Lexington Ridge Architecture Policies

Transcription

1 Lexington Ridge Architecture Policies The following architectural policies have been put together by the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) as mandated in Article IX, of the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions and Reservation of Easements for Lexington Ridge Homeowners Association and by Article V, Section 3 of the Code of Regulations for Lexington Ridge Homeowners Association and have been approved by the Lexington Ridge Homeowners Association Board of Trustees. The original mandated rules can be found in the following: Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions and Reservation of Easements for Lexington Ridge Homeowners Association Supplemental Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions and Reservation of Easements for the Lexington Ridge Homeowners Association Supplemental Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions and Reservations of Easements for the Lexington Ridge Homeowners Association/Lexington Ridge Steeplechase Cluster Lot Neighborhood. In order to change any rule set forth in the Declaration or the Supplemental Declarations, a referendum must be held and 66 2/3% of the total owners must approve of change. ARC rules, however, can be changed by the Board by a simple majority vote. Architectural Policies can be changed at any time at the discretion of the Board of Trustees of Lexington Ridge Homeowners Association. Rules that apply only to the Lexington Ridge Standard Lot Neighborhood are denoted with a LR. Those that apply only to the Steeplechase Neighborhood are denoted with a SC. All other rules should be considered to apply to all neighborhoods. Table of Contents Plan Approval... 3 Common Area... 3 House... 3 General... 3 Awnings... 3 Colors... 3 Trim... 3 Siding... 3 Windows... 4 Front Door... 4 Roof Shingles... 4 Roof Exhaust Fans... 4 Skylights... 4 Doors... 4 Air Conditioners... 4 Mailboxes... 4 Landscaping... 5 Landscaping Trim... 5 Grass and Yard Revised 3/7/13

2 Driveways... 5 Cul de sac Islands... 5 Sidewalk and Porches... 5 Pools and Spas... 6 Fences and Gates... 6 Elevated Decks and Privacy Screens... 6 Sheds and Storage Units... 6 Flags... 6 Exterior Antennas, Satellite Dishes and Cable... 7 Playground and Sports Equipment... 7 Gardens... 7 Exterior Lighting... 7 Miscellaneous Parking... 7 Signs... 8 Trash... 8 Animals... 8 Clothes Drying Plan Approval a. All exterior changes (except for normal maintenance) must receive approval from the ARC. 2. Common Area a. Common areas, except Steeplechase Limited Common Areas (LCA) are open to use by all homeowners. b. Homeowners may not permanently locate personal items on common property. Anything placed on common area is at the owner s risk, may not damage the existing property (grass, trees, etc) and be able to be easily removed by one person. c. Residents may not dig up or in any way permanently deface common property. d. Trees may not be removed from the common area without Board approval unless immediate risk to persons or property exists. e. Common property may not be used for motor vehicles of any kind. f. Animals being walked in the common area must be cleaned up after immediately. g. Structures of any sort will not be built in common area. 3. House a. General b. Awnings 1. For the sake of restrictions, the sides of corner lots facing street right of way will serve as front yards with the yard beginning at the rear street-side corner of the dwelling and extending to the street. 2. The appearance of homes will be well maintained. Landscaping will be put in on all homes in compliance with the regulations established in the LRHOA Covenants. 3. Seasonal decorations must be removed from the outside of the home within 10 days of the holiday, weather permitting. 1. Well maintained, retractable, cloth awnings may be placed in the rear of the house over a deck or patio. Awnings may not be stored in the open position. Awnings must be attached to the rear wall of the home, not the roof. 2 Revised 3/7/13

3 c. Colors d. Trim e. Siding f. Windows 1. Colors on the exterior of the home shall be maintained in good appearance, in the original colors placed by Ryan homes. 2. LR: Colors may only be changed with ARC permission and then must be one of the standard colors throughout the subdivision. 3. LR: No two adjacent homes may be of the same color siding or brick. 4. LR: Brick styles must be approved by the ARC. No two adjacent homes shall have the same brick styles. Bricks may not be painted. 1. The wood trim on the home must remain in place and be well maintained. It may not be covered in any material in other than paint. If replacement is needed due to deterioration, the replacement materials should be of similar color and style as the original. 1. LR: Vinyl siding may be replaced with vinyl siding of the same style that is prevalent throughout the subdivision. New siding should be similar to current style. Please submit color samples and include information on colors of neighboring houses. Siding must be maintained in good visual and working condition. 1. The basement windows must remain similar in size as the originals. 2. Glass block windows are permitted. 3. All broken windows must be replaced with windows of similar type. 4. Shutters must be maintained in good appearance. 5. Change in shutter colors is not permitted without ARC approval. 6. Louvered shutters are not permitted. 7. Proper window treatments on windows facing the street must be in place within 30 days of move in with the exception of palladium windows which do not have to be covered. 8. Materials not intended for use as window treatments or blinds (sheets, blankets, paper, etc) are not permitted. g. Front Door 1. Doors must remain the color originally painted by the builder unless approved by the ARC. 2. Changing exterior doors must be approved by the ARC. 3. Storm doors on the front of the house must be full glass or full glass with a bar in the middle. Only screens that are integrated as part of the storm door are permitted. The trim of the storm door should match one of the colors on the front of the house or be black, white or off-white. h. Roof Shingles 1. LR: The color may be changed only with prior approval to ensure coordination with neighbors' roofs. Replacements should be of similar materials as originally used and will not stand out as different once installed. i. Roof Exhaust Fans 1. Both electrical and turbine wind driven exhaust fans are allowed. Either must be installed on the roof's rear slope of the house and not extend above the roof's peak. Roof vents may be installed for ventilation. j. Skylights k. Doors 1. Skylights are allowed, but only on the rear part of the roof. 1. Patio sliding doors may be upgraded to full glass French styled doors with or without grids. If a rear window is converted to a single door for access to a deck it must be the full glass style. l. Air Conditioners 3 Revised 3/7/13

4 m. Mailboxes 1. Window or wall units are prohibited as each house has been built with central air conditioning systems. Central units are to be placed only in the side yard of the property and are to be screened from the road. 1. All mailbox assemblies must have house number on both sides of post. Additional numbering on house is allowed, with numbers of size, color & style that is similar to other homes in the area. 2. All mailbox assemblies are to be kept in good condition with all parts in place (mailbox, paper box, finial and house numbers.) 3. If mailbox is metal, it must be free of rust. 4. Temporary, decorative, magnetic mailbox covers are allowed. n. Landscaping 1. All homes are to be landscaped commensurate with the neighbors in that section of the subdivision. While selection of plants and mulch beds are left to the discretion of the homeowner, quantity and general placement of plants (under windows, next to doors) will be based on neighborhood standards. 2. Plant beds must have mulch and be consistent with neighborhood standards 3. Trees may be placed in front yards (with ARC approval) to provide shade and add to the look of the home. Trees may not be used for screening or to serve as a fence to block unwanted sights. 4. Materials and objects originally intended for other usages, or made to look like objects intended for other usages, may not be used for landscaping in the front yard. This includes but is not limited to tires, toilets, bathtubs and sinks. 5. Large painted rocks or painted statues are not permitted. 6. Bushes and trees may not impact the sight line of traffic. Neither may they be planted when there is a reasonable expectation that they will impact the sight line of traffic in the near future. 7. Any landscaping changes must be approved by the ARC. o. Landscaping Trim 1. Edging material for front flowerbeds and around front yard tree may be landscaping timbers, bricks, stones, concrete landscaping blocks, scalloped concrete blocks or black vinyl landscaping edging only if materials were originally designed for such use. Vinyl edging should be installed so that the tubular top is firmly in contact with the ground. 2. No railroad ties are to be used in the front yard. Landscape timbers are not to exceed 24 inches in height except to adjust for a severe slope. p. Grass and Yard 1. The front and side yards are to remain primarily as grass with some mulch beds. Ivy or other such plants will not replace the use of grass. 2. Front yards, side yards and tree lawns are not permitted to be all rock, mulch, stone, etc. 3. Grass will be neatly maintained to a height of not greater than 4, nor less than Yards will be well fertilized and weeds controlled. 5. The grass and yard areas are to be kept free of debris. This includes piles of leaves, grass, dirt, weeds and mulch. Yard waste is not to be dumped in the common area. 6. Mulch beds are to be kept neat by being weeded on a regular basis. q. Driveways r. Cul de sac Islands 1. LR: Driveways for front entry garages may be widened to accommodate parking for a third car. Extensions must be on the side of the lot away from the house but may not extend back beyond the front wall of the garage. 2. LR: Homes with side entry garages may not have their driveways widened, but may extend driveways back past the garage doors. These extensions may not exceed 20 past the garage door. 3. Parking is permitted only on driveways and in streets where allowed and not on lawns or cul de sac islands. 4. Residents shall not block sidewalks with vehicles, toys or other obstructions on more than an immediate basis. 4 Revised 3/7/13

5 1. Playing on cul de sac islands is strictly prohibited. Parents of violators will be fined: $10.00 first offense, $15.00 second offense, $25.00 third offense. s. Sidewalk and Porches 1. All must be kept in good repair. Holes and gaps under porches and walkways must be promptly filled in to prevent collapse. Any extension must be made of concrete to match the existing installation and be of professional quality workmanship. 2. LR: Snow must be removed from the sidewalk adjacent to the owner s property within 24 hours of the end of the snowstorm. 3. Residents are not permitted to permanently deface the sidewalks with permanent writing instruments. t. Pools and Spas 1. Hot tubs are allowed to be placed on ground level patios as long as they are screened from view by neighbors and passers-by. The regulation governing hot tubs was amended by vote of residents. 2. Hot tubs/spas must have an appropriate covering when not in use. u. Fences and Gates 1. LR: Yard fencing shall be the same as perimeter fencing. That is fencing intended to go around at least a portion of the perimeter of the yard. 2. LR: No drainage problems may be created for the unit's yard, adjoining neighbor's yards, or common ground. 3. LR: The finished side of fences must face outwards. 4. No Chain link fences may be used. v. Elevated Decks and Privacy Screens 1. Elevated decks may be installed on the rear of a house and may extend across the entire width of the house. 2. SC: Decks are only permitted to be built over existing patios. 3. No drainage problems may be created for the unit's yard, adjoining neighbor's yards or common ground. 4. Plans submitted for decks should be accompanied by plats for the lot. If a deck does not already exist access from the house should be described in detail showing the style of the door to be installed. 5. Privacy screens may be added to elevated decks on either side. The screen may not exceed past the rear edge of the deck. The top of the privacy screen must not exceed six (6) feet from the deck floor. 6. Open decks (those whose bottom is not enclosed) may not be used for storage. 7. Stairways must remain within the property lot lines and should be constructed from the same materials as the deck. The stairways must have handrails and be of a similar design as the deck. 8. Ground level patios may be built of poured concrete, brick, stone, commercial paving tiles, pressure treated wood, or composite materials and must be designed to prevent animal infestation under the patio area if raised above the ground. Drainage must not be adversely affected to the house lot, neighbors' yards, or common ground. 9. Decks/patios are not permitted in the front of homes. Patios/Decks must abut the house for at least 75% of the side of the patio/deck which touches the house. Any secondary patio/deck off of the primary patio/deck must be an integral part of the primary deck landscaping design. 10. Decks/patios are to be at least 10 from the side property lines. w. Sheds and Storage Units 1. LR: Two outbuildings of differing types may be constructed on a given lot as long as the total square footage does not exceed 120 square feet and the buildings have separate uses such as a garden shed and a play house. 2. LR: Storage sheds must be properly maintained by the owner so as not to present an unsightly appearance. x. Flags 5 Revised 3/7/13

6 1. Flag holders may be erected on the outside of a home. The holder must be metal, white or black or match the rest of the home trim. It must be positioned in such a way that a hanging flag will not touch the ground and will not be in the way of the front door, walkway, or garage door under normal conditions. 2. LR: Flag poles may be erected in front yards with approval from the ARC. General guidelines are that the pole may not exceed the height of the house. Flagpoles must be made of a uniform metal, ideally steel. Brass, vinyl, plastic or wooden poles are prohibited. 3. Flags flown can be of any state, country, or political group. 4. When flying the American Flag, follow the Federal Flag Code. Proper flag etiquette as prescribed by Federal law must be observed at all times. y. Exterior Antennas, Satellite Dishes and Cable 1. An antenna must be located in the rear of the yard or on the rear of the dwelling unit in such a manner so as not to be visible by a person of normal height standing at the edge of the street directly in front of the dwelling unit. Other locations are permitted if placement under these guidelines precludes reception of an acceptable quality signal. 2. Each owner shall maintain any antenna in a reasonable manner so as not to become unsightly. 3. Each owner shall remove any antenna upon cessation of its use. 4. Professionally installed cable must enter only through the rear of the unit as inconspicuously as possible. z. Playground and Sports Equipment 1. LR: CCRs were amended to permit solid plastic backboards on free-standing or portable basketball hoops. 2. LR: Basketball hoops or other sports equipment are to be placed on or near (within 4 ) a driveway and no lower than the start of the sidewalk relative to the owner s driveway. Any equipment placed outside of these zones may be done only while in immediate use and not for storage. 3. LR: Lots whose rear property line abuts side yard property lines of neighbors must keep all playground equipment 10 from those property lines. 4. SC: Portable basketball hoops allowed as long as they are not left out when not being used. aa. Gardens 1. LR: Gardens should not form a major presence in any yard. bb. Exterior Lighting 1. Homeowners/residents are responsible for the maintenance of their pole lamps including replacement of bulbs and sensors. All bulbs must be kept in working order and lamps should remain on from sunset to sunup. All pole lamps within the sub-division come equipped with crossbars. If broken, they must be replaced for the sake of uniformity. 2. LR: Wall mounted front exterior lamps should be white, black or metal and similar in style to the existing lamp. All lamps should be installed at the existing mounted location. Light bulbs should also be maintained in working order within the lamps. The lamp may be equipped with a light sensor. 3. SC: Exterior lights must be replaced with approved SC units. 4. White/Clear lights or yellow bug lights must be used in the front of the home, except during holiday seasons when colors associated with that holiday may be used. 5. Light wattage should not exceed 40 watts per bulb. 6. Exterior flood lights should not be in continuous usage. 7. Exterior yard lighting must not be directed away from the owner s property. 8. Exterior ground lighting may be installed in the rear yard if low voltage fixtures are used. Rear ground yard floodlights are permitted only if the house backs to heavily wooded areas. The light fixture attached to the rear of the house may be on a sensor. Only low voltage lights may be mounted on elevated decks with the fixtures facing downward. 4. Miscellaneous a. Parking 1. Vehicles must not be parked on lawns anywhere within the sub-division. 2. SC: Overnight parking on streets is prohibited 6 Revised 3/7/13

7 3. SC: Due to street width, only parking on one side of the street (opposite of fire hydrants) is permitted. 4. No parking is permitted anywhere within the landscaped island of any cul-de-sac. 5. Parking so as to prevent mail delivery to a neighbor s house is not permitted. 6. Parking beside the house or garage (on front entry garages) is not permitted. 7. SC: Cars may not park within 20 feet of a hydrant. b. Signs c. Trash d. Animals 1. For Rent signs are not allowed to be displayed for any reason. 2. For Sale signs must look neat and professional. 3. Sign posting on HOA property must have Board approval. 1. LR: Each unit must contract with a trash removal company to have trash removed on at least a weekly basis. 2. Trash should not be put out on the curb before 6 PM the night before collection. Empty receptacles must be removed by no later than 6 PM the day of collection. 3. Trash cans are not to be stored where they can be viewed from the street. 4. Use trash containers when possible to keep animals out of trash. 1. Residents must keep their dogs confined to their property, either by means of a fence, an invisible fence or a leash. At no time shall the dog be left unattended if on a leash but should be under the control of the owner at all times. 2. If walking a dog in the neighborhood, all feces must be picked up immediately and disposed of properly in a trash receptacle at the owner s residence. Dog waste bags must not be thrown in the common area, clubhouse receptacles or storm drains 3. All animal waste must be picked up on a daily basis, meaning that at one point during each day, the yard is free of animal waste. All animal waste must be properly disposed of in the trash and not in any common areas, including the woods. 4. Dogs must not be tethered or chained in the front yard when no owner is present. e. Clothes Drying 1. Pool towels may not be viewed from the street. 7 Revised 3/7/13