Design Review

Owners shall secure Reviewer approval prior to construction of any accessory building . Accessory buildings shall meet the following criteria:

• An accessory building must be of the same color, material and architectural style as the main residence or of color, material and style that is generally recognized as complementary to that of the main residence. An accessory building's roofing materials shall match those of the main residence.
• Any utilities that service accessory buildings shall be installed underground.
• Accessory buildings generally shall be located in the rear one-third of the yard as long as it does not front onto a street, shall not unreasonably obstruct any adjacent neighbor's views of the golf course or open areas, and must be landscaped.
• Free standing metal or plastic utility sheds or storage units are not permitted.
• Tree houses are not permitted.

DRC approval is required for any addition to or expansion of a primary residence. Materials and colors shall match the existing residence.

DRC approval is required for the initial installation of air conditioners or mini splits.  No window air conditioning units are allowed. All air conditioning equipment must be screened by using a partial block wall and/or landscaping.

The installation of awnings or overhangs requires DRC approval. The awning or overhang color(s) must be the same as or generally recognized as complementary to the exterior of the residence. Metal awnings are prohibited.

DRC approval is not required for the rear yard installation of a birdhouse, or a bird feeder that is less than one foot wide by one and a half feet tall, or a birdbath that is three feet tall or less, including any pedestal. Placement in any front or side yard is not allowed. Placement of these items must be such that they are not visible from the street, neighboring properties, or the golf course.

Outside clothes lines are prohibited unless installed on a portion of an Owner's property which is fully screened by landscaping from view from the street and adjacent properties.

Owners shall secure DRC approval before installing
decks or balconies. Decks and balconies must be constructed of wood or other material similar to that of the residence and, if painted, must be painted a color consistent with the residence. Decks and balconies must be installed as an integral part of the residence or patio area. Any such decks or balconies must be located so as not to obstruct diminish the view of neighboring property owners

Verandah has an approved Exterior Paint Palette Book that outlines preapproved colors for the main body, fascia, trim and accents for homes in Verandah.

• The page number from the paint palette book must be supplied on the DMF and clearly state the selections for body/garage, trim and shutters (if present)
• All selections must be from one page, a single design motif.
• Exposed flashing, gutters and downspouts must be painted to match the fascia or trim or the structure of body color.
• Review criteria may include, but not be limited to, the sheen of the paint, the architectural style, and existing stone or brick accents, roof color, and neighboring property colors.
• Owners may repaint or touch-up with the original color of the home without DRC approval.

DRC approval is required for exterior lighting.

• Exterior lighting shall be directed toward the house and be of low wattage (limited to 2,000 lumens) to minimize glare sources to neighbors and other homeowners.
• Lighting for walkways generally must be directed toward the ground.
• Lighting fixtures shall be dark colored. Low voltage (12 volts) lighting is preferable for safety reasons.
• Any deviation from the aforementioned guidelines or use of high-wattage spotlights, flood lights, or ballasted fixtures (sodium, mercury, multi-vapor, fluorescent, metal halide, etc.) requires DRC approval. The DRC may take into consideration the visibility and style of the fixture and its location on the home.
• Light fixtures must complement the architectural style of Verandah and the specific home and landscaping.
• Lighting of walls can be achieved by use of eave or ground recessed fixtures.
• Landscape lighting should be concealed where possible by ground recessing or installation in shrub beds.
• Colored lights are prohibited, except as temporary holiday decorations.
• Post-mounted lighting will be considered on an individual basis.
• Spillover of light onto neighboring property must be avoided.
• Colored lights on the inside or outside of the cage area are prohibited.
• Edison, string lights or rope type lights are to be contained within the covered interior area of the back porch area only.
• Bulb wattage and bulb color in light fixtures flanking garage doors or entryways must be identical. Colors are limited to clear or white.
• String or rope type lighting is not allowed on trees or shrubs unless during December holidays.

• No interior type of furniture shall be placed on the front porch area of the house, driveway, lawn, mulched or landscaped area.
• Outdoor specific furniture is to be used and must be maintained in good condition.
• Any and all furniture should be on the interior front porch covered area only. No furniture is to be placed on the sides or the rear of the home or behind the caged pool area.
• No bicycles, scooters, baby strollers, play equipment, exercise equipment, or motorized vehicles shall be kept on the front porch.

• Generators, water softeners, mini-splits, pool heaters and filters, wall mounted solar panels etc. require DRC approval prior to initial installation.
• All are required to be screened from the street, neighboring
  properties and the golf course by a screening wall, landscaping or both.
• The DMF submitted prior to installation, should include a drawing of the location and landscape or wall plan.

The following are acceptable exterior wall treatments for vertical and horizontal surfaces:

• Painted stucco in approved colors.
• Wood or "green friendly" material (such as HardiPlank) composite horizontal siding as accents. Premium grade Dutch lap vinyl may be approved. Aluminum siding is prohibited.
• Cast stone, stone or brick veneer as accents.
• Anodized or paint finishes are required on all metal surfaces including windows, flashing, drips, and caps, in colors matching the approved trim colors.
• Fascias must be a minimum of 9-1/2" wide cedar, painted to match the approved trim color. Fascia materials comparable to cedar may be approved by the DRC.
  Soffits must be of wood, stucco or premium grade vinyl. Aluminum soffits are prohibited.
• Synthetic/foam products used on the exterior of buildings shall be installed to meet industry standards to ensure quality construction.

Flagpoles: Yard-mounted flagpoles must be submitted to the DRC for approval. Owners may mount fabric American flags, not to exceed 4-1/2' x 6', to their house or garage without the approval of the DRC.
Link to Florida Statute on Flagpoles

DRC approval is required for all fountains. Fountains in the rear yard must be screened behind a privacy wall or landscaping. Fountains are not permitted as a focal point of the driveway.

• Hardscape Paths will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Homeowners shall secure DRC approval prior to installing hardscape paths.
• Hardscape Paths shall not exceed 18”in width and walking surface shall consist of pavers, or steppingstones only.
• No stones, sand, gravel, shells or edging of any kind is allowed.

Approval is required for the installation of any hot tub,
Jacuzzi, sauna, or spa. Any hot tub, Jacuzzi, sauna or spa shall be an integral part of the deck or patio area. A hot tub, Jacuzzi, sauna or spa shall be installed in such a way that it is not immediately visible to neighboring property owners or golf course. All mechanical equipment necessary for the operation of any Jacuzzi, hot tub or sauna or spa shall be screened from the street and neighboring units by a fence, wall, or landscaping; such screening to be in accordance with these Design Guidelines and approved by the Reviewer.

Applications for hot tubs, Jacuzzis, saunas and spas shall be accompanied by a screen, fence or landscaping plan and a plat of the property with the improvements indicated thereon.

Decorative items are allowed within the interior covered area of the front porch only.

Window boxes – either inside the covered front porch area or under the side entry garage windows facing the street only are allowed. They must be of a material, color and style that complements the style of the home and surrounding homes.

Plastic boxes and/or plants are not permitted.

Prior to installation, ornaments, statues and outdoor sculpture or benches must be submitted to DRC for approval. These are prohibited from the front and side yards including mulched, paved and/or grassed areas or hanging from trees, light fixtures, planters, mailboxes or window boxes.

• Ornaments or any of the above may be installed in the rear yard area but must be behind a privacy wall and/or landscaping and not visible from adjacent properties, open spaces or the golf course.
• A maximum of three planters will be allowed in the front driveway area neighboring to the structure. Planters may not be placed in front of the garage doors.
• Planters must not display writings, logos etc.
• Planters in the shape of animals, inanimate objects, etc. are not allowed.
• Plastic landscape pots are not allowed.
• Planters must not be empty and must contain plant material only; no ornaments, decorative flags, plaques, or trellises.
• Landscape boulders will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The DRC may limit the size and number allowed, based on proportion to the lot size.
• Hoses and hose reels must be stored on the side of the home and not visible from the street.

Plans for all new outdoor kitchens must be submitted to DRC. The DMF (Design Modification Form) should include a diagram of the layout and all included equipment and finishes.

Approval is required for the construction or installation of pools.

• Pools must be located in the rear yard and must be an integral part of the residence unless associated with a courtyard home, in which case the pool is to be located in the courtyard or cage and screened by walls.
• Landscaping shall be installed around the foundation of the pool or wall and must be an integral part of the overall landscape plan. It must be a minimum of 18" in height.
• All mechanical equipment necessary for the operation of any pool must be in the rear or side yard and shall be screened from the street and neighboring residences/buildings and the golf course by a wall and/or landscaping, such screening to be in accordance with these Guidelines and approved by the Reviewer.
• Above-ground pools are prohibited.

• Recreational equipment shall not be installed in the front yard of residences/buildings or attached to houses or garages.
• Recreational equipment in side or rear yards must be approved by the DRC. Said review shall be based upon, but not limited to, the following considerations: proximity of equipment to property lines and proximity of equipment to neighbor's living areas, golf course and common areas. A landscape buffer may be required.
• Playhouses, dog houses, greenhouses or play equipment are not considered accessory buildings and are not allowed.

Roof pitches and overhangs shall be designed for compatibility
with adjacent roof profiles in front, side, and rear elevation, and may vary as dictated by architectural design. A main body minimum roof pitch of 5 in 12 slope is required; however, accent roofs (i.e.: porches, dormers, etc.) may be 4 in 12 slope, but must be consistent with historical reference. A minimum overhang of 16 inches is required. Asphalt or fiberglass shingle roofs are prohibited. Roof materials which are acceptable are natural slate, clay or concrete tile in a barrel or flat profile. A "S" profile is preferred for certain architectural themes. Alternate roofing
materials may be considered by the Reviewer. Roof colors shall be in natural earth tones. Pure white (or primarily white tiles,) solid orange, solid red, blue or any bright colors are prohibited.
DRC/Reviewer approval is required for re-roofs and roofing modifications.

Reviewer approval is required for a front screen door. Screening is not allowed at the garage doors and approval is required for all other screen door applications, except retractable. The material and color of any screen frame must match the existing doors of the house.

Approval is required for the construction of patio covers, open patios and screen patios.

• Open patios must be an integral part of the landscape plan.
• The patio color must be similar to or generally accepted as a color complementary to the design and color of the residence.
• Enclosed patios shall be constructed of materials that are similar to or generally accepted as complementary to those of the residence.
• Framing shall be bronze and screens shall be bronze or charcoal.
• All screen enclosures must be designed to complement the roofline of the principle structure.

Reviewer approval is required for the installation of solar energy equipment. Additional landscape buffering may be required in order to soften the appearance of solar accessory equipment. Solar panels shall be located on the rear or side roof of a home whenever possible.  All piping for solar panels on roof must be black in color.  On the side of homes, white piping must be used in the event that the pipe color cannot be matched to the approved home or trim color.

• Reviewer approval is required for exterior shutters.
  All storm shutters must be of the same design, materials and color and style, and installed to a custom fit.
• The color of the storm shutters must be consistent and compatible with the architecture and color of the house.
• Shutters must blend into the window details or into the window covering requirements such that a patchwork or "checkerboard" look does not occur.
• No mill finish aluminum will be allowed.
• Shutters' appearance can and should be softened with landscaping to the extent possible.

Trellises are subject to approval. Trellises will not be approved on
front or side yard. They may be located in the rear yard if screened from view from neighboring properties, open spaces, and the golf course. Wire and knob type trellises may be used to frame a front entry or garage area.

Windows should be clear glass or a tinted glass of bronze, gray, green, or smoke colors. Screen enclosures shall be bronze or charcoal. The DRC must approve security treatments for doors and windows; however, no 'burglar bars, steel or wrought iron bars, or similar fixtures shall be installed on the exterior of any windows or doors of any dwelling.