[Transcribed by WBE. Spelling, capitalization and punctuation of original document preserved.]
Pursuant to the authority granted in articles VII and/or IX of the Declaration, the following architectural standards shall apply to West Ridge Subdivision (the "Community") effective as of January 1, 2011 until such time as they are amended, modified, repealed, or limited by either the Board of Directors for West Ridge Owners Association, Inc. (The "Board") or the Architectural Review Committee duly appointed by the Board (the "ARC").
The Architectural Standards are not the exclusive basis for the Board's or ARC's decisions, and all decisions of the Board or ARC are determined by the Board or ARC in its sole and exclusive discretion. Compliance with the Architectural Standards does not guanrantee approval of any application. Further, the Architectural Standards may be more restrictive than guidelines followed by Horry County or as set forth in the International Builder's code. Any Violation of these Standards shall be subject to fines, penalties or other enforcement actions by the Board or ARC.
ACCESSORY BUILDINGS: Detached accessory buildings such as sheds, cabanas, gazebos, dog houses and storage structures are not permitted on any Lot, unless approved by the Board or ARC prior to the installation or commencement of construction. Any Accessory Building that may be approved by the Board or ARC shall be compatible in general style and in quality of meterial and workmanship with the architectural characteristics of the applicant's home, adjoining homes, and the Community. No Approved Accessory Building shall be visible from the front of the applicant's home.
ARBORS/PERGOLAS: Landscaping arbors or Pergolas are not permitted on any Lot unless approved by the Board or ARC prior to the installation or commencement of construction. No approved arbor or pergola shall extend beyond the side walls of the applicant's home.
AWNINGS: Retractable or fabric awnings are not permitted on homes. Permanent awnings attached to an applicant's home are not permitted, unless approved by the Board or ARC prior to the installation or commencement of construction. All approved exterior awnings shall be fixed and be compatible in general style and in quality of materials and workmanship with the architectural characteristics of the applicant's home, adjoing homes, and the Community, all as determined by the Board or ARC.
BASKETBALL HOOPS: Basketball hoop stands are permitted in driveways, back or side yards. Backboards may not be attached to garages or homes.
CLOTHES LINES: clothes lines are not permitted.
DECKS/PATIOS: The Board or ARC must approve all decks and Patios not originally approved with construction plans for a home prior to the installation or commencement of construction. Any approved Deck or Patio shall be compatible in general style and in quality of meterials and workmanship with the architectural characteristics of the applicant's home, adjoin homes, and the Community, all as determined by the Board or ARC. No approved Deck or Patio shall be visible from the front of the applicant's home.
DRIVEWAYS: Any changes to the location, size, coating, color, and/or material of a driveway are not permitted unless approved by the Board or ARC prior to the commencement of construction. Any approved driveway shall be compatible in general style and in quality of meterials and workmanship with the architectural characteristics of the applicant's home, adjoining homes, and the Community all as determined by the Board or ARC.
EXTERIOR AIR CONDITIONERS: Individual air conditioning units extending from home windows are not permitted. Exterior air conditioning units or heat pumps may be relocated or added only upon the approval of the Board or ARC prior to the installation. In reviewing such an application, the Board or ARC may consider, among other things, any adverse visual impact to adjoining properties or potential noise disturbance to neighboring owners. Replacement of existing exterior air conditioning units or heat pumps shall not require Board or ARC approval.
EXTERIOR COLORS: A home may be repainted or re-sided in the same material and color scheme at any time without Board or ARC approval. However, color changes (including changes in hue, tone, value, or intensity) and siding materials changes (e.g., from composite to aluminum) require submission to and approval by the Board or ARC prior to the commencement of construction. Residents shall also obtain prior approval from the Board or ARC before changing the color of any externally visible portion of any home, including siding, doors, shutters, trim or roofing. Board or ARC prior approval is also required for any addition or change to masonry product located on a lot (brick, slate, stone, fiber-cement siding, etc.).
EXTERIOR LIGHTING: Exterior Lighting is permitted, provided all Exterior Lighting meets each of the following criteria:
1) Exterior Lighting shall be for the purpose of improving footing, navigation or security on a lot.
2) No Exterior Lighting shall illuminate a neighboring home or cause a distraction or disturbance in the community.
3) Exterior Lighting shall not be attached to a lamppost unless approved by the Board or ARC.
4) All Exterior Lighting shall be in a number, voltage and style that complement the home's architectural characteristics.
Any deviation or variation of Exterior Lighting from the above criteria shall require the prior approval of the Board or ARC. Any Exterior Lighting installed on a lot that does not meet the above criteria shall be subject to fines, penalties or other enforcement actions by the Board or ARC.
EXTERIOR OBJECTS: Exterior Objects (defined as statuary, yard ornaments) are permitted in a limited number and size provided all Exterior Objects meet each of the following criteria:
1) No Exterior Decorative Object that exceeds two (2) feet in height shall be allowed on any lot.
2) No resident shall have more than a total of four (4) Exterior Objects on any lot.
3) Exterior Objects shall not contain colors or color combinations considered excessively bright, garish. Jarring. Overly reflective or luminescent. The color or colors of an object must compliment the overall appearance of the home and not distract from it in a way that draws excessive attention to the object.
4) Exterior Objects shall not be substantially intruded by sight, sound, or smell upon neighboring homes or the Community.
5) Exterior Objects shall be made of suitable materials capable of withstanding outdoor weather conditions. An object may be allowed to become mossy, rusty, or weathered only if it is appropriate to such an object and only if it presents an attractive appearance compatible with the home, neighboring homes, and the Community.
6) Exterior Objects Shall not create an adverse impact on the natural envionment by their installation or location such as an alteration in the rate or direction of water runoff, the removal of trees or other substantial plants, and/or the creation of attractions, which are hazardous to wildlife by their nature or location.
7) Exterior Objects shall not create a hazard to public safety or become an "unattractive nuisance".
Any deviation or variation of an Exterior Object from the above critera shall require the prior approval of the Board or ARC. In reviewing an application, the Board or ARC will not judge the individual aesthetic or artistic merits of any object, but rather will make its evaluation solely on the object's impact on the Community. Any Exterior Object located on a lot that does not meet the above criteria shall be subject to fines, penalties or other enforcement actions by the Board or ARC.
FENCE: Fences of any kind of not permitted unless approved by the Board or ARC prior to installation. In reviewing an application, the Board or ARC may take into consideration, among other factors, any adverse visual impact and/or view impairment the applicant's proposed fence may have on adjoining neighbors or the Community. Under no Circumstances shall the Board or ARC approve the erection or construction of a fence that does not meet the following minimum requirements:
1) Fences must be constructed of one of the following materials: (a) white vinyl, (b) black wrought iron, or (c) other metal with a wrought iron look.
2) Fences must be either a 6' privacy fence or 4' picket fence
3) Fences may not be located in the front yard
4) Fences located on any lots adjacent to a water feature, as defined herein, shall be no higher than 4' and shall be made of black wrought iron or metal with a wrought iron look.
5) All fence shall be placed a minimum of 2' from a lots property line
6) Invisible fences are allowed.
Any fence installed in connection with a pool shall comply with these requirements as well as any requirements of the applicable agency of the State of South Carolina or Horry County. For purposes of this section, a lot adjacent to a water feature shall be defined as a lot that borders a common area on which a body a water exists; provided however, the following lots shall not be considered adjacent to a water feature for purposes of fencing: 3 thru 6 (inclusive); 32, 33, 67-72 (inclusive), 74, 75 78 thru 87(inclusive) and 89.
FLAG POLES: Flagpoles of any kind are not permitted unless approved by the Board or ARC prior to installation. Freestanding flagpoles shall be less than the height of applicant's home and shall not have metal hardware that could cause nuisance.
GARAGES: Enclosing or converting a garage into living space is not permitted.
GARDENS (VEGETABLE): Vegetable Gardens located on a lot are permitted without Board or ARC approval, provided the Garden meets each of the following criteria:
1) Garden is located in the rear of the home and not within 5 feet of the property line.
2) Garden size is less than 6'x6'.
3) Garden is not placed on a grade that will cause damage to adjoining property by water run-off.
4) If any plant exceeds 36" in height, the garden shall be surrounded by a visual containment system.
5) Garden shall be maintained in a well-kept and neat fashion.
Any deviation or variation of a garden from the above criteria shall require the prior approval of the Board or ARC. Any Garden located on a lot that does not meet the above criteria shall be subject to fines, penalties or other enforcement actions by the Board or ARC.
HOT TUBS & JACUZZI'S: Installation or location of a Hot Tub or Jacuzzi on a lot is not permitted without Board or ARC approval prior to installation or commencement of construction. Any Hot Tub or Jacuzzi approved by the Board or ARC shall be located in the rear yard not visible from the front of the applicant's home, adjacent to the applicant's home and shall meet all applicable governmental laws and regulations.
LANDSCAPING: Removing Live tree, installaing raised planting beds or other substantial landscaping activities on a lot are not permitted without the Board or ARC's prior approval.
MAILBOXES: Mailboxes must be uniform. The only mailbox permitted on a lot, is the mailbox originally located on the lot at the construction of the original home. Any replacement of a mailbox shall be identical to the original mailbox and is permitted without Board or ARC approval.
POOLS: Above-ground pools are not permitted on any lot. (For purposes of this section, kiddie pools less than 9' in diameter and 2' deep are not considered above-ground pools.) In-Ground pools are not permitted on a lot without Board or ARC prior approval. Approved in ground pools shall be located in the rear yard of the applicant's lot and shall meet all applicable governmental laws and regulations.
PROPANE TANKS: Propane Tanks are not permitted on a lot without Board or ARC prior approval. All Propane tanks shall be either buried or appropriately enclosed.
RECREATIONAL EQUIPEMENT: Recreational Equipment, (defined as sandboxes, swing sets, dollhouse, tree houses, netting structures/goals, hammocks, ect.), is not permitted without Board or ARC prior approval. And if approved shall be permanently placed on the lot. Approved Recreational Equipment shall be located in the rear yard of the applicant's lot. Trampolines are not permitted. Batting Cages are not permitted without prior approval from the Board or ARC. (And will only be approved with an agreement that it is only allowable to stay up for time of use and need to be taken down when not in use).
SATELLITE DISHES/ANTENNAS: Satellite Dishes/Antennas are permitted with Board or ARC prior approval as to the placement of a satellite Dish/Antenna. The Board and ARC shall approve applications for satellite Dishes/antennas in compliance with federal law. Refer to application form part of these standards.
SIGNS: Posting or displaying any sign, billboard, banner, flag (other than the American Flag) or item of similar nature so as to be visible outside of any home is not permitted without the prior written approval of the Board or ARC, including but not limited to a "for sale," "For Rent," or "garage sale" signs. No sign shall be larger than 18'x24'. Any resident posting an approved sign shall be responsible for removing such sign within 2 days after end of the event described in the approved sign and shall be subject to fines, penalties or other enforcement actions for failing to do so. The Board has approved only one "For Sale" sign which can be purchased at Design the Sign, phone number (843) 808-9301.
VIOLATIONS FINE STRUCTURE: The singular reasoning for the following violation outline is to maintain the environment of the West Ridge development. Each home is prized and an integral asset of your neighbors home and the character of the West Ridge neighborhood. To that end and to insure property value preservation. The following schedule is to inform homeowners the methods employed by the board to maintain development quality.