DESIGN REVIEW GUIDELINES
FOR
RIO VILLA LAKES
Revised July 24, 2006
Table of Contents
Architectural and Building Requirements
Rights and Responsibilities of the RVL
Required Signage
The Design Review Committee is the “watchdog” for the Rio Villa Lakes Community Association. It establishes guidelines for all homeowners, monitors and enforces the rules and regulations as stated in the Architectural and Building Requirements section. Members of the committee shall be: (1) year round residents of the community, and (2) Developers (representatives), the Home Builders and Developer Designated Architect (if needed).
The intent of the Design Review Guideline is not to make judgments as to what is and what is not beautiful, but to coordinate architectural diversity while creating a blend of home styles that enhance the natural environment. The protection of investment and property values is the ultimate result of the guidelines.
The Architectural and Building Requirements section is a compilation of several sources: The Rio Villa Lakes Community Association Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions, as amended, WCI Design Review Guidelines and current observations and events that affect the Rio Villa Lakes community.
All property owners of Rio Villa Lakes as well as contractors and real estate agents should become familiar with these design Review Guidelines.
The Design Review Guidelines is intended for all residences within Rio Villa Lakes. When a residence is sold, it should be passed on to the new owner as part of the packet of closing documents.
The Design Review Guidelines apply to all home sites effective this date:
Schedule “A”
The Rio Villa Lakes Design Review Committee, herein known as RVL, will review all land and materials for every proposed new home in Rio Villa Lakes before construction can begin.
All new homes to be built in Rio Villa Lakes must be submitted to the RVL for review and approval.
Procedures:
1. Anthony Homes and Morrison Homes (as the exclusive builders in Rio Villa Lakes) are advised to read and become familiar with the Architectural and Building Requirements in this document before proceeding.
2. A signed copy from the contractor stating he/she has read, understands and agrees to the RLV guidelines must be on record in the RVL offices before the RVL will review any construction plans. This page is attached in the document entitled Preferred Builder Agreement.
3. Conceptual approval of the use of the home site is determined in the initial review. Included in the review is a preliminary stakeout of the property as approved by the RVL. All homes must be constructed within the building envelope.
4. The RVL will review all plans and respond within a thirty (30) day period. All questions and issues must be resolved before construction can begin. All variances will be approved, in writing, by the RVL.
5. After the initial review and before any construction process can begin a complete set of plans required for building permit must be delivered to the RVL for approval. This should be a set that can be marked on by the RVL. The drawings are:
a. Site plan with required set backs indicated. Also, on this plan must be a sketch of the path(s) for water drainage.
b. Foundation plan. Top of the stemwall elevation above the lowest point of the crown of the adjacent road must be indicated on this plan.
c. Floor plans
d. Elevations
e. Spa enclosure plan is necessary.
Also required after approval is granted and construction has begun will be:
f. Materials and color selections for the driveway. If material is other than concrete, provide a color chip and proposed texture or a sample of driveway paving materials or cite a location with RVL where an exact match can be seen.
g. Color selection for the house exterior. Provide color chips for main body, banding and any other accent colors including doors and /or special trims.
h. Landscape plans drawn up by a landscape architect/designer indicating the common names and botanical names of plantings, quantities and planting sizes.
6. Any changes to approved plans that will affect the appearance of the exterior of the home or site must be presented to the RVL for review and written approval prior to construction or change.
7. Site inspections will be conducted from time to time to ensure that RVL standards are being maintained and that the contractor adheres to these guidelines.
8. Landscape installation must be inspected as stated in Architectural and Building Requirements section.
9. The advertised selling and/or occupancy of a newly constructed home cannot take place until all of the following conditions are met:
a. All debris, trash, construction materials and construction equipment must be removed from the property and/or any adjacent property if so affected. The streets and any adjacent lots must be left in the same condition as what they were before construction began.
b. The contractor must notify the RVL that the home, nearing completion, is ready for the final inspection.
c. The RVL must give its final approval to the contractor for all phases of development and construction.
d. The contractor must advise the homeowner that any further changes made to the exterior of the home and/or property must be presented to the RVL for approval.
10. Except for having a written RVL final approval prior to the completion of any home, the building contractor and/or its sales agents, will be responsible for one year from closing on the new residence, for correcting any outstanding issues that do not meet the criteria and the rules of the RVL guidelines. If issues occur relative to home appearance, landscaping, items added or subtracted from the original plan approval, changes to driveways and walkways, and drainage, the RVL will request the building or sales agent to correct or remove such items. Any costs as a result of these requirements that were not met in the original construction will be resolved between the owner and the contractor or sales agent. Failure to resolve these issues will allow the RVL to cease sales or construction by the entity involved for new units.
11. The RVL will return, either to the contractor or owner, all construction plans submitted to them, if so desired when all issues are satisfactory to the RVL. Although, there may be marks or notes on them used to assist the RVL in its review process.
Architectural and Building Requirements
AESTHETIC CONTROLS:
No improvement of any kind, which is visible above ground including, but without limitation, buildings, fences, walls, signs, site paving, grading, parking, building additions, screen enclosures, decorative structures and barrier landscaping, shall be erected, placed or maintained on a lot unless and until the specifications and site plans for such improvements have been presented to and approved by the RVL. As soon as practical following the receipt thereof by the Committee, but in any event within thirty (30) days of receipt, the Committee will give the person or entity making the presentation written notice of approval or disapproval, as the case may be. If the plans and specifications reflect the construction of improvements which are consistent with the Design Review Guidelines they will be approved by the Committee. If they reflect the construction of improvements which are not consistent with the Design Review Guidelines, the Committee will disapprove them, and notice of disapproval will list the reason for disapproval.
RESTRICTIONS:
1. Use: Lots may be used as the site for residence of a single family, and for no other purpose whatsoever. No noxious or offensive use may be made of a lot, site or unit and no such activity will be allowed on any lot, site or unit which would be a nuisance by reason of unsightliness or excessive emission of noise, odors, liquids, gases, dust, vibration, fumes or smoke.
2. Re-Subdivision. None of the lots graphically depicted on the plat may be subdivided into two or more lots, submitted to condominium use or any combination thereof. Lot sizes may be increased (at developer discretion) and the H.O.A. fee will be increased proportionately.
3. Buildings. No building may be erected, altered, placed or permitted to remain on any lot other than one detached Single-family residential structure.
3.1 Minimum Size: Unless approved by the RVL, no residential unit may be erected, altered, placed or permitted on any lot unless it includes not less than one-thousand two hundred fifty (1,250) square feet of living area, exclusive of open porches, garages and other areas which are not air-conditioned or heated.
3.2 Building set-Back Requirements: Any building constructed on a lot will be no closer than:
Set-Back to Front
Twenty (20) feet to property line
Set-Back to Rear
Twenty (20) feet to rear property line
Set-Back to Rear Screen Enclosure
Fifteen (15) feet to rear property line
Set-Back to Right and/or Left
Seven and one-half (5) feet to property line
Set-Back to Right and/or Left Screen Enclosure
Seven and one-half (5) feet to property line
3.3 Enclosures
3.3.1 Privacy wall- A wall used to provide privacy for a bathroom or other window area will be considered as part of the building footprint and therefore must be within the require set-back limits. Finish of this wall will match the remainder of the home.
3.3.2 Pool – A screen enclosure plan must be submitted to the RVL for approval. A repetition of the building architecture and shapes will be used in the enclosure screening. The enclosure must tie in or match the building structure with a matching fascia, roof line and/or slope. The pool enclosure may not extend beyond the sidewall to which it is attached. Bronze-tone framing for pool screen enclosures is preferred; mill-finish aluminum will be not permitted for enclosures. Material used for screening must be dark in color.
3.3.3 Spa and Air Conditioning Equipment – Spa and air conditioning equipment must be contained behind a privacy wall sufficiently tall enough to hide all equipment and must be painted to match the body and trim colors. The privacy wall must be within the required setback limits.
3.4 Grading and Drainage Requirements. The elevation of the top of the stem wall of the home shall be no higher than forty-eight (48) inches above the lowest point of the crown of the adjacent road. RVL may make exceptions at its discretion. Lot drainage must conform to the RVL Master Drainage Plan and be consistent with the Southwest Florida Water Management District permits for Rio Villa Lakes. To achieve this, approximately 50% of the water must flow toward the street and approximately 50% to the rear of the site. In the case of a lakefront lot water may drain, in the rear part of the lot toward the lake in such a manner as to cause no erosion to the lake bank. If rain gutters and downspouts are installed, the downspout should drain to a gravel-filled catch to encourage water absorption. Any drainage must be equally distributed to all sides and cause no problems to adjacent property.
3.5 Anti-siphon, well equipment and sewer cleanouts. Anti-siphon equipment (back flow preventer) must be placed near the home and /or buried below ground level. Equipment necessary for lawn irrigation, including but not limited to, timers, wellhead, surge tank and plumbing must be either behind a privacy wall or landscaped in such a way as to be invisible from the street when construction is completed. The well must not be on any easement. Sewer clean outs in the yard will either be below grade or masked with shrubbery to prevent them from being visible from the street.
3.6 Landscaping.
3.6.1 All new construction must have an irrigation system installed for watering of the lawn; flower beds.
3.6.2 Landscaping requirement must meet or exceed
Charlotte County minimal standard.
3.6.3 Following completion of any building, parking area or other improvement on any lot or site, the yard areas must be covered with sod and the buildings, parking area and other improvements will be fully landscaped.
3.6.4 Lawn requirements are of Bahia as lawn grass. No gravel or rock shall be substituted as lawn.
3.6.5 A final inspection will be made prior to closing to confirm that plants conform to the approved plan.
3.7 Garages. Each single family home within the division will have a two car garage where applicable. Each garage will enclose a space not less than three hundred and thirty (330) square feet. Each garage must have an outside entry in addition to the overhead door(s). Garage door colors must correspond to garages will be permitted within the subdivision.
3.8 Roofs. Each home within the subdivision will have conventional gable or hip roof covered roofing, the color of which must be approved by the RVL. Only dimensional asphalt, fiberglass shingles, or metal roofs are permitted. Cleaning of the roof is required when signs of mildew cover large portions of the roof; it is recommended that cleaning be done a minimum of every two years.
3.9 Driveways. Each driveway or parking area within the subdivision will be constructed of impressed or pattern concrete, paving blocks or bricks. Asphalt and standard concrete driveways are not allowed. Loose surface driveway materials such as gravel, shell, rock, dirt or clay will not be permitted in the subdivision. The material and color must be approved the RVL.
3.10 Mailbox. Individual mailboxes are not permitted in Rio Villa Lakes per the U.S. Postal Service. The community mailboxes are located outside the clubhouse.
3.11 Commencement and Completion. Once the construction of any building or other improvement is commenced, substantial work toward the completion of the construction will be pursued diligently and the buildings and other improvements completed within a reasonable period of time after commencement. If, for any reason, no substantial progress is made toward the completion of a building or other improvement commenced on a lot, for a period of sixty (60) days, the Association may go on the premises and take such action as the Association may deem appropriate to correct the undesirable appearance of the partially completed buildings and improvements, including completion thereof, at the cost and expense of the owner of the lot. Sums owned the Association by reason of the forgoing will be deemed to be an assessment against the lot.
4. Alterations/Improvements to Existing Homes. Any major changes to the exterior of an existing home must be submitted in writing to the RVL for review and approval. Any exterior repainting must be approved, in advance, by the RVL.
5. Variances. No variance shall be effective unless in writing. The RVL may authorize variances from compliance with any of its standards and procedures when circumstances such as topography, natural obstructions, hardships, aesthetics or environmental considerations require. The owner may apply for a variance from a specific requirement of the guidelines if the owner and/or his architect/designer feel that certain portions of the Design Review Guidelines are inappropriate, based on the design elements of the particular residence. The owner and/or his architect/designer have the burden of establishing the reasons why a specific requirement of the RVL is not appropriate. The provision of reasonable assurance would be given by the owner’s architect/designer in the variance request submittal in that the overall intent of the Design Review Guidelines will be accomplished with the residence as proposed. The decision of the variance request is determined solely by the RVL. The granting of the variance for one particular situation does not imply or warrant that a variance of a same or similar situation will be granted for another home site. In keeping with the overall objectives of the Design Review Guidelines, each variance will be reviewed on a cast by case, residence-by-residence basis.
6. Appeals. Any decision made by the RVL can be appealed to two community association director representatives appointed by the association president. Included with the request should be technical design information supporting the appeal. Fees will be required to cover the processing costs, including any outside consulting services they deem necessary for granting of an appeal for one residence for a particular situation does not imply or warrant that a similar appeal would be granted on another residence. In keeping with the Design Review Guidelines, each case will be reviewed on its own design merits.
7. Access to Development. No contractors, subcontractors, trades allied to the housing or construction fields or maintenance persons will be permitted in the subdivision on Sundays and/or Holidays unless an emergency situation should arise. On permissible days, the above mentioned persons will be allowed in the subdivision at 7:00 A.M. but must vacate by 5:00 P.M.
8. Garbage and Trash. Trash containers must be stored out of sight at all times except in the normal course of pickup. Large items to be disposed of can be dealt with through the disposal company that services the subdivision. Horticultural waste must be disposed of by either the contractor maintaining the owner’s property or the recycling company servicing Rio Villa Lakes.
9. Parking. The improvements made on any lot or site will include adequate parking facilities for the use to which the lot or site is committed. Parking of automobiles, trucks and other motor vehicles on or along streets and roads within the subdivision will not be permitted. Sales agents must not park cars on the street. Community should provide parking area.
10. Flags. Nothing shall be hung, displayed or placed on the Lot, or the exterior walls, door or windows of any home or structure without the prior written consent of the Board; provided however, that Flag display is allowed only for an American Flag on approved pole located within flower-beds or on an approved wall mount. Flag not larger that 4 ½ Ft. by 6 Ft. Exception shall be for removable United States Flag and flags representing the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard which may be displayed in a respectful way on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day. Flags no larger than 4 ½ Ft. by 6 Ft. may be displayed. A flag staff affixed to the exterior of a home is permissible. Any other flag display must have approval of the RVL.
11. Tank Storage. Propane tanks must be buried underground except for small portable tanks used for cooking etc. and these must be hidden from view from the street.
12. Signs and Graphics. For sale and open house signs located within the Sub-division must comply with the attached graphics as to size, shape, color and appearance (see pages 15 & 16). All other signs must be approved by the RVL. Display of any signs of any kind except a "For Sale" sign not exceeding eighteen inches by twenty-four inches (18" x 24") in size within a flower bed in the front of the residence, unless otherwise approved by the Association. “For Lease” or “For Rent” signs are not allowed. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the Developer from causing sales, marketing, directional and identification signs to be erected.
Signs will not be located on any building exterior walls or “stand out” from exterior wall surface on any lot. Open house signs must be placed on the home site and must be removed every day before 5 P.M. For the sale of a home.
13. Vehicles. Only one of an automobile, “SUV”, or minivan-type may be parked on the driveway of a developed lot on a continuous basis. No camper, motor home, vehicle possessing a logo or business advertising, truck, pick-up truck, tractor, trailer, boat or other vehicles that belong to the owner may be parked on any developed or undeveloped lot except within a garage. Any vehicle that has a bed for carrying materials, either covered or uncovered, is considered a truck.
All Vehicles can be parked on the driveway, and driveway only, of any developed lot on a temporary basis as defined as:
· Parking for no more than 12 consecutive hours
· No repetitive overnight parking
No disabled vehicle may be parked on any driveway for longer than twenty four (24) hours. Overnight parking on vacant lots or on the street is not allowed by anyone.
Exemptions are granted for guests to park their automobile on the driveway of the owner’s lot for no more than fourteen (14) consecutive days unless special permission is granted by RVL. Visitors are not allowed to occupy their motor home or use them as a domicile.
All vehicles must be adequately muffled so as not to cause a nuisance when operated with Rio Villa Lakes.
No vehicle of any type, (auto, truck, van, motorcycle or other motorized vehicle) private or commercial, shall be admitted to park or stored in Rio Villa Lakes unless registered with the Administration and displaying the appropriate pass for such a vehicle.
14. Exterior Lighting. Exterior night lighting is suggested to discourage theft and vandalism. Typical security lighting placement either washes walls of the residence or gently illuminates paths from garage to front entry. Properly placed up lighting at the base of trees can be effective. Exterior lighting must be approved by the RVL. Lighting should be shielded and not spill over onto neighboring property. White lighting must be used at all times except during the December holiday season.
15. Easements. The use and occupancy of any lot will be subject to the easements graphically depicted on the plat those hereinafter dedicated to and accepted by the Association, and those described in this paragraph.
15.1 Roof Overhangs. Charlotte County does not allow roof overhangs to encroach onto any easement.
15.2 Additional Easements. A utility easement and a drainage easement will exist over, across and under the portion of each lot which is within ten (10) feet from the front and rear property lines and six (6) feet of the side lot lines that are graphically depicted on the plat, except that if two or more lots having a common side lot line are consolidated into a single building site, then the utility easements and drainage easements that would otherwise exist along either side of those common side lines by virtue of this paragraph (as opposed to being graphically depicted on the plat) will be vacated by the Association, subject to the following matters and things:
15.2.1 The owner of the lots being consolidated will request in writing that the Association vacate such easements:
15.2.2 The Association determines that vacating the easements will not have any material adverse effect upon the use of any other lots included in the subdivision.
15.2.3 If the easements being vacated are in use, the owners of the lots being consolidated shall relocate water, sewer, storm sewers, transmission cables and other utilities located within the easements being vacated within another reasonable acceptable easement area at their cost and expense.
15.3 Maintenance. Improvements made within any easement of a private nature will be maintained by the owner of the lot where they are located and will not unduly inhibit the use of the easement by others for the purpose intended. Those that are not of a private nature will, however, by maintained by the Association, to the extent not maintained by governmental agencies or otherwise
16. Animals and Pets. No animals, livestock or poultry of any kind, shall be raised, bred or kept on or in any Lot, except two domestic animals such as dogs, cats, and house birds (only one of which may be a dog) may be kept; provided that they are not kept, bred or maintained for any commercial purpose. Pets shall be on a leash or restrained at all times when outside the Lot. Dogs shall not be walked on grass other than on Owner's Lot and in pet walk areas, if any, designated by the Developer. All pets are prohibited in the easements except areas designated as pet walk areas. Pet owners must clear and remove any fecal deposits made by their pets from any and all areas in the Property. No pets shall be allowed in the clubhouse, pool area, tennis court or other common areas.
17. Outside Equipment. Playground equipment, including but not limited to swings, sandboxes and basketball hoops must be located inconspicuously and buffered with appropriate landscaping. Application for placement of this type of equipment must be made to the RVL. It is at the discretion of the RVL to approve/disapprove the location and /or design of the equipment.
18. Garage and Estate Sales within Rio Villa Lakes. No garage or boutique sale, publicized to the general public, maybe held within Rio Villa Lakes. An estate sale or auction, in the case of the death of an owner or owners of a lot or residence within Rio Villa Lakes may be held but the sale must approved the Rio Vila Lakes Association Board of Directors and the written consent to such a sale and the conservator of the estate must present the reason for such a sale as a hardship case to the boards. Should such a sale be approved, the various approving associations will request a fee for handling the public estate sale including, but not limited to, costs customary and will only be allowed if all other means to preserve the estate have failed. All requests and plans for control of the sale must be in writing.
19. Sight Lines at Intersections and Corners of Property. No fences, walls, trees, hedges or shrub plantings that obstruct sight liens at street intersection and corners of property will be permitted. No fencing of any kind is permitted.
20. Waterfront Lots. No lot that abuts lakes or other waterway within the subdivision may be altered in size by filling or excavating within the lakes or the waterway, nor shall the owner alter or construct improvements on the shoreline except as may be permitted by the RVL.
21. Use of Lakes. The owners of property included in the subdivision may utilize the lakes for any lawful purposes as long as their doing so does not cause any nuisance or interfere with the rights of other owners provided, however, that no powered motor driven boats will be allowed on any lakes or waterway with the subdivision, excepting only those used to maintain the lakes and waterways; provided that no irrigation system may make use of the lakes without written approval from the RVL . Owners shall not allow hazardous substances to escape into the water.
22. Underground Utilities. All utilities provided to lots and condominium sites will be by means of underground transmission lines, cables and pipes. No overhead transmission lines or cables will be permitted within the subdivision.
23. Antenna. No antenna will be placed, erected or permitted upon any lot or affixed in any manner to the exterior or roof of any building on any lot in the subdivision. Small satellite dishes are permitted. The RVL must approve, in advance, the type and placement of the dish.
24. Maintenance. Buildings, driveways and other improvement made on a lot or site will be regularly and continuously maintained in good condition and in a well-kept appearance by the owner. All driveways, sidewalks and other hard surface areas will be swept and cleaned regularly and cracks and damaged areas replaced, repaired and otherwise kept in good condition and appearance by the owner.
25. Greenscaping. A home owner has the right to modify and improve the landscaping as long as it does not interfere with the neighboring view. Certain plants are not recommended to be used as landscaping; a landscape designer can be of assistance in this regard. The homeowner is responsible for maintaining all trees and flower-beds that are within his/her property lines. If the homeowner elects to maintain and plant on the property beyond their property lines a planting plan must be submitted to the RVL for approval. All landscaping and yard areas will be irrigated, fertilized, mowed, trimmed and cared for regularly, diseased and dead plants and grass replaced, and otherwise maintained at all times in an aesthetically pleasing manner by the owner. In the event that the owner fails to maintain the landscaping, the Association shall have the right, after a fifteen (15) day written notice to owner, to undertake the maintenance at the owner’s expense. Association maintenance charges shall be a lien on the lot as if the charges were assessments.
26. Artificial Vegetation. No artificial trees, shrubs, grass or other vegetation will be placed or maintained on the exterior of any buildings located on any lot without the advance approval of the RVL.
27. Sewage Disposal. No sewage disposal system shall be used in the property except as approved by the Association. No sewage disposal system shall be used except for connection to the Public sanitary sewer system. No waste shall be discharged to the lot, streets or lakes.
28. Water Systems. City of Punta Gorda, or its successors or assigns (“Company”), has the sole and exclusive right to provide all water distribution facilities and services to the subdivision. All occupants of any residence, building, unit or improvement erected or located in the subdivision and all subsequent or future owners or purchasers of the subdivision, or an portion thereof, shall receive their water service from the Company, and shall pay for the same in accordance with the Company’s rate schedules form time to time in effect as approved by the Florida Public Service Commission; and, all occupants of any residence, building, unit or improvement erected or located in the subdivision, and all subsequent or future owners or purchasers of the subdivision, or any portion thereof, agree, by occupying any premises on the subdivision, or by recording any deed of conveyance with respect to the subdivision, that they will not construct, dig, build or otherwise make available nor use water service from any other source other than that provided by the company. For purposes of the sub-paragraph, the term “water service” means potable water for which may reasonably be expected to be used within a dwelling unit. The term does not include water used for irrigation or swimming pools.
29. Duration. The restrictions contained in the Architectural and Building Requirements will run with the lots and condominium sites and be binding upon the owners, inuring to the benefit of and enforceable by the Association and each owner and each person claiming by, through and under them for a term beginning with the date of recording this document and ending on December 31, 2034, after which they will be automatically extended for successive periods of the (10) years each unless an instrument terminating them is executed by owners owning not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the lots and condominium sites included in the subdivision and recorded in the Public Records of Charlotte County, Florida.
All dwellings exteriors should be designed to be compatible with the existing vegetation and the adjacent structures. All buildings in Rio Villa Lakes should be harmonious with their surroundings.
The RVL will not approve the design, if, in its judgment, basic style, roof line, exterior materials, colors or other features of the home are too similar or dissimilar to the surrounding neighbors.
ELEVATION AND ROOFING:
Equal attention must be given to detail and architectural definition to all sides of the home including, but not limited to, stucco banding, accent materials, roof character and window treatment. A major statement of the type of architecture is made by the elevations and the roof structure. To help relate the structure to the ground and to break up the façade of the building, retaining walls, planter walls and privacy walls are used.
As necessitated by architectural design, roof pitches and overhangs may vary, but no flat roofs are allowed as a major structural element. The standard is at a minimum of 12 slope. The minimum roof overhang will vary as necessitated by architectural design. Fascias must be a minimum of 10 inches.
OPENINGS AND TRIM:
Materials for windows should be clear or a tinted glass of bronze, gray or smoke colors. Reflective glass or reflective tinting are not permitted. Screening for windows and porches should be dark in color.
All hurricane shutter installations must be approved by the RVL as to appearance, type, and color prior to installation; the RVL will not withhold appropriate hurricane shutter installation approval. The hurricane shutter installer must provide the RVL with small samples showing the color and structure of the materials to be used. Any shutter installation must meet the current minimum building code and must be constructed and installed in such a way that the installer can provide a written confirmation as to code. Roll up shutters, removable storm panels and permanently mounted storm shutters are allowed, but must not be mill finish and must match, in color to the body and trim color or the home. The permanently mounted tracks, guides, panels, hoods and accessories, including wire mold if used, must blend with the body color of the house or be the same color as the trim color. Vinyl shutter are not acceptable.
Material deliveries and construction cannot begin until the required drawings, identified in the Design Review Procedure, have been approved.
Once approved the following conditions must be met at the construction site:
1. The RVL must approve the individual contractor and /or architect/designer signs to be used at the site. It must be
free standing and cannot be placed against any structure or equipment on the lot. It is not permissible for subcontractors of any type to have a sing on the home site.
2. The required permit board must be erected on the site. The permit board must be free standing and cannot be placed against
any structure or equipment on the lot.
3. A sign or permit may not be nailed to a tree at any time.
4. A job toilet is required for use by the workers at each construction site. The toilet door must not face the street; the door must face the construction site. It is the ongoing responsibility of the contractor to notify all subcontractors and workers that the job toilet, if move, must be replaced accordingly. The toilet must be cleaned and emptied on a weekly basis even if no work is occurring on the lot once the toilet is put into place. Toilets not emptied will be cause for the RVL to discontinue work on the lot.
5. To keep a clean and neat construction site, a commercial dumpster is required on the lot under construction and nowhere else. Materials must be stored neatly and all trash placed in the dumpster at the end of each workday. Never should any trash be strewn about the site or piled openly. Extreme care should be taken when loading trucks, hauling trash, and transporting construction materials to prevent spillage and leaving the roads unkempt. Any trash or debris falling from the construction vehicles and road clean up is the responsibility of the contractor. A plastic barrier along property lines must be used during grading and construction to prevent debris and dirt from blowing onto adjoining property. The streets in front of the lot must be kept clean of building materials, trash, sand, dirt and any other debris at all times and be not allowed to flow to the storm drains under any circumstances. Failure to comply with is requirement will allow the RVL to halt work on the lot.
6. The RVL may approve temporary storage structures for the storage of materials. These storage structures may in no way be used for living quarters. Large construction trailers on residential job sites will not be allowed.
7. Fires are not permitted under any circumstances.
8. The committee recognizes that subcontractors’ workmen use radio music. The volume must be kept low so as not to disturb neighboring residents. Any radio left on after 5:00P.M. is subject to confiscation.
9. Children and/or pets of owners, contractors, or subcontractors are not allowed on the building site at any time.
10. No alcoholic beverages are permitted on the building site at any time.
11. No construction trailer or vehicle will be parked on the street or adjacent lot(s). Vehicles will be parked on the lot under
construction until landscaping commences and then all vehicles will be parked in the driveway of the house under construction.
Rights and Responsibilities of the RVL
ARCHITECTURAL AND AESTHETIC CONTROL: All residential property in Rio Villa Lakes is subject to architectural and site plan review.
1. Review and Approval – For a new residential home, the RVL will review plans and give written approval to a contractor before any major construction process begins. For existing residential units, no exterior alterations, modifications, repairs or reconstruction shall take place, nor shall any landscaping, painting of the exterior, or other work that in any way materially alters the exterior appearance of the structure or site shall take place without prior written approval of the
RVL. Modifications or alterations to the interior of screened porches, patios and similar portions of a unit visible from outside the unit shall be subject to approval by the RVL. All modifications of structures in any portion of the subdivision shall be designed by and built in accordance with the plans and specifications of a licensed architect and/or RVL approved designer.
2. Design Review Standards and Procedures Design Review Standards and Procedures – The RVL will establish and may, from time to time to time, modify design review standards, timetables and procedures, The RVL shall make these standards, timetables and procedures available to owners and contractors who seek to engage in construction, exterior alterations or site plan modification. Plans and specifications showing the nature, kind, shape, color, size, materials and location or any exterior modifications, alterations, repairs or reconstruction shall be submitted to the RVL for approval as to quality or workmanship and design as to harmony of external design with existing structures, location in relation to surrounding structures, topography, finished grade elevation, and common architectural theme.
3. Approvals – The RVL may, in its reasonable discretion, grant, grant with conditions, withhold or deny its consent. All consents, approvals, permissions, etc. must be in writing and must be given before the commencement of the activity for which such consent, etc. is required. The approval of the RVL of any proposals, plans and specifications or drawings for any work done or proposed, shall not be deemed to constitute a waiver of any right to withhold approval or consent as to any similar proposals, plans and specifications, drawings or matters whatever subsequently or additionally submitted for approval or consent. Nor shall the failure or delay of RVL to object to any exterior modifications, alterations, repairs or reconstructions that were done without RVL’s consent constitute a waiver or any right to consent to any similar activities in the future.
4. Compliance, Inspections, Sanctions – If the exterior of any structure is modified, altered, repaired or reconstructed without the prior written approval of the RVL, the owner shall, upon demand of the RVL and/or Association, cause such work to be removed, revised or restored to its original condition. Any member of the RVL shall have the right, during reasonable hours and after reasonable notice, to enter upon any of the subdivision to inspect for the purposes of ascertaining whether or not these restrictive covenants have been or are being satisfied. Such persons shall not be deemed guilty of trespass by reason of such entry. Failure of any contractor, subcontractor, agent, employee or other invitee of an owner to comply with the standards and procedures promulgated by the RVL is subject to a fine, or in the case of a homeowner, a lien against his/her property.
