Good Neighbor Guide
Fire pits, noise, and pets come up often as neighbor concerns. None of these have a separate Westwind rule beyond what Montgomery County already requires, so here's the county's own guidance on all three, in one place.
Noise Control
Westwind's governing documents don't set separate quiet hours. As far as the board's records show, noise is governed by Montgomery County's noise control law, not a Westwind-specific rule. If the board has an unwritten practice beyond this, that would need to be confirmed separately, the same as with tree removal.
Weekends & holidays 9:00 am–9:00 pm
Weekends & holidays 9:00 pm–9:00 am
Full details, including how to file a noise complaint, are on the county's Noise Control page.
Fire Pits, Fire Bowls & Chimneys
Straight from Montgomery County's Department of Permitting Services guidance for single-family homes.
Keep It Away from the House
At least 10 feet from your home is strongly recommended, with a clear 3-foot radius around the appliance. Mulch can burn, so keep it 3 feet clear of mulch too. Not recommended on a balcony or deck.
Aged, Dried Wood Only
No construction material, brush, or trash. No flammable or combustible liquids, ever.
Stay Ready, Stay Considerate
Keep a garden hose connected and nearby. Watch the wind, and don't let smoke cross into a neighbor's yard. Skip it entirely on Code Orange or Code Red air quality days.
Ashes Stay Hot Longer Than You'd Think
Wait 24 hours, then dampen, cool, and store ashes in a metal can used only for that. Never put hot ashes in a compost pile, paper bag, or anything combustible, even after a few days.
An Adult, Always
At least one person 18 or older must be responsible for the fire, and you need permission from the landowner to have one at all.
The Fire Department Can Put It Out
If they're called and determine your fire is a hazard, they can and will extinguish it. Questions go to DPS Fire Code Compliance at 240-777-0311.
Full guidance: DPS Outdoor Fire Pit Guidance.
Pets
Two separate county requirements apply to every dog and cat in Westwind: a county pet license, and staying on a leash off your own property.
Pet Licensing Is Required, Not Optional
Every dog and cat over 4 months old must have a current Montgomery County pet license and rabies tag, both visible on the collar. The rabies tag from your vet isn't the same thing as the county license. Apply online, by mail, or in person at the Animal Services & Adoption Center in Derwood. Details: Pet Licensing, Montgomery County Animal Services.
Leash and Pick Up, Off Your Own Property
Montgomery County's animal control code covers "at large" animals and related nuisance violations under Chapter 5, Animal Control, including Sec. 5-101 (Definitions, including "at large") and Sec. 5-203 (Public nuisance and other violations). One specific violation defined there is "unwanted contact," meaning a pet's unwelcome or threatening contact with a person or another pet off the owner's property, such as biting, chasing, or blocking someone's path, which can carry a $500 fine.
Street Parking Complaints
This one comes up often enough that it has its own page: Street Parking, with the actual Declaration text on commercial vehicles, repairs, and unlicensed vehicles.
Have a Concern About One of These?
Noise, fire pit safety, animal complaints, and public street parking all go through the county rather than the Westwind ACC, since these aren't Westwind-specific rules. For a neighbor issue that IS an ACC matter, like an unapproved fence, addition, or a commercial vehicle kept on someone's own lot, use the Report a Violation form instead.