Architectural Rules and Requirements 2020
(Approved 7/11/20)
I. Introduction
VISION
To maintain a high-quality appearance throughout the community with design, style, and materials which preserve the integrity, appeal and value of the Homes at Perry Cabin Town Home Community for the benefit of both current and future homeowners.
PURPOSE
To ensure that each townhouse in our community meets architectural standards, is appropriately maintained, and that necessary repair and maintenance work is completed in a timely manner.
2017 REVISION AND RETITLING
As part of an overall update in 2017, the Architectural Committee revised the community architectural policy document, which was previously titled “Architectural Guidelines”. Some residents felt “guidelines” did not imply that the requirements in the document had to be followed, incorrectly interpreting them as being merely suggestions. It was never the intent that they be optional so the current title, “Architectural Rules and Requirements” is more accurate and appropriate.
HOMEOWNER RESPONSIBILITIES FOR OBTAINING PRIOR APPROVAL AND COMPLIANCE
Article V, Architectural Control, of the community’s Declaration of COVENANTS, CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS requires approval of exterior changes, alterations or improvements to townhouses or other structures by an “Architectural Control Committee” made up of at least 3 or more appointed members.
In granting an approval, the committee will consider harmony of the exterior design and location in relation to surrounding structures and topography.
As outlined in more detail in Section 1, all actions affecting the exterior of units will require the owner to submit an application to the Architectural Committee for approval, in advance. There are a few exceptions which are noted in these Rules and Requirements. If in doubt, owners should submit an application for approval. As stated in #2 Routine Maintenance Repair. Entire painting of the entire exterior of the home requires an application, to assure correct paint colors have been chosen.
The Architectural Committee will strive to keep up with trends and modern-day features and materials and consider how they may enhance the overall look and appeal of the community. The Committee wants residents to feel their ideas will be heard, reviewed, and thoughtfully considered with the vision, design standards and overall aesthetics of the community in mind.
Proposed work shall not commence until written approval of this application by the Architectural Committee has been received by the owner. If proposed work is commenced without the written approval of the Architectural Committee, or if changes are made that are not in compliance with the Committee’s written approval and/or these Rules and Requirements, the owner may be required to return the property to its former condition at owner's expense and pay all associated legal expenses. The Committee may conduct a review at any stage of the work including after completion to verify whether conditions for approval have been met.
If not in compliance, a written Notice of Non-Compliance will be issued to the homeowner outlining the areas of non-compliance. If not rectified by the homeowner within thirty days of being received by the homeowner, a copy of the Notice of Non-Compliance shall be recorded at the Talbot County Courthouse with the Deed of the property. If the property is brought into compliance within this thirty-day period, the Notice of Non-Compliance will not be filed. If brought into compliance after the thirty-day period, the Notice of Non-Compliance will be removed from the Deed Recordation or a Notice of Compliance will be issued to the homeowner and recorded with the Deed, following reimbursement to the HOA of all fees incurred by the HOA in having the Notice of Non-Compliance recorded and having it subsequently removed or a Notice of Compliance recorded. This procedure does not preclude the HOA from bringing suit to have the property put into compliance if, in the opinion of the Architectural Committee and Board of Directors, the nature of non-compliance is so egregious as to warrant immediate rectification or when the property is put up for sale by the current homeowner.
Proposed changes shall not violate any building or zoning code or ordinance of the Town of St. Michaels, Talbot County, or the State of Maryland.
Compliance with local requirements for approval, permitting, construction, inspection as well as environmental restrictions are solely the responsibility of each homeowner. Anyone who believes an owner is not following applicable requirements may notify the appropriate office with potential jurisdiction. Any further action is responsibility of that office and the owner.
RULES CHANGES AND EXISTING FEATURES
Note that this document reflects only the community’s current architectural rules and requirements.
Our community and the surrounding area have undergone many changes since these townhomes were first built. Certain features (patios, decks, etc.) which were previously installed in the community may exist, but this does not mean that they would be allowed under current community rules, local regulations and/or laws. In addition, if something is not included in the Rules & Requirements, it does not mean it would be permitted. This is a living document, updated on an ongoing basis.
State, County and/or local environmental restrictions (i.e., critical area buffers) prohibit or severely restrict many features that community rules would otherwise allow. Critical Area law places strict limits on impervious surface area in the 100'-0" buffer and restricts new development in the buffer zones. Owners are encouraged to review the information and links provided on the Critical Areas and Buffer Zone page.
PROCESS FOR ADDRESSING HOMEOWNER NEGLECT OF NECESSARY MAINTENANCE OR REPAIR
If maintenance or repair work due to owner neglect is merited, it shall be designated in one of two classifications:
Routine Maintenance/Repair, or
Priority Maintenance/Repair
Routine Maintenance/Repair: Routine maintenance/repair would include such things as faded or peeling paint on trim moldings, shutters, or portions of siding, small amounts of rotting wood that need replacement, loose or missing bricks on front stairs and the like. If the required work is classified as Routine, the Architectural Committee or Property Manager shall notify the Homeowner of the Committee's concern and request that work be completed as part of the home's next scheduled maintenance.
Priority Maintenance/Repair: Priority Maintenance/Repair describes a condition in which the property is in obvious need for maintenance or repair and that the property requires immediate attention in order not to diminish the quality of the community. Such work would include significant amounts of rotting exterior wood, large expanses of wood siding in need of painting, foundation plants that have grown so large as to negatively impact the property and/or neighboring properties, missing exterior fixtures and the like.
In Priority situations:the Property Manager or Architectural Committee shall notify the Homeowner on behalf of the Board in writing of the nature of the repairs needed;
the Homeowner will have 30 days to respond to the Board of Directors in writing
with a plan to complete the repairs that includes a time line that the Board deems reasonable based on the required work;
if the repair work is not commenced and completed in accordance with the timeline, the Board may exert its legal right to take the steps necessary to effectuate the repairs as described in Article VIl of the Covenants.
Article VII of the COVENANTS, CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS, Special Maintenance, provides as follows:
In the event that there is an obvious need for maintenance or repair which is caused through the willful or negligent act of an Owner, his family, agents or invitee's, and if such maintenance or repair is not made within (30) days after notice to maintain or repair is sent by the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors may cause the maintenance or repair to be performed and the cost thereof shall be added to and become a part of the assessment to which the Owner's Lot is subject. The Board of Directors shall have the right to enter upon a Lot to perform maintenance or repairs as may be necessary without incurring liability, therefore.
UNIT TYPES
A, D Units: end units
B Unit: 3 bedroom interior unit
C Unit: 2 bedroom interior unit
II. Requirements to Obtain Approval and Architectural Design Standards
CHANGES WHICH REQUIRE ADVANCE WRITTEN APPROVAL
All changes to exterior architecture other than routine maintenance does require prior written approval by the Architectural Committee.
Approval is required for exterior remodeling, renovations, repainting with the same color or new palette, and improvements, or replacement of any exterior architectural item including:
moving or installing HVAC units in a different location from previous
replacing, renovating, or installing:
windows;
trim;
siding;
exterior doors including entrance doors, storm doors and sliding glass doors;
shutters;
front porches;
patios, landings;
decks, deck railings (front and rear) or deck storage sheds;
chimneys; and
roofs.
Architectural Committee review and approval is required to ensure the new or renovated items match or harmonize with existing features in style, quality and color.
The application process requires notification of neighboring owners. At a minimum, the owner making application must notify the owners of all units in the same building group. In addition, end unit (“A and D unit) owners must notify the owner of the closest (end) unit in the nearest building.
The Architectural Committee will review requests based on the design standards and requirements outlined in this document and the overall aesthetics of the community. However, the Committee will consider factors which may merit taking into account differences between one unit and another. The Committee also welcomes and will consider approving requests that involve new materials or ideas, if the Committee feels they align with the vision and enhance the appeal of the community.
Owners should allow up to 30 days for Architectural Committee review and approval of the application. During that period there will be communication with the homeowner as to status and questions. According to the Covenants, 60 days are allowed to make a decision, but we hope to make a decision closer to a 15-30 day range, depending on the complexity of the application.
WINDOWS
All front and side windows must have “12 over 12” or “8 over 8” mullions or grills.
BALCONIES
Balconies are allowed on the rear of the "A" model townhouses as originally designed. All new balconies shall not exceed the original standard design for the "A" model. Flat roof additions are not to serve as upper decks or balconies.
In 2007, the Architectural Committee approved the replacement for the sliding glass doors/balcony on the rear of the "A" model townhouses with double windows and horizontal siding to match the siding with the rest of the building.
PROPANE TANKS
Owners may apply for connection to community propane tanks through the Property Manager; fees may apply. Individual, above ground propane tanks are only allowed when attached to a portable grilling, heating device or fire pit. Such devices or extra propane tanks are only temporarily allowed on lawns, and must be stored on decks, patios or enclosed storage areas.
GARDENS/PLANTING
Gardens/plantings next to the front, rear and side of the townhouse structure shall be primarily foundation plantings and flowers. See subsection 6. for information on Trees. Overly large, untrimmed plantings can interfere with the enjoyment of other residents and do not promote a pleasing appearance. Owners must keep plantings in all areas of their property (front, sides, rear) trimmed and maintained in a way that protects the views of neighboring residents and the aesthetics of the community.
Small decorative objects such as rocks or stones, small garden ornaments, small bird bowls or bird houses, small flags, flower pots/planters and similar landscape enhancements may be added to owner garden areas providing they harmonize with, rather than detract from, the overall appearance of the homes and do not interfere with adjoining neighbors’ views of the water. Fountains, large sculptures and large banners or flags are not permitted. The Architectural Committee will have final approval as to whether these conditions have been met on an individual basis.
Plantings of any kind, or placement of bird feeders, bird houses, bird baths or sculptures in areas not completely on owner’s property (i.e., common areas) must be reviewed and approved by the Architectural Committee.
Garden boxes can be added to beds in the rear of the house, they must be screened by plantings year-round so boxes are not visible.
TREES
Trees may only be planted in the area between the front façade of each unit and the sidewalk and/or within the individually owned property boundaries along the side(s) of end units. Owners are responsible for care, trimming and replacement of trees in these areas. However, owners must consult with the Grounds and Landscaping Committee and obtain approval prior to planting, removing or replacing any trees. Care must always be taken to ensure that plantings do not interfere with the views enjoyed by neighboring residents, either upon installation or over time as they mature.
Owners must keep trees in all areas of their property (front, sides, rear) trimmed and maintained in a way that protects the views of neighboring residents and the aesthetics of the community.
INSTALLING HVAC UNITS
HVAC units are to be located at the rear or side of a unit. For A Unit can be located off the side of the deck.
Owners are encouraged to obscure or soften the look of HVAC units at the side or rear of their townhouse through the use of plantings and/or lattice. Any movement of the original location of the HVAC unit, needs to be approved by architectural committee.
Any refrigerant lines attached to the exterior of a unit must be hidden with a line covering material (such as “Line-Hide”) painted the same color as the surface to which attached (bricks, siding or trim).
AWNINGS
Retractable fabric awnings on rear decks home additions shall be allowed. The awning canvas and valance may be any one of the many pre-approved solid color fabrics identified in item 9 in the Community Color Palette section of this document.
Architectural Committee approval is required to install a new retractable awning, but fabric on an existing awning and/or valance may be replaced using any of the pre-approved fabric colors shown on the palette without requesting Committee approval. Other solid colors or stripes which coordinate with the siding and trim colors of the unit/building may be approved by the Committee on a case by case basis. Homeowners wishing to use stripes or any solid color other than those which have been pre-approved must submit an Application for Architectural Changes Form asking the Committee for advance approval to do so. The Committee will consider how the proposed fabric would harmonize with and not detract from the look of the building.
DECK ENCLOSURES AND PATIO LANDINGS
Note that the requirements in this section reflect only the current community architectural rules. Even though certain patios, decks, etc. were previously installed in the community, this does not mean that they would be allowed under current law or under the current community rules.
State, County and/or local environmental restrictions (i.e., critical area buffers) may prohibit or severely restrict changes that community rules would otherwise allow. Critical Area law places strict limits on impervious surface area in the 100'-0" buffer and restricts new development in the buffer zones.
Owners are encouraged to review the information and links provided on Critical Area and Buffer Zone Information page. Each owner is responsible for ensuring that any proposed modifications have been approved by the appropriate government office before submitting a request for Architectural Committee approval.
Deck enclosures, either full or partial, shall be allowed. All County/local building permitting, construction and inspection requirements must be followed. The shed roof shall be standard on "B" and "C" models. Flat roofs are permitted on "A" model units. On "D" models, a flat roof is permitted on the enclosure of the deck adjacent to the portion of the building with the lower roof, and a shed roof is permitted on the enclosure of the deck adjacent to the building with the higher roof.
Flat roof additions are not to serve as upper decks or balconies.
Deck enclosures shall not exceed the original deck footprint, except that deck enclosures on "D" models may be squared off where they have an indentation.
Owners may have patio/landings of mulch, gravel, brick, natural stone or pavers** and/or plantings adjacent to, but not extending beyond 6 feet from the outermost deck footer or foundation (if a foundation was installed when the deck was enclosed), as long as they do not impact neighboring views.
**Environmental requirements may prohibit any expansion of existing patios/landings and/or limit the amount and/or type material which can be used by a specific homeowner depending on where the unit is in relation to the critical area and buffer zones.
DECK RAILINGS/DECKS
Owners must submit a written request to the Committee for approval to replace decks/deck railings. Deck railings shall not be less than thirty-six inches (36") in height for structures 30" above grade. For new decks designed and constructed, the most recent version of the International Residential Code™ should be followed:
Section R316.1 Guards Required. Porches, balconies or raised floor surfaces located more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor or grade below shall have guards not less than 36 inches (914mm) in height.
Section R316.2 Guards Opening Limitations. Required guards on open sides of stairways, raised floor areas, balconies and porches shall have intermediate rails or ornamental closures that do not allow passage of a sphere 4 inches (102mm) in diameter.
Required guards shall not be constructed with horizontal rails or another ornamental pattern that results in a ladder effect.
Existing horizontal guards may be replaced using either lattice or vertical guards that do not allow passage of a sphere 4 inches in diameter. While a style consistent with "D" unit front porches and the "A" unit front portico roof railings is encouraged, other styles and/or materials will be considered by the Committee on a case by case basis. Lattice is approved below decks and on deck railings, as well as on gates over the stairs as a safety feature for children and pets. For further rules on balconies see section 3 above.
STORM DOORS, FRONT DOOR KNOBS
Storm doors (which are optional, not required) shall be of a standard design for all townhouses according to the following specifications:
"B, C and D" unit storm doors may be full view, half view with roll down screen, or paneled glass with/without screens.
When choosing a storm/screen door, note the color requirements and restrictions in Section 14.
Larson has several options that also come in matching colors to our new trim and door colors. These include white, almond, sandstone, brown, black, cranberry, & hunter green.
Larson doors are available at Lowes; models include Secure Elegance, Signature, Williamsburg and Springfield for full view. The option with roll down screens has styles of Tradewinds, Montgomery, Savannah, and Concord; or you can choose all glass. Hardware also is available in options of brass, brushed nickel and aged bronze; and a few others based upon door style.
Pella also has options that match our colors where you choose the glass, door color and hardware finish; these styles are available at Lowes.
"A" unit storm doors shall be either wood doors with (12) light panels or aluminum storm door from West Window Corporation, available at Warren Woodworks, Model 52, or identical model from a different company.
If a replacement doorknob is required to coordinate with a keypad alarm, the following model is approved:
Colonial Knob, Keyed Entry; Lifetime Polished Brass. The item number is 5210; www.baldwinhardware.com
FRONT PORCHES
With Committee approval, owners of "D" unit townhouses may replace the original front porch concrete slab with brick. This is an option, not a requirement. The new brick must match the original brick of the townhouses as much as possible.
For porch railings installed after 2000, the most recent of the International Residential Code™ should be followed:
Section R316.1 Guards Required. Porches, balconies or raised floor surfaces located more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor or grade below shall have guards not less than 36 inches (914mm) in height.
Section R316.2 Guards Opening Limitations. Required guards on open sides of stairways, raised floor areas, balconies and porches shall have intermediate rails or ornamental closures that do not allow passage of a sphere 4 inches (102mm) in diameter.
Existing horizontal guards may be replaced using either lattice or vertical guards that do not allow passage of a sphere 4 inches in diameter. While a style consistent with "D" unit front porches and the "A" unit front portico roof railings is encouraged, other styles and/or materials will be considered by the Committee on a case by case basis. Lattice is approved below decks and on deck railings, as well as on gates over the stairs as a safety feature for children and pets. For further rules on balconies see section 3 above.
SATELLITE DISHES
Satellite dishes fall under (47 C.F.R. Section 1,4000) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 which prohibits restrictions that impair the installation, maintenance, or use of antennas used to receive video programming. The rule applies to video antennas including direct-to-home satellite dishes that are less than one meter (39.37") in diameter, TV antennas and wireless cable antennas. The rule prohibits: (I) unreasonable delay or prevention of installation, maintenance, or use; (2) unreasonable increase to the cost of installation, maintenance or use; or (3) prevention of reception of an acceptable quality signal.
In keeping with the Vision of our community, we request that satellite dishes:
be placed in side or rear gardens and tastefully landscaped;
not be attached to any part of the structure, including (but not limited to) the roof, the deck, or the side of the house; and
not be placed in the front of the structure.
If these requests are not possible, the Architectural Committee and Board of Directors will be happy to work with the homeowner to identify an acceptable and attractive location.
COMMUNITY COLOR PALLETTE
Homeowners are encouraged to get the Architectural committee approval to repaint existing siding, trim, doors, shutters, railings, etc., or to replace existing fabric awnings.
“PPG” refers to Pittsburgh Paint color number designations. You may use another brand as long as it is exactly matched to the specified PPG color. When purchasing paint, request that paint be "quality" paint, not contractor grade paint. Benjamin Moore Store in Easton and The Lumber Yard/True Value in St. Michaels have the paint colors of our community palette.
Siding
Options for
Building 1 (house numbers 224-230),
Building 6 (house numbers 310-316), and
Building 8 (328-330), and Building 9 (house numbers 332-340):
Wood planking stained with Cabot brand stain in “Dune Gray” color; or
Uncolored (“primed for paint”) Hardie Plank painted with Pittsburgh Paint in “Stonehenge Greige” PPG#1024-5 color; or
Pre-colored Hardie Plank in “Monterey Taupe” color.
Options for
Building 2 (232-234), and
Building 5 (300-308):
Wood planking stained with Cabot brand stain in “Driftwood Gray” color; or
Uncolored (“primed for paint”) Hardie Plank painted with Pittsburgh Paint in “Phoenix Fossil” PPG#517-5 color; or
Pre-colored Hardie Plank in “Gray Slate” color.
Options for
Building 3 (236-244)**,
Building 10 (342-352)**:
If building decides to retain current Brown Color Scheme:
Wood planking stained with Cabot brand stain in “Sandstone”
If building is transitioning to Blue-Gray Color Scheme:
Wood planking stained with Cabot brand stain in “Bluestone” color; or
Uncolored (“primed for paint”) Hardie Plank painted with Pittsburgh Paint in “Feldspar” PPG#1038-5 color; or
Pre-colored Hardie Plank in “Boothbay Blue” color
** NOTE: Owners in these buildings are encouraged to transition to the blue-gray color and to coordinate with the other units in their building on this transition. However, because owners will decide to paint or replace siding at different times, there may not be a consistent color scheme in these buildings for some period, until all owners have made the transition.
Options for
Building 4 (246-256),
Building 7 (318-326), and
Building 11 (354-364):
Wood planking stained with Cabot brand stain in “Dark Gray” color; or
Uncolored (“primed for paint”) Hardie Plank painted with Pittsburgh Paint in “Antique Silver” PPG#530-5;
Pre-colored Hardie-plank in “Aged Pewter” color.
Acceptable replacements for wood:
Hardie-Plank, Fiber Cement Siding James Hardie Siding Products, www.jameshardie.com
Certain-Teed All-weather Board
Trim
Trim is to be semi-gloss paint Each building may decide as a group to use the same trim color on all units; or may decide to have various trim colors; either is acceptable. Owners of interior units in the same building may wish to coordinate with their neighbors on trim color choices, especially where trim pieces are contiguous/shared.
Options:
Creamy White -- PPG#1105-1
Brilliant White # OC-150, Benjamin Moore
Pony Tail -- PPG#1086-4
May keep items of Permanent Material (such as PVC, Trex etc.) in other colors if previously installed
Shutters
Paneled Shutters painted with High Gloss or Semi-Gloss Exterior Black Finish
Front Doors/Front Storm Doors/Front Screen Doors
Note that the Article VIII of the Declaration of Covenants requires that storm doors be the same color as either the front door or the trim.
Options - Pittsburgh Paints (PPG) Color Numbers
Basic Black
Brilliant White – OC-150 Benjamin Moore
Creamy White -- PPG#1105-1
Ruby Lips -- PPG#1052-7
Merlot -- PPG#13-04
Royal Hunter Green -- PPG#1133-7
Country Club Green -- PPG#1139-6
Billiard Green -- PPG#1139-7
Admiralty Blue -- PPG#1042-7
Victory Blue -- PPG#1165-7
Blue Zephyr -- PPG#1042-6
Sweet Spiceberry -- PPG#1059-7 (this is the color specified for doors in Buildings 1, 6, and 9 before color choices were expanded in 2014)
Green Tea Leaf -- PPG#1128-5 (this is the color specified for doors in Buildings 2 and 5 before color choices were expanded in 2014)
Chalky Blue -- PPG#1153-5 (this is the color specified for doors in Buildings 3, 8 and 10 before color choices were expanded in 2014)
Chai Tea Latte -- PPG#1089-3 (this is the closest existing match to the color specified for doors in Buildings 4, 7 and 11 before color choices were expanded in 2014)
Back Doors
Match trim or siding
Front Metal Railings
High Gloss or Semi-Gloss black to match shutters
Railings, Front Porch (A & D units)
Match trim
Railings, back
Match trim or siding, black balusters for deck railing permitted as options
Shed Doors on Decks
Match siding or trim
Gutters and Downspouts
Match siding color, or brick color
Brick Dust - PPG#1056-7
Gutters and downspouts should blend with their location. Gutters are not meant to be a design element.
Chimneys
Chimneys should be painted the siding color only
Awnings
The following solid colors from the Sunbrella Fabric color palette at www.sunbrella.com have been pre-approved. Fabric on an existing awning and/or valance may be replaced using any of these solid colors either using Sunbrella fabric or another manufacturer’s equivalent solid color without requesting Committee approval. Other solid colors or stripes which coordinate with the siding and trim colors of the unit/building may be approved by the Committee on a case by case basis. Homeowners wishing to use stripes or any solid color other than those listed below must submit an Application for Architectural Changes Form asking the Committee for approval to do so. The Committee will consider how the proposed fabric would harmonize with and not detract from the look of the building.
Heather Beige: #4672, 6072
Linen: #4633, 6033, 83033, 4654, 6054
Silica Silver/Stone: #4862, 4861
Smoke: #4615
Taupe: #4648, 6048, 83048
Ashe: #85000
Granite: #85001
Charcoal Grey/Tweed: #4644, 6044, 83044, 4607, 6007
Cadet Grey: #4630
Roofing
New roofs must continue to match existing color and shingle type.
Owners who share a roof line should coordinate roof replacement.
SHUTTERS
Shutters must be black paneled with a high gloss or semi-gloss finish. Shutters which have significantly faded should be repainted.
UNDER-EAVE SPOTLIGHTS
Spotlights mounted under eaves must have cone of light directed to sidewalk, corner of property or open space where it will not shine on other units or property.
FENCING
Only underground fences (e.g., electronic fencing for pets) are permitted within each Units' backyard property boundary
No fencing on common ground
APPROVAL/BUILDING PERMIT
Once approval has been obtained from the Architectural Committee for any item above, the homeowner may still need a St. Michaels building permit to begin construction.
TIME PERIOD
Owner agrees that all work will be completed within the 2-year period required by the Town of St. Michaels Building Permit.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
All proposed solar energy systems must be submitted to and approved by the Architectural Review Committee prior to installation.
The installation of all solar heating and cooling systems shall only be done by a licensed contractor certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and must meet Talbot County code requirements (which include size limits). Required permits must be obtained in advance by the homeowner/contractor.
Homeowners should consider all existing structures and landscaping/trees before selecting a site for any proposed solar system. If the installation or efficient operation of the system depends on removal of any trees, this must be discussed with and approved in advance by the Landscaping and Grounds Committee.
Applications submitted should include the following:
A diagram “drawn to scale” by the licensed contractor installing the system showing where and how the system will be installed;
Photos of the roof area where the array will be mounted;
Material to be used and/or manufacturer’s description of the system, photos and/or pictures of the system and color of the system; d. Where possible, provide photos of similar existing systems as examples;
A copy of solar equipment contractor’s license and NABCEP credentials
Preferred location of solar panels is a rear-facing, roof-mounted array with a flat/parallel panel installation. If a front mounted array is being requested the approval request must include an analysis from the installer showing that rear installation would not generate the solar power necessary to operate the system and that the only opportunity for any cost savings requires solar panels being installed on the front of the unit.
All components of the solar system should be integrated into the design of the home. Solar panel frames, cells and back sheets must be nonreflective and all the same color; either black or a color matching the roof shingles as closely as possible. The solar system components should generally be placed under the roof, in conduits, and/or conform to the color of the adjacent elements (roof shingles, trim) to the extent practical. No solar panels or fixtures greater than 18" by 24" are allowed on the vertical surfaces of a building nor a stand higher than 3 feet. All components including painted surfaces and conduits must be kept in good repair to prevent peeling, cracking of paint, loss of coloration, or other deterioration to the point where the equipment becomes unsightly and/or incompatible with the aesthetic standards of the community. The HOA will appropriately work with a homeowner with unsightly or a deteriorating system to have them replaced or removed.”
Homeowners will be responsible for any/all hazardous issues resulting from installed solar panels/energy system.
EXTERNAL CHARGING OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND OTHER ITEMS
External electrical extension cords on walkways or grassy areas (both individually owned lots and common areas) are potential hazard for others, including landscaping personnel and residents walking in the community.
Extension cords may be used externally only:
for very short periods (i.e. 30-60 minutes);
during daylight hours; and
if fully attended at all times.
Any use of external extension cords outside these parameters is strictly prohibited. The Board may consider installing one or more shared electric vehicle charging stations in common areas as a community enhancement when there is sufficient resident interest in doing so and funding options can be identified. The HOA will consider requests to install individually owned electric vehicle charging stations by residents at their own expense on case by case basis. Requests must include proposed placement location(s) and specifications and will require the execution and recording of a licensing agreement between the owner and the HOA for use of the common area space. The agreement will address installation requirements, costs, insurance, maintenance, removal or transfer of responsibility when the owner leaves the community, and similar issues. Individuals interested in community and/or individual electric vehicle charging options should contact a member of the Board or the Architectural Review Committee to indicate their interest. In the meantime, residents may wish to explore sites such as https://www.plugshare.com which show the locations of public electric vehicle charging stations in the area.
ARCHITECTURAL CHANGES APPLICATION FORM
Revisions History:
06.2019
07.2020