Per Article 6 of the Declaration, all lot improvements require approval by the Architectural Control Committee (ACC). The only requirements are lawns and two trees. These should be installed within the first 12 months of closing. Lawns must be turf grass and trees must be from the list in Exhibit B.
There have been several questions regarding what exactly requires approval and what does not, as the language is not explicit. In general, if you are not sure, please ask. But the following items should get approval:
- Landscaping like trees, mulch, plantings, etc.
- Patios, decks and concrete/stone work around house
- Structures like gazebos, pergolas, and built-it grills
- Play structures
- Painting that changes the exterior color
- Roof replacement that changes shingle color
What does not require approval are items that can be easily moved. This includes patio furniture, umbrellas, portable gazebos, bounce houses, and trampolines.
The Declarations also defines the approval process. The simplest and fastest way is to provide a plan drawing identifying the location of the improvements. The most common is a plat drawing which can be obtained from the Village. Supporting documentation like brochures, architectural renderings, photos of similar installations, are also helpful. The ACC usually responds to requests in a couple days. You can submit these through the Architectural Request tab on the Website.