We appreciate you following the Associations guidelines for architectural changes to your home and we are happy to see our homeowners improving the aesthetics and function of their homes.

If you are planning on making changes to the exterior of your home, please remember to obtain and submit an Architectural Change Request form, prior to making the change.

The Architectural Committee will review your form with regards to the standards laid out in the CC&R’s and the Rules and Regulations.

General Architectural Application

Applications must be submitted at least seven (7) business days prior to the Board Meeting, in order to be reviewed at that meeting. Please note that incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Complete applications that are submitted within the time frame noted above will be reviewed at a Board Meeting, generally held on the 1st Wednesday of every month.

Installation of any solar system on the roof of your home requires prior architectural approval.  Please see the full guidelines and application below. Solar Application

New windows must be white vinyl for the Amaya and Howell sections and almond vinyl for the Earl section.

Additionally, windows must adhere to the following standards:
1. Double pane with horizontal sliders that match existing windows.
2. No grids.
3. No damage or changes to the exterior of the building.
Any change to the existing design (original windows to vinyl, etc) requires that all windows must be changed at the same time. If design or style is not changing (meaning that the look from the exterior will not change) then single windows may be replaced.
Window replacement applications, especially for the large wall windows on Amaya, must be accompanied by the quote from a licensed contractor.

Front Entrance

The Board must approve all landscaping changes.  Unapproved landscaping will be removed at the unit owner’s expense.  Unapproved or abandoned landscaping may be re-landscaped by the Board and the cost will be assessed to the unit owner.

Patio

  1. All patio plants must be kept in containers/pots that are raised off the ground enough to allow air to flow over and protect the concrete slab.
  2. No trees, bushes, or vines should be planted in the soil, because roots could cause a crack in your neighbor’s slab or your own. If this should occur, the owner of the plant that caused the problem is responsible for all repair costs, NOT the Association. 
  3. Any structures, construction or modifications must allow for proper water drainage.
  4. You may not cut into the concrete slab.
  5. No raised beds may be constructed on the concrete slab or against walls and fences.
  6. Patio gardens should contain only potted plants.
  7. No trees, large bushes, vines or trellises can be attached to fences.
  8. The design and décor of your patio should not promote or host the existence of pests, such as hornets, bees, termites or rodents.
  9. Residents who install interior fence boards, fiberglass, bamboo or other material to cover the fence on the inside will have created a gap for pests like bees, wasps, ants and rats. Unit owners can be assessed for the costs of pest control treatment and repairs to the common property.

There are significant limitations to your unit’s electrical capacity.  Most units have only (2) 15 amp fuses.  Even the latest technology will not be able to handle the limitations if all your major appliances are electric.  We highly recommend you research your power usage in advance and purchase a unit that operates within those amps.

When installing central air conditioning, a La Mesa City Permit is required.  This includes the installation of condensers on patios.

For window air conditioning units, the following two items must apply:

  1. For one-story condos, the window unit should be placed in the closest window to the front door.
  2. Damages to windowsills or exterior walls of the building caused by poor drainage of an air conditioning unit become the responsibility of the unit owner.

Rules apply to 2nd Floor Units only.  These are units above a complete separate unit below (excludes townhouse style units).  Hard flooring (i.e. tile, wood, laminate, marble, etc.) requires prior architectural approval and must include the appropriate sound-proofing underlayment.

Skylights, solar tubes, and solar panels, are not part of the original construction of the building, so therefore all exterior additions, modifications, decorations, or alterations become the responsibility of the unit owner.  If you add additional roof vents for dryers or water heaters the same applies.

If the roof is leaking due to improper installation, flashing or lack of integrity of the unit itself, responsibility resides with the unit owner.  If the association calls out a roofer to inspect the situation and the above is the case, the unit owner is responsible for all charges incurred during the inspection.

A City of La Mesa permit is required for all skylights and solar panels.