Finished floor elevation must be above FEMA’s standard flood plain requirement or 30 inches above curb measured at the top of the street curb directly in front of the home and the center finished floor elevation of the unit. Whichever is higher. All first floors living area ceiling heights must be a minimum of 10 ft. Second floor living area ceiling heights must be a minimum of 9ft.

Cement board or wood.

No Variance.

Approved exterior wall materials include wood, brick, stone, fiber cement or shingle siding. No vinyl siding is allowed. Approved exterior trim materials include brick, stone, stucco, fiber cement or shingle siding. All elevations of a house, which are visible from the street, should utilize the same materials. The use of more than two materials, except in the use of horizontal and shingle siding combinations with a third material, is not encouraged. Siding should produce horizontal lines no less than 4 inches and no more than 6 inches apart.

Porch and covered entry stoop ceilings should be of wood bead board, v-groove or batten design with no visible perforation of joints.

Exterior artificial, simulated or imitation materials shall not be permitted without the approval of the NCC. Refer to specific neighborhood supplement for allowable materials.

The use of the following materials is appropriate:

1. Brick- All brick colors and mortars must be approved and must be in context with historically based Louisiana style, preferably red or off-red. Natural gray, mixed colored, yellow or white bricks are not allowed. Sample panels are required at the site.
2. Stucco- Historically based smooth stucco finishes are allowed. Heavy textured or “skip trowel” finishes as well as tabby could be acceptable in proper context.
3. Stonework- Stone is allowed if constructed as an integral part of the architecture but not as a decorative appliqué or thin veneer. A sample mockup showing color range and installation technique must be completed for approval by the NCC at the site
4. Wood Siding- All wood siding must be full profile and properly/fully finished.

NOTE: NO PLYWOOD, VINYL OR METAL SIDING ALLOWED ON WALL SURFACES. (SOFFITT AND FASCIA ONLY). BEAMS MUST BE WRAPED WITH WOOD OR HARDI. STUCCO IS PROHIBITED

Neutral colors preferred for siding and stucco homes. Inappropriate use of materials and colors, as determined by the New Construction Committee, will not be allowed, particularly bright colors.

Shutters shall be proportionate in size to the window. Operable and tie back shutters are optional, but their use is encouraged on the front of residences. Shutters shall be constructed of wood or composite. All shutters must be submitted for approval. Shutters must be traditional earth tone color.

No variance on front elevation of the home and exposed side windows. All windows that face the street or the side, when a corner lot, must have exterior grids. Window manufacturer must be from the approved Graywood window list.

All beams must be wrapped with wood or cement board. No other products will be allowed.

No variance. 

Roof pitches and overhangs may vary as necessitated by architectural design; however, no flat roofs are allowed as a major structural element. A minimum 5 to 12 slope is set as a standard. Roof overhangs are recommended to protect from the sun, and along with trellises, will provide passive energy conservation. No mansard roofs will be allowed.

1. All roof stacks, flashings, vents or protrusions from the roof shall be painted deep gray or the same color the roof will be at maturity. Roof stacks and plumbing vents shall be placed on rear slopes of the roofs where possible.
2. Solar water heating panels shall be reviewed on an individual basis and approval based upon the visual effect to the surrounding area. Generally their use is discouraged.
3. Roofing materials, depending on the neighborhood, may be architectural dimensional composite shingles, cedar or pressure treated wood shingles or shakes, slate, tile or prefinished metal. Combinations of shingles and metal roofing may be allowed when appropriate to the architectural character of the house.
4. Roofing colors must be approved by the NCC.
5. Houses with pitched roofs of a minimum pitch of 9 in 12 and a maximum pitch of 12 in 12 are encouraged. Special cases will be considered by the NCC if in keeping with the architectural character of the house and neighborhood. Shed roofs for porches may have a lower pitch, but in no case will the pitch be lower than 3.75 in 12. Houses may have gabled, hipped, or shed roofs. House gables may be a full return Queen Anne return with the returns preferably capped in copper. Exposed rafter tails are allowed, but the design must be approved by the NCC.
6. Gable and decorative roof vents shall be in keeping with the architectural character of the house. Ridge vents, if used, must be of the “shingle over” design extended to the outer edge of the roof ridge. Tile ridge caps are allowed over dimensional roof shingles. Soffit venting visible from the street shall be of similar material to that of the porch or entry stoop ceiling and must be submitted to the NCC for approval.
7. Special metal roofing applications may be considered by the NCC when appropriate.

Garage door headers must be constructed of brick, wood, or cement board. Vinyl or stucco headers are prohibited. Front entry garage doors are permitted. If a front entry garage is used the front of the garage must be set back a minimum of 15 feet from the face of the primary structure. Single bay 2 car garage doors are allowed.

All front doors can be iron or wood. Stain on the wood doors is preferred. If painted the color must be earth tone colored and must have prior approval. No bright painted doors are allowed. Metal clad and fiberglass doors are allowed on the side and rear of the residence only. Wood clad glass sliding doors must have prior approval.

Chimneys shall be constructed of either brick or stucco. Graywood approved chimney cap preferred.

No variance. Porch must have a minimum of 8ft in depth; stoops must have a minimum of 4ft. in depth.

No Variance.

Full architectural details are required for all decks and patios. Detailing of all patios and decks must be architecturally compatible with the home. Patios and decks shall be designed to serve as an extension of the house. Rails, pickets and underpinning must be painted white or to match the trim of the house. All deck flooring must be stained (light gray or color approved by NCC). Enclosed risers are required and must be painted.

Views to the underside of decks must be screened with underpinning (latticing or vertical slats, etc.) and/or landscape material large enough to provide screening upon installation. Decks more than 3’ above grade must have underpinning and plant materials.

Porch and covered entry stoop ceilings should be of wood bead board, v-groove or batten design with no visible perforation of joints.

Porch screening colors shall complement and blend with the house (Black or copper is preferred, green is not allowed). Aluminum framing and screen door may be allowed with prior approval by the NCC. Aluminum framing and screen door colors must be black or bronze only. No mill-finish aluminum will be allowed as a framing for a porch.

All houses must have a front porch or covered entry stoop. Decks, patios, and screened porches are allowed off the rear of the house.

Porches shall have a minimum projection of 8 feet. Covered entry stoops shall have a minimum front projection of 4 feet and a maximum projection of 6 feet. No porch shall exceed 12 feet in front projection. Porch floor treatments may include wood decking, brick, brick edged, and divided concrete, stone or tile. Composite materials for deck flooring is accepted, with approval of the NCC.

No Variance. All columns must be detailed on the drawings and submitted for approval showing size, style, and or taper. Fiberglass columns are discouraged.

The use of concrete columns is strongly recommended. Wood or stucco columns are allowed. Beam wraps should be constructed of either hardy board or real wood. Stucco, vinyl or metal is not allowed on beams.

No variance.

Exterior bracket, pendant, pier and/or post lighting, ceiling fans and porch swings shall be consistent with the architectural character of the house and proportioned accordingly. Ceiling fans and porch swings are encouraged on all porches. Light fixtures should be correctly proportioned to the house façade. Gas light bracket and post-mounted fixtures are acceptable. All lighting should be low level, non-glare type and located to cause minimal visual impact to adjacent streets and properties. Exterior spotlights or floodlights must be hooded to eliminate glare onto adjacent properties.

Post or column mounted lights must be drawn and submitted for approval by the NCC.

Not required. Please adhere to the guidelines for underground drainage if gutters are installed. Must be pre-approved for style, color, & location.

No variance. Historical color palette as approved by the NCC.

No fountains in the front yard are allowed unless shielded by a solid courtyard wall that are in keeping with the architecture of the home and meets the guidelines.

Set back is from property line to the foundation edge.

Front Setbacks: All lots – 20ft minimum
Side Setbacks: 5ft.
Corner Lot Side Setback:  10 ft.
Special Side Setbacks:  15ft. on the north side of lots #1, 12, 13, 24, 25, 34
Rear Setbacks:  10ft.
Side: To meet the City of Lake Charles side setback code requirement, the set back minimum is 5 feet from the foundation to side property line or greater. In no case shall roof soffit project more than 2 ft.

No variance.

In general, fencing of yards is not permitted. Small sections of fence or wall will be considered for approval by the NCC in the following circumstances if the wall/fence material is architecturally compatible with the home:

1. Small enclosures for mechanical equipment.
2. Short sections of privacy wall/fence in courtyard areas.
3. Where required for structural, retaining conditions.
4. Temporary fences must meet certain criteria. Fences used as temporary barriers and for silt collection during construction around vegetation must be sturdy, at least three feet (3’) tall, and easy to maintain.
5. Fences are prohibited in utility easements, road rights-of-way and all temporary fences must be removed prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
6. Permanent fences and walls are generally discouraged. No fence or wall shall be constructed unless the owner has obtained written approval of the NCC.
7. Although fences and walls are discouraged, fences to be utilized in connection with single family homes shall be used to define specific spaces such as private gardens, patios, pools and play areas, rather than delineating property lines. Privacy fences and walls in all cases shall be limited to small enclosures around the house.
8. Generally, fencing should be 3 feet from side and rear property lines to allow for positive drainage. See specific neighborhood guidelines for restrictions.
9. Privacy fences that are solid are allowed within 25 feet of the rear of the house. Wood privacy fencing is prohibited. Open fencing may be used beyond 25 feet but must meet the requirements of items 1 through 9.
10. Unless required by a Code Requirement, no fence will exceed a total of eight feet in height.
11. Fences and walls shall be architectural extensions of the house or other buildings and shall be composed of materials and/or colors to complement the house or such other buildings.
12. Chain link fences generally are not permitted and generally chain link fences will only be permitted within Graywood in very special circumstances (dog kennels) and only after receiving the prior written approval of the NCC. In the event a chain link fence is approved, it must not be visible from any common area, road, golf course or adjacent dwelling and must be black coated and heavily landscaped.
13. There shall be no property line fences along golf course frontage or lake frontage unless approved by the NCC. Golf course rear property line fencing must be a minimum of 10 feet from the course. All fence plans, designs, color, materials, and locations must be submitted and approved by the NCC prior to any construction.
14. Fence enclosures around pools should be in conformance with Calcasieu Parish regulations and/or other applicable local, State, or international regulations.
15. Generally, fences are discouraged on lots with golf course frontage.

No variance.

Appearance, height, material, color and detailing of all retaining walls must be approved by the NCC and should be consistent with the architectural character of the house. Cross tie walls are not permitted.

Play equipment must be located where it will have a minimum visual impact on adjacent properties and streets. Fixed play equipment should be earth tone, dark green colored wood, or metal with dark green or blue slides and seats and earth tone wooden roofs. No multi-colored tarps are permitted. Trampolines are not allowed in the neighborhoods of Camellia, Primrose, Azalea, and Cypress due to property size and lawn maintenance issues.

Animal house design, exterior colors and materials must relate to the exterior of the house. The structure should be completely screened from any view from surrounding properties and streets, and be discreetly located so as to not cause a nuisance to neighbors, preferably the rear yard behind the house. The floor of the kennel must be concrete sloped to a drain. The drain must be tied into the City sewage system. Fenced dog runs are not allowed. See fence guidelines for a description of types of fences that can be used for dog enclosures.

All out buildings, where allowed, must be within the architectural keeping of the original primary home. Out buildings are considered to be defined as pool houses, play houses, or structures not used as living space or storage other than golf carts. Landscaping of the structure must be within the percentage requirement for that specific neighborhood. All plans & exterior materials must be submitted to the NCC for prior approval.

The NCC has the right to review outdoor furniture, yard sculpture/fountains and garden structure.

Gazebos, arbors, etc. should be fully detailed (site plan, elevations, details, etc.) and submitted for review. Site compatibility will determine approval.

Front doors and entry area decorations should be simple in design and in keeping with the style and colors of the house. Plants and flowers in pots should always be neat and healthy.

Outdoor storage of garden tools and hoses must be screened from view. Tools or items stored under a back deck or porch must be also screened from view by planting shrubs around the decks.

Seasonal banners and flags should be properly mounted and in good taste. Decisions regarding the appropriateness of a banner or flag will be made by the NCC.

Firewood containers/racks shall be located in the rear yard. Tarps covering a woodpile are allowed only if the woodpile is completely screened from view and must but clear or earth tone in color. For example, a tarp-covered woodpile may be located under a deck with shrubs planted around it.

Birdhouses and birdbaths should be simple in design and in keeping with the style and colors of the house. Submit drawing or picture in site plan for review.

Straight entry is allowed but curved driveways are preferred and encouraged whenever possible, and must be shown on the site plan and approved by the NCC.

Each owner/builder is responsible for checking to see if a 5 ft. sidewalk in the front of their property is required per City code. The sidewalk must start 4ft. 6 inches from the curb and extend 5ft. Plans are available in the HOA office for viewing of sidewalk locations in Myrtle Bay. Required sidewalk heights: 4″ above curb on the home side, 3″ above the curb on the street side. 6″ X 6″ wire mesh should be used in all sidewalks.

Lots 1-4, 21-24, and 25-29 will be required to put in the sidewalk per City of Lake Charles specifications.
Lots 31 and 32 will be subject to the pipeline easements and requirements

 A minimum of 3% of the value of the lot and house must be spent on landscape plants, exclusive of the irrigation system, sod, & hardscape. All front yards must include a sprinkler system. All yards must be sodded, front, side, and rear. Builder/Owner must include in the landscape budget one, 2 inch caliber Muskogee crepe myrtle (Single Trunk and Tree Formed, Eight to Ten Feet in height) to be planted three (3) feet behind the sidewalk into the front lawn. On the lots without sidewalks the tree is to be 12ft from the curb.

Exterior Patio Areas near Lake Opal: Exterior patios near the water’s edge must be submitted to the NCC for approval. Earth tone patio furniture is required. Water’s edge must be maintained by the property owner.