About Scatchet Head
The Scatchet Head Community Club — a vibrant home owners association incorporated in 1967 — provides its members beach access to Cultus Bay on the south end of Whidbey Island. For members it also operates a Clubhouse, Heated Swimming Pool, Boat Launching Ramps, Picnic/BBQ areas, tennis and basketball courts, and outstanding views of Mt. Rainier and Puget Sound.
Hello! Thanks for your interest in Scatchet Head
As you investigate buying property and becoming a member of our vibrant community, you’ve probably got a lot of questions. To answer them, and guide you in the right direction, we’ve put together this information sheet. If you have other questions, the best way to get answers is by sending an email to our office: SHCC@whidbey.com.
Utilities
• All homes in Scatchet Head (with one exception) are on individual septic tanks and the maintenance of these systems is the responsibility of each owner. Certain properties along Driftwood Drive are served by a private sewer district that has the authority to assess charges for maintenance and repairs.
• Electrical service is provided by Puget Sound Energy
• Water service to the community is provided by the Scatchet Head Water District which bills for water usage quarterly. The district is separate from the Scatchet Head Community Club. It contracts with King Water, Coupeville, for billing and maintenance. If your lot has water service, you will be billed a minimum amount each quarter, even if you may not have had the water turned on to your property. For specific information about any lot, contact King Water.
• Landline telephone service (as well as optional television, security, and internet services) is offered by Whidbey Telecom. Other television and internet services are available. Check with vendors for specific information.
Homes and Structures
• All available lots in Scatchet Head are reserved for single-family dwellings.
• The minimum home size is 900 square feet. (The board has no authority to provide exceptions to this minimum.)
• If you are planning to build a home (or structure more than 30-square feet) your plans must be approved by the club’s Architecture and Plats Committee. Approval usually takes one to two weeks, depending on how many applications are in the queue and whether complete packages are submitted. Members can download an application from the SHCC website. Prospective owners can contact the office for an application.
• Once approval is granted, owners have one year to complete construction, including outside painting.
• There are no impact (or other construction) fees assessed by the club, however, owners considering building along waterfront property should be aware additional permits (Shoreline, EPA) may be required because of the location near Puget Sound.
• No building or structure shall be built closer than 20 feet from the front property line.
• On corner lots, no building or structure can be closer than 10 feet to the side property line abutting the street right-of-way.
• No residential building shall be built within the rear 20 feet of any lot.
• No building or structure shall be built closer than five feet to any side property line.
Roads
• Most streets in Scatchet Head (with two exceptions) are county roads. Maintenance and repairs are provided by Island County.
• George Drive (below the SHCC entrance gates) and Driftwood Drive are owned by the club and maintenance is a community responsibility.
• Harpoon Road and Whales Tale Lane are private streets and maintenance is the responsibility of property owners on those streets.
Land Use
SHCC governing documents* define noxious, illegal, and offensive use of properties to include (but is not limited to):
• Any structure or vehicle used as a dwelling, which constitutes a violation of Island County Building Code, the Island County Electrical Code, the Island County Plumbing Code, the Island County Fire Code, and the Rules and Regulations of the Island County Health Department.
• Clear cutting (or cutting virtually every tree) on one or more lots within the plat of Scatchet Head.
• Unused building materials or debris stored in public view.
Fees/Charges
• The 2020 annual assessment is $450. Trustees develop the club’s yearly budget in April for approval by members in July. The budget determines the amount of the annual assessment. Assessment statements are mailed in December, payments are due January 1 and assessments become delinquent January 31. We prefer full payment by the due date, however, members in good standing may elect to pay on a four-month, no-interest program. Members who do not pay in full by January 31 or who have not enrolled in the payment program are assessed monthly penalties and interest on their unpaid balance.
• The transfer fee (generally assessed and paid during escrow) is $55.
• The cost for replacement of a key card is $55.
PARKING
SHCC Parking hangers with current year decal is required for parking along Driftwood Drive. Members can request guest passes through the office. Parking hangers are for members only and free of charge. The current year decal is given to members after their annual assessments have been paid. Those without the parking hanger with current year decal or guest pass displayed viability on car dash or rear view mirror will be subject to towing.
Community amenities supported by your annual assessment
• Access to one of Puget Sound’s most spectacular beaches
• Access to a clubhouse with a large meeting room with new furniture (rentable at no charge with a security deposit) with full kitchen (and new appliances)
• Family swimming during June, July, August and into September
• Use of tennis, basketball, pickleball courts with equipment available for no-charge rent. ( * Not available during COVID19)
• Participation in community social events.
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* Scatchet Head Community Club Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions and By-Laws are online for public viewing. To read (and download) these documents, click the links below.
Utilities
• All homes in Scatchet Head (with one exception) are on individual septic tanks and the maintenance of these systems is the responsibility of each owner. Certain properties along Driftwood Drive are served by a private sewer district that has the authority to assess charges for maintenance and repairs.
• Electrical service is provided by Puget Sound Energy
• Water service to the community is provided by the Scatchet Head Water District which bills for water usage quarterly. The district is separate from the Scatchet Head Community Club. It contracts with King Water, Coupeville, for billing and maintenance. If your lot has water service, you will be billed a minimum amount each quarter, even if you may not have had the water turned on to your property. For specific information about any lot, contact King Water.
• Landline telephone service (as well as optional television, security, and internet services) is offered by Whidbey Telecom. Other television and internet services are available. Check with vendors for specific information.
Homes and Structures
• All available lots in Scatchet Head are reserved for single-family dwellings.
• The minimum home size is 900 square feet. (The board has no authority to provide exceptions to this minimum.)
• If you are planning to build a home (or structure more than 30-square feet) your plans must be approved by the club’s Architecture and Plats Committee. Approval usually takes one to two weeks, depending on how many applications are in the queue and whether complete packages are submitted. Members can download an application from the SHCC website. Prospective owners can contact the office for an application.
• Once approval is granted, owners have one year to complete construction, including outside painting.
• There are no impact (or other construction) fees assessed by the club, however, owners considering building along waterfront property should be aware additional permits (Shoreline, EPA) may be required because of the location near Puget Sound.
• No building or structure shall be built closer than 20 feet from the front property line.
• On corner lots, no building or structure can be closer than 10 feet to the side property line abutting the street right-of-way.
• No residential building shall be built within the rear 20 feet of any lot.
• No building or structure shall be built closer than five feet to any side property line.
Roads
• Most streets in Scatchet Head (with two exceptions) are county roads. Maintenance and repairs are provided by Island County.
• George Drive (below the SHCC entrance gates) and Driftwood Drive are owned by the club and maintenance is a community responsibility.
• Harpoon Road and Whales Tale Lane are private streets and maintenance is the responsibility of property owners on those streets.
Land Use
SHCC governing documents* define noxious, illegal, and offensive use of properties to include (but is not limited to):
• Any structure or vehicle used as a dwelling, which constitutes a violation of Island County Building Code, the Island County Electrical Code, the Island County Plumbing Code, the Island County Fire Code, and the Rules and Regulations of the Island County Health Department.
• Clear cutting (or cutting virtually every tree) on one or more lots within the plat of Scatchet Head.
• Unused building materials or debris stored in public view.
Fees/Charges
• The 2020 annual assessment is $450. Trustees develop the club’s yearly budget in April for approval by members in July. The budget determines the amount of the annual assessment. Assessment statements are mailed in December, payments are due January 1 and assessments become delinquent January 31. We prefer full payment by the due date, however, members in good standing may elect to pay on a four-month, no-interest program. Members who do not pay in full by January 31 or who have not enrolled in the payment program are assessed monthly penalties and interest on their unpaid balance.
• The transfer fee (generally assessed and paid during escrow) is $55.
• The cost for replacement of a key card is $55.
PARKING
SHCC Parking hangers with current year decal is required for parking along Driftwood Drive. Members can request guest passes through the office. Parking hangers are for members only and free of charge. The current year decal is given to members after their annual assessments have been paid. Those without the parking hanger with current year decal or guest pass displayed viability on car dash or rear view mirror will be subject to towing.
Community amenities supported by your annual assessment
• Access to one of Puget Sound’s most spectacular beaches
• Access to a clubhouse with a large meeting room with new furniture (rentable at no charge with a security deposit) with full kitchen (and new appliances)
• Family swimming during June, July, August and into September
• Use of tennis, basketball, pickleball courts with equipment available for no-charge rent. ( * Not available during COVID19)
• Participation in community social events.
_________________________
* Scatchet Head Community Club Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions and By-Laws are online for public viewing. To read (and download) these documents, click the links below.
Governing Documents
Reserve Study: The Scatchet Head Community Club has on file a comprehensive reserve study. Community members have access to the document under the "Members" section. Others wishing details may obtain information by contacting the office.