The Lakes at Waterstone
ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL COMMITTEE (“ACC”)
REVIEW GUIDELINES
The purpose of these Architectural Review Guidelines is to allow the flexibility for individual identity while assuring the aesthetic integrity and uniform harmony for the entire community. These basic guidelines provide the framework for an Architectural Control Committee (ACC) review of an application but do not guarantee an “approval.” All ACC applications will be reviewed on an individual basis using these guidelines. No exterior changes may occur prior to written approval from the ACC.
The application process begins by contacting the Lakes Homeowners Association for a copy of the ARCHITECTURAL CHANGE FORM. This form may be downloaded from the website: www.primemgtconnect.com or contact Vista Properties at www.vista-properties.com The owner will submit three (3) copies of this form for all proposed additions, changes, modifications, etc., along with a lot survey marked to show the location of the proposed addition, change or modification. Additional information such as product specification sheets, floor plans, exterior elevations (all views), and site plans (showing applicable setbacks, dimensions from property lines to proposed structures, etc) should also be included when appropriate. In addition, submissions should include pictures of proposed items, proposed colors, and patterns, materials and all additional information necessary for the ACC to make an informed decision. If all required information is not received with this completed application, the Committee will automatically reject the application until all requested information is received.
The Board of Directors reserves the right to alter, add or delete guidelines at their discretion.
Guidelines are as follows:
Antennae:
Homeowner must make every reasonable effort to comply with the following:
- Satellite dish antennae must not exceed one meter in diameter (FCC regulation). Satellite dishes may not be mounted on the zero-lot easement side of a home. They must be installed at ground level and properly concealed from view from the street and neighboring property using Committee approved plant material. Ground mounted satellite dishes should not exceed 40 inches above ground as measured to the highest point of the ground mounted dish.
- If the homeowner cannot comply with this policy, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to provide the evidence that compliance is not achievable without a degradation of reception. Evidence must be in the form of a written document from an authorized installer of satellite equipment.
3. Requests must be accompanied by a diagram and picture along with a copy of installer’s certification.
Awning:
1. Retractable type awnings made of canvas with aluminum frame may be permitted on the rear of the home only. They must be secured to the home and capable of withstanding a storm event according to Building Code standards. See the definition of “storm event” later under “Hurricane and Storm Shutters” The frame must be white and no more than two colors on the canvas which complement the home.
2. Requests must be accompanied by a diagram, picture and sample material.
3. Permanent awnings of any type are not permitted. No awnings are permitted on the front of a home or over side windows.
Decorations:
1. Flower pots, bird baths (not to exceed 36”), statues, benches and wall hangings
may be approved on an individual basis. The total number of items in a yard is limited to six. Wall hangings are not allowed in the front of homes. Approved items must be placed more than 6 inches from the end of the sod line, cannot be placed in any lawn, and are solely at the risk of the homeowner regarding damage from any maintenance provider contracted by the HOA to provide service.
2. Requests must be accompanied by a diagram and picture.
Driveways:
1. Driveway stains or surface coatings are not permitted, unless such stains are clear. Homeowners may not change the actual driveway surface from builder what the builder installed. Any oil stains must be cleaned timely by the homeowner.
Fences:
1. Fences are not permitted.
Flagpole or bracket for flag:
1. Decorative flags are not permitted.
2. Current Florida Statute 720.304(2)(a)(b), which is amended from time-to-time, will prevail with regard to display of the United States flag, official flag of Florida, armed forces flags, and POW/MIA flag.
3. White flag pole brackets/holders capable of holding a 3/4 inch dowel and mounted to the home on either side of the garage are permitted.
4. Flag poles in yard may be approved on a case-by-case basis. Refer to #2 above.
Fountains:
1. Small fountains may be approved on a case-by-case basis.
2. Requests must be accompanied by a diagram and picture to include the height, width, depth of the fountain, color and location where the fountain is to be installed, clearly marked on a plan of the home, with detailed information regarding the power and water source of the fountain.
3. Fountains installed on the lanai along the privacy wall may not be attached to the privacy wall.
4. All fountains must be removable. No fountains may be permanent installations anywhere on exterior of the home.
5. If approved, fountains must be properly maintained by the homeowner to include no accumulation of mold or mildew.
Front entry screening:
1. Front entry or front door screening may be approved on a case-by-case basis.
2. Front entry screening shall be installed on white aluminum frames and shall be charcoal in color.
3. Entry screening of the Carlyle model is limited to the entry alcove only, with the above color restrictions: white aluminum frame w/ charcoal screening.
4. No garage door screening is permitted.
Generators:
1. Generators are permitted on a case-by-case basis.
2. Owner must submit an ACC form with a photo of the generator, including the generating capacity (i.e. 15KW), dimensions, color and location where generator will be placed, clearly marked on a plan of the home and detailed information regarding the power source of the generator.
3. If power source is to be an under ground tank, the tank must be located on the owner’s property. A survey of the property and plan of the exact location must be clearly marked and submitted with the ACC request. Proof that all the proper permits have been pulled and the contractor is licensed and insured will be required prior to installation.
4. Underground tank placement and proximity to existing structures must comply with all County Code Regulations, and the Homeowner is responsible for making sure the proposed plan and installment is in compliance with County Code Regulations. Current Code regulations state underground tanks can be no closer than ten feet (10’) to the nearest structure. Licensed and insured contractors are to pull all permits. Proof the necessary permits have been pulled and the contractor is licensed and insured will need to be presented to the ACC prior to installation.
5. Underground tank must be buried so that the fill lid is flush with the ground and the color matches the surrounding area.
6. If generator is to be installed on the exterior of the home on a concrete slab, a five hundred dollar ($500.00) deposit for common area damage will be required before any work may begin. Deposit is refundable when Association Manager confirms that all roadways and landscaping are restored to the original state.
7. Homeowner is responsible for notifying Association Manager prior to commencing any lot excavation in order to identify any irrigation or utility lines in the path of excavation.
8. If approved, the generator must be screened from view from the streets, common areas and other homes with hedge plantings equal to those used within the development. Plantings must be approved by the ACC.
9. Homeowner is responsible for maintaining and trimming all landscape materials approved by the ACC. No landscaping materials may encroach on neighboring properties or common areas.
10. If generator is to be a portable generator with a portable power source, the owner must submit the ACC form with photo of generator and all information relating to the generator such as generating capacity, dimensions, color and location where generator and power source will be stored for approval.
11. Portable generators and fuel tanks may not be stored on any portion of the exterior of the home.
12. Periodic testing of any generator must be performed at a time when the noise will not be a nuisance and disturb neighbors.
Glass Inserts
1. Glass inserts for entry doors are permitted with ACC approval. Glass must be clear or frosted, i.e. no colored glass is permitted, and must comply with hurricane/wind codes.
Hose Caddies
1. Portable hose caddies are permitted without ACC approval as they are essential for home maintenance. They should be kept in an area not visible from the street or other homes. Portable hose caddies are preferred over hose holders which attach to the home.
2. An attached hose holder will be permitted without ACC approval if it is mounted no higher than three (3) feet at the side of the home, if the color is an earth tone color, screened from view and not readily visible from the streets and other homes.
3. Attached hose holders will be permitted without ACC approval on the front of the home if the home has a side load garage, if the color is an earth tone color, if it is mounted no higher than three (3) feet and screened from view and not readily visible from the streets and other homes.
4. Mounting the hose holder at a height of three (3) feet to the front of a home will require additional plantings to be installed at the owners’ expense to screen it from view of the streets and other homes.
5. Hoses not stored within a caddie or coiled in an attached hose holder are not permitted to be left out on any part of the home’s property except when in use. Hoses shall be stored out of sight of the streets and other homes when not in use.
6. Neither the maintenance vendors nor the Homeowners Association shall be held responsible for any damage to hoses that are left out on the home’s property regardless of how they are stored.
Hurricane and Storm shutters:
1. Permanently installed brackets for hurricane shutters are to be painted white.
2. For any hurricane shutter system, which requires a center bar, the center bar may not be permanently installed and must be removed along with the storm shutters after the storm event.
3. Hurricane/storm shutters and panels may only be put in place or closed five (5) days before and five (5) days after a storm event or when a storm event is imminent. A “storm event” is defined as a meteorological event in which winds in excess of 50 mph and rainfall has occurred, or is expected to occur, within 5 days.
4. White or beige accordion shutters and roll down shutters are permitted with ACC approval. Beige will only be permitted on beige homes. All other homes must utilize white shutters. Any old hardware from previous shutters or panels must be removed.
5. A Five Hundred Dollar ($500.00) deposit will be required for common area damages. Deposit is refundable when roadways and landscaping are restored to original condition.
Lanai Enclosures for Existing Covered Lanai:
1. Lanai enclosures are permitted with ACC approval.
2. Lanai enclosure must use materials. textures and colors to exactly match the existing home.
3. Sliders must be installed at opening that will be opposite original sliders installation so as to maintain a uniform appearance.
4. The side wall must be installed with either glass block or a window to exactly match the rest of the home.
5. No permanent or temporary additions that change the roofline or style of the home will be permitted other than screened enclosed patios (see Screen Enclosures).
6. Requests must be accompanied by a diagram and/or specs and work must be performed by a licensed and insured contractor.
7. A Five Hundred Dollar ($500.00) deposit will be required for common area damages. Deposit is refundable when roadways and landscaping are restored to original condition.
Landscaping/Lighting:
1. Landscaping additions, deletions, and revisions shall be permitted on a case-by-case basis.
2. Large scale and extensive stone or marble chip ground cover is not permitted in yards. Border edging cannot consist of gravel, rock or other “loose” material. Mulch is the accepted ground cover.
3. A request for additional landscaping to be placed in the areas maintained by the homeowners’ association will contain a condition that the additional landscaping be solely maintained by the homeowner and not the homeowners’ association. The association will not be responsible for any damage to these items.
4. Prohibited species include: any and all species prohibited by Brevard County as amended from time to time. Additional species may be prohibited based on size, appearance, invasiveness or maintenance requirements.
5. Landscape lighting must be low voltage (12 - 15 volts) with bulb wattage not to exceed 30 watts, and mounted within planting beds to allow the applicant to readily maintain the lights. All wiring must be buried to protect it from mowers and trimming/edging equipment. Seasonal lighting may not be installed on any tree, palm, or shrub in common areas. At the applicant’s sole risk, if lighting placed in areas which are maintained by the Association, including but not limited to planting beds and yards, are damaged by maintenance personnel, the Association will accept no l, iability for any such damage.
6. All landscape lighting must be pointed up into the trees and must be placed so as not to shine toward the street or any wall of any home.
7. Any walkway lighting whether electrical or solar shall be limited to 12 lights, no more than 18” high and at least 36” apart.
8. Only live plants are permissible on the exterior of the homes. No artificial plants or flowers.
9. Trellises, arbors and pergolas are not permitted.
Patios:
1. Flat concrete work or pavers installed by a licensed contractor may be approved on a case-by-case basis.
2. All patios must comply with setback and requirements for home.
3. A Five Hundred Dollar ($500.00) debris and damage deposit for common area damage will be required from any party installing a pool or doing any concrete work. The deposit is refundable when all roadways and landscaping are restored to the original state.
Pools and spas:
1. Pools & spas are permitted on a case-by-case basis. No above ground pools are permitted.
2. Portable (above ground) hot tubs are permitted, but must be placed within a screen enclosure or covered lanai.
3. A request to install a pool which includes a heat pump or other pool equipment which is located outside of a screened enclosure may contain an additional condition that additional landscaping be placed around the heat pump or pool equipment. All pool heaters are to vent away from the home and/or toward the lake.
4. A Five Hundred Dollar ($500.00) debris and damage deposit for common area damage will be required from any party installing a pool or doing any concrete work. The deposit is refundable when all roadways and landscaping are restored to the original state.
Screen Enclosures:
1. Screen enclosures may not include kick plates. Screen must continue to deck.
2. All approved screen enclosures must span the width of the home.
3. All exterior aluminum must be white. All screens must be charcoal color.
4. All screen applications must be accompanied with site plan & elevations. Screen wall height must match dwelling height. Roof must be Mansard style.
5. No metal roofs are permitted.
6. No screens are permitted at garage openings.
7. A Five Hundred Dollar ($500.00) damage deposit for all common areas will be required from anyone installing an after market screen enclosure. Deposit is refundable when all roadways and landscaping are restored to the original state.
Solar heating:
1. Solar heating may be permitted on a case-by-case basis.
2. With respect to the installation of a solar heater on the roof, all frame work panels must be painted to match the color of the roof tiles and the piping must be painted to match the surface to which it is attached, i.e. the roof, soffit and wall.
3. Any owner who installs a solar panel is advised that his roof warranty may be voided or adversely affected as a result of the installation of solar panels on the roof.
4. Solar panels may not be installed on the front elevation of the home.
5. Requests must be accompanied by a diagram and photo.
6. A Five Hundred Dollar ($500.00) damage deposit for common area damage will be required from anyone installing solar roof panels. Deposit is refundable when all roadways and landscaping are restored to the original state.
Swing Set in Rear Yard:
Swing sets and hammocks are not permitted.
Window treatments:
1. All draperies, curtains, shades, blinds or other window coverings installed in a home, and which are visible from the exterior of the home, shall have a white backing.
2. All garage windows should be covered.
3. Sheets and tablecloths are not window coverings and are not permitted under any circumstance.
4. Window tinting with solar guard SS-175, SS-165 OSW, SS-165 Llumar N-1020 and 3M NV-25 have been approved. In addition other tinting with a maximum of 66% of solar energy rejected and minimum of 24% visible light transmittance have been approved. Highly reflective, dark or mirror-like tinting will not be approved. Tinting must be consistently applied on any one side of a home.
Water Softeners:
1. All water softeners must be installed inside a home. No outdoor softeners will be approved.
Grills:
1. Barbecue grills kept outside a lanai or pool deck need ACC approval.
2. All grills must have a proper grill cover that is the correct size for the grill and is black or beige in color.
Miscellaneous
1. The homeowner is responsible for all maintenance and repairs of all homeowner installed improvements, i.e. awnings, landscape, screen enclosures, etc.
2. The homeowner is responsible for the removal of mold and mildew from patios, lanais, screened enclosures.
3. Exterior mounted generators will be reviewed on an individual basis.
4. Hose hangers have been permitted if screened by landscaping materials.
5. Outside lights at garage should not be fixtured with lamps greater than 75 watts per fixture.
6. Any construction or electrical work approved by the ACC, i.e. lanai enclosures, screened enclosures, pools, patios, lighting, etc. must have all the proper permits and be performed by a licensed and insured contractor. Proof of the permits, as well as the licensing and insurance of the contractor, will need to be presented to the ACC before work begins.
