ACC Guidelines


Note: Even if your plans conform to the guidelines below, you must still fill out an Architectural Review Application

(Right-click on the link and select "Save As" to download the form.)

Email it to StCharlesPlaceHOAmanagement@tampabay.rr.com. You can also copy board@stcharlesplace.us so that the board members see it.

Florida Statute 720 requires the HOA to develop guidelines for the community’s Architectural Control Committee (ACC) to use when considering whether to approve or disapprove architectural applications. The ACC is open to all owners and meets once a month to discuss applications and make recommendations for additions or changes to the guidelines.

ALL EXTERIOR CHANGES REQUIRE PRIOR ACC APPROVAL. Article IX in the community’s Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions states that all additions, changes, alterations or repairs must have PRIOR written approval by your ACC. This includes all items listed here and any other changes visible from the exterior of homes. Keep a copy of any approved applications to protect yourself in case a future ACC and HOA board changes the guidelines to disallow a change you made to the exterior or your unit.

This is only a guide to what the ACC considers. Exact conditions of an approval or disapproval will come in a written letter after the committee has reviewed the application.

Because this page is maintained by an owner, the HOA Board might make changes to this document that don't appear here. Check with the association's management company for the latest version.

Air Conditioners

  1. Replacement air compressors may not exceed the size or height or the original unit without prior ACC approval.
  2. Compressors may not exceed the size of concrete base pad without prior approval.
  3. Replacement air compressors that exceed the size, height or are of a different color than the original unit, must be surrounded by a hedge placed by the Association contractor at cost to the homeowner. The homeowner must also pay for any adjustments to the irrigation system needed and the Association's sprinkler contractor must do the work.
  4. Replacement compressors may not be located away from where the original one was.
  5. Replacement compressor colors must be the original builder color. If that color is not available, only neutral colors such as tan, silver, green or gray will be considered.
  6. Compressors may not have advertising or logos of any kind on them.
  7. Compressor covers must have prior ACC approval.

Concrete Patio Extensions

  1. All rear patio extensions require prior ACC approval.
  2. The homeowner must use a properly licensed and insured contractor.
  3. The Association will require a copy of the Hillsborough County Permit number.
  4. If irrigation needs to be moved to accommodate this request, the homeowner must pay for the Association's sprinkler contractor to do the work.
  5. If termite stations need to be moved to accommodate this request, the homeowner must pay for the Association's pest control contractor to do the work.

Patios

  1. Newly constructed or expanded rear patios should provide for a similar design to what is already approved and constructed within the St Charles Place community.
  2. All roofs should be finished and provide for a similar roofing material to what is provided on the main roof of the existing structure. No metal, plastic or any other roofing material shall be permitted unless such material provides for a roof design that provides for a similar visual pattern as the main structure.
    3. EXAMPLE 1 – Roof of deck provides same roofing material (shingles) and color as main structure (not visible in photo)
  3. Slabs should be of concrete and provide for a similar texture as has been approved and constructed within the community. All slabs shall be white unless otherwise approved by the ARC.
  4. At no time shall a concrete slab or columns extend greater than 10 feet from the main structure or be placed greater than 9 feet apart. (Roof line, as seen in EXAMPLE 1, may extend more than 10 feet). At no time shall the deck extend into any area that is St. Charles Place common areas.
  5. Columns shall be with a stucco finished and be painted the same color as the main structure.
  6. Columns should be placed at the corners of the roof. No column shall be placed in the center or within other locations not already found within the community. All columns shall be constructed in an L-shape as provided in EXAMPLE 2.
    7. EXAMPLE 2 – Column placement, texture and color treatment.
  7. All roof eaves, soffits and fascia must be painted white as shown below in EXAMPLE 3.
    8. EXAMPLE 3
  8. All rear patios should be structurally attached to the main structure as shown in EXAMPLE 4.
    9. EXAMPLE 4
  9. Screening material must be consistent with approved screened enclosures within the community. All screening material trim shall be painted white. Screened doors must be placed at the center of the far end of the patio unless located on an end unit, where a screened door may be placed on the side away from the attached adjoining unit. (See EXAMPLES 5 & 6)
    10. EXAMPLE 5 – Centered back screen door
    EXAMPLE 6 – Side screen door
  10. At no time shall a screened enclosure be enclosed with windows, shutters, or any other material that would allow for the enclosure to be air conditioned, living space.
  11. An illustration, drawn to scale, shall be provided to graphically represent the requested alteration. The illustration should include all measurements, colors and textures that the ARC may find necessary to provide for a proper review. The ARC, at any time during the review period, may ask for additional information of the applicant to provide for a proper review.
  12. Photos of the area to be altered should be provided within the application to establish existing conditions within the record.
  13. Any construction related to the expansion or creation of a rear patio, including extending or constructing a roof must obtain all necessary construction permits from the appropriate governmental agencies. All construction related activity shall be undertaken by a contractor licensed by the State of Florida and that has provided their credentials to the St. Charles Place ARC and has been approved by such board.
  14. All construction within the St Charles Place community shall meet all aspects of the current Florida Building Code at time of approval.
  15. Ceiling fans and lighting shall be white unless otherwise approved by the ARC.
  16. Any damage to the grounds or buildings shall be the sole responsibility of the applicant. Any and all damage will need to be repaired to bring the building up to the conditions that existed before construction began.

Doorbells

    1. All doorbell changes require prior ACC approval. 2. Doorbells will be considered on a case by case basis as to size, color and design. 3. Any doorbell that could be considered offensive in nature will not be considered. 4. If deemed so by the ACC, the HOA board will make the final determination about whether an item is offensive.

Door Decorations

    1. All door decorations must represent the current season (spring, summer, etc) or represent the current holiday (The decorations can be displayed from the 1st of the month until 3 days after the holiday). 2. All Door Decorations must be maintained in a neat and attractive manner. No faded or damaged door decorations will be allowed.

Deck/Porch Boxes

  1. Outdoor storage boxes will be considered on a case by case basis depending on the size of the porch and the storage box. The storage box must be a neutral color.

Figurines/Statues/Home Accents

    1. All figurines, statues, landscape decorations, rocks, etc MUST have PRIOR ACC approval. 2. All items will be considered on a case by case basis as to type, size, color, and location. 3. Any item that could be considered offensive in nature will not be considered. 4. If deemed offensive by the ACC, the HOA board will make the final determination as to whether the item is offensive.

Flowerpots/planters

  1. The pot or planter and plant may not exceed a combined height of five (5) feet.
  2. Pots or planters may not create a hazard of any kind or interfere with landscape maintenance.
  3. Pots or planters may not block entryways, walkways or driveways at any time.
  4. All pots or planters must be neutral in color.
  5. Pot or planter sizes will be limited depending on their location.
  6. All pots or planters must be planted with healthy, manicured flowers, bushes, or ornamental trees at all times.

Flags

  1. Florida Statute 720.304 states that, a homeowner may display one portable, removable United States flag or official flag of the State of Florida in a respectful manner, and one portable, removable official flag, in a respectful manner, not larger than 4-and-1/2 feet by 6 feet, which represents the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard, or a POWMIA flag.”
  2. The ACC must approve the location and type of the flagpole, whether it attaches to the building structure or stands in the yard, and a properly licensed and insured contractor must do the work.
  3. Decorative Flags on yard stakes will be permitted only in the mulch.

Grills

**These guidelines follow the Florida Fire Prevention Code for multifamily structures.**
  1. Grills may be stored in the home's garage or on the rear patio (with a grill cover).
  2. Grills may NOT be used inside homes or garages at any time.
  3. Grills should not be used any closer than 10’ from the structure.

Landscape Lighting

  1. Only Electrical, battery or solar landscape/walkway lights will be considered.
  2. Lights will ONLY be permitted in mulch beds and may NOT interfere with landscape maintenance. Under no circumstance can they be placed in the grass.
  3. NO more than six (6) lights will be permitted per twenty (20) foot walkway span.
  4. Cords for lights may not cross walkways or driveways.
  5. Seasonal colored bulbs will be allowed from October 1st to January 15th.

Antennas or Satellite Receivers

  1. All devices require prior ACC approval.
  2. A properly licensed and insured contractor MUST install devices.
  3. Devices may not exceed forty (40) inches in diameter.
  4. Devices may not exceed more than one (1) per home.
  5. Devices MUST be installed on the rear wall.
  6. All wiring must be concealed as much as possible.
  7. Wiring that needs to run along the building will need to be hidden in a raceway. The raceway will need to be painted to match the building, at the owner’s expense. The Association's maintenance contractor must do the painting.
  8. Devices that become damaged, deteriorated or unused must be removed immediately.

Seasonal Decorations

  1. Seasonal decorations will be allowed from October 1st to January 31st of the following year.
  2. All decorations must reflect the current season or celebrated holiday.
  3. Decorations that are placed on the home MUST be mounted with removal clips or hooks that do not damage the exterior finish of the home.
  4. All decoration attachments must be removed with decoration.
  5. The homeowner must pay to repair any damage that decorations cause to the exterior finish of the home. The Association's maintenance contractor must do the repair.
  6. Lighting and decorations may NOT be placed on the grass or interfere with landscape maintenance.
  7. All electric cords must be concealed as much as possible and may not be placed across walks or driveways or create a safety hazard.

Security Camera/ Devices

  1. All security cameras and other security devices require prior ACC approval
  2. No more than four cameras or other security devices can be placed on the home.
  3. Cameras and security devices can be white, tan or black
  4. The wiring cannot run down the side of the home. All wiring should run through the soffit to be concealed as much as possible.
  5. Any wiring more than 12" connected to the camera or other security device will require ACC approval.

Security System Signs

  1. One (1) security system sign will be allowed at each door of a home.
  2. The sign must be located in a mulch bed around the exterior wall of the home.
  3. The sign must be placed and remain in a straight and upright manner.
  4. The sign may not interfere with landscape maintenance.
  5. Damaged, deteriorated, or unused signs must be removed immediately.

Storm Doors

  1. Either the Andersen 4000 Series from Home Depot and the Larson Signature Series from Lowe’s with full view CLEAR glass will be considered.
  2. Self-storing Anderson 3000 Series will also be considered.
  3. The hardware MUST match the original door hardware color.
  4. The door color must be white, black or match the front door color.
  5. Installation must be performed by a properly licensed and insured contractor.
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