and is considered a substandard county road without winter maintenance.  

 

The County uses mag chloride on a 2-3 year rotational basis.  Any concerns with the County's application should be directed towards the County.

 

The POA has historically applied mag chloride as well.  See member update on Rhino Snot for more information on the POA's trial use of a polymer for dust abatement on POA owned roads.  

 

Please use the Road Feedback form for any questions or concerns on our roads.  

The combination pickleball, basketball and tenis courts are available on a first come first “serve” basis.  Please check in at the golf shop as the courts are for use only by HOA/POA members and their guests.  They are not lighted – daylight use only.

Yes, Amenities dues are assessed per lot, not per member. 

The pool and hot tub are open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
 
Don't forget your HOA membership card is required as use of the pool and hot tub are limited to HOA/POA members only.

The golf course and restaurant are open to the public.  The beach, swimming pool, hot tub and combination pickleball/ basketball/ tennis courts are for the use of HOA/POA members and accompanied guests only.  All dues and fees must be current for members and their guests to enjoy the use of amenities or receive discounted golf rates.

Rentals are allowed, if the rental period is at least 1 year or longer.  No short term rentals are permitted.

 

Per CC&Rs Article III, Section N21:

 

"No owner of any lot shall build or permit the building thereon of any dwelling house that is to be used for purposes other than single family residential. Building for income purposes such as short term rentals or time shares is prohibited."

 

Article 1 defines Single Family Residential as:

 

"Single Family Residential shall mean a structure that is built to accommodate a family on a long term basis.  Duplexes, condominiums, short term (less than one year) rental, and time shares do not meet the intent of this definition as used in this Declaration."

Per CC&R's Article III, Section N16 (Page 5):

 

"No tree shall be removed from a lot or common area without the written consent of the Board given in the building plan approval process."  

 

Per CC&R's Article III, Section O6 (Page 6):

 

"No owner, tenant in possession, guest or invitee shall remove any trees, shrubs, plants or any other natural material from the common areas nor shall there be any alteration to the grade, elevation or surface of the common areas without the prior written approval of the Board."

 

The intent of the CC&Rs is to preserve the natural feel of the mountain and common property.  However, the Board has considered FEMA guidance on defensible space.  Tree removal on your property within Zone 0 and 1, as defined below, is encouraged where needed to reduce wildfire risk.  Please use the Contact Us form to inform the Board of any intended tree removal. 

 

Per FEMA:

Zone 0, “Immediate Zone”, “Ember-Resistance Zone”, or “Noncombustible Zone” (0–5 feet). Zone 0 is considered the most important and includes areas immediately surrounding a structure, as well as areas under any attached decks or overhangs.

 

Zone 1, “Intermediate Zone”, or “Lean, Clean and Green” (5–30 feet). Zone 1 adds a defensible zone that extends from Zone 0 to Zone 2. The goal of this area is to reduce the connectivity between garden beds, shrubs, and trees; removing lower branches of trees and shrubs; and creating areas of irrigated and mowed grass or hardscape between lush vegetation islands so that wildfire does not burn to the house or into the crown of trees. Plants should be properly irrigated and maintained to remove dead/dry material (Valachovic, et al., 2021). This designation also applies to the area within 10 feet of driveways, access roads, or public roads adjacent to the property.

 

Zone 2, “Extended Zone” or “Reduce Fuel Zone” (30–100 feet+). The goal of Zone 2 is to create a fuel break that interrupts the continuous vegetative fuel path of a wildfire, minimize flame length, and keep fires on the ground by reducing ladder fuels and crown clustering. 

Dogs are not allowed to run loose in Bear Lake West.  Your dog must be under the control of the owner at all times.  
 
The POA CC&Rs Article III, Section N5 requires dogs be under control of the owner at all times.  Additionally, the County has an ordinance and the State of Idaho has statutes that apply to dogs.
 
Please familiarize yourself with these.

Per CC&Rs Article N20:

 

"No fires are permitted except under controlled and contained conditions (such as in fire pits). Fires are prohibited when either the Board, County or another agency so prohibits. Common sense should be used at all times and no fires should be used if weather or vegetation conditions so dictate.

 

Absolutely no fireworks are allowed in the Plat B and Plat C area." 

Per CC&Rs, Article III, Section N6 (Page 4):

 

"Billboards or advertising structures of any kind are prohibited except upon application to and written permission from the Board. The owner of approved billboards or advertising structures must maintain quality and appearance of such or they may be removed by the Board. Real Estate “for sale” signs shall be no larger than six square feet and must be on the lot for sale."

Our CC&Rs Article III, Section O outline common property rules as follows:

 

1. Common areas shall be used solely by the owners, their tenants in residence, guests or invitees for hiking, horseback riding, swimming sports and other recreational uses authorized by By-laws and Rules and Regulations of the Bear Lake West Property Owners' Association, Incorporated.  

 

2. A non-exclusive and reciprocal easement is reserved to owners of each and every unit to use and enjoy all of the common area for the purposes authorized hereby described. No owner, tenant in resident, guest or invitee shall hinder, obstruct or interfere with the use of the property by other owners, tenants in residence, guests or invitees.  

 

3. No owner, tenant in resident, guest or invitee will do or permit to be done any act on the property which is or may become a nuisance.  

 

4. No animals, birds or fowl shall be kept or maintained on any part of the common areas, except in specifically designated areas. 

 

5. No trailers, campers or habitable motor vehicles of any nature shall be kept on or stored on the common areas or any roads unless approval is obtained by the Board or in specifically designated areas.  

 

6. No owner, tenant in possession, guest or invitee shall remove any trees, shrubs, plants or any other natural material from the common areas nor shall there be any alteration to the grade, elevation or surface of the common areas without the prior written approval of the Board.  

 

7. No owner shall keep, or permit to be kept, placed or stored on the common areas any fence, structure, fixture, equipment, motor vehicle, material or materials of any kind, unless approval is obtained from the Board.  

 

8. No owner , tenant in residence, guest or invitee shall hinder, obstruct, or interfere with the use of the property by persons claiming right of access to and use of the property under Reciprocal Use Agreements entered into by and between the Property Owners' Association and other entities for the benefit of such persons claiming rights of access or use. 

The garbage gate code is the same code as your beach gate code.  If your primary contact has not yet requested a code, please complete a Gate Code Access form.

General information about our dumpster guidelines can be found in the member update on our dumpster program.

 

The Board posts the roll-off dumpster schedule in Upcoming Events.  

Per CC&Rs, Article III, Section N1:

 

"All surface disturbances from the natural contour of the lot surface and all building plans require Board approval, and homeowners/contractors are required to appear before the Board, or a member of the Compliance Committee, for plan approval.  

 

Further, let it be known that the Board has the right to deny approval for any contractor who, in the past, has not performed as to specified Board requirements.

 

All permanent dwellings must meet the following requirements:

 

No permanent dwelling having a ground floor living area of less than 800 square feet, exclusive of open porches, pergolas or attached garage, if any, shall be erected, permitted or maintained on any of said lots.

 

Prefabricated, those homes that are assembled at a plant and transported on a trailer will require special approval by the Board. All dwellings shall be set on permanent foundations or piers.

 

Architecture/construction and exterior building and roofing color shall be so that all dwellings are conducive to the rustic or mountain setting and must be approved by the Board.

 

Height of buildings is limited to two stories above ground level, interpreted to be a maximum of twenty-nine (29) feet; lofts are considered as a second story.

 

Basements, including walkout basements, are not considered as above ground when one side or corner of the foundation is seventy-five percent (75%) below ground level.  

 

Variation from approved plans must have Board approval. For non-compliance with the CC&R’s or with any requirements of the Association, bonds will be taken and fines and water may be denied."

 

Please contact the Compliance Committee of the Board via the Building Question Form before beginning any ground disturbing projects.

To initiate the Compliance Committee review of plans, please complete a Building Application Request Form.

 

Our Accountant will verify all fees have been paid.  Our Compliance Committee will review the plans and reach out with any questions before providing an approval.

Per CC&Rs, Article III, Section N4 (Page 4):

 

"Once construction of improvements is started on any lot, the improvements must be completed in accordance with plans and specifications, as approved, within forty eight (48) months from commencement.

 

Though scraps and remains of building materials should be removed throughout the construction period, the last of any scraps or remains of building material shall be appropriately removed from the construction area within thirty (30) days of completion and properly disposed of (not in county refuse containers) and not buried on the lot nor anywhere in Bear Lake West Plats B or C.

 

Construction debris and refuse must be properly disposed of at a county dump or landfill."

 

Please familiarize yourself with our CC&Rs, which include:  

a. No temporary house, trailer, camper, tent, garage, or other out-building shall be placed or erected on any lot; provided, however, that the Board may grant permission for such temporary structure for temporary occupancy or storage of materials during construction. During construction sanitary facilities such as portable outside chemical toilet must be provided. Failure to have sanitary facilities on site will result in the cost of the fees to provide such services deducted from the bond plus a $1,000 penalty. All construction waste and garbage is to be removed from the site. No construction wastes or materials are to be placed in dumpsters provided for household waste, but are to be removed to a proper landfill or placed in contractors dumpster(s).
 
b. Once construction of improvements is started, the improvements must be completed in accordance with plans and specifications within forty eight (48) months from commencement. This requirement applies to the exterior of the building and elimination of all construction scars and installation of basic landscaping on the lot, as well as the driveway. If additional time is needed to complete construction as required, the lot owner must ask for and receive an extension from the Board.
 
c. All permanent dwellings must meet the following requirements: No permanent dwelling having a ground floor living area of less than 800 square feet, exclusive of open porches, pergolas or attached garage, if any, shall be erected, permitted or maintained on any of said lots. Prefabricated homes that are assembled at a plant and transported on a trailer will require special approval by the Board. All dwellings shall be set on permanent foundations or piers. Architecture/construction and exterior building and roofing color shall be so that all dwellings are conducive to the rustic or mountain setting and must be approved by the Board. 
 
d. Height of buildings is limited to two stories above ground level, interpreted to be a maximum of twenty-nine (29) feet; lofts are considered as a second story. Basements, including walkout basements, are not considered as above ground when one side or corner of the foundation is seventy-five percent (75%) below ground level. Variation from approved plans must have Board approval. For non-compliance with the CC&R’s or with any requirements of the Association, bonds will be taken, fines may be assessed and water may be denied. 
 
e. ALL DRIVEWAYS AND DRIVE APPROACHES that egress onto County Roads or Roads Maintained by the County MUST obtain an encroachment permit from Bear Lake County Road and Bridge Department. Only ONE driveway is allowed from any lot onto any road. Parking areas or driveways through or onto common areas are strictly prohibited. 
 

Also:

Where there is drainage across driveways to dwelling or garages, a culvert of a minimum size (12” ) that will accommodate drainage must be installed in driveways as specified by Bear Lake County.
 
Owners are restricted to 2,000 square feet of landscaping (lawns, flower beds, and gardens, etc.) that requires outside watering. 
 
No surface disturbing activities are to take place prior to Plan Approval being issued by Bear Lake West Property Owners Association. 

a. Minimum dwelling setbacks shall be 30 feet for front lines (County setback on the front is 30 feet from what ever extends out the farthest i.e.; roof, deck), along a line  paralleling the front property line (both front and side lines if corner lot), 5 feet for side lines, along a line paralleling side property lines, and 5 feet for rear lines, along a line paralleling the real property line.
 
b. Garage, carport and building setbacks (not habitable rooms) shall comply with Bear Lake County requirements.
 
c. No dwelling may be constructed nearer than 25 feet from a dwelling on an adjacent lot, and no accessory building shall be constructed nearer than 15 feet from a dwelling on an adjacent lot. (First issued building permit shall prevail in situations where buildings are planned but not yet constructed on adjacent lots.) Such permits shall be good for one year only. 

The application fee is $1,000 (or $500 for small projects such as single car garages, sheds, greenhouses that stay within the set-back requirements and require county permits); the water hookup fee is $6,000 (if not previously paid).
 
In addition there is also a $10,000, or $2,500 for small projects, performance bond on all new construction (bond will be returned if all requirements of the application are met. If items such as road damage, culverts, and site clean-up, screening of propane tanks, delinquent fees, or other requirements are not met, bond will be used to bring what ever the deficiency is into compliance and the remainder returned. If construction is completed during winter months, inspection will be completed as weather permits/roads and property are able to be inspected.  If home is sold all requirements must be met prior to closing, if not bond will be used to comply. If there is a failure to have sanitary facilities on site, the cost of providing them will be deducted from the bond plus a $1,000 penalty.) 

No surface disturbing activities are to be conducted prior to the water hook-up and sewer stub being located.

 

The owner is responsible for the water line from the meter to the house. A meter will be installed once the trench is open by the home owner or contractor from the house to the street hookup location. The water hookup location is identified by a water stop valve marker (3” round steel marker).  No connections are to be made to the water system until the meter is installed. No water meters will be installed between Nov 15 and April 15.  

 

The sewer line and hookup are the responsibility of the lot owner.  The sewer hookup location is identified by a ruff cut 2” X 4” placed at end of hookup.  

 

Do not remove or destroy the water or sewer markers. 
 

Please mail a check to the PO Box listed on the invoice.  If a credit card payment is preferred, please complete an Accounting Question Form to request a payment link.

 

NOTE: We do not accept credit cards for one-time fees, such as water meters, building application fees or building bonds.  A check must be sent to the PO Box, or delivered in person to a Compliance Committee member.

 

Our new mailing address for payments is:
PO Box 281
Garden City, UT 84028
 
All other mail should be sent to:
9 Dutch Canyon Road
Fish Haven, ID 83287

Please complete a Change of Address form

• Water fees are $175 base plus $2.50/thousand up to 100,000 gallons. For all usage over 100,000 gals $5.00/thousand. Water meter readings are rounded to the nearest 1,000 gallons. Meters are read once a year in early September and are assessed on properties with water meters.
• Currently POA dues are $310/year and Amenities dues are $310/year for a total of $620/year. All dues are assessed per lot and are due the 1st of January. 

 

The Board hosts official board meetings every second Saturday of the month from April through November.  The meetings start at 10AM in the POA Board room above Coopers (take the stairs up one flight from the main entrance). Any deviations from this schedule will be posted on Upcoming Events.  Members are welcome to observe.  Any member requested agenda items need to be coordinated in advance through the Board Meeting Agenda Request Form.  

 

Our annual member meeting is the second Saturday in August.  More information about the location will be provided as it comes closer.  Historically it has been held in Coopers, though more recently we have been coordinating with the HOA to rent out meeting space.  Generally, the joint HOA/POA amenities meeting is afterwards.  

Over the last few years, our Board has been working on technology upgrades.  We initially wanted to have a log-in portal where members could self-service most needs, such as change in mailing address, reviewing invoices and payments, create request tickets that are visible to staff and board members, etc. We observed demos of over 10 potential solutions.

 

We found an inexpensive solution that fits most of our needs, except being able to review billings and payments.  However, there is a Contact Us: Accounting Billings & Payments form that gets routed directly to our Accountant, Tiffany Wahlberg.  If you have any questions about billings and payments, please use the form and Tiffany can electronically send invoices, statements or payment information.

 

We are still in an implementation phase of the website- meaning not all members are onboarded.  Each time a member registers, we manually confirm the person is a member, and then link their profile to their property(s).  Each property may have 1 primary contact, and then multiple secondary contacts.  For those with multiple properties, it is ideal if 1 person is consistently the primary contact so that all users can view all properties.  

 

Once we have more members onboarded, the Board will then make decisions as to which content should not be public, but require a log-in to view.  Also, we will be able to take advantage of additional functionality, such as member surveys, etc.  Stay tuned. 

For specific questions or concerns on road plowing, please complete this Plowing Feedback form.  Pictures are critical for us to understand the concerns.  We are still working through how to allow for photos to be attached to our forms- in the meantime, we will reach out and ask for photos after the form is initiated.  

 

As noted in our member update, driveway plowing was discontinued for the 2023/24 winter season.  There are service providers listed in the member update, and we will be adding more to our Local Business Directory.

The Bear Lake valley and its surrounding mountain ranges have over 350 miles of groomed snowmobile trails and wide open play areas with no crowds and no fences! There are many connecting groomed trails that take you by spectacular wonders. Early in the spring, these trails provide wonderful snowmobiling. Later in the spring, you can access the trails with an ATV. You may discover a cascading waterfall or follow a meandering stream. You may even catch a glimpse of a elk or moose! The snowmobile season starts in late November and extends into April. The Fish Haven Trail Head is the perfect starting place for snowmobiling, ATV riding and mountain biking. Head west on Fish Haven Canyon Rd 1.2 miles to parking area.

Anglers come from miles around to enjoy the various fishing opportunities found in the Bear Lake valley. Bear Lake is home to a trophy cutthroat trout fishery where the in 2021 a record cutthroat of 31 inches was caught. Lake trout also inhabit the lake and may grow to 30 lbs. Trolling and jigging from boats can be done throughout the year, winter and spring months being the most productive. 

 

Idaho Fish and Game stock over 30-million fish from its hatcheries into rivers, lowland lakes, reservoirs and mountain lakes every year. Check out their website to review their regional Stocking Records.

As spring makes its way into Bear Lake, early leaves and flowers welcome you as you ride or walk a lake or mountain trail. Springtime offers some of the best hiking adventures to be had. In the spring, blossoms are out, and melting snow is filling small streams and creating waterfalls. Springtime offers a much great variety of wildflowers including some incredibly rare species that only bloom for a week or two at most. See Hiking and Biking Trails for a list of several picturesque trails in the Bear Lake Valley.

Beaver Mountain ski resort in Logan canyon has beginner, intermediate and expert terrain.  

The Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge stretches across a broad valley north of the lake. It offers a superb habitat for migratory waterfowl. More than 160 avian species, including shorebirds, waterfowl, and songbirds, call the refuge’s wetlands, ponds, and meadows home. Wildlife photographers and avid birders gather here to observe the various birds, including huge flocks of Canada geese, sandhill cranes, and numerous duck species.

To be assigned a mailbox, please initiate the process via the post office in Paris, ID.  The Post Office will contact Michael Howlett to assign the mailbox.  Michael will coordinate the set-up with the Post Office and provide keys.  

 

Any questions should be directed to Michael Howlett at (515) 218-3669

The POA owns and operates our private water system, managed by Dan Fillion.  For questions related to our water system, please use the Water System Question form.

• Power is provided by Rocky Mountain Power
• Sewer is provided by the Fish Haven Recreational Sewer District
• The water system is owned and operated by the POA. For those who have water meters, your usage is billed annually.  We have great water. The annual water report can be found on our website.  
• Household waste is collected at the dumpsters located at the Northeast corner of the property, where Mountain Way connects to Loveland Lane.  There is a gate to access the dumpsters.
• Telephone land lines and Fiber internet are available through Direct Communications.  There are other internet options, such as Starlink or Hughes net.