Architectural Guidelines

Devices over one meter require prior approval. Install on the Owner's lot only, in the least visible location that receives acceptable signal: preferred back or side yard on the ground (max 12' elevation), screened; or attached to the house no higher than the lowest point of the roofline. Masts extending more than 12' above ground require prior approval.

Driveway finish must be exposed aggregate, brick, stone, pavers, or integral stained/integrally colored stamped concrete. Broom and salt finish are not acceptable.

Walls over four feet must be engineered and sealed by a licensed professional engineer. Retaining walls must be 3' from any sidewalk, alley, curb, or street pavement (a 1' setback may be approved only where physical conditions prevent 3'). Walls must be milsap stone or other stone designated by the Founder, laid in a random builder pattern; walls exceeding 3' need an orange safety fence on top until permanent fencing is installed.

Detached accessory secondary living units may not exceed 750 sq ft. Allowed only on 60' and 70'+ homesites; max two bedrooms and one bathroom; may not be rented as a separate living unit; one additional off-street parking space required; must comply with Section 2-600 of the Mesquite Zoning Ordinance.

Pools must be gunite, poured concrete, fiberglass shell, or hybrid fiberglass. No above-ground pools. Minimum five-foot setback from rear and side property lines (setback applies to the pool itself, not decking). Backwash must be directed to the street. Must meet City of Mesquite requirements. Installation must have ACC approval.

All trim and paint colors must have the Reviewer's approval before installation. Homes must be 100% masonry on all sides except where prohibited by Fire Code or an approved architectural feature. Painted brick requires prior color approval. Inappropriate Materials (§3.2(c)) include plastic; simulated brick/stone; particle board siding; sheet metal siding; mirrored glass; ceramic tile; exposed cinder block; vinyl/aluminum siding (except soffits and porch/balcony ceilings); log siding; synthetic siding.

Minimum roof slope is 8:12 on primary elevations (porches, dormers, and bay windows excluded). Dimensional composition shingles must have a minimum 30-year warranty. Acceptable materials: natural slate, copper (natural patina), asphalt shingles resembling cedar shakes or slate, approved synthetic shingles, standing seam metal, tile, LEED-certified materials, or other materials approved in writing.

Lead walks must be minimum 4' and maximum 6' wide, minimum 4-inch thick concrete.

Yards must be sodded with Bermuda unless otherwise approved (Zoysia may be requested as a variance). Side yard fencing facing a public street must be screened with minimum 3-gallon evergreen shrubs planted at 3' spacing.

Canopy trees must be 4-inch caliper, container grown (no ball & burlap), from the approved species list; no trees within 35' of a corner curb return; ornamental trees may not substitute for required shade trees. Automatic underground irrigation required; drip irrigation required for all trees and around the home's foundation.

Fences must be a minimum of six feet (6') tall unless otherwise approved. Exterior fences must be cedar wood, horizontal board on board, stained Ready Seal Medium Brown or approved equivalent. Steel posts required, set minimum 2' below finished grade in concrete; finished side must face out; fences adjacent to alleys must be offset a minimum of 2' from alley pavement; corner-lot side yard fencing set 5' from side of home or 20' from curb; interior/alley-facing fences may be horizontal butt-to-butt without baseboard.

All lights must be shades of white or yellow — no colored lights. Exterior building-mounted lighting is limited to 150 watts maximum. No spotlights/floodlights mounted to the front elevation face (discreet under-eave mounting may be allowed); no light spillover onto neighboring properties; Dark Sky practices encouraged; no barnyard or sodium vapor lights.

Design must be coordinated and integrated with the home; rear and side yard decks shall not unduly infringe on neighboring privacy — incorporate screening or plantings; minimize visible supporting structure.

Maximum height, including ornaments, must not exceed 12 feet. Must be located in the rear or side yard. Minimum setback of 5' from property lines. Acceptable materials are cedar, redwood, masonry, stone, or similar; painted colors must be earth tones. Flat roofs are not permitted; sloped roofing must match the home's roof in style, material, and color.

Prior written approval required. Panels may not be placed on the front elevation of the home. Roof panels must conform to the slope of the roof with the top edge parallel to the ridge; frames/brackets/wiring must be silver, bronze, or black; panels must blend with roof color; nothing may extend beyond the roofline; ground-mounted systems must be in rear/side yards, screened, and no taller than the fence line; associated electrical panels must be screened from street view.