Architecture Rules and Regulations

Homeowners are encouraged to maintain their homes to keep the neighborhood looking at its best.  All changes that are visible from the street require approval.  Please review the information below and submit an Architectural Change Request. 
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Any alterations to the outside of the house or lot (i.e., change of color, form, structure) must have Board of Directors approval.  Any change that is visible over a fence from a common area, street, or sidewalk must be approved. 

​The HOA is open to reviewing new designs and enhancements.  The HOA reviews designs holistically and considers a number of factors in its decisions.  Enhancements that improve the look and feel of the community as a whole can be incorporated into the HOA's Rules and Regulations.   Designs that would work on one property, but would have a negative impact on the neighborhood if done on multiple properties, cannot be approved. 

Please work with the HOA and wait until you receive an approval letter before embarking on any design changes to show your respect for your neighbors and fellow members in our HOA.  Applications that conform to the existing rules and regulations can be approved as they are received. New designs are reviewed at the board meetings.  

Keep a copy of your approval in your records, homeowners who make changes without approval (or buy homes with changes made without approval) may be asked to modify those changes at their own expense at anytime. ​

Guidelines

For House and Door Colors: see House Color Changes
For Driveway and Walkways: see Pavement Changes
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Mail Boxes and Posts:   Homeowners are responsible for providing and maintaining mail boxes.  Use Standard USPS-approved size, black shiny or black satin metal with a red flag.  The HOA provides and maintains the wooden posts.  Contact the community Manager if your post needs attention.  Posts are painted Benjamin Moore Mayonnaise OC-85.   ​

Doors and Windows:
  • Front Door Style:  Homeowners may choose a new door style with windows, but the window(s) must only be in the top one quarter of the door (not along sides, or down the center of the door), and the paneling must be consistent with the standard one-piece panel door. Submit plans to the ARC.
  • Front Storm Door with Screen: Homeowners may use a white frame storm door with a retractable screen at front entries.  Use Anderson 36 in. x 80 in. 3000 Series White Self-Storing Easy Install Storm Door.  Homeowners can choose either a Left-Hand or Right-Hand door depending on their front door set up, and choose a hardware finish to match their existing fixtures.
  • Front Storm Doors with Screen: Homeowners may use a white frame storm doors with a retractable screen at front entries.  Use Anderson 36 in. x 80 in. 3000 Series White Left-Hand Self-Storing Easy Install Storm Door.
  • Front Door Kick Plates: The color of the kick plate and door hardware must have the same finish: polished or antique brass, pewter, old brick (copper), or black.  The kick plate must not exceed 8 inches in height and must be as wide as the existing door.  
  • Garage Doors:  All garage doors must be painted Benjamin Moore Mayonnaise OC-85.  You may chose a garage door with or without windows:
    • Garage Doors without windows can be made of either wood or steel.   Use 4 X 5 or 4 X 4 raised panel sectional garage doors.
    • Garage Doors with windows must be made of wood, and all windows must be opaque glass.  Use Wayne Dalton Windows Model #7104 (24 windows) with Opaque Glass. Or the Wayne Dolton 300 Series (4 windows on top), 4X4 with Opaque glass. 
  • Skylights and Solar: Both require an application filled out for review by the architectrual committee and the board. Please review with your contractor to ensure the solar you are looking to install is not reflecting at/into a neighboring home. 
  • Windows:  New windows must not alter the architectural style of the front of your house. When choosing an energy-efficient replacement, the border must as thin as possible and white in color. 
    • Homeowners may choose a plain glass style (no cross bars, grids, or “divided lights”) or keep the original style with grids, however all windows in the front of your home must be of the same style (in other words, you cannot have some with grids and some without).  In Model "A" homes the half circle window, with dividers above the tall front window may remain as is with plain glass style windows.  
    • You may also use a partial grid - Milgard, 9 lite pattern, 5/8 flat grid, grid offset from perimeter of window by 4 inches - sample at 841 Whitehall Lane.  
Roofs, Gutters and Other Roof-Mounted Devices:
  • Roofing Material:  Homeowners can replace roofs with real wood shake, or GAF Grand Canyon Shingles color Stone Wood composite shingles.
  • Rain Gutters: Homeowners can use 5-1/4” curved fascia gutters to match the original gutters, painted Benjamin Moore Mayonnaise OC-85.  (As of this writing pre-painted gutters are not available in Benjamin Moore Mayonnaise OC-85.)  Replacement gutters that are unpainted or pre-painted in a final white finish are to be primed and painted Benjamin Moore Mayonnaise OC-85.
  • Solar Panels:  Solar Panels are allowed in accordance with the Solar Rights Act.  Submit plans with the positions of the solar panels, conduits, and inverters. 
  • Inverters are deemed safe for interior installation when installed by a licensed professional.  Inverters should be installed inside the garage, or on the outside wall of the house behind the fence/gate.  Inverters should be installed at or below the level of the fence.  Inverters should not be visible from the street.​  Include plans showing the position and height of the inverter in relation to fences/gate.  
  • Follow the Cable and Conduit guidelines below.
  • TIP: Quality varies with solar installers.  Homeowners can protect their investment and get an aesthetically pleasing, well installed solar system using these tips.  Solar Installation: The Good, Bad and Ugly
  • Satellite dishes or similar device: The satellite dish or antenna must be installed in the least obtrusive location possible that does not unreasonably interfere with the users’ ability to obtain an acceptable quality signal.  
  • Submit plans with the position of the device. 
  • Follow the Cable and Conduit guidelines below.
Lights, Cameras, and Other Electronic Devices:
  • Lighted House Numbers:  Homeowners are responsible for keeping their lighted house numbers operational.  Plants should be trimmed so house numbers are visible.  Lights must be standard - white light with black numbers.  For replacements use Yosemite Home Decor Exterior Lighting. 
  • Front Entry Lights  - Near the Front Door and Flanking the Garage Door: Carriage style design is recommended. Finishes can be: polished or antique brass, pewter, old brick (copper), black, white, or verdigris.  Whenever possible, we recommend that all entry light(s) and door hardware have the same style and finish.  
  • Light bulbs are to be warm white (not blue or colored). 
  • Entry lights may be motion detecting, but must not be set off by passers-by on the street or sidewalk. 
  • Walkway lights:   Walkway lights must functionally illuminate the walkway.  Lights must be placed on the house side of the walkway and must not interfere with landscaping maintenance.  If shrubs prohibit the use of walkway lighting, consider installing either a brighter entry light, or a motion sensitive light under the eaves. 
    • One style per yard with a maximum height of 18 inches.  ARC recommends Malibu Three-Tier design in a metal fixture.  
    • Use warm white light bulbs (not blue or colored), 7-18 watts.
    • Use at least three lights - evenly spaced at least 3 feet apart.
    • Lights must be maintained and in working order.
    • Tea lights should only be used for special occasions and must be removed within one week of the occasion.
  • Motion Detector Lights and Security Cameras: Homeowners may install motion detector lights or security cameras over the garage door, along the walkway, or near the front door mounted inconspicuously under the eaves.
    • All fixtures must be white.  
    • Light Fixtures should have clear white bulbs. 
    • All fixtures must be mounted under the eaves.  
    • Wiring must be internal to the garage (no exterior wiring).   Installation must be in compliance with applicable building codes.  
    • Motion detector must not be set off by passers-by on the street or sidewalk, only by someone on the property.  
    • Cameras should only cover your own property.  Respect your neighbors' privacy.  Do not monitor neighboring lots. 
Electric Vehicle Chargers:  Car chargers are deemed safe for interior installation when installed by a licensed professional.​ 
  • Homeowners can install EV chargers inside their house (eg: inside their garage). No HOA approval is needed.  
  • Homeowners can install EV chargers on the outside of the house, inside their gate/fence.  EV Chargers should be installed at or below fence height.  EV chargers that are not visible from the street do not require HOA approval.  Homeowners must follow the Cables and Conduit guidelines (below) and submit an approval for any conduits visible from the street.  
Air Conditioning Units:  Air conditioning units installed in a back or side yard not visible from common areas, streets, or sidewalks do not require HOA approval.  Homeowners must obtain proper permits from the City of Redwood City and comply with all of Redwood City's noise and setback requirements regarding proper distances from neighboring properties and windows.  www.redwoodcity.org.  
Cables and Conduits:  Cables and conduits should be as unobtrusive as possible.  
  • Vertical cable and conduits running from any device into the home shall be tightly affixed to the home immediately adjacent to, and behind, vertical wood trim or downspouts (away from view from the front of the house).
  • Horizontal cable runs should be tightly affixed to and run below and adjacent to the wood trim at the top of the wall immediately below the roof deck or along the bottom of the home wall not visible from the street.  
  • In no event are cables to be “looped over” gutters, trim or architectural elements on the home.   
  • Cables should be painted to match the color of the home wall. ​    
Gates and Fences
  • Gates: Gates leading to the side yard must be redwood in a natural wood color.  Gates can have a maximum height of 7ft.  Gates can be rounded or straight.   It is recommended that neighbors use matching gates.  
  • ​Fences:  All fences bordering your yard must be redwood in a natural wood color.  Fences can be no more than six feet in height.  A 1ft lattice may be added under these circumstances: 
    • If a lattice is added, it must be continuous between adjacent houses.  This means that if you want to add a lattice to your fence, you and your next door neighbor must add a lattice to the whole length of fence between your houses.
    • Lattices are not allowed on properties bordering the park, unless all of the homeowners in the entire row of houses agree to have lattices.
    • Latices can have a maximum height of 1 foot - making the total fence height 7 feet. 
    • The lattice needs to have a finished look. 
Other Outdoor Items:​
  • Trellises: Must be functional and support a live plant. Finishes can be redwood, natural wood, wrought iron, your house color, or Benjamin Moore Mayonnaise OC-85.  Trellises must be straight and maintained.  
  • Storage Sheds:  Storage sheds should be placed in the backyard or side yards to minimize their visibility from the streets and common areas.  Follow city regulations regarding set backs. Use low profile sheds and disguise with landscaping and/or a lattice.  Sheds must be painted a neutral color and maintained.  Any sheds that are visible from the common areas, streets, or sidewalks require HOA approval.  
  • Decorations:  No permanent decorations or artwork are to be placed on fences facing streets or common areas.  All celebratory decorations and lights must be removed within 14 days after occasion.
Any Other Items or Devices Visible from the Street:  Any homeowner who wishes to install hardware in a location that is visible from the street must seek special approval from the HOA.  Homeowners must include an explanation for why they believe the hardware cannot be installed in a location that is not visible to others.  Homeowners must: Submit plans showing how they would minimize the impact and visibility from the street with suitable screening devices.  Provide documentation showing that the plans are deemed to be safe and compliant by a licensed professional.  Homeowners must show that they would use a licensed contractor for the installation, and show that the project meets all “applicable health and safety standards and requirements imposed by state and local authorities, and all other applicable zoning, land use, or other ordinances, or land use permits.” (Civ. Code § 4745(c).)  Projects will only be authorized by the association if it is impossible or unreasonably expensive to install the device in a location that is not visible from the street. 
Submit an Architectural Change Request. 

Architectural Review Conditions and Disclaimers

The Board and the Committee shall grant their approval only in the event that the proposed work will benefit and enhance the entire subdivided property in a manner generally consistent with the plan of the development thereof. (CC&Rs Article 18.)

Permits: Homeowner must obtain permits from the City for all structures and any improvements, alterations and/or additions as required by the City of Redwood City. www.redwoodcity.org

Setbacks: Homeowner must comply with any and all City of Redwood City setback requirements. www.redwoodcity.org 

Drainage: Positive lot drainage must not be interrupted.

Damage:  Homeowner will be responsible for any traffic damage or any other kind of damage to common area foliage or property, which is due directly or indirectly to homeowner improvements.

Maintenance: Any and all improvements affected by homeowner must be maintained to perpetuate aesthetic appeal; otherwise, the improvements will be subject to a demand for removal. 

Transfer of Ownership:  Any transfer of ownership of property where alterations and/or improvements have been made by Homeowners, the Homeowner will provide full disclosure to the new property owner of the Board of Directors approval details and specific conditions of approval. In lieu of disclosure, Homeowner may return the alterations and/or improvements to original configuration. Selling Homeowner will notify the ARC, in writing, when “the in lieu of disclosures option” is to be pursued prior to marketing said property.

All architectural changes must be completed within six months of approval.   Architectural changes that are not completed within six months of approval will require re-submission. ​
The Association, through its Board of Directors, has a duty to make reasonable efforts to see that uniform enforcement of the Association CC&Rs and Rules is carried out at the development. However, it should be noted that a failure to enforce the CC&Rs or Rules of the Association in some cases does not invalidate that particular CC&Rs or rule.