NOTE: These supplemental Architectural Guidelines are in addition to not and in lieu of the general requirements of the Architectural Guidelines adopted pursuant to Section 4.3 of the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions for Graywood. Specific areas where variances are allowed are outlined below. Except as amended or modified for the Sassafras Neighborhood, the general Architectural Guidelines shall apply.
Architectural Standards
Square Footage Requirements: Based on the Air- Conditioned (Living ) Square Footage
Main Dwelling/Residence:
Minimum: 2800 sq. feet
Maximum: N/A
Outbuildings/Accessory Structures:
Minimum: No requirements
Maximum: 1500 sq. feet for each building
NOTE: All square footage numbers refer to air conditioned living space.
Foundations ? Finished floor elevations shall meet FEMA?s flood plain requirements and, in no case, shall that elevation be less than eleven (11) feet above mean sea level.
Windows ? No variance.
Roofs ? Roofs for main dwelling or structures shall be in conformance with the Architectural Guidelines for Graywood. All construction details for outbuildings/accessory structures, including roof materials, soffits, and roof pitch shall be submitted to the NCC of the Graywood Homeowners Association for review and approval.
Building Heights ? Maximum building height for any main dwelling or residence shall be 40 feet as measured from the top of the foundation slab. Building Heights for all outbuildings/accessory structures shall be as determined by the NCC.
Other Architectural Standards ? All other Architectural Standards shall be in conformance with the Architectural Standards for Graywood. All modifications must be presented to the NCC for review and approval.
Site Standards
Setback Requirements for Main Residence/Dwelling:
Front setbacks ? The front setback for all residences or dwellings, with the exception of the residence on Unit 11, shall be a minimum of 100 feet from their front property lines. Due to the location of a pipeline right-of-way, the front setback of any residence or dwelling on Unit 11 shall be a minimum of fifty feet from its front property line.
Side setbacks ? Although no particular side setback is stated, each residence or dwelling within Sassafras shall be located so that each residence or dwelling is centered within the Owner?s Unit. The side setback of the residences or dwelling shall be of equal distance on either side of the residence or dwelling.
Setback Requirements for Outbuildings/Accessory Structures: The location of any outbuilding/accessory structure on any Unit within Sassafras shall be subject to the review and approval of the NCC. Each Owner shall submit a site plan indicating the proposed location of such structures setting forth the particular location and the distance from the Unit?s property lines.
Fences ? Fencing on any Unit within Sassafras shall be subject to and in conformance with the Architectural Standards of Graywood. The erection of fencing on the front property line of any Unit shall be mandatory and the responsibility of the Owner. Fencing must be the standard Graywood fencing design. In addition, unless required by the City of Lake Charles, no fence shall be more than six feet in height.
Enclosures around pools or for the keeping or storing of dogs or horses shall require the review and approval of the NCC. Prior to the construction of an enclosure, the Owner shall submit to the NCC detailed plans outlining the design, color, materials, and location of any proposed enclosure. All enclosures shall be in conformance with any state or Calcasieu Parish regulations or any other applicable local regulations. With respect to enclosures for horses, each Owner must be in conformance with City Ordinance Section 4.5, which requires that each horse enclosure shall be located at least 150 feet from any neighboring residence. Horse enclosure design shall be the Graywood fencing design.
The use of chain link fence is prohibited; however, the NCC may grant a variance for the use of such fencing after a period of review and approval. If a variance is granted allowing the use of chain-link fencing, such fences shall not be visible from any common area, road, golf course, or adjacent Unit. In addition, the fence must be black coated and screened with the use of landscaping on the inside of the property line.
Air-Conditioning Units ? Thru-wall or window air-conditioning units in main dwellings or residences shall be prohibited. The use of thru-wall or window air-conditioning units shall be limited to outbuilding or accessory structures.
Other Site Standards ? All other Site Standards shall be in conformance with the Architectural Standards for Graywood.
General Landscape Standards
Cost of Landscaping ? The total cost for landscaping each Unit shall be equal to or exceed 3% of the appraised value of the Unit and any dwelling or structure located thereon. Front yards, including along any driveways, walkways, and front entryways of dwellings shall be landscaped by the Owner, and the cost of such landscaping shall be equal to or exceed 1% of the appraised value of the Unit and any dwelling or structure located thereon.
Location of Sod ? Owners shall sod the front and side yards of any Unit and such sod shall be located from the edge of the dwelling or residence and extend for a distance of 35 feet. The placement of sod in the back yard of any Unit is not required, but if sod is not used, the back lawn shall be sprigged or seeded a distance of 35 feet extending from the building edge of the dwelling or residence.
Irrigation ? Irrigation of the lawn area of a Unit is not required; however, if any planting beds are located on a Unit, such planting beds shall be irrigated.
Screening ? Exterior screening of air-conditioning units, trash containers, and any mechanical and utility equipment with landscaping of sufficient size to screen such items from the view of any street or neighboring Unit shall be required.
Excavation on Units ? Excavation on any Unit shall be prohibited; however, excavation for a pond may be allowed if a variance is granted by the NCC. To request a variance for excavation of a pond, a detailed site plan evidencing the location and an application setting forth the methods of excavation and the disposal of excavated material shall be provided to the NCC for review.
Landscaping Outbuildings ? Landscaping around or surrounding outbuildings/accessory structures shall not be required, but is recommended. If an Owner undertakes to landscape around an outbuilding or accessory structure, such plans shall be submitted to the NCC for review and the plans shall be in conformance with the Architectural Standards for Graywood.
Additional Guidelines for Sassafras
Livestock Restrictions: Livestock shall not be permitted in Sassafras. No Owner may keep, store, or shelter any livestock within any Unit within Sassafras. Notwithstanding this provision, each Owner may keep or store up to two horses within Sassafras, so long as the Owner meets all applicable rules and regulations regarding the keeping and enclosing of horses as set forth in the Architectural Guidelines, these Supplemental Architectural Guidelines, and any applicable city ordinance.
Construction Timeline
Completion of Construction ? The commencement and completion of construction shall be completed within three years after the transfer of title to the Unit to the Owner. In accordance with Section 4.3 of the Declaration, each Owner shall submit an application for the construction of a dwelling or residence within 18 months after the date the Unit is transferred to the Owner. Once construction is commenced, it shall be diligently pursued to completion, and shall be completed within 18 months of commencement.
