FAQs • WaterColor Community, FL • CivicEngage

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Design Review

1. What do I need to do if I want to make a change to my home?: Any modification to the exterior of any structure must be submitted to the Design Review Board for review. You’ll first need to select a registered architect and/or landscape architect. You can find the list of approved architects on the community website under Community Governance and Design Review Board. Architects not on the list must be approved by the Design Review Board. You can ask the architect to contact the coordinator for an application and instructions on the approval process. The selected architect must contact the coordinator to confirm they are using current Design Review forms. Next, you’ll want to schedule a pre-design meeting with the board. Email Design Review Coordinator Andrew Fromknecht or call at 850-231-2543.

2. What constitutes a modification?: Modifications include, but are not limited to garages, any type of outbuilding, decks, terraces, patios, courtyards, walkways, driveways, parking areas, swimming pools, greenhouses, walls, fences, exterior lighting, exterior color changes of any exterior surface, landscaping, cut and fill operations, drainage or removal of any existing vegetation.

3. Do I need to contact the DRB to repaint my house?: Yes. All changes to the exterior of a home must go through the DRB. Even if you are repainting your home the same color, the DRB Coordinator should be contacted.

4. Can I paint my house any color I want?: As a master-planned community, the property was developed with specific guidelines for the style and color of each neighborhood and street. These guidelines can be located in the Design Review section of the Resource Center on the community website. These guidelines include approved color palettes for each lot within the community. You can find the color palette for your lot on the community website. Any color changes must adhere to this palette. Homes must not be painted the same color as another home within two lots of your home.

5. Is up-lighting allowed on the exterior of my home?: No. Up-lighting is strictly prohibited. This is a requirement by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. If you have up-lighting, you could be subject to financial penalty from the state. The community is required to have a naturalist who inspects the property to make sure it is in line with the environmental requirements of its development.

6. Do I need to contact the DRB if I am having work/renovations done to the interior of my home?: No. Only work on the exterior of the home needs to go through the Design Review process. The exception to this is if the interior work impacts parking requirements. An example of this would be if you were adding a bedroom.

7. When can I have work on my home completed?: Work such as pressure washing, plumbing or landscaping can be done every day except Sundays and holidays. Designated hours for construction and maintenance are between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

8. Can I add a pool or a carriage house?: Yes, but there are architectural requirements that must be met. You must go through the Design Review Board Process and present architectural plans for approval. Existing conditions must be feasible for the project.

9. What do DRB fees go toward?: Fees associated with DRB go toward the payment of an independent architectural consultant, compliance officer and associated administrative fees.