Greetings! I am starting a series on the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) Guidelines to help refresh us on how to keep Harris Estates looking like Harris Estates, among the best neighborhoods in our area. The stated goal of the ACC guidelines is to “preserve the great charm and natural beauty of Harris Estates through the use of a coordinated plan of development.“
Our ACC Guidelines consists of 20 specific rules that have been agreed and voted upon by the homeowners. Sometimes a conflict arises between the ACC Guidelines and the Declaration. As stated under the authority of the ACC Guidelines themselves, the Declaration ALWAYS takes precedence over the ACC Guidelines.
GUIDELINE 1: LAND USE : Sites shall be used only for residential purposes; only single-family dwellings are permitted. No portion of any lot shall be used for any commercial, business, or professional purpose. Previously erected structures may not be moved and set upon any PROPERTY, unless approved by the ACC. No Temporary buildings, trailer, garage, or building under construction may not be used as residences (living or sleeping quarters).
The ACC Guidelines specifically forbids that the land lots are used for a “commercial, business, or a professional purpose.” Our neighborhood was created to be a residential area with single-family dwellings. We are not allowed to have buildings that were prefabricated offsite and moved onto the property without ACC approval. The guidelines do not allow for garages, trailers, or temporary buildings to be used as a residence as defined as “living or sleep quarters”.
GUIDELINE 2 : ACCESSORY STRUCTURES: Subject to the reasonable approval by the ACC, a detached accessory structure may be placed on a lot to be used for a playhouse, a swimming pool, tennis court, a tool shed, a mailbox, a doghouse, or a garage. A garage may also be an attached accessory structure. Such accessory structure shall not exceed twenty (20) feet in height and shall conform in exterior design and quality of Harris Estates. Such accessory structures shall also be located within such side and rear setback lines as may be required hereby or applicable zoning law.
This guideline specifies what must be approved as a “detached structure”. These include
- mailboxes
- playhouses
- swimming pools
- tennis courts
- tool sheds
- doghouses
- garages
The structural height of any accessory structure is not above a height of 20 feet and should have the same exterior design and quality that exists in the neighborhood because there are accessory structures that can be bought and constructed that do not match the aesthetic of the homes in our community, and consequently do not meet the ACC guidelines. Finally, the specific rule prevents detached structures from being located in the front yard, besides obviously the mailbox.
GUIDELINE 3: VEHICLES: No mobile home, trailer, trailer house, or recreational vehicle other than a boat shall be parked on any lot except within enclosures or behind screening. Vehicles of residents shall not be routinely parked on any portion of a lot other than a paved driveway or a garage. No vehicle should be routinely parked on the street (no more than 48 hours).
The ACC guideline addresses multiple types of vehicles. Generally, all vehicles are to be routinely parked on a paved driveway or garage. They may be parked on the street for up to 48 hours.
Boats do not need to be parked behind an enclosure or screening. Mobile homes, trailers, trailer houses, and recreational vehicles must be parked behind an enclosure or screening. If you need to build an enclosure, be sure to submit an Application for Residential Improvement (ARI) to get ACC approval for that accessory structure.
Always plan ahead with your projects. Our volunteers are normally speedy on responding to ARIs, but they could take time based on work schedules, vacations and travel. To submit an ARI, click the button below.
You can download the entire ACC Guidelines on our website under the ACC page. Until next time, take care!