Home Design Guidelines
COMMUNITY DESIGN ELEMENTS
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
❒ No two adjacent house facades, nor facades directly across the street from one another, are permitted to be substantially the same, unless otherwise approved by SGL.
❒ The front facade, in particular, must achieve balance amongst the window, door and garage openings, as well as other facade details — not leaving large areas of blank wall space on the front of the home.
❒ Homes on corner lots require similar decorative architectural details and treatments on the flank side of the home, as found on the front of the home.
❒ There shall be a maximum of 7 exterior steps, in a straight run, from entryway to garage level.
❒ Where columns are used, they must complement the homes architecture and must not have a dimension less than 8”. If columns are wooden, they must be stained and painted.
❒ Garage door must match the architectural style of the house.
❒ The roof pitch must be minimum 8/12 side to side for New Traditional Style homes unless otherwise approved by SGL.
❒ Garages must be de-emphasized, protruding only a maximum of 0.6m from other ground-floor facade elements.
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The main entryways are encouraged to be covered.
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Roof orientation is encouraged to be designed for optimal sun exposure in order to provide the opportunity for solar panel addition.
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Sheltered outdoor space is encouraged.
MATERIALS
Cladding
❒ Full bed mortared clay brick, full bed mortared quarried stone or stone-look concrete masonry products shall be applied to a minimum of 50% of the home’s exterior.
❒ Note that the exterior of the home is calculated by excluding doorways and garage doors, but includes windows.
❒ The product must be a type which requires a brick ledge for installation. All masonry products must be produced by or supplied by The Shaw Group Limited.
❒ Hardscaping substitution will only be permitted, with the approval of SGL.
❒ House plans must include the following information: exterior facade area – the garage door area, the entry way door area, and total square footage of brick on the house.
❒ It is anticipated that the majority of the masonry will be placed on the front facade, where possible. As noted previously, SGL reserves the right to determine the location of facade materials.
❒ Garage door must match the architectural style of the house.
❒ The roof pitch must be minimum 8/12 side to side for New Traditional Style homes unless otherwise approved by SGL.
❒ Garages must be de-emphasized, protruding only a maximum of 0.6m from other ground-floor facade elements.
❒ The main entryways are encouraged to be covered.
❒ Roof orientation is encouraged to be designed for optimal sun exposure in order to provide the opportunity for solar panel addition.
❒ Sheltered outdoor space is encouraged.
❒ The remaining wall area of the front facade shall be covered in wood, engineered wood, board and batten forms, high density fibre cement siding, stucco, metal, concrete, vinyl shakes. Other materials may be used but will require approval from SGL.
❒ The remainder of the home (sides, and rear elevation) may be covered in any of the aforementioned base or complementary materials or vinyl siding. (Note: siding used on the side and back must be the same colour and profile as the front).
❒ A change in material across the facade should be related to a real edge, corner, protrusion or inset, unless otherwise approved.
❒ Colour and material selections must be submitted prior to product purchase. Material style, colour names, and brands must be provided. Materials and colours must be complimentary to adjacent homes.
❒ The location of the facade materials may be prescribed by SGL, and colours must be approved by SGL.
❒ Roofing must be a laminate, architectural, type shingle unless otherwise approved by SGL. Metal roofing is permitted subject to colour and brand approval.
❒ Front porches and stairs must be constructed with materials other than pressure treated wood. Lattice is not permitted.
❒ Driveways will be either paved asphalt, paver stone (by The Shaw Group Limited), aggregate, concrete, or other hard surface as approved.
❒ Gravel driveways are expressly prohibited.
Driveway materials may be configured in the form of strips, maintaining landscaping in the center.
SITING & GRADING
❒ Please refer to the master siting and grading plan to determine the type of home the lot was designed to accommodate, as well as the dimensions.
❒ Construction beyond the building pad will require recertification which will be at the expense of the owner.
❒ Driveway widths must be constructed in accordance with the Development Agreement and the master siting and grading plan unless otherwise approved by SGL.
❒ Final grading must demonstrate that the initIal intent is met by showing grades at the same locations as proposed grading.
LANDSCAPING
PLANTING & VEGETATION
❒ No tree greater than 2” in diameter may be cut without the approval of SGL.
Note: This statement refers to living trees, and does not preclude maintenance or removal of trees which are dead. Where trees appear to be dying, or at risk of falling, or if you would like to remove healthy living
trees, please contact SGL, for a prompt response and approval as appropriate.
❒ Any lot with frontage under 40’ must plant 1 (one) tree. For lots with frontage of 40’ or greater, 2 (two) trees must be planted.
COMPLETION OF LANDSCAPING
❒ Landscaping and driveway areas will be completed within 6 months from the date of substantial home completion.
❒ Upon the completion of landscaping, a lot grading certificate must be submitted for our review.
Trees must be indigenous to Nova Scotia and be a minimum of 5’ (1.52 m) tall and a minimum diameter of 5cm/2”.
The use of alternatives to sod are encouraged.
SHED & FENCE APPROVALS
❒ Sheds/outbuildings shall use the same exterior colours and materials as the main house, unless otherwise approved by SGL.
❒ Fences must be constructed out of acceptable materials, such as:
•Wood (horizontal slat fences are encouraged)
•Decorative iron fence •Black chain link fence
❒ Any lot with frontage under 40’ must plant 1 (one) tree. For lots with frontage of 40’ or greater, 2 (two) trees must be planted.
■ The use of alternatives to sod are encouraged.
The use of hedges and greenery to define properties is encouraged.
SCREENING
❒ Garbage, green and recycle bins must be shielded from view from the street by fencing, an architectural feature of the home, or vegetation/shrubs where appropriate, unless otherwise approved.
❒ Propane tanks and communications boxes should be shielded from view via vegetation or an architectural feature where possible
Privacy screening is encouraged on decks and balconies.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns, or to submit your documents, please contact us at:
t: 902-445-2000