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Neighborhood Standards
Before beginning any project, check the Protective Covenants to determine if an application must be submitted prior to starting the project. Also, periodically look over your property to identify any items that may need attention, but have gone unnoticed.
Design Guidelines—The 29 Guidelines listed below serve as a general reference. Please see the complete Protective Covenants in the tab to the right:
- Basketball Goals
- Decks
- Detached Structures
- Door and Transoms
- Driveways
- Edging
- Exterior Decorative Objects
- Exterior Landscaping and Maintenance
- Exterior Painting
- Fences
- Firewood
- Flower Pots
- Garage Doors
- Gutters and Downspouts
- Landscaping and Lighting
- Landscaping Surrounding the Mailpost
- Mail Post and Mailboxes
- Patios and Walkways
- Play Equipment
- Play Houses and Tree Houses
- Private Pools
- Porch Railings
- Rain Barrels
- Retaining Walls
- Roofs
- Shutters
- Siding and Trim
- Windows
- Vehicles and Parking
| Basketball Goals | Color | · Backboard must be white, beige, clear, light gray, black |
| · Post must be black | ||
| Location | Goal backboard is perpendicular to primary street | |
| Decks | Materials | Must be cedar, cypress, No. 2 Grade or better pressure treated pine, or composite |
| Color | Must be natural, stained or painted to match exterior color of the home. A sample of materials with selected color must be submitted to the committee along with a Modification Request Form | |
| Specifications | Vertical supports for decks must be a minimum 6 x 6 inch posts or painted metal poles, preferably boxed in as to appear to be | |
| 6 x 6 inch posts | ||
| Constraints | · The deck may not extend past the sides of the home | |
| · A building permit may be required for a deck | ||
| Detached Structures | Location | Structures must be located where they will have minimum visual impact on adjacent properties |
| Constraints | · Structures, other than a dog house, will be considered only for lots of 1 acre or more | |
| · A building permit may be required for certain exterior building alterations | ||
| Door And Transoms | Materials | Wood or fiberglass |
| Color | Follow Exterior Painting Guidelines | |
| Size | Modification of existing construction is prohibited | |
| Style | Doors, transoms and side lights can be configured with: Wood, glass, or glass/wrought iron | |
| Constraints | Storm doors must be full glass (screens and etched glass are prohibited) | |
| Driveways | Materials | Concrete, brick pavers, or paver stones |
| Color | Gray or a neutral color that compliments exterior color of house | |
| Specifications | Joints should be at least ¼ the concrete thickness, cement should be re-enforced with steel bars or wire mesh in grid pattern | |
| Size | Any change in size must be within 120% of original driveway | |
| Style | Plain concrete, concrete with brick pavers, exposed aggregate, stamped concrete | |
| Constraints | · All concrete must match | |
| · For repairs larger than 6” x 6”, complete sections (e.g. entire driveway, entire walkway) must be replaced | ||
| · Stamped/stained concrete must be a neutral color | ||
| Edging | Materials | Brick, stone or poured concrete |
| Color | · Earth tones | |
| · Poured concrete must match driveway | ||
| Size | Maximum 6” (h) x 4” (w) | |
| Location | May be used only between driveway and landscaping or between two different types of landscaping (e.g. flower bed and grass) | |
| Constraints | · All concrete must match | |
| · Plastic and metal are prohibited | ||
| · Formed edging stone that does not resemble natural rock is prohibited | ||
| · Edging must be consistent | ||
| Exterior Decorative Objects | Materials | Natural and man-made |
| Color | Should complement exterior of home | |
| Constraints | · May not be within 10 feet of street | |
| · No more than 1 item unless part of a matched set with a max of 3 units in the set | ||
| · Excludes flowerpots (see Flowerpots on page 7 for additional information) | ||
| Exterior Landscaping And Maintenance | Constraints | · The amount and character of the landscaping must conform to the precedent set in the surrounding community |
| Landscaping should relate to the existing terrain and natural features of the lot, utilizing plant materials native to the Southeastern United States | ||
| Maintenance | · Modifications greater than 25% of existing landscape or any screen planting require a site plan and Modification Request Form (perennials and annuals excluded) | |
| · Vegetable gardens must be located behind the rear line of the house, limited to 150 square feet, and have a maximum plant height of 4 feet. Corner lots may be subject to additional constraints | ||
| · The landscape bed edge is a neat 4″ to 6″ deep trench or must follow Edging Guidelines | ||
| · All mulched landscape beds must be covered with natural pine straw, chopped pine bark mulch, or wood shavings | ||
| · Rock may be used only for drainage purposes | ||
| · Outdoor storage of garden tools and hoses must be screened from view. Any tools or items stored under a back deck or porch must also be screened from view of common areas | ||
| Exterior Painting | Color | For all exterior painting, a painted poster board sized sample, using only the currently approved paint colors, must be submitted to the committee along with a Modification Request Form. Review Trim and Siding for approved trim and siding paint colors and Shutter and Front Door for approved front door and shutter paint colors |
| Specifications | · A minimum of two and a maximum of three colors are allowed | |
| · All exterior paint colors must be from the approved list | ||
| · All paint colors must complement the home | ||
| · White is counted as one color. For example, white window trim is considered use of one color | ||
| · Stained wood front doors do not count as one color | ||
| Location | Exterior siding, trim, doors, transoms, storm doors garage doors, and shutters | |
| Style | Flat or satin only | |
| Constraints | Sash, window trim, and window grids (mullions) must be the same color | |
| Brands\ Manufacturers | · Approved colors are all Sherwin-Williams, but the paint can be matched at other paint stores. Please be aware that when matched, the color is not always true to the original | |
| · The Homeowner is responsible for ensuring that the paint matches the Sherwin Williams color exactly | ||
| Fences | Materials | · Pressure treated wood, aluminum, or wrought iron |
| · Aluminum or hot tip galvanized screws and nails | ||
| Color | · Wood must be natural or stained with a neutral color. If stain is planned, a stained wood sample must be submitted to the committee along with a Modification Request Form | |
| · Aluminum / wrought iron must be black | ||
| Specifications | · Max span between posts is 10 feet; minimum post size is 4×4 inches | |
| · Must have 2×8 inch rails or three 2×6 inch horizontal rails per section | ||
| · Crossbeam structure must not be visible from any street (must face the yard) | ||
| · Concrete footing required for all fence posts | ||
| · Mesh fencing for split rail should be minimum of 16 gauge and color should blend to minimize look | ||
| Size | Max height is 6 feet, min height is 4 feet | |
| Location | · Fence may not be located closer to any street than rear edge of the home | |
| · On corner lot, fence may not be closer to side street than building line of house and may be subject to additional requirements | ||
| Style | Privacy, picket, split rail, wrought iron | |
| Constraints | · Vinyl, chain link or composite fencing materials are prohibited | |
| · Mesh or wire may be used only in conjunction with split rail fence | ||
| Firewood | Color | Woodpile coverings are allowed only if the cover is an earth tone color and the woodpile is screened from the view of the street |
| Location | Must be located within the sidelines of the house and in the rear yard in order to preserve the open space vistas | |
| Flower Pots | Materials | · Natural and manmade pots |
| · Live flowers or live decorative trees | ||
| Color | Colors must compliment the exterior of home | |
| Location | May not be placed within 10 feet of street | |
| Constraints | · Artificial plants or flowers in pots are prohibited | |
| · Maximum of 4 pots on front porch and in front yard | ||
| · Maximum of 2 decorative trees | ||
| Garage Doors | Materials | Steel or wood |
| Color | Follow Exterior Painting Guidelines | |
| Specifications | 16 panel (4 x 4), rectangular windows allowed for top row | |
| Size | Same as original on home | |
| Style | May include decorative hardware | |
| Gutters And Downspouts | Materials | Aluminum |
| Color | Match trim and fascia | |
| Specifications | · Gutters should be seamless and K-style | |
| · Hung with hidden hangers/screws only | ||
| Size | 5” and 6” widths only | |
| Location | Same as original | |
| Constraints | · Downspouts must be rectangular | |
| · If ‘gutter guards’ are used, they must be aluminum and/or match shingles or gutter color (ex. Gutter Guard uses a 1 piece gutter and guard) | ||
| Landscaping And Lighting | Materials | Metal, plastic, copper |
| Color | · Fixture must be black or antiqued copper | |
| · Light color must be white or clear, unless seasonal decorative | ||
| Specifications | Bollard, flood, surface mount, tier, walk and specialty | |
| Size | Exposed fixture does not exceed 12″ in height if on ground | |
| Location | Front, back, deck, stairs, trees | |
| Constraints | · The number of lights may not exceed 10 | |
| · Fixture should be discreet from common area viewing, light fixtures are not decorative | ||
| · Solar lights are prohibited | ||
| · Colors of fixture and colors of light must be consistent | ||
| · Lighting may not parallel driveway | ||
| Landscaping Surrounding The Mail Post | Specifications | If the area around the post is landscaped with small plants or flowers, bare earth must be covered with proper ground cover |
| Size | · Flowers, shrubs, and vines should be kept to a height of 24″ | |
| · Landscape bed edging shall be a neat 4″ to 6″ deep trench | ||
| Constraints | · Grass surrounding the mail post must be maintained at the same height as the grass in the yard | |
| · Any flowers, plants, shrubs, or bushes that surround the mail post must be properly maintained | ||
| · Debris, clippings, weeds and dead plants should be removed at the end of the growing season | ||
| · After the first frost, all affected material should be removed | ||
| · See Edging Guidelines for more information | ||
| Mail Post And Mailboxes | Materials | Imperial Series: Black aluminum mail post (#2), Model #210K, Black aluminum box style #0 with knob |
| Location | · Mail posts are to be installed 18″ from the back of the curb on any street with the exception of cul-de-sac streets where the post needs to be installed 12″ from the back of the curb (this is a Federal Regulation) | |
| · Mail post must be installed at a 90 degree angle with the top of the post at 51″ to 60″ from the ground | ||
| · The mailbox itself shall be installed 39″ from the base of the post | ||
| Style | · Number plate style #1 mounted on the box | |
| · 2″ solid brass numbers | ||
| Constraints | · Mail post must be maintained in the condition in which it was received from the factory | |
| · Maintenance is advised per manufacturer’s recommendations as needed, i.e. polish with turtle wax every few years | ||
| · Mail posts may not be painted another color | ||
| · Numbers may not be mounted on the box itself or on the post | ||
| Brands\ Manufacturers | · Mail posts, mailboxes, number plates, and numbers may be purchased from Dean Crenshaw at Quality Products, Inc. (770-345-4229) or from Classy Mailboxes (770-321-0481). Delivery and installation are available | |
| Patios And Walkways | Materials | Concrete, brick pavers, or paver stones |
| Color | Gray or a neutral color that compliments exterior color of house and/or matches driveway | |
| Specifications | Walkways must match, or blend with driveways | |
| Size | Any change in size must be within 120% of original walkway/patio | |
| Location | Per original | |
| Style | Plain concrete, plain concrete with brick pavers, exposed aggregate, stamped/stained concrete | |
| Constraints | · The patio must not extend beyond the sidelines of the house and must not extend to within 10 feet of side property lines | |
| · The walkway must not exceed 4 inches above ground and the patio must not exceed 6 inches above ground level at any point | ||
| · Any patio that is visible from the road may not have patio covers, trellises, permanent seating, railing, and other items | ||
| · For repairs, complete sections must be replaced and color matched | ||
| · Patching of sections is prohibited | ||
| Play Equipment | Materials | Pressure treated wood, natural or stained |
| Location | · Must be in rear yard within the sidelines of the house | |
| · Corner properties may have additional restrictions | ||
| Play Houses And Tree Houses | Specifications | Must have minimal visual impact on adjacent properties |
| Size | May not be larger than 100 square feet | |
| Location | Corner properties may have additional restrictions | |
| Constraints | Must be located in rear yard, within sidelines of the house | |
| Private Pools | Specifications | Pools are generally not permitted on lots smaller than one acre |
| Size | Maximum pool area 1,000 square feet | |
| Location | Must be placed in rear yard, within sidelines of house. Corner properties may have additional restrictions | |
| Style | Preferred privacy fence is shadow box design maximum 6 feet in height | |
| Constraints | · Pools must be below ground | |
| · Pool and deck lighting may not intrude onto neighboring lots | ||
| · Exterior hot tubs must be screened from adjacent properties and streets | ||
| Porch Railings | Materials | Cast iron |
| Color | Black | |
| Specifications | Must match original railing | |
| Size | Not to exceed original footprint | |
| Location | Same as original | |
| Style | Same as original | |
| Constraints | Same as original | |
| Rain Barrels | Materials | Plastic, wood, metal, composite |
| Color | Should complement exterior of home | |
| Location | May not be within 10 feet of property lines | |
| Constraints | · Must be screened from view | |
| · Above ground container may be no larger than 61 gallons | ||
| · Maximum number: 2 rain barrels per home | ||
| Retaining Walls | Materials | Brick, stone, landscape block, or pressure treated lumber (6 x 6) |
| Color | Earth tones or natural complimenting exterior colors of home | |
| Specifications | Wood must be pressure treated 6” x 6”, stones may be no larger than 15” x 15” | |
| Style | Natural rock or pressure treated lumber. Stone veneer is permissible | |
| Constraints | · All materials, colors, and styles must be consistent | |
| · Railroad ties, reinforced soil and galion (wire enclosed cage) are prohibited | ||
| · Exposed poured concrete and cinderblock are prohibited | ||
| Roofs | Materials | Architectural Shingles only |
| Color | Must compliment the color of house | |
| Constraints | Skylights are prohibited on front of house | |
| Shutters | Materials | Polypropylene/Vinyl or wood |
| Color | Follow Exterior Painting Guidelines | |
| Size | Must match original size | |
| Location | Same as original | |
| Style | Raised panel | |
| Constraints | Louvered style prohibited | |
| Siding And Trim | Materials | Fiber Cement board |
| Color | Follow Exterior Painting Guidelines | |
| Specifications | · 8 1/4 x 12 sheets/planks of fiber cement | |
| · Should be same height as the original siding | ||
| Size | Must be a 7” exposure | |
| Location | Replacing original location | |
| Style | Beaded or non-beaded, textured or smooth | |
| Constraints | Vinyl siding and ‘shake’ shingles (shingle style) prohibited | |
| Windows | Materials | Wood; wood clad with aluminum, vinyl or fiberglass; PVC composite or cellular PVC composite (this is not vinyl), aluminum |
| Color | Follow Exterior Painting Guidelines | |
| Specifications | Double strength glass (1/8”), simulated divided light (SDL) 7/8” sculpted (required on exterior of window at a minimum), replace double hung with double hung windows and single hung with single hung windows | |
| Size | Same as original, same amount of visible glass (rail size 1 ½ – 1 ¾”), same configuration of grills top and bottom for front of home | |
| Location | · Front of home: Must have SDL top and bottom in same configuration | |
| · Side of home: Must match original size and configuration of SDL if existing, | ||
| · Back of home: SDL on upper and bottom sashes in same configuration, grill on upper sash only or no grills | ||
| Constraints | · Each individual side of the home (for example front, back or side of the home) must have windows with consistent design and materials | |
| · Replacement of windows with new materials requires all windows on that side of the home are simultaneously replaced to maintain consistency | ||
| · Wrapping (capping) of brick mold or stops (other than sills) is prohibited | ||
| · Brick mold and stops can be changed to cellular PVC composite | ||
| · Grill-between-glass (GBG) is prohibited | ||
| · Transoms must maintain grills | ||
| · Vinyl windows are prohibited | ||
| · Screens must be full size, half screens are prohibited | ||
| Vehicles And Parking | Constraints | · Boats, trailers, campers, or recreational or any other type vehicle may not be parked or stored in open view on residential property for longer than a 24 hour period |
| · All cars parked in open view and not in a garage must be operable and may not be unsightly | ||
| · Vehicles may not be parked on any yard | ||
| · As a general rule, parking of vehicles on the street is prohibited. Temporary parking (four hours or less) is allowed if not a nuisance to neighbors or impediment to traffic flow | ||
| · Homeowners are responsible for guest parking and must ensure that guests park in a safe manner and do not impede access to other driveways and traffic |