Woodbrige Village Association


DEPARTMENTS/ARCHITECTURAL DEPARTMENT

Community Relations Manager: John Steeb Neighbor Awareness Homeowners submitting a Home Improvement Application often must obtain the signatures of their neighbors on both the application and plans prior to submittal to the Association. In 2001, the Board of Directors eliminated the need for neighbor awareness for some specific improvements as listed below. All other proposed improvements require neighbor awareness. Please note that neighbor awareness is simply that; AWARENESS. Your neighbors need not approve of your plans for the Architectural Committee to approve them. The intent of neighbor awareness is to advise your neighbors of your proposal. By signing the application and plans, your neighbor is indicating they are aware of the proposal. If the neighbor has concerns or comments regarding the proposal, they are to contact the Association’s Community Relations Department immediately. The staff will then discuss those concerns/comments with the neighbor and advise them appropriately. The neighbor will be encouraged to put their concerns/comments in writing, and those written comments will be attached to the application for evaluation by the Architectural Committee. If the Committee deems it appropriate, the application will be scheduled for review at the next Committee meeting (3rd Wednesday of every month except December) and both the applicant and neighbor will be invited to attend and testify if desired. If you intend to submit an application and the improvement that you are proposing requires neighbor awareness, you need to have your neighbors who own property adjoining your lot and those directly across from or directly behind your lot (depending on the location of the improvement). For example, if your improvement would be in your rear yard, you need the signature of the neighbors next to you and behind you, and not the neighbor across the street. Please note that the Architectural Committee does reserve the right to require signatures from additional neighbors if deemed appropriate. If one of your neighbors is not the homeowner, then you must list that address on the application and then submit the application. Your application will not be considered submitted for an additional ten (10) days, during which time the Association staff will advise the absentee homeowner in writing of your proposed improvement and provide them the opportunity to comment on the proposed plan. If you are an applicant or neighbor and have any questions regarding neighbor awareness, submittal of plans or if you would like to submit comments regarding a neighbor’s proposal, please contact the Community Relations Department at 949/786-1800. Neighbor awareness is not required for… • Exterior lighting • Screen doors • Security screen doors • Front doors • French doors • Replacement windows • Garage doors • Ceramic house numbers • Trellises, unless proposed to be located in an easement area Please note that neighbor awareness will only be waived for the above items if the proposal complies with the current Architectural Guidelines and Standards. In addition, the Architectural Committee reserves the right to request neighbor awareness for any proposed improvements, including the improvements listed above, as it deems necessary. Garage Door Requirements Association staff receives many questions from residents regarding the requirements for garage door replacement. Please note that the replacement of garage doors does require the filing of a Home Improvement Application with your Maintenance Association (where applicable) and with the Woodbridge Village Association (WVA) and written approval of the Architectural Committee prior to the installation of the new door. As far as approvable styles and colors are concerned, some Maintenance Associations have specific garage door styles and colors as their exclusive standard. Check with your Maintenance Association for more details. There is no specific panel style that has been adopted for single-family detached homes. Panel styles are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. However, approved garage doors must be painted to match the color of the stucco, wood siding, or trim color of the home regardless of the door’s material. Also, proposed window styles must be approved by the Architectural Committee and windows are approvable in the top panel of the garage door only. Please refer to the WVA code book, Chapter 3, Section 3-212 to review the garage door standard. The WVA appreciates homeowners who are anxious to upgrade their homes with new garage doors. We do ask that you submit an application and receive approval before installation commences to ensure that you are in compliance with the standards and avoid future headaches. Also, there is no Plan Processing Fee for homeowners who submit their application and receive approval before installing the new door. Otherwise, a $50 Plan Processing Fee is applicable and revisions to the door will be required if it does not meet the standards. Room Additions Room additions of course require the submittal of plans and approval from the Architectural Committee. In addition, if you live in a Maintenance Association, you must obtain property rights from that Association. Finally, you must obtain a building permit from the City of Irvine. The Association has a 4-step process for the review of proposed additions, although the “conceptual review” step is optional. This process is as follows: Step 1 – Conceptual Review (Optional) Prior to the preparation and submittal of preliminary drawings, homeowners are encouraged, but not required, to have rough conceptual sketches and floor plans prepared for discussion with the Architectural Committee and Community Relations staff. There are no requirements for the format of these sketches and no approval or commitments will be granted at this conceptual discussion stage. Its purpose is to give guidance to the homeowner and to prevent the applicant from expending time and cost prior to having a rough idea as to whether or not their concept will be acceptable to the Association. Step 2 – Preliminary Submittal (Required) Applicant reviews the Standards and has preliminary drawings prepared depicting the proposed new improvements. Such drawings must be drawn to a minimum scale of one-eighth inch equaling one (1) foot and must contain the following: • Date drawn (or revised) on each sheet. • Address of improvement. • Roof plan. • Site plan showing the exact property line and zero-lot-lines, proximity to adjacent homes, curbs, sidewalks, garden walls, fences, driveway; with dimensions and a north arrow. The site plan must also include dimensions of your home to property lines. • Floor plan (minimum scale). Indicate all walls, columns, openings, and any condition or feature that will affect the exterior design of the addition/structure, with dimensions. • Elevation drawings (minimum scale). Provide exterior elevation drawings of all proposed addition(s)/structure(s), with dimensions, including the overall height of the new roof and the existing roof and the elevation level of each floor Note all types of materials, including colors and proposed roof material. Show how the proposed structure fits within the addition/structure envelope. • Existing and proposed new floor areas. Once these plans have been prepared, the applicant must then have the appropriate neighboring homeowners sign a Preliminary Application and on the elevation sheet(s) of the plans. The Applicant then should submit the completed Preliminary Application, three (3) sets of signed full-sized drawings, one reduced set of 8 ½ by 11 drawings, and the applicable processing fee to the Woodbridge Village Association. The processing fee is as follows: • Room addition of 250 square feet or less $100.00 • 250 square feet to 1000 square feet $250.00 • In excess of 1000 square feet $450.00 The Architectural Committee will then review the Application and plans for completeness, consistency with the Standards, the ability of the lot to accommodate the increased square footage of the house, the aesthetic compatibility of the design and materials with the home and neighboring residences, and the effect of the requested modification on neighboring properties and streets, to include the conformity of the plans and specifications with the purpose and general plan of the community. If the Committee approves the Preliminary Application, the applicant is authorized to proceed to Step 3 (submittal to the City of Irvine). If the Application is disapproved, a decision letter explaining the Committee’s position and possible revisions to be made will be sent to the applicant for review. The review of the preliminary drawings by the Committee is advisory only. Any comments, written or oral, made by the Committee shall not be construed as its approval. Approval or disapproval by the Architectural Committee is rendered only upon submission of a final Home Improvement Application and City-stamped construction drawings. Step 3 – Submittal to the City of Irvine (Required) After the applicant has received approval on the Preliminary Application, the plans may be submitted to the City of Irvine. Please contact the City at 949/724-6000 if you have any questions regarding the City’s review process. Step 4 – Final Submittal (Required) Once the applicant has received approval from the City, a set of City-stamped plans must be submitted to the Association, along with a final Home Improvement Application. The plans must contain the same information as the preliminary plans and the appropriate neighboring homeowners must sign both the final Application and the City-stamped elevations again. Please note that this final submittal is required whether or not there are any changes from the Preliminary Application and plans. However, there is no application fee for this final review stage. If and when the Architectural Committee approves the final plans, the project may commence. The Association initially grants 6 months to complete an addition, although an extension may be granted if the scope of the project warrants more time and if sufficient progress has been made. If you have any questions regarding the review process for room additions please contact Ray Kimmey, Architectural Inspector, or Kevin Chudy, Community Relations Manager, at 949/786-1800. Screen Doors and Security Screen Doors SCREEN DOORS: Screen doors require the submittal of a Home Improvement Application and written Architectural Committee approval prior to installation. Please note that if you live in a Maintenance Association, your application must first be sent to that Association for a property rights review. Screen doors which meet the following guidelines are permitted by the Architectural Committee (except at Maintenance Associations which prohibit screen doors). • They must match or blend with the exterior trim color around the door opening; or must match or blend with the front door color, whichever the Architectural Committee deems acceptable. • They are not ornate or massive in design (examples: scrolls, bars, etc.). • They do not detract from the adjacent public or private sidewalks or streets, trails, walkways, greenbelts and parks. Many Maintenance Associations have adopted screen door standards which specify a style and color of door that is acceptable. For those Associations which have not adopted a standard and for detached homes, the Architectural Committee generally requires that the WVA approved style be used. If you would like information as to the type of screen door acceptable for your home, please contact the Community Relations Department. SECURITY SCREEN DOORS: Security screen doors also require the submittal of a Home Improvement Application and written Architectural Committee approval prior to installation. Several Maintenance Associations prohibit security screen doors. If you live in a Maintenance Association and are interested in a security door, please check with your Association to determine if they will permit it. Provided that you live in a Maintenance Association which permits security screen doors or if you live in a detached home, you will generally be required to use the WVA approved style security screen door. A copy of this style is available at the Community Center for review. If you have any questions regarding screen doors or security screen doors, please contact the Community Relations Department at 949/786-1800.		Revised Fence Color Standards (August 2003) Previous Association rules stipulated that only one (1) wood fence color (Old Quaker #55) was acceptable. The currently adopted rule change includes two (2) major changes. The first major change is that the Association now allows four (4) choices for wood fence colors. Homeowners can now select from Old Quaker #55, 76, 90, or 105 for their wood fence color. Sample chips for these colors are available in the Community Relations office at the Community Center for review. Please note that the Association only requires painting of fences and gates that face onto a street, walkway, paseo, park, lake or greenbelt. The second major change affects homeowners with shared, continuous wood fencing. In these cases, both neighbors are required to use the same color (selected from one of the four permitted colors) on their wood fencing whenever all or a portion of either neighbor’s home is painted, when wood fencing at either home is painted, or when the Association determines that a maintenance deficiency exists on either portion of the wood fencing. This rule was adopted to promote consistency and to eliminate existing situations in the community where continuous portions of wood fencing are painted different colors. Homeowners with wood fencing shared with a neighbor are requested to contact the neighbor whenever they plan to paint their home or fencing to determine which color would be the most appropriate for the entire fencing. We thank you in advance and encourage you to contact the Community Relations office at 949/786-1800 if you have any questions. Please note that the following tracts within Woodbridge already have specific rules for wood fence paint colors and are not affected by these revised rules. These are: 9801-9805 (Gables), 10346-10348 (Cottages), 11626 & 11628 (Brairglen) and 12081 (Parklane). The italicized portions below indicate the new rules for wood fencing. Chapter 3 Section 3-222. (i) Fences Unless otherwise approved by the Architectural Committee, any exterior wall or fence that faces onto a street, walkway, park, lake, or greenbelt; or any exterior wall or fence that abuts to an “Exhibit E” theme wall or fence that fronts onto Woodbridge Village Association landscaped common areas must be painted as per subsections (1) and (2) below. In cases where wood fencing abuts to an adjacent neighbor’s fence and is continuous, all portions of the continuous wood fence must be painted the same color selected from one of the colors in subsection (2) only. If the homeowners are unable to agree on a single color, the Architectural Committee shall notify the homeowners which color it would consider the most appropriate for the homeowners to submit a Home Improvement Application seeking approval of that color. For existing situations where the continuous wood fencing has been previously approved for different colors on adjacent properties, all of the fencing must be painted to match the same color whenever a Home Improvement Application is submitted proposing exterior painting for any portion of either home or fencing at either property, or when the Association determines that a maintenance deficiency exists on a portion of the continuous wood fencing. Please note that the Architectural Committee shall require all street-side fencing on the same street and all fencing at the end of cul-de-sacs to painted the same color to promote consistency within the tract. (1) All exterior stucco walls must be painted to match Vista Nu-Navajo #53. (2) All wood fencing must be painted to match one of the following colors: Old Quaker #55, 76, 90 or 105. Satellite Dish Requirements Antennas, Satellite Dishes and Other Communication Equipment: As satellite dishes have become more popular for consumers, the Association has noticed a marked increase in the number of residents requesting to install a satellite dish, or even multiple dishes at their property. Due to complicated rules promulgated by the Federal government, many homeowners and tenants have been confused as to whether or not they need to submit a Home Improvement Application and receive approval for a satellite dish before they install it. In general, if you live in an attached unit and plan to install a dish on common area, you need to submit an application to both your Maintenance Association and the Woodbridge Village Association, and receive approval before the dish is installed. If you intend to install a dish on exclusive use common area or on a separate interest (private property), you do not need to submit an application in advance of installation. In either case, the Association does have the right to request that measures are taken to hide/screen a dish provided that these measures do not significantly interfere with the efficiency or performance, or significantly increase the cost of the system. There is very little debate that satellite dishes are not an attractive architectural feature on the exterior of a home. The Architectural Committee approves the vast majority of requests for satellite dishes. However, the Committee does seek to ensure that dishes are hidden as much as possible in the interest of high aesthetic standards and the protection of property values. Applicants are often asked to install their dish on the rear of their home or, if not possible, to either paint the dish to match the house or otherwise screen it from view. If you have any questions regarding satellite dishes, please do not hesitate to contact the Community Relations Department at 949/786-1800. The staff will be more than happy to answer your questions and guide you through the process. The current Association rules for satellite dishes follow below. -------------------------------------------------------- At the April 7, 1999 Board of Directors meeting, the Board of Directors amended Section 3-204 of the Architectural Guidelines and Standards to read as follows: (a) Article XI, Section 10 of the Woodbridge Declaration states that all radio antennas, television antennas, C. B. antennas, satellite dishes and other transmitting or receiving device must either be wholly contained within a house or building, or be approved in writing by the Architectural Committee. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued regulations which could supersede the Declaration in certain ways. In addition, the California Civil Code contains certain provisions which are effective with respect to installation of devices on common areas. Therefore, the following regulations are intended to comply with the FCC regulations, the California Civil Code and the Woodbridge Declaration, as applicable. These regulations are subject to modification to comply with any new Federal or State laws or FCC regulations. Please check with the Association before installation. (1) If you want to install a satellite dish of one (1) meter or less (“DBS”), a multichannel multipoint distribution service device (“MMDS”) or a television broadcast service antenna (“TVBS”), on a single family detached home or on an exclusive use common area in a condominium, townhome or apartment, please refer to Section (b). (2) If you want to install one of the above devices on the common area of a condominium, townhome or apartment over which you do not have exclusive use or control, please refer to Sections (c) and (d). (3) If you want to install a satellite dish greater than one (1) meter, please refer to Section (e). (b) Satellite dishes (“DBS”) of one (1) meter or less, Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service Devices (“MMDS”) and Television Broadcast Service Antennas (“TVBS”) at single family detached homes, townhomes, condominium, and apartment projects at exclusive use common areas (areas in which the homeowner has a direct or indirect ownership interest in the area in which the device is sought to be installed, and that area is within his or her exclusive use or control): (1) The FCC has issued Regulations concerning the installation of the specified devices and did not want to require prior Architectural Committee review and permits, primarily because of the time delay. In Woodbridge, this review is thirty (30) days and often much less. The Association is, nevertheless, still allowed to regulate certain aspects of the appearance, location and installation of these devices. Our members, therefore, in order to continue the overall excellent aesthetic appearance of Woodbridge and to contribute to the Association’s ability to maintain the Community’s high standards, are urged to install their devices in such a manner as to be least visible. (2) Also, Homeowners may ask for an advisory review by the Association before the initial installation of devices and are encouraged to do so. However, these devices described above may be installed without a Home Improvement Application, In either case, the homeowner shall nevertheless register such devices before or after installation. If in the opinion of the Architectural Committee, the device may be placed in a less visible location without increasing the cost of installation (and not including the initial installation cost accomplished without Architectural Review) maintenance or use, the homeowner may be required to install it in, or move it to, that less visible location, or alternatively, screen it or paint it to blend in with the architectural design of the home. (3) Homeowners proposing to install devices with masts of twelve (12) feet or more in excess of the roofline must file a Home Improvement Application first and receive approval before installing such a device. (c) All satellite dishes greater than eighteen (18) inches but no greater than one (1) meter, all MMDS devices, and TVBS antennas for installation in Condominiums, Townhomes and Apartment Common Areas (areas in which the homeowner has a direct or indirect ownership interest in the area in which the device is sought to be installed, but that area is not within his or her exclusive use or control). (1) A Home Improvement Application and approval is required before installation. Also, the applicable Maintenance Association must first determine that the proposed installation on common area is within the homeowner’s property rights. (2) Satellite dishes with a diameter of greater than eighteen (18) inches but no greater than one (1) meter present significant aesthetic issues such as a much greater mass than an eighteen (18) inch dish and/or non-harmonious architectural visual appearance in the case of antennas. Therefore, this type of satellite dish (18 inches to the one [1] meter), MMDS device, or TVBS antennas must be installed so that it is not visible from any street or common area. Specifically, the dish or antenna shall not be visible from view from the adjacent streets, public sidewalks, trails, paseo, walkways, green belts, parks and surrounding properties by the use of fences, hedges, or other appropriate plant materials. Such visual mitigation shall be designed so that the dish or antenna is screened from view upon installation. (d) All satellite dishes eighteen (18) inches or less for installation in Condominiums, Townhomes and Apartment Common Areas (areas in which the homeowner has a direct or indirect ownership interest in the area in which the device is sought to be installed, but that area is not within his or her exclusive use or control). (1) A Home Improvement Application and approval is required before installation. Also, the applicable Maintenance Association must first determine that the proposed installation on common area is within the homeowner’s property rights. (2) The eighteen (18) inch (or less) satellite dish shall, if at all possible, without significantly increasing the cost of this system or significantly decreasing the efficiency or performance, be installed so that it is not visible from any street or common area. Specifically, the dish or antenna shall not be visible from view from the adjacent streets, public sidewalks, trails, paseo, walkways, green belts, parks and surrounding properties by the use of fences, hedges, or other appropriate plant materials. Such visual mitigation shall be designed so that the dish or antenna is screened from view upon installation. (3) For those (18) inch (or less) satellite dishes that cannot be fully screened from view as above delineated without or significantly interfering with its efficiency or performance, or significantly increasing the cost of the system, the Architectural Committee will review the possible visual mitigation on a case by case basis, with a view toward reasonable minimizing its visual impact. (e) All Satellite Dishes with a diameter greater than one (1) meter. (1) A Home Improvement Application and approval is required before installation. Also, the applicable Maintenance Association must first determine that the proposed installation on common area is within the homeowner’s property rights. (2) The dish antenna shall be ground-mounted at the lot’s grade level. All dish antennas shall be located in such a manner as to be behind a wall or solid fence. Where possible, side and rear yard setbacks of five (5) feet will be maintained from the property line. (3) The height of the adjoining finished grade to the topmost part of the antenna shall not exceed six (6) feet nor shall the topmost part of the antenna exceed eighteen (18) inches above the nearest fence. (4) The dish antenna shall be screened from view from the adjacent streets, public sidewalks, trails, paseos, walkways, green belts, parks and surrounding properties by the use of fences, hedges, or other appropriate plant materials. Such visual mitigation shall be designed so that the dish or antenna is screened from view upon installation. (5) Adjoining neighbors shall be informed by the requesting homeowner that there may be some sound/noise associated with the satellite dish when changing positions. Adjoining neighbors will acknowledge this awareness on the submitted plans and the Home Improvement Application. (Revised and Restated 4-7-99) (Architectural Guidelines and Standards, Section 3-204) Suggested Roof Replacement List If you plan to replace the roofing materials on your home with a type of roof that is different in any way than your existing roof (product, manufacturer, color, texture, installation pattern, etc.), you must submit a Home Improvement Application and receive written approval from the Architectural Committee prior to commencing with the project. Section 3-217 of the Architectural Guidelines and Standards contains the rules for roofing. In addition, please note that textured roofing styles only are acceptable. Slate style roofing and asphalt shingles are not permitted. Composition shingle roofs are permitted only in tracts in which the Developer originally installed composition shingles. Vaulted (Spanish style) roofing materials are considered for approval in the following tracts only: 9060, 9061, 9329, 9130, 9485, and on homes in the first quadrant of West Yale Loop. The Architectural Committee has established the following Suggested Roof Replacement List as a guideline for homeowners in the process of selecting a material for their home. These products have been determined to be of a quality and appearance suitable for Woodbridge, and all have a Class A rating. Please note that, because not all of the products on this list are acceptable in every tract, choosing a material from this list will not result in an automatic approval. Homeowners are welcome to propose a product not on this list for consideration by the Committee. The Woodbridge Village Association does not endorse any manufacturers or contractors, or any of their products. Homeowners are strongly encouraged to check references for contractors and engage in competitive bidding before selecting a contractor and material. If you have any questions regarding this list or roofing in general, please don’t hesitate to contact the Community Relations Department at 949/786-1800. Suggested Roof Replacement List Product Name Weight Per Square Material Decra Shake 105 lbs. Steel Dura Loc 103 lbs. Steel Eagle Lite 720 lbs. Cement Fire Free 475 lbs. Cementitious materials and reinforcing fibers Gerard 140 lbs. Steel Lifetile 950 lbs. Cement Monier – Cedarlite 560 lbs. Concrete Monier – Duralite 596 lbs. Inorganic fibers Monier Split Shake 596 lbs. Cement Pioneer 730 lbs. Cement Protex 530 lbs. Concrete composition US Tile – Claylite Under 600 lbs. Clay US Tile – Proshake 595 lbs. Clay Westile 695 lbs. Concrete