Documents & Forms

The community of Rio Vista has a rich and lively history spanning the last fifty-five years. This paper does not address the character of the community nor the characters who have lived in and owned property in Rio Vista. Rather, what follows is a chronology of the documents that established the community and the corporation charged with maintaining the community lands and enforcing the reservations, provisions and restrictions originally set forth in the Deed and Agreement.

The Deed and Agreement is mentioned quite frequently as the defining document for our community. While it is important, the Articles of Incorporation and the Extension of Restrictions are just as critical. The Deed and Agreement provides the overview of Theodore and Myrtle Fletcher’s view for Rio Vista and the Articles of Incorporation provide the operational rules and powers of the corporation established by Theodore Fletcher to manage and oversee the community. Extensions requiring notarized signatures from owners of 2/3 of the sold land area must be filed every twenty years to continue the provisions of the Deed & Agreement.

Over the years, various Boards of Governors have voted to approve By-Laws as specified in the Articles of Incorporation. From 2005 to 2008 a committee of Board members studied and analyzed all the legal documents and all the By-Laws approved by past boards. In May, 2008, the Board reviewed the consolidated By-Laws produced by this committee and approved them by unanimous vote. These By-Laws bring together in one document the regulations and operating procedures specified in our legal documents as well as the provisions approved by Boards of Governors from 1955 to the present. A copy has been prepared for each lot owner in Rio Vista. In an organized and straightforward fashion, all of the information concerning management, officers, committees, finances, meetings, restrictions and regulations are included. Definitions have been added as well as attachments containing fee schedules, construction and architectural policies and forms, picnic area, boat dock and boat dock area regulations and the boat slip rental agreement. When you receive your copy, please keep it with your important papers and use it as a reference. When your property is passed along to a new owner, these By-Laws should be a part of that transaction.

Approved AUGUST 14, 2024 – Effective OCTOBER 15, 2024

Latest By-Laws

Provision Changes – Article by Article Updates

Download the By-Laws that were approved by the RVCA Board of Governors on August 14, 2024, with an effective date of October 15, 2024. See the changes (updates) from the 12/22/2022 version of the By-Laws.

HISTORICAL RIO VISTA DOCUMENTS

Documents relevant to the Development & Management of RVCA

DECEMBER 22, 2022

Current By-Laws (click to view)

APRIL 24, 1954

Deed & Agreement filed in Talbot County Land Records by attorney for Theodore & Myrtle Fletcher

• Defines streets and lots on Map of Rio Vista
• Reserves Community Landing & Recreation Area for members of an Association
• Stipulates that Association shall be incorporated under the laws of Maryland
• Stipulates that restrictions, conditions, covenants, agreements, easements and reservations continue in force until January 1, 1974 and may be extended for 20 years from that date and for successive periods of 20 years providing extension is consented to by the owners (not mortgagees) of not less than 2/3 of the land sold
• PURPOSE of Association
  • Association to promote activities and interests sponsored by membership of Association
  • Association to administer and enforce all reservations, restrictions, covenants understandings and agreements in Deed & Agreement

SEPTEMBER 3, 1954

Articles of Incorporation filed with Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation

• Establishes Rio Vista Beach Club, Inc.
• Stipulates that Association is composed of owners and or occupants of residential lots
• States that Association is to be operated for community betterment and earnings not to benefit of any member or individual
• POWERS and PURPOSE of Corporation:
  • To promote activities and interests sponsored by membership of Association
  • To hold, maintain, improve & beautify Community Landing & Recreation Area
  • To administer and enforce all reservations, restrictions, agreements and provisions affecting Rio Vista
  • To manage the corporation through a Board of Governors consisting of not less than three members
  • To define the powers of the Board –
    • By majority vote adopt By-Laws necessary for government and management of the corporation and to amend them from time to time
    • Define the terms of admission to membership and the amount and time of payment of dues of members

FEBRUARY 23, 1956

Memorandum of Agreement – Fletchers agree to deposit in escrow a Deed of Assignment

FEBRUARY 23, 1956

Deed of Assignment signed by Fletchers and held in escrow by their attorney until 75% of lots sold and recorded in Talbot County Land Records

• Gives to Association same rights, powers and obligations as given to Fletcher in Deed & Agreement
• Association agrees to accept rights, powers and obligations

JUNE 28, 1958

Agreement by Fletchers to waive the 75% provision and to instruct their attorney to file the Deed of Assignment

JULY 10, 1958

Deed of Assignment filed in Talbot County Land Records

• Gives to Rio Vista Beach Club, Inc. the same rights, powers and obligations as given to Fletcher in Deed & Agreement
• Releases Fletchers from these rights, powers and obligations
• Corporation agrees to accept rights, powers and obligations

JULY 10, 1958

Deed conveying Community Landing and Recreation Area (4.13 Acres) to Rio Vista Beach Club, Inc. filed in Talbot County Land Records

DECEMBER 27, 1973

Extension of Restrictions Rio Vista Development filed in Talbot County Land Records

• Fulfills requirement of Deed & Agreement that restrictions are extended every 20 years
• Owners of at least two-thirds of the sold land signed the extension; all signatures were notarized

JANUARY 21, 1975

Articles of Amendment of Rio Vista Beach Club, Inc. filed with Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation

• Changed name to Rio Vista Community Association, Inc.
• Modified purpose to include:
  • To present members’ views through authorized representatives before government bodies, committees or officials
  • To promote activities to enhance appearance of Rio Vista such as beautification projects, festive decorations, neatness and cleanliness of properties
  • To hold, maintain improve and beautify Community Landing and Recreation Area
  • To administer and enforce all the reservations, restrictions, covenants, agreements and provisions affecting Rio Vista
  • To raise funds by public or private solicitation, through the payment of dues by levying assessments on members or by obtaining government grants, loans or subsidies
• Clarified that the corporation is a non-profit organization

DECEMBER 29, 1993

Second Extension of Restrictions of the Rio Vista Community Association filed in Talbot County Land Records

• Fulfills requirement of Deed & Agreement that restrictions are extended every 20 years
• Owners of at least two-thirds of the sold land signed the extension; all signatures were notarized

MAY 15, 2008

2008 Consolidated By-Laws approved by Board of Governors

• Brings together in one document regulations and operating procedures specified in legal documents and provisions approved by Board of Governors
• Contains information on management, officers, committees, finances, meetings restrictions and regulations
• Also contains definitions, fee schedules and forms

JUNE 1, 2012

Third Extension of Restrictions of the Rio Vista filed in Talbot County Land Records

• Fulfills requirement of Deed & Agreement that restrictions are extended every 20 years
• Owners of at least two-thirds of the sold land signed the extension; all signatures were notarized