San Miguel Civic Association Architectural Control Committee | Dedicated to Improving Your Quality of Life

The Architectural Control Committee (ACC) was created to enhance property values by requiring conformity to certain standards of construction, visual appeal, uniformity and design. The Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CCRs) are the basis of the deed restrictions. It is the general purpose of the ACC to approve or disapprove applications made to it for proposed alterations, additions or changes to be made to the exterior of the house and/or lot itself. The ACC is governed by the Homeowners Association Board of Directors, who are elected by the homeowners at the annual meeting in March of each year.

The CCRs provide that "No building, fence, wall structure, improvement, exterior appurtenance, or exterior corporeal hereditament, except landscaping (landscaping defined as "living plants, trees, shrubs, flowers, etc., and utilization of non-living material necessary for growth; ie., bark, mulch, etc. Trellises, window boxes, arbors, and permanent brick borders need to have ACC approval. Landscape timbers and bricks without mortar do not need Architectural Control Committee approval unless they exceed a height of two (2) feet), shall be commenced, erected, placed, or altered on any Lot, nor shall any exterior addition to or change or alteration, other than landscaping, be made to the Lot, improvements, appurtenances, or corporeal hereditament until the construction plans and specifications describing the nature, kind, shape, height, materials and a plot plan showing the location of same, have been approved in writing.

A "Request For Home Improvement Approval Form" must be completed in its entirety and mailed to the management company. If a form is required, please contact the management company or download and print one out from the links provided on this website. All pertinent information such as plans, specifications, material, colors and locations indicated on a copy of the survey, etc., should be included with the application. These forms are available from your management company. The ACC cannot respond to verbal requests for approval, all applications must be made in writing. The ACC has thirty daysfrom the date of receipt of an application in which to respond. If additional information is required by the ACC, the application process will be extended accordingly. Plans for the implementation of the proposed improvements should allow for the time required to complete the approval process (max 30 days). If an application is not approved, the ACC will state in their letter why such approval was denied and what type of application changes, if any, would alter that decision. If an applicant wishes to discuss or appeal a decision made by the ACC, the management company to setup an appointment for future discussion with the BOARD\ACC.

Click here for Home Improvement Approval Form
Haga clic aquí para descargar e imprimir forma de aprobacion arquitectionico de san miguel

Guidelines

The following are guidelines adopted by the ACC to specify their standards, requirements and thought processes used in evaluating an application. These guidelines will be amended from time to time as the circumstances, conditions or opinions of the ACC dictate. It should be noted that each application is considered on its own merit and that the ACC may grant a variance from these guidelines and/or from certain provisions of the CCRs. Questions in regards to the guidelines below can be answered by contacting Gary Bickford or Glenn Gustafson.

Click here to download and print ACC Guidelines

1.1 An "outbuilding" is defined as any structure which is not attached to the main structure. This definition does not include bonafide additions to the main residence or garages, but does include storage sheds, gazebos, and playhouse/forts.

a.) The colors should match/blend with the predominant exterior colors of the main residence.

b.) Materials should match those of the main residence in both size and color using same grade wood or brick.

c.) It should have a peaked roof, no higher than ten feet (10 ft) from the ground to the highest point, and a maximum of 10'x12' floor space. Structure must be kept a minimum of five feet (5 ft) off rear and side property line. The distance from side fence will be determined based on visibility from the street in front of the lot. At no time, however, will that distance from side fence be less than 5 feet, regardless of visibility. Location must also be far enough away from fence to allow for drainage to occur entirely on the owner's lot.

d.) Storage buildings can not be placed on any utility easement unless written approval from HL&P and other utilities. Most homes have an 8 ft easement across the back fence and in some cases the side.

e.) No storage building can be built up against any side or rear wall of home unless its maximum height is less than 6 feet and it is not visible above the fence. It must also comply with all the other requirements for proper construction, size and location.

f.) If under 6 ft, may be placed in side yard provided no part can be observed from the street.

g.) Playhouse/fort must be no higher than 8 ft maximum. If fort has a platform, then platform can be no higher than 4 ft off ground and centered in back yard to protect neighbor's privacy.

h.) Gazebo - Freestanding - (Must be at least 6 feet away from house). Case-by-case with a maximum height at peak of 11 ft and must be 5 ft off side and back fence. Treated wood, painted to match house or cedar.

j.) Metal buildings are specifically excluded. Since there are some metal buildings "grand fathered"; see guidelines on metal buildings.

2.1 The basketball goal backboard and net must be maintained in excellent condition at all times.

2.2 All support mechanism shall be constructed of galvanized steel or painted iron to prevent leaning.

2.3 Attached goals must be centered above the garage door or doors. On residents with gable ends above the garage door, the goal must be centered on the wall .

2.4 Free standing poles must be located 16 ft from the street curb and not more than 1 ft from the driveway and not less than 4 ft from the side lot line and not less than 9 ft from the neighboring residence.

2.5 If any complaints are received within 6 months after installation, the basketball goal will be subject to immediate removal at request of the ACC.

2.6 All backboards must be either clear or white fiberglass with a standard height of 10 ft to rim center.

2.7 Backyard goals must be 10 ft from any lot line. One basketball goal per yard.

3.2 Prefab covers made of aluminum may be approved providing they are of an earth tone color, preferred to match paint trim. Unfinished aluminum will not receive ACC approval. All metal must be painted.

3.3 If attached to house, must be integrated into existing roof line (flush with eaves), and if it is to be shingled, shingles must match existing roof. Entire wooden or metal columns. If wood is not painted it must be treated wood. No pipe is allowed.

3.4 At no time, however, shall a shingled roof be allowed with an unpainted frame unless treated wood is used.

3.6 All patio cover material wood, metal, lattice, must be completely framed so that no edges of the material are visible.

3.7 Patio covers must be situated on the lot to provide drainage solely into the owner's lot. Patio cover location may not be closer than 5 ft feet to any lot line or be placed on any easement.

4.1 Exterior materials and colors should the house as much as possible and still meet the % brick requirement per the deed restrictions.

4.4 On individual basis. Size and shape will depend on architectural style and layout of home, size of lot, and how well room addition integrates with existing home. Addition of a storage area will not qualify as a bonafide room addition and will not be permitted. Plans for room addition must show a room of reasonable size to constitute a legitimate request for a room addition. Roof of addition must integrate with existing roof line so as to appear to have been part of the original home. Room additions cannot exceed one third of the remaining back yard, but may be denied for other reasons, i.e., structural integrity, architectural suitability, etc., even if it does only use one-third of the remaining yard.

5.l Earth tone colors were most often used when homes were constructed. In general, an earth tone color should receive ACC approval.

5.2 Other earth tone blend colors will be considered. The color of neighboring homes will be taken into consideration along with the applicant's house brick features.

6.1 Providing the frames of these are of a color compatible with the exterior house colors, storm windows and storm or screen doors should receive ACC approval.

7.1 Decks may not encroach into any utility easement unless the utility companies involved have granted their written consent to such encroachment.

7.2 Decks should not be situated on the lot so that they may pose a problem to the effective drainage of the lot or neighboring lot.

7.6 All decks should be located no closer than three feet to adjoining property.

8.1 No pool or spa of any type may encroach into any utility easement unless the utility companies involved have granted their written consent to such encroachment. Decking also requires consent agreement. Consents must be received prior to approval. NOTE: HL&P currently charges $125 for this consent letter.

8.2 Ideally, any pool or spa should be located at least five feet (5 ft) from a side and rear lot line to maintain proper drainage on lot. However, a minimum of 3 ft will be allowed in certain instances.

8.3 Above ground pools will receive special consideration. Above ground pool acceptable provided it is not over 4 ft in height. Decking around pool cannot be over 24 inches above ground so to ensure privacy of neighbors. If there is a walkway around pool, it cannot be wider than 2 ft nor higher than the wall of the pool. Railings for walkway cannot be visible above the 6 foot fence. It must also be three feet to five feet (3 ft -5 ft) from the side and rear fences.

8.4 Pool enclosures will be reviewed on an individual basis and height should not exceed 10 feet. Committee finds screened enclosure acceptable provided adequate tree planting is installed as per ACC recommendations for screening.

9.1 The ACC will approve solar panels which are unobtrusive and which blend in with the roof shingle color.

9.2 Parabolic solar collectors which are not mounted so as to be flush with the roof will not be approved.

9.3 Solar panel frames should be bronze or black in color in order to best blend in with the shingles. All unfinished aluminum must be painted the color of the shingles.

9.5 The ACC would prefer to have solar panels mounted on the back roof of a house rather than mounted on stands to the side or front roof. Would prefer mounted on stands in back yard.

9.7 Colors and manufacturers must be acceptable to ACC for both screens and panels.

10.2 If a six foot fence is used, no more than 1 ft can be seen above the fence at any time.

10.4 Trees and shrubs are recommended to hide satellite dish if an eight foot (8 ft) fence is not used.

11.2 Six foot fences should be used but no higher than 8' and granted on limited basis only. Consents from all affected neighbors must be submitted in order to be considered for height extension.

11.6 Fence extension requests should be submitted by both neighbors sharing the side lot line and fence, except in the case of a corner lot.

11.8 If both neighbors do not concur as to a proposed fence extension, the ACC will examine the effect the fence extension will have on both properties. If one party will suffer detrimentally from the extension (i.e., will totally enclose a bay window) the ACC will reject the application.

11.9 Only fence extensions which will be installed picket side out shall be considered by the ACC.

11.10 Replacement or repairs of fence must be made with similar materials and construction details as used in original fence.

11.12 If and extension to the fence is made, one complete side must be completed.

12.1 On front lawns of lots and on any portion a lot visible from any street, there shall be no decorative appurtenances placed, such as sculptures, birdbaths, birdhouses, fountains, or other decorative embellishments unless such specific items have been approved in writing by the Architectural Control Committee. "No building, fence, wall, structure, improvement, exterior appurtenance, or exterior corporeal hereditament, except landscaping (landscaping defined as " living plants, trees, shrubs, flowers, etc." and utilization of non living material necessary for growth, i.e., bark, mulch, etc., trellises, window boxes, arbors, and permanent brick borders must have Architectural Control Committee approval."

12.3 House numbers may be placed on house or mailbox, but not an any type of freestanding structure in front yard.

13.1 Directional lights or floodlights must be aimed so as not to shine in the windows of neighboring homes.

13.3 Security, mercury vapor, or fluorescent lights, must be attached to the front of the house, preferably garage. Mercury vapor, fluorescent, and sodium halite and maybe permitted in back or side yard with ACC approval.

13.4 Yard lights may be gas or electric. Single lamp only. Maximum height 6 ft. May be in front or back. Gas or electric lights must be black, brown or white, depending on color of house and determination of suitable color will be the decision of the ACC.

14.1 Wind turbines should be mounted in the rear portion of the roof so that they are not visible from the front or above the roofline.

14.2 The wind turbines preferably should either be a color which will blend with the shingle color or be painted to match the shingle color.

16.1 Full wooden panel with enough support from proper pole installation to maintain straight.

19.1 Trees should be trimmed annually to maintain sidewalk clearance and stop sign obstructions.

19.2 All grass must be kept trim and cut on a regular bases. Above six inches will be mowed by the civic association.

19.3 Trees should be trimmed annually to maintain sidewalk and stop sign clearance.

19.4 It is recommended that all houses have two trees planted in front yard. Section 1 has to have two per the deed restrictions. It is recommended live oak or ash trees.

20.1 No antennas of any type visible above the fence line is acceptable other than satellite dishes per the guidelines.

22.2 No closer than 3 ft to property line and sometimes up to 5 ft. Driveway extensions can extend no nearer to side property line than 3 feet and 5 feet in certain instances.

22.3 All sidewalks in the side yard must be no greater than 36 inches wide and centered between house and property line. 30" wide is the recommended width for the standard five foot (5 ft) side yard.

23.1 Conversions are permitted provided there are no exterior changes to garage.

25.1 Canvas awnings will not be permitted to be installed on windows to reduce solar exposure.

26.1 Only greenhouse subject to ACC approval will be those constructed of clear glass or plexiglass panels. No fiberglass will be allowed.

WHEREAS, chapter 202 of the Texas Property Code was amended effective June 17, 2011, to amend Section 202.011 (“Section 202.011”) thereto dealing with the regulation of roofing materials; and

27.1. All buildings shall be roofed with composition shingles unless otherwise approved in writing by the San Miguel Civic Association Architectural Control Committee. Wood shingles are specifically prohibited for safety reasons.

27.2. Composition shingles must weigh at least 240 pounds per square and have a stated warranty of at least 25 years.

27.3. Roof shingles must be dark brown or dark gray tones. Light brown, light gray, blue, green, red and white colors are not allowed.

27.4. Roof overlays are not allowed. Prior to roofing, all existing materials must be removed down to clean decking. Any damaged or deteriorated decking must be replaced.

27.5. Ridge vent are encouraged, to improve ventilation, reduce attic temperature and reduce cooling costs, but are not required

27.6. All roof protrusions, such as vents, roof jacks, must be painted to match the shingles.

SMCA Community Information - Architectural Control Committee

Mission Statement

Guidelines