Lexington Village of Groveland
Architectural Review Guidelines
Originally adopted – July 2006
1st Amendment – April 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1
Introduction
Section 2
Approvals and Enforcement
Section 3
Automatic Approvals
Section 4
Specific Guidelines
Section 4.1
Fences
Section 4.2
Paints and Colors
Section 4.3
Trash and Trash Receptacles
Section 4.4
Accessory Buildings/Sheds
Section 4.5
Pools
Section 4.6
Landscaping
Section 4.7
Recreational Equipment
Section 4.8
Christmas/Holiday Décor
Section 5.0
Maintenance
SECTION 1 – INTRODUCTION
The Lexington Village Homeowners Association has two major
responsibilities. First, the Association enforces the Covenants of Lexington
Village to ensure an attractive appearance of the subdivision and to keep real
estate values high.
This document provides guidelines to Lexington Village homeowners who
plan to make changes to the exterior of their homes or to their lots.
The Declaration of Easements, Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for
the Lexington Village Subdivision allows that the Lexington Village
Homeowners Association has the authority to enforce the Covenants and to
establish and enforce architectural guidelines for the Subdivision. The
Board is authorized to establish an Architectural Committee to perform this
function if it feels necessary.
At the time the Committee would be necessary it would be chaired by the
Board member elected at the Association’s annual meeting. The Committee
would consist of the Chair and at least two other Association members.
The Board has established guidelines to maintain the appearance and
livability of Lexington Village. Some of these guidelines come directly
from the Covenants - Fence type and/or size of storage sheds, for example.
Others - Paint/Stain colors, for example – have been established under
authority of the Covenants.
In general, any exterior modification to any home or lot within Lexington
Village requires prior architectural approval from the Board unless
specifically exempted in this document.
SECTION 2 – APPROVALS AND ENFORCEMENT
A request for Architectural Approval Application is on our website
www.lvhoa.org. Copies may also be purchased by contacting Specialty
Management at (407) 647-2622 or writing Specialty Management at 882
Jackson Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789.
The completed approval form should be submitted to the Management
Company. Complete forms contain (when applicable) paint or stain color,
plot plans showing the new construction, landscaping plants, fence type and
location, shed size and location etc. Once a completed form is received by
the Committee the ARC makes all attempts to approve or deny the
application within 15 days.
If a request is denied, the requestor can appeal to the full Board either in
writing or in person at a regular Board Meeting.
The Board has several options in enforcing the Covenants and/or
architectural guidelines. When a violation has been noticed by the
Committee, the violator will be notified by notice on door, in person or by
mail that a violation has occurred and what is required to correct the
violation. When appropriate, a deadline for correcting the violation will be
in the notice.
If, after reasonable time, the violation has not been corrected, the Board, at
it’s discretion, can choose several actions. Any expenses incurred by the
Board while correcting violations will be assessed to the homeowner and can
result in a lien on the property if not paid. The Board can hire a contractor
to remove the violation at the homeowner’s expense – correcting a
landscaping problem, for example.
The Board can levy a fine on the homeowner until a violation is corrected.
This fine may be a fixed amount for each day that the violation continues
after the homeowner has been warned. Non-payment of these fines could
result in a lien on the property and, in rare circumstances, foreclosure.
SECTION 3 – AUTOMATIC APPROVALS AND DENIALS
Approval is NOT required for:
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Flower boxes
Mailboxes and post replacements
Swing sets located in the back yard
Portable or inflatable pools two feet or less high when located in the
back yard
Repainting home or maintaining home paint when using identical
color
Removal of dead trees and/or shrubs
Replacement of dead trees or shrubs
Minor landscaping such as replacing annuals in flower bed
Approval will be DENIED for:
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Clothesline
Metal or wire dog runs
Any fence other than shadowbox in the back yard
Screening in front porches or walk ways
Painting, staining or changing the color of driveways or walkways
with the exception of tiling front porches which may be permitted on a
case by case application
In dealing with individual requests, the Committee and the Board
consider harmony of design, location, topography, visibility to the street
and to other homes, suitability of materials, and, most importantly, the
effect on property values. What is approved for one lot might not be
approved for another. In general, however, the Committee will strive for
consistency.
SECTION 4 – SPECIFIC GUIDELINES
This section contains guidelines for what the Committee will approve or
disapprove. Please note that, when noted, a Request for Architectural
Approval must be submitted. As stated earlier, homeowners can appeal
any Committee decision to the Committee and to the Board. Appeals can
be in writing or in person at a regularly scheduled Board meeting.
If a homeowner wants to make a change not specifically covered in this
section, a Request for Architectural Approval must be submitted.
4.1 – FENCES
APPEARANCE
Only wood or vinyl Shadowbox fences are permitted. Fences may be a
maximum of 6ft in height. Wooden fences must be stained in clear,
natural,
or
a
color
approved
by
the
ARC.
Enclosing the front patio is strictly prohibited.
LOCATION
If there is an existing neighboring fence, the new fence must line up
exactly with the existing fence if physically possible and the neighboring
homeowner must be notified. If there are no existing fences, the fence
must be erected a minimum of 20 feet from the front corner of the house.
In addition the fence must be erected in a way that should both
homeowners on both sides decide to put up their own fence, their fence
would not dissect a window or be placed to close to a power meter.
PERMITS REQUIRED
All fences require a permit from the City of Groveland prior to
installation. All ARC request must have a Plat Survey attached showing
the exact location of the proposed new fence.
ARC APPROVAL IS REQUIRED FOR ALL FENCES
4.2 − PAINT COLORS
APPEARANCE
All exterior paint colors are limited to the original 22 colors that the original
homeowners were able to choose from. If you choose to change your
exterior paint to another of the original 22 colors it cannot be the same as
the homes on either side, directly across from, or diagonally.
ARC APPROVAL IS REQUIRED FOR ANY CHANGE OF EXTERIOR
PAINT COLORS
4.2A − GUTTERS
Are permitted with prior approval from the ARC.
4.3 − TRASH AND TRASH RECEPTACLES
APPEARANCE
Trash receptacles and trash (including yard waste and bagged grass
clippings) should not be visible from the street. All trash receptacles and
bags must be kept in your garage, behind a fence enclosing the rear yard, or
on the (garage) side of your house with hedges or bushes planted to hide the
receptacle from view of the street.
4.4 − ACCESSORY BUILDINGS/SHEDS
Accessory buildings are detached structures including storage sheds,
gazebos, dog houses, etc.
APPEARANCE
In general, the Committee will review materials, colors, location, and scale
of the proposed addition to determine the compatibility with the surrounding
structures and sites. The intent is to preserve the architectural character of
the neighborhood and to maintain a cohesive architectural style.
Sheds must be in accordance with the Groveland City Code along with the
Deeds, Covenants and Restrictions of the Association. If it is a wood shed,
it must be painted the same color as the house, and shingles must match the
house shingles. If the backyard is fenced in, certain exceptions can be made
on a case by case basis.
ARC APPROVAL IS REQUIRED FOR ALL ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
AND SHEDS.
4.5 − POOLS
APPEARANCE
Pools, if caged, must be a dark cage. No white cages are permitted. If a in
ground pool is not enclosed within a screen cage the yard must be fenced per
local and state codes.
LOCATION
All pools must be placed in the rear of the lot and must conform to City
setback rules. Along with ARC approval all pools require a permit from the
City of Groveland prior to installation. Pools must comply with all City,
Local, and State Laws.
ARC APPROVAL IS REQUIRED FOR ALL IN GROUND POOLS.
4.6 − LANDSCAPING
APPEARANCE
All landscaping should be designed with the thought of maintaining the
consistency and harmony of the neighborhood. There should not be an
overgrown look to the property.
MAINTENANCE
Flower beds and gardens need to be maintained rid of weeds, and with
mulch or rocks for appearance. Trees and shrubs should be kept trimmed.
Driveways and sidewalks need edged regularly. During the dry season the
lots need to be watered efficiently to maintain grass health and color.
No trees can be removed without City and ARC approval. Homeowners can
add trees only after a landscape plan has been approved by the ARC.
Seasonal planting of new flowers/plants in flower beds is acceptable without
ARC approval, however all new landscaping should be practical and tasteful
or you could be required to remove/replace the landscaping.
ARC APPROVAL IS REQUIRED FOR MOST LANDSCAPING
CHANGES. IF YOU ARE NOT SURE PLEASE CHECK WITH THE
ARC OR BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
4.7 − RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT
Permanent recreational equipment such as a basketball goal, swing set,
or playground is not permitted in the front yard.
LOCATION
Whenever possible, equipment should be placed in rear yards, interfering as
little as possible with neighboring houses.
Portable basketball goals placed in front of house must be moved out of
street sight when not in use and stored in the garage or rear yard.
4.8 − CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY DÉCOR & LIGHTING
APPEARANCE
Tactful and appropriate lighting and décor for holidays is permitted and
encouraged. We are responsible to always maintain our property in a
manner that is becoming to the entire community. Inappropriate lighting or
décor will be required to be removed immediately and failure to do so may
result in a daily fine assessment.
REQUIREMENTS
ARC approval is not required for holiday décor and lighting of homes and
yards.
All decorations and lighting for holidays must be taken down and stored
away 45 days post holiday. If décor or lighting is left up after the 45 day cut
off date a fine penalty could be issued.
5.0 − MAINTENANCE
APPEARANCE
It is the responsibility of each homeowner and tenant to maintain their
property in such a manner that adds to the overall beauty and harmony of the
neighborhood. Each homeowner should take this responsibility seriously, as
failure to do so can negatively impact the value of his property, surrounding
properties, the entire subdivision and ultimately cause fine penalties to be
imposed on the property.
There are many areas in and around the home that should be inspected
regularly to ensure that the property is in good repair. These include (but are
not limited to):
 Lawn care
 Tree and shrubbery trimming
 Landscaping
 Porches
 Driveways and sidewalks
 Fences
 Paint
 Trash container storage
 Debris and trash removal
DETERIORATION
Any time that the Board or the Management Company has been made aware
that a property has deteriorated to the point that it is affecting the aesthetics
of the community, the Committee will be asked to make an inspection of the
property. If the Committee finds the property needs maintenance, the
homeowner will be notified and told of the specific violation(s). The
Committee will also inform the Board of the violation.
If the violation(s) are not corrected within a reasonable period of time (as
determined by the Board) the Board will take action as described in Section
2 of this document.