RULES & REGULATIONS 

Last Updated:  May 14, 2024

INTRODUCTION

The primary goals of the Dominion Hills Area Recreation Association (DHARA) are to provide a safe, civil, cooperative, enjoyable, family-friendly atmosphere for all of its members and for the DHARA staff and volunteers who manage the pool operations and support its activities.

These RULES AND REGULATIONS are for the protection and benefit of all users of the pool facilities and are designed to assure the safe and sanitary operation of our pools. While using the facilities, all members, their families, and guests are expected to know and follow the pool rules, especially those about pool safety. The parents in a family membership must instruct their children and guests to observe all rules and to obey instructions from lifeguards and managers. Continued failure to comply with these rules shall be considered cause for suspension of privileges as specified in the bylaws and in these rules.

1. GENERAL RULES

1.1 The cost of any property damage or expenses incurred through violations of these rules or otherwise by a family member, members of the household and guests, and holders of use permits may be charged to the membership responsible.  

1.2 DHARA will not be held responsible for loss or damage to personal property.

2. REGISTRATION AND ADMISSION TO THE POOL

2.1 People thirteen years of age or older must individually sign in as they enter the facility. Children under the age of thirteen will not be admitted unless accompanied by someone who is thirteen or older, who must remain with and supervise them at all times.

2.2 No one will be admitted unless their information is current in the check-in database.

3. POOL RULES

3.1 The manager and lifeguards on duty are in charge.

3.2 Showering with soap and water is encouraged before entering the pool.

3.3 Everyone, especially children, is requested to use the toilet facilities before entering the pool. Parents are encouraged to supervise children using the restrooms for their safety and to minimize litter and damage to the facility.

3.4 Individuals wearing diapers must wear tight-fitting rubber pants and swimsuits over the diapers in order to use any pool. A limited supply of rubber pants will be available for purchase in the guard room for emergency situations.

3.5 Do not change diapers on picnic tables. 

3.6 Persons with skin eruptions, open sores, bandages, band-aids, and so forth are not permitted in the pool.

3.7 Glass, other breakable objects, and gum are not permitted in the pool area, the bathhouse, or any location where members, permit holders, or guests may have bare feet.

3.8 All swimmers and divers must pass the swim test or demonstrate adequate swimming skills to be in the deep-end side of the main pool, including the diving well and “triangle” area.

The swim test is administered by the manager on duty. The swimmer must, without stopping to rest, swim freestyle one length of the dive well (from the west wall to the triangle), stop and tread water for one minute, and swim freestyle one length of the dive well back to the west wall. Please see the manager on duty for more information.

3.9 Children under five years of age must be accompanied in the water at all times by a parent or other childcare provider.

3.10 Children who have not passed the swim test must have an adult within arm’s reach at all times while in the shallow side of the main pool.

3.11 Children using floatation devices in the training tank must have an adult within arm’s reach at all times. No floatation devices are allowed in the main pool.

3.12 At ten minutes before the hour, the lifeguards may call a break. Everyone under the age of sixteen must exit the water.

3.13 Those intending to swim laps have priority use of the lap lanes. Circle swimming is required when lanes are crowded. If the lap lanes are not in use for lap swimming, they may be used recreationally. Lap lanes may not be available on holidays, weekends or other times when pool attendance is high, at the discretion of the manager on duty. 

3.14 Distracting and dangerous activities are prohibited, including but not limited to running, wrestling, dunking, spitting, horseplay, pushing others into the water, and distracting guards in the chair.

3.15 Diving with hands and arms along the sides of the diver so that there is no protection for the head of the diver is prohibited.

3.16 No swimming is allowed in the diving area when the board is in use.

3.17 Only one person is permitted on the diving board at a time. 

3.18 All trash and recycling must be placed in proper receptacles.

3.19 No food or drink (except water in a non-breakable container) is allowed on the lower pool deck and bleachers. Food, soft drinks, and so forth are allowed only in the following areas

• Concession and upper deck area
• On the wood deck area
• Outside the fenced pool area.

3.20 All picnics and other informal gatherings must be cleaned by the member prior to closing.

3.21 Squirt guns, snorkels, and inner tubes are not permitted in any of the pools or pool areas. Inflatables, such as basketballs and beach balls, diving torpedoes, kickboards, and fins, are permitted only at the discretion of the manager on duty. No toys are permitted in the main pool. 

3.22 No one is allowed on the bulkhead divider between the two sections of the main pool unless specifically approved by the manager or lifeguards on duty.

3.23 Strollers are only allowed in the wading pool area or under the awning on the upper deck.

3.24 The wading pool is for use by children six years of age and younger and their childcare provider. Children must be supervised at all times by a parent, responsible adult, or registered childcare provider.

4. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

4.1 Alcohol is permitted on premises, subject to Virginia law, including the Alcoholic Beverage Control laws and regulations, and in compliance with these rules.

4.2 At no time will DHARA provide, sell, or store alcohol for the consumption of its members, permit holders, or guests.

4.3 Members, permit holders, and guests must act responsibly and limit alcohol use around the water.

4.4 If a Member’s party includes beginning or inexperienced swimmers, attend to them while they are swimming and refrain from consuming alcohol.

4.5 Underage drinking is prohibited. Do not leave alcoholic beverages unattended or otherwise accessible by underage pool attendees. The local police will be called if any underage drinking is witnessed.

4.6 Glass containers are not permitted in the pool area, the bathhouse, or any location where members, permit holders, or guests may have bare feet.

4.7 Disorderly or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.

4.8 Anyone consuming alcohol on the premises is responsible for having a safe means of leaving, such as a designated driver.

4.9 We do not, under any circumstances, accept responsibility for any harm that results to yourself, anyone else, or any property due to the consumption of alcoholic beverages.

4.10 Anyone not complying with these rules may be directed to leave the premises immediately and may be suspended from returning.

5. GUESTS

5.1 A Member may not have more than six guests on any one day without prior approval from the manager on duty.

5.2 Subject to the below exceptions outlined in section 5.4, there is a fee for bringing guests.  These fees are outlined on our fee page: https://dominionhills.org/membership/guests/.

5.3 Members must sign each guest in at the front desk when entering the pool.

5.4 The pool Manager and Board of Directors members are permitted guests allowed by these rules without paying daily or guest pass fees. Employees of the pool, when not on duty, are allowed to bring one guest for each visit without paying.

6. SPECIAL REGULATIONS

6.1 Procedures governing the use of the pools or other facilities by persons other than immediate family members, such as a visiting grandparent, will be prescribed on a situational and individual basis. For information, see the pool manager. 

6.2 There is a fee for each childcare provider who supervises member children at the facility. Parents are required to ensure that childcare providers understand the rules of the pool and the need to provide close supervision of young children in and near the water. Childcare providers must be registered with the membership recorder and listed on the check-in computer at the front desk. Fees and procedures for childcare providers are specified on the website.  

7. SWIMMING AND DIVING LESSONS

7.1 Only an employee of the pool may provide swim and dive lessons for a fee. 

7.2 Individual lessons may be offered only to DHARA members.

7.3 Group swimming lessons may include members and non-members and must be approved by the DHARA manager.

8. SUSPENSION OF POOL PRIVILEGES

8.1 Any member, permit holder, guest, or child care provider who fails to adhere to DHARA rules, or whose actions or activities are determined by DHARA staff to disrupt the safe and orderly operation of the pool, may be directed by the manager on duty to leave the premises immediately, along with any children in such individual’s care.

At the discretion of the pool manager, any individual who is directed to leave the premises pursuant to this subsection may be prohibited from entering the pool facilities for a period not to exceed seven days. The Member or permit holder will be notified of this action. Notice of such action will be in writing, signed by the pool manager.

Upon a second occurrence of being directed to leave the premises, at the recommendation of the pool manager and with the concurrence of the Executive Committee, such an individual’s use of the facilities may be suspended for a period to be determined by the Board of Directors but not to exceed 30 days. Notice of such action will be in writing, signed by the President of DHARA or designee.

Depending on the nature of the behavior involved, the Board may extend the suspension or take further action at its next regularly scheduled meeting. Any individual whose use of the premises has been suspended under these procedures shall not be entitled to any refund or credit of the annual membership contribution (AMC) for the period of suspension.

8.2 REVOCATION OF POOL MEMBERSHIP FOR UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

Personal behavior that detracts from DHARA goals and rules will not be tolerated.

If the behavior of any member, permit holder, family member(s), guest(s), or child care provider is determined to be threatening, abusive, intimidating, disruptive, harassing, violent, dangerous, reckless, or repeatedly noncompliant with DHARA policies and procedures, as determined by the manager or the Board, the member’s membership or holder’s use permit may be revoked by the Board depending on the nature of the behavior involved. The Board may exercise this authority independently from the policies and procedures for suspension of pool privileges described in Section 8.1 or as a subsequent action to suspension of pool privileges, depending on the nature of the behavior involved.

Revocation of membership or use permit may be authorized based on:

(1) Cumulative behavior over time that, in the judgment of the Board, fits into one or more of the categories of unacceptable behavior listed above, or

(2) Any single event determined by the Board to be sufficiently threatening, egregious, or detrimental to the welfare of the membership or to the Association to warrant immediate action. A vote by the Board to revoke a membership or use permit for unacceptable behavior requires a two-thirds majority of the Board members present at a regularly scheduled Board meeting for which a quorum is present. In the event of behavior warranting immediate action, a special meeting of the Board may be called by the President to vote on the membership or use permit revocation proposal.

Except in cases warranting immediate revocation, the Board will provide advance written notice, either electronically or by letter, to a member or user whose action(s) have been determined to constitute unacceptable behavior that his or her membership or use permit may be revoked for this behavior. Written notice will be provided to a member or user for each incident that could ultimately lead to revocation of his or her membership or use permit.

All communications between the Board and a member or user regarding a proposed revocation will be in writing unless the Board, at its sole discretion, agrees to discuss such action with the Member or user at a designated Board meeting. Personal communications between the Member or user and the manager or individual Board members outside of these designated processes are not authorized.

8.3 Any member whose membership has been revoked by the Board will receive a full refund of the capital contribution cost, based on its current value. The Member may also receive a pro-rated portion of any annual membership contribution already paid for the current annual fiscal operating year. The pro-rated amount will be based on the ratio of the number of days of DHARA’s annual fiscal operating year remaining as of the date of revocation divided by the total number of days of DHARA’s current annual fiscal operating year (365). In cases where damage to DHARA property is the cause or a contributing factor for revocation, the cost to repair such damage will be deducted from any refund for the revoked membership.

9. MEMBERSHIP DEFINITIONS

9.1 Family membership consists of a single-family unit living at one address. For the purposes of this definition, two married couples living at one address are counted as two family units. A family unit which owns the family membership may include:

• Spouses or an unmarried couple, as joint tenants ; 

• Unmarried children living at home, or who normally live at home and are temporarily away from home; 

• Unmarried relatives living permanently at the same address who have been specifically approved by the Board of Directors (for the purposes of this definition, unmarried relatives include widowed, divorced, or permanently, legally separated).

9.2 A family unit or an individual may not own or rent more than one membership.

9.3 All memberships and use privileges, including transfers thereof, require the approval of the Board of Directors. Individuals or families applying for membership prior to opening day will receive written notification of their membership, including their membership number, by email.

9.4 DHARA has established a Founders Pass permit consisting of former emeritus members of DHARA, who were part of DHARA’s original founding membership. While they are no longer members, Founders Pass permit holders continue to have the same access to the pool as members. The holders of a Founders Pass contribute a reduced amount annually, as may be established from time to time by the Board of Directors and approved by the membership for usage of the facilities.

10. MEMBERSHIP DUES, CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION, AND ASSESSMENTS

10.1 Members pay a pro-rata share of the Association’s annual fiscal year operating expenses. This annual membership contribution (AMC) is due in such amount as may be established from time to time by the Board of Directors and approved by the membership. Payment must be received by MARCH 15 EACH YEAR regardless of the place of residence of the Member. Members must submit the AMC to DHARA via the website. 

Failure to pay the AMC by the March 15 deadline will result in late fees, and failure to pay by April 15 will result in an additional increase in  late fees.  The late fees are specified on the website. A Member will be prohibited from using the facility until the AMC and any applicable late fees are paid in full.

If the AMC and late fees are not paid in full on or before April 30, the membership can be condemned, revoked, and sold by DHARA because on May 1 the membership’s unpaid obligation will then exceed the value of the membership.

Late Fees are documented in the invoice and on the fees website page. (link)

10.2 All memberships will be charged a capital contribution upon acceptance as a member. The amount of the then-current capital contribution may be found on the website. From time to time, the membership may vote to increase the capital contribution. Any increase in the capital contribution must be paid by the due date. Failure to pay by the due date will result in late fees, as specified on the website or in the capital contribution increase notice. The Membership will be prohibited from using the facility until the capital contribution and any applicable late fees are paid in full. A capital contribution is returned to a membership when the membership is sold.

10.3 From time to time, the membership may vote to issue an assessment to all members. Any assessments approved by the membership must be paid by the due date. Failure to pay by the due date will result in late fees, as specified on the website or in the assessment notice. The Member family will be prohibited from using the facility until the assessment and any applicable late fees are paid in full.

10.4 If a membership has been delinquent in paying its financial obligations, the membership may be revoked by a majority of the Members voting at an annual or special meeting of the membership or by a two-thirds vote of the Directors present at a Board meeting when the delinquent amount equals or exceeds the current value (established capital contribution cost) of the membership. Upon revocation, DHARA will deduct all unpaid obligations from the established capital contribution cost.

11. APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

11.1 Applicants for membership in DHARA must complete an online application form and pay a non-refundable fee.  The applicable fee may be found on the website.

Available memberships are offered only to those highest on the waitlist, in chronological order. Upon receiving an offer of membership, the applicant must immediately notify the membership recorder of their intention to either accept, decline, or defer.

Accepting a membership: See TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP section below. 

Declining a membership: Immediately notify the membership recorder. The offer will be withdrawn and the applicant will be removed from the waitlist. Applicants may reapply for membership at a future date by completing an online application form and paying the waitlist fee. They are then placed at the bottom of the waitlist.

Deferring a membership: An offer of membership may be deferred once, for one year, by immediately notifying the membership recorder and paying the deferral fee, which may be found on the website. The applicant’s name is recorded on the membership offer deferral list and will be contacted the following year with a second offer to purchase the first available membership from the transfer list, in chronological order. The applicant is not permitted to defer a second time and must accept or decline the offer of membership.

11.2 If the applicant does not accept, decline or defer (if eligible) an offer of membership, or otherwise does not respond within seven days, the offer will be withdrawn and the applicant will be removed from the waitlist. Applicants may reapply for membership at a future date by completing an online application form and paying the waitlist fee, which may be found on the website. They are then placed at the bottom of the waitlist.

12. TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP

12.1 A membership may be transferred upon written request and approval of the Board of Directors. A membership may be transferred:

• To the purchaser at the same time as the sale of the member’s residence; however, the membership is not part of and does not pass with title to the residential real estate; or
• To a relative. Relatives, for the purpose of transfer, shall be limited to parents, children, grandchildren, and siblings of the Member family.

If not transferred in one of the two preceding ways, a membership transfer shall be made according to the rules in this section.

12.2 A transfer will not be approved if the consideration between the parties of the transfer exceeds the current capital contribution cost for the family membership. The current capital contribution can be found on the fees and costs page of the website.

12.3 If a Member wishes to offer their membership for transfer, they must do so through DHARA. Transfers are permitted between October 1 and March 1. The Member must provide written notification to the membership recorder stating their desire to transfer their membership. A membership offered for transfer shall be placed on the membership transfer list in the chronological order in which the notification is received. Memberships available for transfer will be first offered from the top of the transfer list to the applicant atop the waitlist.

A member whose membership has been offered for transfer or is in the process of being transferred remains the Member of record and will continue to be responsible for their AMC and any assessments or other contributions to DHARA.

12.4 The applicant being offered a membership will receive a blank membership transfer form and the contact information of the current owner of the membership.

If the share is currently owned by a member, both parties must complete and sign the membership transfer form. The applicant must pay the amount of the capital contribution cost directly to the current owner and pay the amount of the annual membership contribution directly to DHARA.

If a membership is owned by DHARA, the applicant must complete and sign the membership transfer form. The applicant must pay the amount of the capital contribution cost and the amount of the annual membership contribution directly to DHARA.

The transfer is completed and recorded in the DHARA membership database once the completed and signed membership transfer form and all applicable funds are received from the applicant by the membership recorder, and the transfer has been approved by the Board of Directors.

12.5 New members will have to pay their AMC within a specified time period.  See the membership fees outlined on the website.  

12.6 Memberships may not be transferred until all delinquent assessments and contributions to the annual operating expenses of DHARA have been received.

13. MEMBERSHIP RENTALS

13.1 There is no inactive status. However, as long as a waitlist exists, a Member may elect to offer their membership for summer rental through DHARA. The summer rental applies to a single season form pool open in the Spring to pool close in the Fall.

13.2 A Member must state their request to rent for the following summer by notifying the membership recorder between October 1 and March 1. A non-refundable rental processing fee shall be paid by the Member. The fee is specified on the website. Requests for rental will be granted in order of chronological receipt. 

13.3 Members retain ownership and control of the membership and retain all voting rights in the Association. A Member is entitled to limited usage of the pool and facility by means of 10 guest credits added to the Member’s account in the membership portal (by the membership recorder or designee). The Member remains eligible to rent the community house at member rates during the rental period.

13.4 A Member may not rent their membership for more than two seasons during the course of ownership unless the Member or their family is temporarily relocated out of the area.

13.5 If DHARA is unable to rent the membership by March 15, the Member is responsible for full payment of the AMC and any assessments or other contributions to DHARA. If the Member has paid the AMC, and the membership is later transferred or rented, a prorated amount of the AMC will be refunded to them, less the rental fee.

13.6 Available rentals will be offered to those on the waitlist in the order they appear on the waitlist. If the rental is accepted, the party accepting the rental is responsible for the AMC plus a fee, which is specified on the website.  As noted, the rental provides a permit to visit the pool during the swim season. 

13.7 There is no guarantee that a membership offered for rental will find a taker. 

13.8 A limited number of special temporary August-September rentals, covering the period from August 1 to the end of the swim season, may, at the discretion of the Board of Directors and contingent on the size of the waitlist, be offered for a payment to be determined by the Board of Directors and listed on the website.

13.9 Within the duration of their respective rental/usage terms, a summer renter or an August-September renter may enjoy the same privileges and benefits as a standard, registered member such as full usage of the pool and community house and participation in pool events and programs.

14. TENANT MEMBERSHIP

14.1 Upon written request to and approval by the Board of Directors, a Member may transfer their full membership use privileges to the tenant occupying the Member’s premises during their absence.

14.2 Membership use privileges will be granted to the tenant only if the required annual membership contribution (AMC) to the annual operating expenses of DHARA is or has been made. It will be the responsibility of the Member family to see that all contributions are made to DHARA.

14.3 The holder of a tenant use privilege is required to relinquish such use privileges when the Member family applies in writing for a return to active membership. The Member family is expected to refund to the tenant use privilege holder an equitable portion of the AMC if the tenant use privilege holder made such payment of the AMC to DHARA.

15. REQUIRED NOTIFICATIONS

15.1 Members must notify DHARA immediately, in writing,

• Of any change in address; or 
• Any contest or other dispute regarding ownership and use of the membership between the joint owners.

15.2 Failure to give any of the required notifications resulting in financial delinquency will cause the status of a membership to be placed on the agenda for the next general or special meeting of the membership or the Board of Directors for possible revocation or transfer.

16. COMMUNITY HOUSE RENTALS

16.1 Rentals of the community house shall be submitted and paid online.  Only members in good standing are allowed to rent the community house.  Members are permitted to sponsor non-members to rent the facility, but the sponsoring member will be responsible for any issues that may arise or any damages that occur.

16.2 Member rental rates for the community house are available for a Member’s own personal, private functions and shall not apply to any rentals on behalf of any organization or other non-member person. Non-members and non-member’s business or commercial entities may not rent or use the community house or grounds for income producing purposes.

17. USE OF PARKING LOTS AND DRIVEWAYS

17.1 The parking lots and driveways of DHARA are only for the use of members and authorized guests while attending functions or swimming. Unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner’s risk and expense.

17.2 Overnight parking is not permitted unless specifically authorized by the Board of Directors. Persons given permission by the Board for overnight parking must sign a special use and release form before they may begin to use the parking facilities. 

17.3 Use of driveways is only permitted to gain entrance to and exit from DHARA property. At no time are large or heavily loaded trucks or through traffic permitted on the parking lot.

18. RULES CHANGES

All rules will be reviewed at least annually and are subject to change. Such change will be posted on the DHARA website at www.dominionhills.org.

REVISED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS on May 14, 2024