Table of Contents Architectural Gutdelines

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2 Table of Contents Preface 3 Mission Statement.. 3 Se c t ion 1 Definitions 4 Section 2 Application Procedures.4 Section 3 Building Permits/Contractors 5 Section 4 Adornments Bird Feeders/Birdhouses Flowerpots Trellises and Arbors Wall Art Water Features Window Boxes Yard Art 7 Section 5 Awnings 7 Section 6 Boundaries 7 Section 7 Driveways/Door Pads PatioslWalkways 8 Section 8 Enclosures and Screens 8 Section 9 Flagpoles and Flags 9 Section 10 Generators 9 Section 11 Gutters 9 Section 12 Home Exterior 10 Section 13 House Numbers and Name Plaques 10 Section 14 Landscaping Lawns Landscaping Beds Landscape Bed Mulch and Maintenance Landscape Curbing Trees Florida-Friendly Lawns Architectural Gutdelines

3 Table of Contents (continued) Section 15 Mailboxes 12 Section 16 Outside Equipment.. 12 Section 17 Outside Lighting 13 Section 18 Portable Temporary Storage Units 13 Section 19 Roof-Mounted Fixtures 14 Section 20 Signs 14 Section 21 Storm/Hurricane Shutters 14 Section 22 Storm Windows 15 Section 23 Trash and Yard Waste 15 Section 24 Utility Equipment 16 2 LAKEAsHTON

4 Preface The Architectural Review Committee (ARC) Guidelines were initiated under the Master Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for the Lake Ashton community. Under Section 6.1 in the Master Declaration, "... no building, structures or other improvement shall be erected or altered, nor shall any grading, excavation, landscaping, change in exterior color, or other work which in any way materially alters the exterior appearance of any structure, Lot, Living Unit, or Neighborhood Common Area be performed without prior written approval... through the ARC. In obtaining said written approval, an owner shall comply with all applicable requirements and procedures." The ARC is a committee appointed by the Lake Ashton Homeowners Association, Inc. (HOA) Board of Directors to serve the community. The ARC regularly meets to review and act upon homeowners' requests. It is the duty of the ARC to preserve property value through consistent evaluation, revision and enforcement of the Master Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions and to preserve the architectural and natural integrity of the overall community Architectural Guidelines Mission Statement The Lake Ashton Architectural Review Committee's mission is to assist Lake Ashton homeowners in maintaining their property values through control of external property alterations consistent with the Master Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions and to enforce the architectural restrictions and covenants of the Master Declaration in order to maintain the aesthetics of the Lake Ashton community. The objective is to protect and promote the property and any improvements for the future so every Living Unit continues to be complimentary to the community. 3

5 ~~~SECTION 1 Definitions Area Measurements such as square feet shall be as measured by an enclosing rectangle or circle as it interacts with the plane upon which it will be placed or installed. A Door Pad is an exterior hard surfaced (for example, built of concrete) area not exceeding four feet by four feet and immediately adjacent to an exterior door. Front of the Living Unit is defined as the exterior perimeter plane of the Living Unit facing the street on which the address of the Living Unit is determined. Front Yard is the area between the street on which the address is determined and the front of the Living Unit from lot line to lot line. A Name Plaque is a flat plate or tablet of metal, stone, tile. porcelain, plastic or wood that may include an inscription of a homeowner's name. house number, and street name. A Patio is any exterior hard surfaced area that is not a driveway, walkway, or door pad. Rear Yard is the area between the rear property line opposite the side of the street on which the address of the Living Unit is determined and the rear most exterior perimeter plane of the Living Unit. Setbacks are the minimum distance that a structure shall be placed from a property line. Side Yard is the area that is not included in the front yard or rear yard. Yard Art is any non-living, non-growing item or object in, on, or above ground and located outside of the Living Unit on the lot. ~~~SECTION 2 Application Procedures The homeowner must submit any proposed change to the Living Unit exterior or landscaping for ARC approval. Architectural Change Request forms may be submitted online at ashtonliving.net or on the Architectural Change Request form available at the Activities Desk in the Clubhouse. Homeowners may make only one change request per form. 4 LAKE AstlTON

6 Plans, drawings, property lot surveys, photos, brochures and other information shall be included to help the ARC fully understand the requested change. Homeowner requests should be submitted to the ARC by no later than 11:59 PM Thursday prior to the next scheduled ARC meeting in order to have it addressed at that meeting Some changes may require a building permit from the City of Lake Wales. The ARC's conditional approval does not relieve a homeowner of the responsibility for obtaining necessary permitting, nor does it imply compliance with city codes or ordinances. All physical construction, as approved, shall be completed within 180 days of ARC approval. If more time is desired, a request for an extension must be submitted to the ARC in writing. ~~~SECTION 3 Building Permits/ Contractors It is the Lot Owner's responsibility to ensure that all construction meets HOA rules, regulations, and permit requirements of the City of Lake Wales and/or Polk County. If uncertain whether the City of Lake Wales requires a building permit, the homeowner should contact the Department of Permits and Inspections at Information regarding permit requirements may be found at the City of Lake Wales website: building/permits.shtml. In general, a building permit is required for any change that may impact the structural integrity of the Living Unit. Since the City revises permit regulations from time to time, the homeowner is encouraged to contact the City to find out if the contemplated project requires a permit. During construction, a building permit must be visibly displayed. Contractors' signs are not allowed. Contractors' job boxes for documents relating to the work in progress may have the contractors' name on them, and shall not be erected until the actual work begins. Additionally, homeowners are advised to make sure any contractor hired has a current license and insurance. Contractors may assist the homeowner in filling out the Architectural Change Request form and 2015 Architectural Guidelines 5

7 supply plans and drawings. but ONLY the homeowner shall sign and submit the Architectural Change Request form. ~~~SECTION 4 Adornments All adornments may in no way suggest or represent lewd, immoral, or obscene characteristics. 4.1 Bird Feeders /Birdhouses Bird feeders or birdhouses shall not be located in the front yard, shall not exceed two cubic feet each, must be at least six feet off the ground at the bottom and shall not be attached to any permanent structure. There shall be no more than a combined total of two bird feeders and/or birdhouses on a property. 4.2 Flowerpots Flowerpots shall not be considered yard art and do not require ARC approval. However. a figurine, statue, sculpture. or animal shall be considered yard art even if it contains a flowerpot. Flowerpots shall not be used as a driveway barrier. A flowerpot shall be no larger than three feet in diameter and four feet in height. Flowerpots in the front yard shall cover a 6 total area of no more than 24 square feet. 4.3 Trellises and Arbors Trellises and arbors shall be constructed of metal, wood, or plastic. A drawing or picture must be submitted with the Architectural Change Request. Trellises and arbors may be up to five feet wide, two feet deep and eight feet high. The color of trellises and arbors shall be the color of the house, house trim, white, black, green, bronze, or natural wood. No more than a combined total of four trellises and/or arbors are allowed. 4.4 Wall Art Wall art is any non-living, nongrowing item or object attached to an exterior wall. Wall art shall not be included in yard art. Wall art shall not exceed a depth of eight inches and a total of 16 square feet on each side of the Living Unit. 4.5 Water Features Water features, such as fountains, ponds, waterfalls, etc. are limited to a total of three on any lot. Fountains shall not exceed more than six feet in height above ground level where placed and shall not exceed more than four feet in diameter. Ponds and waterfalls shall not exceed 64 squarefeet in area or LAKE ASHTON

8 six feet in height above ground level where installed. Water features must be kept clean and operational at all times. When water features are not in operation, they must be drained. No standing water shall be permitted in inoperable water features. 4.6 Window Boxes Window boxes shall not exceed a depth of eight inches, a height of eight inches, or the width of the window adjoining the window box by more than three inches on each side. 4.7 Yard Art Statues and figurines are considered yard art and shall be less than four feet in height. Furniture is not considered yard art. Yard art items may cover a total footprint not to exceed 16 square feet in the front yard. Lighting forlof yard art shall be low intensity and not fall on neighboring lots. ~~~SECTION 5 Awnings All awnings must be canvas or fabric and be one of the following solid colors: black, brown, tan or gray. Awning edge trim is permitted and shall not exceed five inches in width. Approved awning trim colors are white, black, brown, tan or gray. ~~~SECTION 6 Boundaries Lot owners shall not extend their yard boundaries beyond their property lines. Environmental areas shall not be modified. No walls or fences shall be installed or constructed. Hedges must be neatly maintained and shall not exceed six feet in height. (See Section 5.9 of the Master Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions.) It is the Lot Owner's responsibility to obtain a property lot survey if there is a question regarding property lines or setbacks. Current pin locations may not accurately reflect a legal survey as these pins could have been moved during construction activities Architectural Guidelines 7

9 The lot Owner is responsible for any and all damage to utilities within the property. Prior to any excavation by the Lot Owner or contracted agent, utility services should be identified and marked by calling the appropriate utility company. ~~~SECTION 7 Driveways/Door Pads/Patios/ Walkways All driveways, door pads, exterior patios, and walkways visible from the front of the living Unit must use pavers of same size and color as originally installed on the lot by the builder. Exterior patios, walkways, and door pads in the rear of the living Unit shall be constructed of pavers, flagstone, tile or concrete. Patios fully enclosed by a screened cage are considered an interior surface and not considered an exterior patio. Stepping-stones as walkways visible from the front of the living Unit are not permitted. Barriers at driveway entrances such as. but not limited to, chains, posts, flowerpots, or cinder blocks are not permitted. Driveways, door pads, exterior patios, and walkways must be kept clean and free of dirt, rust. oil, stains and vegetation. ~~~SECTION 8 Enclosures and Screens Screening enclosure frames of any description for front entryways shall be bronze, black, or white in color. White frames are allowed on the front entry only. Screened enclosure frames for pools or patios shall be bronze or black in color and must be set back at least five feet from any property line. Solid roofed enclosures must be at least 15 feet from the rear property line and five feet from each of the side property lines. Extending or replacing any roofed structure shall be shingled to match the existing shingles of the living Unit. Garage roll-up screens, entryway roll-up screens, and entry screen doors shall be white, tan. brown, or black or match the color of the house. 8 LAKE ASHTON

10 ~~~SECTION 9 Flagpoles and Flags A homeowner may erect a freestanding flagpole no more than 20 feet high on any portion of the Lot Owner's lot, as long as the flagpole does not obstruct sightlines at intersections and is not erected within or upon an easement. The homeowner may further display in a respectful manner from that flagpole, one official United States flag, not larger than four and one-half feet by six feet, and may additionally display one official flag of the State of Florida or the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard, or a POW-MIA flag. Such additional flag must be equal in size to or smaller than the United States flag. ~~~SECTION 10 Generators Generators shall be run only during a power outage or regularly scheduled run time in order to maintain proper operation. Maintenance run time must be during daylight hours. Permanently affixed house generators must be on a concrete 2015 Architectural Guidelines pad and properly landscaped per Architectural Guidelines for outside equipment. Any propane tank for these generators must be underground. The homeowner or the contractor must obtain all permits prior to installation. Freestanding AlC units powered by a generator may be installed and used during power outages; they shall be removed from view from the exterior of the Living Unit within 72 hours after power has been restored. ~~~SECTION 11 Gutters Gutters shall be six inches, seamless, and be the same color as the fascia of the home. Super gutters that are part of a screen enclosure shall match the color of the screen enclosure framing. Drainage downspouts shall be directed so water flow is away from neighboring houses. 9

11 ~~~SECTION 12 House Exterior Any change to the color, shape. footprint, or external appearance of the Living Unit, in any manner, must have ARC approval prior to implementation of such change. The exterior of the Living Unit is to be clean and free of dirt and mildew at all times. All exterior painting shall have ARC approval, prior to any painting, even if it is the same color as the original. Exterior colors shall be selected from the House Paint Colors and Samples list, available from ARC representatives or on ashtonliving.net. The trim parts of the house are to be 25% strength of the exterior wall color. Front doors and decorative shutters shall be the same color as the Living Unit exterior or shall be painted a color from the list of approved shutter and door colors. All shutters on the Living Unit shall be the same color. Garage roll-up doors and garage pedestrian doors must be painted the same color as the Living Unit exterior base color. ~~~SECTION 13 House Numbers/ Name Plaques House numbers are required and must be visible from the street in front of the Living Unit. The characters shall not exceed four digits and be no larger than five inches in height. Name plaques shall be no larger than 144 square inches. House numbers and name plaques must be affixed to the front of the Living Unit. ~~~SECTION 14 Landscaping Lawns, shrubs and flower beds must be maintained. This includes mowing, edging, watering, pruning, pest and weed control Lawns The height of lawn grass shall not exceed eight inches above the ground where located. When re-sodding or re-planting, all grass in a lawn within a lot shall be the same variety, e.g., Zoysia, St. Augustine. 10 LAK~A5HTON

12 Lawns that have substantial bare or brown areas are an indication of insect infestation or lack of irrigation. Usually these types of lawn problems require treatment and re-sodding. The Lot Owner is responsible for correcting lawn problems. Efforts to correct should be made within two weeks of ARC's first notification Landscaping Beds A landscaping project that adds a new bed or changes the size of an existing bed requires a landscape plan. The landscape plan must be to scale or show the distance to lot boundaries. The plan must show the existing features as well as the proposed additions. All work must be within the owner's lot boundaries. Replacing or adding plants with other plants of like size to an existing bed does not require ARC approval. No invasive plants (such as honeysuckle, bamboo, or mimosa) are permitted. New or existing plantings shall not impede the line of sight at street intersections Landscape Bed Mulch and Maintenance Landscape beds shall be covered with mulch materials as described below and must be 2015 Architectural Guidelines maintained and replenished as needed. Mulch must be uniform in color and material in the front yard. Rock must be clean and free from weeds, dirt and mildew. Plant materials in mulched areas should be pruned, disease free and weeded. Materials used as mulch may be: (1) wood - tan, red, black or brown in color; (2) stone river rock (various sizes and natural colors), lava rock, or chipped marble; (3) rubber black, brown, or red in color; (4) shell; or (5) pine bark and/or pine straw Landscape Curbing Landscape curbing may be used around landscape beds. Curbing must be constructed of ribbon concrete or a brick design not to exceed eight inches in height above ground, unless necessary to control erosion. The curbing color must match the driveway pavers or be a beige, brown, or red earth tone. A diagram showing the proposed curbing on the plot plan must be submitted with the Architectural Change Request form. Curbing must be uniform in color and material as seen from the street. Brick designs must be secured so individual bricks do not separate. Wood materials shall not be used as landscape curbing. 11

13 14.5 Trees Trees with edible fruit are permitted only in the rear yard. Fruit trees must be planted a minimum of five feet from any permanent structure or property line. No fruit or leaves are allowed to accumulate under or around the tree Florida-Friendly Lawns The design and aesthetics of any Florida-Friendly lawn installation must be in keeping with the continuity of the Lake Ashton (Lake Wales) community. Any lawn area (front. side or back) that is being developed under the Florida Friendly Landscaping Statute must contain at least 50% live plants. Dead plant materials must be removed. Stone or mulch or a combination of the two may surround the plants. A significant portion of the plants must be ground cover to give the same appearance as a green turf lawn. Any predominately naturalized area with stone or mulch within two feet of either the street or adjacent property must be contained with approved permanent edging. This does not apply to small fully planted beds. Naturalized areas must be maintained to the same standards as a turf lawn. ~~~SECTION 15 Mailboxes Lot owners are responsible for the maintenance and appearance of their mailboxes. If a mailbox is damaged in any way or has to be replaced, it shall only be replaced with the same design. color and materials originally used. ~~~SECTION 16 Outside Equipment All outside equipment such as pool and spa equipment and water treatment equipment must not be readily visible from the front of the Living Unit and must be screened from view. The screening material shall be of living plant foliage and be maintained to a minimum dimension of six inches higher and six inches wider than the object being screened. Air conditioners do not require screening. Propane tanks larger than a 20-pound capacity must be buried in the ground. 12 LAKr: AsHTON

14 Rain barrels/rain catchers must be in the rear yard and blend with the Living Unit and landscaping. Compost bins must be placed in the rear yard, fully enclosed and no larger than three feet by three feet by three feet. Air conditioners may be replaced without prior ARC approval, provided it is placed in the same location as the unit being replaced. ~~~SECTION 17 Outside Lighting No spotlights, floodlights or similar high intensity lighting shall be placed or utilized upon any lot, which in any way will allow light to be reflected on any other lot. Lights activated by motion detectors are permitted provided the area illuminated does not reflect on any other lot. Lowintensitylighting,for holiday decorations, is permitted without ARC approval, providing it is displayed not more than four weeks before the holiday and not more than two weeks after the holiday. Low intensity lighting, such as solar powered garden lighting, does not require ARC approval. However, the globe of the light shall not exceed 24 inches in height above ground level with a minimum spacing of four feet between lighted units and must be uniform in color. ~~~SECTION 18 Portable Temporary Storage Units Portable Temporary Storage Units, such as PODS, must have ARC approval. The unit must fit completely in the driveway. Such units are only allowed to be present on a Lot for the time required to load or unload them, not to exceed five days in either case. Each request shall encompass loading and unloading for a single project- renovation, moving, etc. Additional projects require additional requests. 2015Architectural Guidelines 13

15 ~~~SECTION 19 Roof-Mounted Fixtures Any roof-mounted structures or installations such as attic fans, solar panels, solar tubes, and their respective non-transparent parts must be black or bronze in color. Every effort must be made to mount satellite dishes so that they are not visible from the street side of the house. Lightning arrestors are allowed and must be Florida UL approved in either copper or aluminum. ~~~SECTION 20 Signs Exterior signs are not permitted with the exception of home-security signs. Name plaques are not considered signs, and are permitted pursuantto Section 13. Home-security signs may be displayed in a planting bed no more than ten feet from any entry. Such signs are limited to no more than one at each entry door and they can be no larger than ten inches by ten inches in size. Window security stickers are limited to one at each window and they can be no larger than five inches by two inches. ~~~SECTION 21 Storm/Hurricane Shutters Storm/Hurricane shutters of all types, excluding temporary shutters as described below, require ARC approval. Atlantic hurricane season is officially June 1 to November 30. All designs, excluding temporary shutters, shall be in use while a homeowner is away during this officially recognized hurricane season only. Shutters shall not be in use during vacancies outside the period of the hurricane season. All shutters must be opened or removed at any time the Living Unit is occupied in the absence ofa storm. Permanent hurricane shutters are either accordion, track or roll-up style, shall be white, beige, bronze, the house color, or the house trim color, and must meet current City of Lake Wales building code standards for hurricane shutters. 14 LAKE ASHTON

16 Accordion and Track Style: one or two-piece shutters shall be housed beside the windows or doors when not in use. This type unfolds accordion or track style to cover and protect during a storm and is typically made of steel or aluminum. Roll-Up Style: attached as a head rail and are opened and closed vertically along the window or door opening. Semi-permanent or All Season shutters are either clear (or opaque) hurricane screens or storm panels. Clear: typically polycarbonate plastic (LEXAN) panels are transparent, may be flat or corrugated shape and are typically affixed to the Living Unit with a type of anchor system. Hurricane Screens: Geosynthetic textile (trampoline fabric) and typically affixed outside of the window opening. Storm Panels: Galvanized steel or aluminum and typically affixed with a type of anchor system. Temporary storm and hurricane shutters, such as unpainted plywood, shall be installed only within 72 hours of an official local NOAA named storm/hurricane warning Architectural Guidelines These temporary shutters must be removed within 72 hours after the cancellation of said warning. ~~~SECTION 22 Storm Windows Storm windows are defined as clear panels and are attached to the outside of the window opening. They may be left up permanently. The storm window frame color must match the color of the window and be the same for all windows. ~~~SECTION 23 Trash and Yard Waste Trash containers and recycle bins shall be stored in the garage or screened from view so that they are not readily visible from the street.the screening material shall be of living plant foliage and be planted from the soil line to a dimension of six inches higher and six inches wider than the object being screened. Trash containers and recycling bins shall not be placed at the curb before 6:00 PM or an hour before sunset: whichever is earlier, on the day before scheduled pickup. 15

17 Yard waste and bulk trash or items that will not fit into the containers shall be placed at the curb no more than 24 hours prior to pickup. In no event shall any items for pickup be placed in the street. Call the City of Lake Wales' contracted vendor for trash, recycling, yard and bulk waste information about scheduled pickup or to arrange for an unscheduled pickup. ~~~SECTION 24 Utility Equipment Screening of utility equipment (e.g., electrical junction boxes) shall be in compliance with utility company requirements and not hamper or deny access to utility equipment by emergency personnel. 16 LAKe ASHTON

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