Dominion Hills Area Recreation Association (DHARA)

Rules & Regulations

Last updated and adopted by the DHARA Board of Directors: April 30, 2026

A Message from the Board

Welcome to DHARA! These Rules and Regulations are designed to help make sure everyone who enjoys our community pool and facilities has a safe, positive, and family-friendly experience. They also help keep operations fair and consistent for Members, staff, and guests.

  1. Preface

These Rules and Regulations are adopted by the DHARA Board of Directors under the authority of Article IV of the Amended and Restated Bylaws of Dominion Hills Area Recreation Association Incorporated (the “Bylaws”). Capitalized terms used in these Rules have the same meaning as in the Bylaws. In the event of any conflict between these Rules and the Bylaws, the Bylaws shall govern and control.

The Rules are intended to promote the safety, comfort, and enjoyment of all Members, families, and guests while supporting the fair and efficient operation of DHARA’s facilities. The Manager, staff, and Board are authorized to interpret and enforce these Rules, and the Board may amend them.

  1. General Standards of Conduct

DHARA strives to provide a welcoming, cooperative environment for all Members, their families, and guests. Everyone using DHARA facilities is expected to behave respectfully and safely. Members, guests, and permit holders should treat staff, volunteers, and one another with courtesy. Please follow all posted rules and any instructions from lifeguards, the Manager, or staff on duty. Unsafe, disrespectful, or disruptive behavior—including harassment or disorderly conduct—violates these Rules and will not be tolerated. Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring their children and guests understand and follow pool and facility rules at all times.

  1. Facility Use and Access
    1. All Members and guests must check in upon entering the facility. Members age 13 and older may visit on their own. Children under 13 must be accompanied and supervised by someone at least 13 years old who is responsible for their behavior and safety.
    2. DHARA is not responsible for loss or damage to personal belongings.
    3. The Manager may close the pool or any part of the facility at any time for safety, maintenance, staffing, or weather conditions.
  2. Pool Rules and Safety
    1. Safety is everyone’s responsibility. The Manager and lifeguards are in charge of the pool area, and their directions must always be followed.
    2. All swimmers are expected to practice good personal hygiene. Showering before entering the pool is encouraged, and individuals who are ill or have a contagious condition should not use the pool until they are well. Children who require diapers must wear appropriate swim diapers or protective coverings while in the water.
    3. Gum, glass containers, and other breakable items are not allowed anywhere on the pool deck.
    4. Swimmers must pass the DHARA swim test before using the deeper areas of the pool. Children who have not passed the swim test must be accompanied in the water by an adult, and non-swimmers must remain within arm’s reach of an adult at all times.
    5. Lap lanes are designated primarily for lap swimming. When lanes are crowded, circle swimming is required to allow shared use. Use of lap lanes for anything other than lap swimming is permitted only when the lap lanes are not needed for lap swimming.
    6. Running, rough play, pushing, dunking, and other hazardous behavior are not permitted. Activities that distract lifeguards from their duties are prohibited.
    7. Only one person may be on a diving board at a time. Swimming in the diving area is not permitted while a diving board is in use.
    8. Food and beverages must be limited to designated areas. Beverages in non-breakable containers are permitted on the pool deck.
    9. Pool toys and inflatables may be used only with the approval of the Manager on duty and may be restricted based on crowding, safety, or other conditions.
    10. The baby pool is reserved for children six years of age and younger. Children using the baby pool must be closely supervised at all times by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult.
    11. Use of the bulkhead divider between the two sections of the main pool is not permitted unless approved by the Manager or lifeguards on duty.
    12. To keep walkways clear and accessible, strollers are permitted only in the wading pool area or under the picnic shelter on the upper deck.
  3. Guests and Parties
    1. Members are welcome to bring guests to enjoy the pool. Each Membership may bring up to six guests per day without advance notice.
    2. Groups larger than six guests must be approved by the Manager in advance.
    3. Guest fees are listed on DHARA’s website and must be paid upon check-in.
    4. All guests must sign in at the front desk when entering the facility.
    5. The Pool Manager and members of the Board may admit guests in accordance with these Rules without paying daily guest or guest pass fees. Pool employees, when not on duty, may bring one guest per visit without charge.
  4. Alcohol Policy
    1. Members and guests may consume alcohol responsibly on the DHARA premises, in accordance with Virginia law and these Rules. DHARA does not sell alcohol.
    2. Alcoholic beverages must be limited to approved areas and consumed responsibly. Disorderly behavior, intoxication, or any activity that endangers others will result in removal from the premises.
    3. Underage drinking is strictly prohibited, and DHARA may notify local authorities if it occurs.
    4. Anyone consuming alcohol is responsible for ensuring they have a safe means of transportation home.
    5. The Manager has full authority to remove from the premises any individual who violates this policy.
  5. Childcare Providers and Swim Lessons
    1. Registered childcare providers may accompany Member children, provided they are listed on the Member’s account and the Member has paid the required registration fee.
    2. Members are responsible for ensuring that childcare providers understand and follow all pool rules.
    3. Only DHARA-employed instructors may offer swim or dive lessons for payment. Group lessons that include non-members must be approved by the Manager.
  6. Rentals (Membership, Community House, and Tenant Use)
    1. Full Time Status Members may offer their Membership for a one-season “summer rental” when a waitlist exists. Requests are accepted between October 1 and March 1. Members must submit a rental request to the Membership Recorder membership@dominionhills.org.  and pay a non-refundable processing fee, as noted on the DHARA website.
    2. Rental requests are processed in the order received. DHARA matches available rentals to individuals on the waitlist in chronological order. There is no guarantee that a Member’s rental will be placed.
    3. If placed, the renter pays the AMC plus a rental fee to DHARA. Members retain ownership, voting rights, and responsibility for all obligations and receive ten complimentary guest passes for use during the season.
    4. If DHARA cannot place a rental by March 15, the Member remains responsible for paying any Dues, Capital Contribtions or other fees and assessments. A prorated refund may be issued if the rental is later placed, less the rental fee. Members may rent their Memberships for up to two seasons during ownership, except in cases of temporary relocation outside the area or other exceptional circumstances, which shall be considered by the Board.
    5. Seasonal renters enjoy the same facility privileges as Members (including the opportunity to participate on DHARA’s swim and dive teams), except for voting rights.
    6. The Board may also authorize limited August–September rentals based on waitlist size, to applicants on the waitlist with terms and fees posted on the website.
    7. Members who lease their homes may request to assign their Membership pool privileges to their tenant for the duration of the lease. The Member must remain in Good Standing and is responsible for ensuring all payments and fees are current. Tenant privileges end when the Member notifies DHARA that they wish to resume active use.
    8. Members in Good Standing may rent the Community House for personal, private functions. Members may sponsor a non-member rental, but the sponsoring Member is responsible for conduct and damages.
    9. The Community House may not be used for business or income-producing events unless approved by the Board. Requests and payments are submitted online, and rental conditions and rates are listed on DHARA’s website. For inquiries regarding Community House rentals, please contact membership@dominionhills.org.
  7. Application for Membership
    1. Application and Fee.  Applicants for Membership in DHARA must submit an online application through the DHARA website and pay the required non-refundable application or waitlist fee. Current fees and application instructions are posted on the website.
    2. Waitlist and Order of Offers.  Available Memberships are offered only to applicants at the top of the waitlist, in chronological order. When an applicant receives an offer of Membership, the applicant must promptly notify the Membership Recorder of their intention to accept, decline, or defer the offer.
    3. Acceptance of an Offer.  Applicants who accept an offer of Membership must complete the transfer process in accordance with the Membership Transfers section of these Rules.
    4. Declining an Offer.  Applicants who decline an offer must notify the Membership Recorder promptly. The offer will be withdrawn, and the applicant will be removed from the waitlist if an applicant does not respond to an offer within five (5) days. An applicant who declines may reapply for Membership at a later date by submitting a new application and paying the applicable fee. Reapplicants will be placed at the bottom of the waitlist.
    5. Deferral of an Offer.  An applicant may defer an offer of Membership one time for a period of one year by promptly notifying the Membership Recorder and paying the applicable deferral fee, as listed on the website. The applicant’s name will be placed on the deferral list and will be contacted the following year with a second offer of the next available Membership, in chronological order. An applicant may not defer a second time and must accept or decline the subsequent offer.
  1. Membership Transfers
  1. A Membership may be transferred to a home purchaser at the beginning of the next season, but it does not automatically transfer with property title. Members may also transfer their Membership to a parent, child, grandchild, or sibling.
  2. To initiate a transfer, the Member must notify the Membership Recorder by email at membership@dominionhills.org. DHARA will confirm the account is current, then place the Membership on the transfer list in the order the notice was received.
  3. Requests to transfer a Membership must be made after the end of each pool season and no later than March 1 of each year. Standard transfers  occur between October 1 and March 1. DHARA offers the Membership to the next applicant on the waitlist.
  4. If the Membership is owned by a Member, the buyer pays the Initial Capital Contribution directly to the seller and pays the Dues directly to DHARA.
  5. If the Membership is DHARA-owned, the buyer pays both the Initial Capital Contribution and Dues to DHARA.
  6. The Board approves the transfer once all  payments are received. DHARA records the new Membership and sends confirmation to both parties. Transfer prices may not exceed the Initial Capital Contribution set by DHARA at the time of transfer.
  7. Transfers cannot proceed until all outstanding amounts of Dues and Capital Contributions are paid in full.
  1. Parking and Property Use
    1. DHARA parking lots and driveways are reserved for Members and authorized guests while using the facility. Unauthorized vehicles may be towed at the owner’s expense.
    2. Overnight parking requires Board permission.
    3. Driveways may only be used for access to and from the facility—no through traffic or large, heavy vehicles are permitted.
  2. Discipline and Enforcement
    1. The Manager has the authority to address unsafe, disruptive, or inappropriate behavior that interferes with the safe and enjoyable use of DHARA facilities.
    2. The Manager may direct anyone behaving in an unsafe, disruptive, or inappropriate way to leave DHARA property immediately, and may suspend pool privileges for up to seven days. The Member will be notified of any such suspension in writing, via email.
    3. The Board may review any Manager-issued suspension and may extend or modify the suspension. In the event of repeated violations or a one-time serious violation, the Board may terminate a Membership. The suspension or termination of a Membership requires a two-thirds vote of the entire Board, and all decisions rendered are final.
    4. Suspensions or terminations do not entitle Members to any refund of Dues or Capital Contributions.
  1. Rule Amendments and Updates

The Board may amend these Rules at any time. Updated versions will be posted on DHARA’s website and shared with Members by email or other written notice.

14. Acknowledgment

By using DHARA facilities, Members, their families, guests, and permit holders agree to comply with these Rules, the Bylaws, and any directions given by DHARA staff, the Manager, or the Board.

REVISED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS on April 30, 2026