Article VI — Minimum Improvement Standards
The following minimum construction standards shall apply to Improvement projects within the Development undertaken or proposed by Owners other than the Declarant, a Co-Declarant or a Merchant Builder:
Section 6.01 — Outdoor Lighting
Fluorescent, mercury vapor, sodium or amber vapor lights, or standard outdoor lights of the type used for security shall be prohibited. Wherever possible downward oriented cut-off type outdoor fixtures and shielding shall be used in order to prevent light spillage and glare impacts beyond the target of illumination. Further, energy efficient light fixtures using photocell operation shall be utilized. No lighting will be permitted which causes unreasonable glare to neighboring Owners or Residences.
Section 6.02 — Installation of Landscape Improvements
An Owner shall, within six months after the close of escrow in the purchase of the Owner’s Lot, substantially complete all landscaping of his/her Lot not otherwise installed by the Declarant. The Architectural Review Committee may allow extensions of this landscape installation deadline to account for weather conditions and seasonal constraints on landscape installation. In the event an Owner does not complete his/her landscaping within the six month period (with approved extensions), the Master Association shall be authorized to install landscaping (under a standard plan if the Owner has not obtained approval of a plan or if landscaping under the approved plan would be more costly) and charge such costs to Owner as Reimbursement Assessment. The Architectural Rules can also impose limitations on the height of trees and other landscaping installed by Owners in yard areas, so as to avoid excessive shade, the obstruction of views, limb overhang, and other interferences with the quiet enjoyment by neighbors of their property.
Section 6.03 — No Temporary Structures
Other than an ADU and/or a JADU that is constructed in compliance with Civil Code section 4751 and Sacramento County Zoning Code Section 17.228.105, no other outbuildings shall be used on any Lot at any time as a Residence.
Section 6.04 — Solar Heating Systems
Subject to limitations imposed by California law (see particularly Public Resources Code section 2590 et seq), the Architectural Review Committee shall be entitled to adopt, as part of the Architectural Rules, reasonable regulations regarding the installation of solar heating systems. These rules may include limitations on placement and design of such systems to the extent necessary to avoid an unsightly appearance from neighboring Lots, Separate Interests or streets within the Development.
Section 6.05 — Antennas, Aerials and Satellite Dishes
In order to ensure adequate aesthetic controls and to maintain the general attractive appearance of the Development, no Owner, resident or lessee shall place or maintain any objects, such as masts, towers, poles, or radio or television antennas on the exterior of any building within the Development unless Architectural Review Committee approval is first obtained in accordance with Article V, above; provided, however, that:
(a) the Master Association shall have the right, without obligation, to erect, place or install and maintain any such apparatus for the benefit of all or a portion of the Development;
(b) in accordance with Federal law, antennas or satellite dishes with a diameter or diagonal measurement not greater than thirty-six inches (36”) which are designed to receive direct broadcast satellite services, video programming services via multi-point distribution services, or television broadcast signals (collectively “Permitted Devices”) may be erected, placed or installed on a Lot, provided that:
(i) Any such Permitted Device is placed in the least conspicuous location on the Residence at which an acceptable quality signal can be received and is either not visible from neighboring property or is screened from the view from streets of any neighboring Lot, Separate Interest, or streets within the Development.
(ii) Reasonable restrictions which do not significantly increase the cost of installation of a Permitted Device or significantly decrease its efficiency or performance, including, without limitation, screening material, location or complimentary-color painting of the Permitted Device, may be imposed as part of the Architectural Rules.
Furthermore, no activity shall be conducted on any Lot which causes an unreasonable broadcast interference with television or radio reception on any neighboring Lot.
Section 6.06 — No Interference with Drainage
The entire Development and the individual Lots or Separate Interests therein have been specifically engineered and constructed to provide for proper drainage of surface waters. Accordingly, there shall be no interference with the rain gutters, down spouts, or drainage systems originally installed by the Declarant or by a Merchant Builder, or any other interference with the established drainage pattern over any Lot, unless an adequate alternative provision is made for proper drainage. Any submittal for initial Improvements on a Lot or for additional Improvements which may affect drainage shall include a drainage plan. Drainage plans shall conform to all applicable State laws or local ordinances pertaining to drainage. For purposes of this paragraph, “established” drainage is defined as the drainage pattern and drainage Improvements which exist at the time the Lot or Parcel is conveyed to an Owner by the Declarant or a Merchant Builder. There shall be no violation of the drainage requirements of the City, notwithstanding any approval of the Architectural Review Committee, and if any Owner (other than the Declarant or a Merchant Builder) or his or her contractor alters established drainage courses to the detriment of neighboring Owners, neither the Master Association nor the Architectural Review Committee shall have any liability therefor. Instead, the responsibility to initiate appropriate corrective or remedial action and to properly engineer any alterations in established drainage courses will rest solely with the Owner who has altered the drainage course.
Section 6.07 — Patio Enclosures and Other Projects Involving Structures in Rear Yards
No non-enclosed structures such as gazebos, patio improvements, play structures or screening material shall be placed, assembled, constructed or otherwise maintained on any Lot except as may be approved by the Architectural Review Committee. If a patio enclosure or structural project in a patio area or expansion of the patio surface, as constructed by the Declarants, is sought by an Owner, upon receipt of the Owner’s application for architectural approval, the Architectural Review Committee shall notify the immediately adjacent Owners of the application; however, the decision of whether to approve or deny the project shall remain in the sole discretion of the Committee. The Architectural Rules may provide for a streamlined Design Review approval process if certain Design Review parameters are met for certain types of non-enclosed structures.
Section 6.08 — Front Yard Parking and Paving Projects
No Owner shall create additional parking areas or add paved areas to the front yard area of any Lot (i.e., new parking or paved areas beyond what was originally constructed by the Declarant or a Merchant Builder) without first obtaining written approval from the Architectural Review Committee, which approval shall be conditioned on compliance with RCMC §§ 16.18.1703(W) & 23.716.060.
Section 6.09 — Fences, Walls and Screening Structures
No fences composed of chain link, woven wire, barbed wire, electrified fence, razor or concertina wire shall be allowed on a Lot if visible from the public streets or any other Lots or parcels. Any fences, walls and screening constructed upon any Lot shall be constructed in accordance with the height requirements imposed by RCMC Table 23.731-I and any limitations imposed by RCMC Figure 23.731-I.