Architectural Design Standards

CAMDEN PLACE SUBDIVISION
ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL COMMITTEE
DESIGN STANDARDS
Revised 2025

Download PDF of Revised ACC Standards

   

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • Introduction
  • SECTION I – ACC Purpose & Design Standards
  • SECTION II – Items Requiring ACC Approval
  • SECTION III – ACC Design Standards
  • SECTION IV – ACC Neighborhood Guidelines
  • SECTION V – ACC Review & Decision Process
  • SECTION VI – Enforcement of Violations

INDEX BY ALPHABET

  • Animals and Insects  6.18
  • Basketball Goals  6.15
  • Change in Exterior Colors or Materials
  • Clotheslines 6.13
  • Driveways 6.11
  • Exterior Lighting
  • Exterior Holiday Decorations
  • Exterior Maintenance. 6.14
  • Fencing  6.10
  • Fire Pits and Firewood  6.13
  • Landscaping Installation and Maintenance  6.05
  • Mailboxes  6.25
  • Painting or Lime-washing Brick Houses
  • Potted Plants
  • Roof Single Color/Metal Roof Color
  • Recreational Equipment
  • RVs, Trailers, and Similar.  6.16
  • Signs. 6.08
  • Solid Waste  6.19
  • Storage and Temporary Structures  6.07
  • Swimming Pools and Spas 5.06
  • Trash Receptacles, Trash Enclosures and Composting Bins
  • Tree Removal/Tree Stumps and Heavy Pruning
  • Tree Stumps
  • Vegetable Gardens
  • Vehicles
  • Windows and Doors

Introduction

Welcome to Camden Place! The Camden Place Homeowners Association, Inc. (“Association”) Board of Directors (“Board”) and the Architectural Control Committee (“ACC”) greet you as a property owner and member of the Homeowners Association.

Camden Place Homeowners Association is a non-profit civic corporation organized under the Georgia Nonprofit Corporation Code. It is governed by a Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (“the Covenants” or “Covenants”), a legal document filed with the Cobb County Register of Deeds. The Covenants are designed to protect and enhance property values, amenities, and architectural integrity, while also maintaining and improving the Common Properties.

Important Reminders

  • Without prior written permission from the ACC, you are not authorized to perform any work or make any material change to your property that requires approval under the Covenants. If you do so without this written consent, the Association may require you to remove all unapproved work or construction and restore the property to its original condition at your expense. You may also face fines and other enforcement actions. If you are unsure whether ACC approval is needed, please request approval from the ACC before starting any work.
  • The Association’s Design Standards are intended to establish guidelines for approving requests to perform work or make material changes to property under the Covenants; they do not supersede the Covenants. The Covenants shall prevail in the event of any conflict between the Design Standards and the Covenants. The provisions of the Covenants bind all Owners, and they should refer to them for a complete understanding of all requirements. 

Disclaimers

  • Approval of any structure by the ACC is in no way a certification that the structure has been built in accordance with any governmental rules or that the structure complies with sound building practices. Owners are required by law to obtain a building permit for all new construction. Contact Cobb County for information on obtaining a building permit.
  • It is the owner’s sole responsibility to ensure that structures are safe. The ACC's approval of any type of structure, including children’s playsets, does not guarantee the safety of individuals on the equipment.
  • Neither the Association, the ACC, the Board of Directors, nor the officers, members, employees, and agents of any of them shall be liable in damages to anyone submitting plans and specifications to any of them for approval or to any Owner of property affected by the Covenants by reason of a mistake in judgment, negligence, or nonfeasance arising out of or in connection with the approval or disapproval or failure to approve or disapprove any such plans or specifications.
  • Please note that, like the Design Standards, plans and specifications are not reviewed for engineering, structural design,  or quality of materials. By approving such plans and specifications, neither the ACC, the members thereof, nor the Association assumes liability or responsibility for any defect in any structure constructed from such plans and specifications.
  • The Design Standards set forth herein have not been reviewed for engineering, structural design, or material quality. Specific standards have likely been adopted solely based on aesthetic considerations. Therefore, no one should use or rely on these Design Standards as standards for structural integrity or soundness of design for any construction or modification of a structure, or for ensuring compliance with building codes, zoning regulations, and other governmental requirements. These elements must be determined by, and are the sole responsibility of, each Owner.

Section I – ACC Purpose & Design Standards

The Covenants direct the Board to appoint three members of the Architectural Control Committee (“ACC”).  The purpose of the ACC is to review and approve any proposed installation or alteration of any Structure or Lot. To establish guidelines concerning the approval of such proposed installations or changes, the Covenants direct the ACC to adopt, promulgate, amend, revoke, and enforce guidelines (the “Design Standards”) for:

  1. Assuring the conformity and harmony of the external design and the general quality of the Development.
  2. Establishing guidelines concerning the approval of design features, architectural styles, exterior colors and materials, details of construction, location, and size of Structures, and all other matters that require approval by the ACC pursuant to the Covenants.
  3. Governing the form and content of plans and specifications to be submitted to the ACC for approval pursuant to the provisions of the Covenants.
  4. Governing the procedure for such submissions of plans and specifications.

Since its inception, Camden Place’s Design Standards have been developed and utilized to ensure that protective provisions are in place to maintain the development's appearance, harmony, and quality, thereby protecting the value of all Camden Place properties.

Section II – Items Requiring ACC Approval

General

No Structure shall be commenced, erected, placed, moved onto, or permitted to remain on any Lot, nor shall any existing Structure upon any Lot be altered in any way that materially changes the exterior appearance of the Structure or Lot, unless plans and specifications have been submitted to and approved in writing by the ACC.  Structure is broadly defined in the Covenants to include:

  1. Any change in the grade at any point of more than six (6) inches.
  2. Any element or object the placement of which upon any Lot may affect the appearance of such Lot, or any other temporary or permanent improvement to such Lot;
  3. Any excavation, grading, fill, ditch, diversion dam, or other thing or device that affects or alters the natural flow of surface waters from, upon, or across any lot.

By way of illustration and not limitation, the following are Structures that require ACC approval:

* If any Owner is in doubt about whether a proposed addition, alteration, or other changes require approval hereunder, please submit it to the ACC for approval.

  • All exterior alterations where a different material would replace the existing dominant exterior material
  • Exterior animal housing
  • Fire pits and firewood
  • Garages and similar projects
  • Installing or removing a fence or wall
  • Landscape and hardscape projects that change the exterior appearance of the Lot
  • Renovations and additions
  • Storage buildings, sheds, and temporary buildings
  • Sunrooms, covered and uncovered porches
  • Swimming pools

Section III – ACC Design Standards

The following guidelines are presented concerning the approval and disapproval of applications to the ACC for any material change to any Structure or Lot.

Change in Exterior Colors or Materials:

  • The ACC must first approve any change to the existing exterior colors of a home
  • ACC approval must be obtained before painting or applying any similar treatment to exterior brick
  • A change in exterior materials must be approved in advance by the ACC
  • Exterior Color refers to:
  • Brick, siding, and stucco
  • Doors
  • Shutters
  • Trim

Fencing:

  • The ACC must approve all fence locations, materials, designs, and colors before erection
  • All fences shall be constructed of wood, with the “good” side out, black wrought iron, steel, or aluminum
  • Chain link fences are not allowed
  • All fencing shall be kept in good repair and appearance.  
  • If wooden fencing appears weathered, it shall be pressure-washed at a minimum and then painted or stained with paint or stain colors approved by the ACC

Recreational Equipment:

  • All swing sets and similar recreational equipment require ACC approval and must be constructed of approved safe materials
  • All recreational and playground equipment shall be located behind the residence
  • Equipment visible from the street requires prior ACC written approval

Roof Shingle Color / Metal Roof Color:

  • The ACC must approve any change in shingle color
  • Roof shingle colors shall be black, slate gray, or cedar and composed exclusively of architectural shingles
  • There is no need for ACC approval to replace a roof with the same color shingles
  • Any material other than architectural shingles for screened porches and sunrooms requires ACC approval

Storage and Temporary Structures:

  • Freestanding utility, storage, or outbuildings require prior written approval from the ACC

Tree Removal/Tree Stumps and Heavy Pruning:

  • ACC approval is required for the removal of any tree having a diameter of more than 6”
  • Given the maturity of our community and its trees, our Design Standard now allows a homeowner to remove up to 3 trees, each with a diameter of 24” or less, without ACC approval
  • Heavy Pruning that affects the overall appearance of trees must have ACC approval

Tree Stumps:

  • Tree stumps must be ground down or cut flush to the ground, covered with pine straw or dark mulch, and may not be visible from the street
  • If the stump is located on or near utility lines, you must use other means to camouflage the stump, such as ground cover, pine straw, or dark mulch.  
  • Pine straw and/or dark mulch covering a tree stump must be regularly replenished as weathering occurs

Section IV – ACC Neighborhood Guidelines

Animals and Insects:

  • Any outside structure for housing animals, birds, or insects that is inconsistent with a well-kept subdivision requires ACC prior approval in writing

Basketball Goals:

  • Backboards must be mounted so the goal's rim is between 8 and 10 feet from the ground
  • Basketball goals may only be placed in the Rear of a Lot or in your driveway.
  • For purposes of the Design Standards, the “rear of a lot” is defined as that portion of the lot between the rear lot line and the halfway point between the extreme front elevation and extreme back elevation of the dwelling structure as determined by the ACC
  • In deciding the rear elevation, the ACC will not include the deck (whether or not enclosed), which is not on a concrete slab or above a basement
  • In no event will backboards be mounted on a roof
  • Notwithstanding the preceding, in no event shall a basketball goal be placed in front of the primary front elevation of the dwelling structure as determined by the ACC
  • The Design Standards apply to the erection, placement, and maintenance of basketball goals
  • The Design Standards approve mounting a backboard on the side of a brick house only if it is the last option available and not because it is the best of multiple choices
  • They do not, and cannot, in any way modify, impair, or limit the provisions of the Covenants, which may have the effect of prohibiting the use of basketball goals in a manner that constitutes a nuisance

Clotheslines:

  • Clotheslines are not allowed

Driveways:

  • Driveway cracks with two inches or more vertical displacement must be repaired or replaced

Exterior Holiday Decorations:

  • All exterior holiday decorations must be installed no earlier than 30 days before the event and removed no later than 14 days after each holiday

Exterior Lighting:

  • ACC approval is required prior to installing any exterior and/or landscape lighting
  • All exterior lights shall display clear, white, or soft white light, including, but not limited to, light fixtures, porch, flood, landscape, hardscape, pathway, and string lights
  • No light colors are allowed to be displayed except for temporary holiday lights, which must be installed no earlier than 30 days before the holiday, and taken down or returned to clear, white, or soft white no later than 14 days after the holiday.

Exterior Maintenance:

All home exteriors and structures, including decks, covered porches, and other similar areas, will be maintained in good repair.  The expected MINIMUM level of maintenance includes, but is not limited to, the absence or correction of the following:

  • Driveways may not have cracks with vertical displacement of two inches or more
  • Front yards (and side yards for corner lots) must be sodded with an underground sprinkler system.
  • Gutters shall not be rusted or detached from the dwelling
  • No interior blinds in need of repair may be visible from the street
  • No rotten wood
  • No sinkholes
  • Outdoor pots must be in good repair and have plants or flowers planted
  • Rear yards may be seeded or sodded
  • Shutters may not be broken and must be affixed to the dwelling
  • Stones and gravel may not be used as primary mulching material, but are permissible on a limited basis when required for drainage
  • The paint may not be missing or peeling
  • Window boxes must have plants or flowers planted in them
  • Window glass may not be broken or missing mullions

Fire Pits and Firewood:

  • Firewood must be hidden from the street view or concealed by an approved barrier
  • This approval is in addition to the Owner’s obligation to secure any permits with the County and adhere to other local or State laws as may apply to fires or fire pits
  • You must receive ACC approval before constructing a fire pit

Landscaping Installation and Maintenance:

At a minimum, it should include:

  • All bushes and shrubs shall be trimmed
  • Areas of bare dirt or landscape cloth are not permitted
  • Front yards must be sodded with underground sprinkler systems
  • Islands and similar areas not grassed or planted with ground cover shall be covered with only dark brown or black mulch or pine straw; however, these areas may not cover more than 50% of the front and side yards considered as a whole
  • Lawns shall be mowed regularly
  • No landscape shall encroach onto neighborhood sidewalks (ground cover, overgrown shrubbery, or low-hanging limbs).
  • Pine straw or earth-tone dark mulch may be used as ground cover
  • Rear yards must be seeded or sodded
  • Shrubbery shall be across the front of the dwelling
  • Side yards (for corner lots) must be sodded with an underground sprinkler system.
  • Weeds must be pulled, and dead plants, trash, and debris must be removed

Mailboxes:

  • Existing mailboxes composed of black iron posts and boxes may be replaced with new mailboxes of the same materials and with a similar look to the original post and box
  • Mailboxes shall be free of mold and rust
  • Mailboxes should be kept in good repair
  • New monument-style mailboxes require the ACC’s prior approval

Painting or Lime-washing Brick Houses:

  • ACC approval is required before painting, lime washing, or otherwise changing the appearance of a brick house
  • If paint or lime wash is applied to the exterior of a brick house, the same treatment must be applied to a brick mailbox, retaining wall, or other brick surfaces, if applicable
  • The ACC considers the location of a brick home and the number of painted houses in the immediate vicinity when deciding whether it may be painted or lime-washed
  • The ACC may not approve all requests to paint or lime-wash brick homes

Potted Plants:

  • Potted plants visible from the street must be in containers that are consistent with the style and character of the house and neighborhood
  • The containers/pots must be in good condition, with ornamental plants in them
  • The ACC may restrict the size, color, and number of pots and containers visible from the street

RVs, Trailers, and Similar:

  • A trailer, motor home, RV, camper, boat, boat trailer, or similar equipment cannot be permanently parked at any home (in the driveway or adjacent street)
  • Beyond three consecutive days shall be deemed permanent

Signs:

  • No signs in front of the Owner’s yards are allowed except those required by legal proceedings, or “For Sale”. The Cobb County Transportation Department oversees the installation and maintenance of vehicular and pedestrian safety signs  
  • Children’s sports or school signs are allowed on a seasonal basis

Solid Waste:

  • No person shall dump rubbish, garbage, or any other form of solid waste on any Lot or Common Property

Swimming Pools and Spas:

  • All In-ground and above-ground pools in unincorporated Cobb County are required to be permitted and inspected by Cobb County Community Development. 
  • Cobb County's Development and Inspections Division permits and inspects all new construction and remodel Commercial Pools and all Residential Pools to ensure all pools and spas are built to code and constructed safely.
  • The installation of swimming pools and spas requires approval from the ACC.
  • Cobb County Code directs that Pool water should be drained directly into your home's sanitary sewer system, allowing it to be recycled and reused.
  • When draining swimming pools and spas, please follow the Cobb County guidelines for properly releasing the water.  Http://www.cobbcounty.org

Trash Receptacles, Trash Enclosures, and Composting Bins:

  • Any Structure built or placed to house or screen Trash Receptacles permanently must be approved by the ACC. The design must be consistent with the architectural integrity of your house.
  • Composting bins must not be visible from the street, a neighbor’s property, or common areas.
  • Trash, recycling receptacles, and bags of yard waste (“Trash Receptacles”) shall be stored in a location that is neither visible from the street nor visible to neighbors’ property, except on designated collection days

Vehicles:

  • No inoperable vehicle shall be kept on any Lot except in a garage away from public view
  • Homeowners should park all vehicles and trucks in garages or driveways whenever possible
  • No vehicle may be parked or stored in a driveway under a cover, tarp, or any other material for any period
  • Under no circumstances should vehicles be parked on lawn areas. Vehicles may only be parked on a paved driveway

Vegetable Gardens:

  • Potted gardens are not permitted in front or side yards and may not be visible from the street.
  • Vegetable gardens shall not be planted in front or side yards and may not be visible from the street

Windows and Doors:

  • ACC approval is required for window and door replacement
  • No bright-plated metal exterior doors, screens, windows, louvers, or other closures shall be used
  • The best effort should be made to match window trim paint to the trim on existing or replacement windows

Section V – ACC Review & Decision Process:

All requests for ACC approval should be directed to acc.cpbod@gmail.com and must be accompanied by detailed plans, specifications, descriptions, drawings, and photographs that clearly outline the requested scope of work. All information should be provided to the ACC at least two weeks before the expected start date of any project or job. Homeowners should note that the ACC has up to 30 days to act on an application, as per the Covenants. All work approved by the ACC is expected to be completed in a timely manner.

After receiving the Applicant’s request and information describing the project, plus any clarification or additional information it deems necessary, the ACC shall provide a written statement of its decision to the Applicant. The ACC’s decision shall be reflected as either (i) Approved as Submitted, (ii) Approved with Conditions, or (iii) Not Approved. The ACC Chairman will issue the ACC’s written statement after the ACC has made its determination (email communication is acceptable). Per the Covenants, failure by the ACC to act within thirty (30) days of receipt of all information it reasonably requires for approval shall be deemed acceptance of such plans and submissions.

Should the Applicant find the ACC’s decision unsatisfactory, the Applicant may submit a written request to have the matter in question reviewed by the ACC within ten (10) days after receipt of notice of any such decision. The case shall be submitted to and reviewed promptly (within 30 days) by the ACC, with the decision of a majority of the ACC members deemed final and binding.

Section VI – Enforcement of Violations

In the event of any violation of the Design Standards, the Covenants, Bylaws, or Association rules and regulations, the Association may take any action outlined in the By-Laws or the Covenants, including the levying of fines and suspension of voting rights and use of Common Property. In addition, the Association may remedy the violation and/or seek injunctive relief requiring the removal or the fixing of the breach. In any such enforcement action, the Association will seek to recover the costs incurred in enforcing compliance to the fullest extent authorized by law.

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