RULES & REGULATIONS

MIAMI LAKES
LAKE MARTHA HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION #2
RULES & REGULATIONS

(SUPPLEMENTAL GUIDELINES TO GOVERNING DOCUMENTS)

I. EXTERIOR CHANGES

    1. APPROVAL PROCESS

      Before making any alterations or additions to the exterior of any house or townhouse, approval of the Board of Directors and/or Community Association Manager is required. Failure to obtain prior approval may result in costly homeowner’s expenses for alterations and or fines in accordance with our enforcement procedures and fining policy.

      After HOA approval is given, a permit from the Town of Miami Lakes is required. The Board of Directors of your Homeowners’ Association meets the 4th Tuesday of every month (except December). Requests should be submitted at the meeting or before the 4th Tuesday to:                 

      Lake Martha Homeowners’ Association, Inc.
      P. O. Box 4355
      Miami Lakes, FL 33014-0355

      Include drawings, photos, plans, and description of materials and request to be placed on the agenda for the meeting by calling the association’s message center at (305) 207-­9242. The above may also be faxed to the same number.  Allow ample time for the Board to meet and review the plans. DO NOT proceed with changes until you have approval. DO NOT assume that other properties with similar alterations or additions are in compliance or received approval and, therefore, you can do the same thing.

      If approval is granted, the homeowner will receive a signed approval form and/or letter that should then be submitted to the Town of Miami Lakes Building Department. After the above approval, permits for the change or alteration may be required before the work can commence.

    2. ENFORCEMENT PROCESS

      (SEE GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AND FINING POLICY)

    3. ASSESSMENTS

      (SEE DECLARATION OF COVENANTS & RESTRICTIONS)

      Collection Procedures- Annual maintenance fee is due on July 1st of each year. An invoice will be sent in the mail to all owners at their last mailing address on record. Payment must be received before August 31st of each year.

      A final reminder notice in the form of a Statement will be mailed to the owners with unpaid balance via certified mail. Owners will have ten days to submit payment. A reminder will also be posted in the Community Newsletter.

      At the end of October, the Board will review the Account Receivables list at their Board meeting and will send accounts to the collections attorney.  Authorizations to send Demand Letters will be sent to the collections attorney by November 1st.

      Demand letters will be mailed via certified mail by the collections attorney. Payment of annual maintenance fee, legal fees and cost will have to be received within 45 days (December 15th). Claim if Liens will be filed by the end of December if payment in full is not received by the collections attorney.

II. EXTERIOR APPEARANCE OF TOWN HOMES:

A. DRIVEWAYS

Changes to Existing Driveways: HOA approval is required before changing any driveway.

The following types of driveways are permitted in the town home sections of Lake Martha:

            • Concrete strips with grass or loose dark Chattahoochee rock between strips.
            • Concrete strips with brick pavers set in sand between concrete strips.
            • Entire driveway of brick pavers set in sand.
            • Stamped concrete, various designs, and colors.
            • Resurfaced, various designs, and colors.

Driveways must be of the same approximate size as the original. Expanding the width or length into side grassy areas or flower beds is not permitted.

B. EXTERIOR PAINT

Exact Colors & Shades of Paint Required

Town homes must be painted the correct color and kept in good condition. Paint which is peeling or which has mildew should be pressure cleaned and repainted. Quality paints will resist fading and mildew and maintain the desired appearance longer. No deviation from the original paint scheme is permitted. Fascia, walls, garage doors, wrought iron, etc. must be painted the correct color.

Required Colors are as Follows:

(Colors are for Pittsburgh Paint (PP) & Benjamin Moore (BM); other brands must match exactly. Code #s listed are for base paint only.  Exact formula is available at Sunny South Paint /Pinturama.)

New Color Codes are for Benjamin Moore Paint; other brands must match exactly.

Town Homes: One-Story, and Two-Story - without garages:

Exterior Granite Beige                                                           Benjamin Moore new Code # 447 – 1X

Exterior Spanish Brown Code lower four (4) feet of walls      Benjamin Moore new code # 447 – 3X

Town Homes: Two-Story - with garages:

Exterior Granite Beige                                                           Benjamin Moore new code # 447 – 1X

Exterior Stone Beige lower four (4) feet of walls                    Benjamin Moore new code # 447 – 2X

Tudor Brown wood trim                                                          Benjamin Moore new code # 447 – 4X

Granite Beige wood trim                                                        Benjamin Moore new code # 447 - 1X

Please note that the bottom four feet of the walls is Spanish Brown in color, with the exception of two-story town homes with garages on which the bottom four feet is Stone Beige.  Also, all two story town homes with garages which are connected to each other must choose a wood trim which is the same as the other connected town homes. All homeowners must agree to make any change to an existing color scheme.

Paint colors are guaranteed to be correct by the dealer if purchased from Sunny South Paint (Pinturama) at 16181 NW 57th Ave.  Tel.305-624-4456, which has a book showing the required colors for Lake Martha town homes. Paint may be purchased anywhere, however, homeowners are responsible for purchasing the exact color, and will be required to repaint if the color or shade is incorrect. Be sure your painting contract requires the proper color if using a professional painter.

Gutters and downspouts must be painted the same color as the wall or eaves to which they are attached.

Circular roof vents should be the same color as the roof tiles.

C. AWNINGS
Awnings on both one-story and two-story town homes must be of the correct color, pattern, and material and free of mildew. Awnings must be repaired or replaced which are torn, or in disrepair.

Removal of awnings is permitted.

One-Story Town Homes

Awnings (rear) must be canvas or vinyl with sufficient drop fringe in yellow and white 14-inch wide stripes to cover the framework and be approved by LMHOA and the Town of Miami Lakes Building Department.

Two-Story Town Homes

Balcony awnings on two-story town homes (rear) must be canvas or vinyl with sufficient drop fringe in green and white 4-inch stripes to cover the framework and be approved by LMHOA and the Town of Miami Lakes Building Department.

Awnings are optional on the first floor rear. If installed, however, they must be of canvas or vinyl with sufficient drop fringe in green and white 4-inch stripes to cover the framework and be approved by LMHOA and the Town of Miami Lakes Building Department.

Bubble awnings are permitted (not required) over the front entrance archway of two-story town homes. The awning must be canvas or vinyl, and taupe or dark brown with beige bottom trim. All two story town homes which are connected to each other must choose an awning color which is the same as the other connected town homes. All homeowners must agree to make any change to an existing color scheme.

D. LANDSCAPING
All homes should be properly landscaped with shrubbery, sod and trees. This includes adequate watering, fertilizing, pruning, weeding, tree trimming, mowing, edging, and replenishment when needed. Seasonal flower planting is encouraged. Yards consisting of Chattahoochee rock without plantings and shrubbery are not permitted. Further replacement of lawn sod with rock is not permitted.  Maintaining the grassy swales is the homeowner’s responsibility.

Trees

Preservation and restoration of the shade canopy along our streets and over our sidewalks is a goal of our association, as it adds to the beauty of Lake Martha and Miami Lakes. Removal of large shade trees is not permitted without a town permit. Damaged or dead trees must be replaced in accordance with town ordinance. Contact town officials with regard to trees in the swale areas.

Large shade trees should be trimmed periodically, but “hat-racking” or cutting back severely with little greenery left, is not permitted. This is unsightly and can injure or kill a tree. As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to instruct your tree trimmer not to “hatrack” your trees.Palms should be trimmed regularly to remove dead fronds, both for appearance and to discourage rat and pest infestation,

E. MAILBOXES
Mailboxes are to be attached to the home and in keeping with the architectural theme of the neighborhood.

F. ENTRANCE AND PORCH LIGHTS
Entrance and Porch Lights are to be attached to the home and in keeping with the architectural theme of the neighborhood.

G. HURRICANE SHUTTERS
Hurricane shutters can protect your home in windstorms. Before installing shutters, however, they must be approved by the LMHOA, and Miami Lakes Building & Zoning and be of the types approved by the Miami-Dade Building Department, as described below. Permits are required.

Tracks can be installed above and below all doors and windows for use with removable storm panels. The tracks should be painted the color to match the surrounding walls. Accordion shutters & roll downs may also be installed. The shutters need to match the color of the surrounding wall.

In addition to tracks, the Board has approved the following shutters for installation:

One-Story Town Homes

    1. One-story town homes with only one front window (behind wrought iron grillwork) may be fitted with accordion shutters on that window. This shutter should be beige in color. (Robinson & Sons, Seaview, and Rolladen all make it in this color.)
    2. One-story town homes with archways and two front windows may install permanent brown shutters in the same color and style as the decorative wood shutters installed on this style town home. These storm shutters may be hinged or slide on tracks. Tracks should be painted to match the exterior wall. Also, accordion shutters which are beige may be installed.
    3. One-story end units with two side windows may install either sliding, hinged, or accordion shutters. These should be brown in color.

Two-Story Town Homes

Same rules as one story town homes apply. The shutters need to match the color of the surrounding wall.  The three small front windows on the second floor may also be protected with sliding, hinged, or accordion shutters. The shutters must be painted beige, the same color as the surrounding wall.

H. ROOFS

All town homes must have barrel tile roofs of the proper size, style and color.  It is the homeowner’s responsibility to be sure the correct color is installed.  It is suggested that your roofing contract

include wording to assure that the roofer is responsible for delivery of the correct tile and color. Roofs should be one uniform color. Repairs should not be noticeable and should blend in with the overall color of the roof. Painting is not required.

Approved Color:      

      1. Cherokee Red by MonierLife Tile, or
      2. Autumn Red by Hanson Roof Tile (Formerly Pioneer)
      3. Barcelona 900, color Gold Dust
      4. Ekoroof tile, color Classic Clay

ORANGE OR TERRA COTTA IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE FOR TOWNHOMES.

If painted (not recommended), the color must match above roof tile. Pinturama, Inc. 16181 NW 57 Avenue, Miami Lakes, Fl. 33014, Phone 305-624-4456, has on hand matching paint made from a Cherokee Red roof tile:

Name: Cherokee Red Roof Paint By: Richards
Paint # SR 3998

I. FENCES
All fences must be approved by the Board. No fence, hedge, mass planting, wall or other enclosure shall be erected in the front yard, except any as originally installed by The Graham Companies. All fences shall have a maximum height of six (6) feet above the natural grade provided by Developer and shall be consistent and uniform as to color, height, appearance, material and design throughout the subdivision. The frame work for any permitted fence, wall or enclosure shall face the interior of the Lot or the interior of a double faced fence having an identical design on both sides, so that the exterior of such improvement shall have a finished appearance.

Fence paint color:  Spanish Brown -            Benjamin Moore new code # 447 – 3X

J. WINDOWS/WINDOW TREATMENTS

SLIDING GLASS DOORS/SECURITY BARS

ONE-STORY TOWNHOMES:
Colonial style awning-type windows were originally placed in the front and side windows of town homes. They were originally aluminum framed, they may be replaced in white or black framed.  Single hung or double hung windows have been approved. Kitchen windows may be colonial style awning-type, or single/double hung or two-panel plain sliding glass.

French doors or sliding French doors may replace solid sliding glass doors. Solid glass paneled French-type doors have also been approved. Two-story town homes, which have front sliding glass doors, may use the above French doors.

TWO-STORY TOWNHOMES:
Two-story end unit town homes may install two windows on the side of their home, which match the style/size of single story end-unit town homes. The spacing between windows should be the same as the one-story units as much as possible. Window size should be 36inch wide x 72inches high. The windows should be bordered with paint, which is the same color as the base paint of the home (Stone Beige or Spanish Brown, whichever applies). The look should be similar to one story end-unit town homes.

The second story small windows above should be dark tinted opaque glass, or dark window tinted clear glass.

SECURITY BARS:

Security bars have been approved for town homes and single-family homes. These bars cover side windows, front windows, rear/front sliding glass doors, and archways. Newly installed security bars must be Dade-County approved quick release (permits required). The approved color is black for town homes. Anyone with security bars other than black should repaint the security bars the appropriate color when repainting.  Removal of security bars on windows and entrance iron door is permitted.

III. EXTERIOR APPEARANCE OF SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

A. DRIVEWAYS
Driveways must be suitably maintained and compatible with surrounding homes.

B. PAINT
Paint must be in good condition, free of cracks, peeling and mildew. Paint colors must be soft shades of pastels or neutrals compatible with surrounding homes.

C, FENCES
All fences must be maintained in good condition. Fences should be clean and free of mildew, and painted (if applicable) and repaired when required.

No fence can be added or modified without the prior approval of the Board of Directors.

No fence shall be erected, placed, planted, or allowed to remain on any portion of a lot that would block or obstruct the view of the lake from any private road or access area.

D. LANDSCAPING
All homes should be properly landscaped with shrubbery, sod and trees. This includes adequate watering, fertilizing, pruning, weeding, tree trimming, mowing, edging, and replenishment when needed. Seasonal flower planting is encouraged.

Trees
Preservation and restoration of the shade canopy along our streets and over our sidewalks is a goal of our association, as it adds to the beauty of Lake Martha and Miami Lakes. Removal of large shade trees is not permitted without a town permit. Damaged or dead trees must be replaced in accordance with town ordinance. Contact town officials with regard to trees in the swale areas.

ROOFS
Roofs must be either barrel tile or flat tile style and must be kept clean. Metal roofing in these styles is permitted.  Roofs must be compatible in color with surrounding homes.

GENERAL APPEARANCE
The general appearance of homes should reflect pride of ownership. The home, including landscaping, must be properly maintained. Household items, other than appropriate outdoor furniture, should not be stored or left outdoors visible from the street. Newspapers and litter must not accumulate.

WINDOWS/WINDOW TREATMENTS
SLIDING GLASS DOORS/SECURITY BARS
Single family homes may use colors approved by TML. The appropriate permits must be applied for from the Town of Miami Lakes. Security bars have been approved for town homes and single-family homes. These bars cover side windows, front windows, rear/front sliding glass doors, and archways. Newly installed security bars must be Dade-County approved quick release (permits required).

IV. ALL RESIDENCES  PARKED VEHICLES

A. PARKING

    1. Vehicles are not to be parked in roadways or on sidewalks. Vehicular and pedestrian traffic must not be impeded.


      Untagged, inoperative, or derelict vehicles must not be parked in driveways or on properties in Lake Martha. Town Code: Driveways and parking spaces shall be graveled or hard-surfaced. Parking shall not be permitted on sand, lawns, common access areas, private access ways, across sidewalks, center islands of culd-de-sac and other nonpaved areas not designated for parking on the approved site plan. Overnight parking, any time between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m., shall not be permitted on landscaped swale areas, however, overnight parking shall be permitted on driveway approach areas if the vehicle does not block the sidewalk.

    2. Automobile repairs, other than of a minor nature, are not permitted.

B. COMMERCIAL VEHICLES
Commercial vehicles are not permitted to park in residential areas, except for deliveries or service.

C. BOATS, TRAILERS, CAMPERS
Boats, trailers, or campers are not permitted to be parked in Lake Martha.

V. WASTE PICKUP

A. TRASH PICKUP
Trash and garbage containers may be placed at the swale areas after dark during the evening preceding the scheduled pick-up. Trash containers should have tight fitting lids if left out overnight to prevent raiding by animals. Empty recycling, trash and garbage containers must be brought in out of sight at the earliest opportunity.

B. BULKY WASTE
Metro-Dade Department of Solid Waste permits two (2) free pre-arranged bulky waste pick-ups per year per property owner. If you must get rid of large objects, they must not be put at the curb until the day before the scheduled pick-up. No trash of any sort is to be put on the outside of the perimeter wall. This is very unsightly and the homeowner is subject to fines.

VII. RENTAL PROPERTIES

Property owners must make arrangements for maintenance of the exterior appearance of rental properties in Lake Martha in accordance with these guidelines. Failure of tenants to comply with guidelines is the responsibility of the landlord/property owner.

VIII. LAKE ACCESS

A. LAKE FRONT LOTS
The shoreline of the lake adjacent to lakefront lots is private property. Residents are not permitted to enter or cross lakefront property lines without the permission of the property owners. Reasonable access is required in town home areas to permit yard maintenance where necessary.

B. DRY LOT OR LAKE VIEW PROPERTIES
Dry lot or lake view properties are those for which the boundary line does not extend to the lake. Residents or guests of lake view or dry lots may gain access to Lake Martha for fishing, swimming, boating, or viewing at one of the four (4) park areas which are maintained by the Miami Lakes Parks Department for residents’ access. Although no  fences are allowed that would obscure the view of the lake, owners of lakefront lots have property lines that extend about 30 feet into Lake Martha. If you are in a boat or swimming at the water’s edge adjacent to a town home or single family home, you are on private property.

IX. BOAT OWNERSHIP RULES & REGISTRATION

No fuel powered boats are permitted in the lake at any time. The one and only exception is the periodic visits of the lake treatment company employees. Derelict, sunken, and unusable boats are to be promptly removed from the lake by the homeowner. Boats left afloat must be securely fastened so they do not blow away on windy days. Any boat adrift must be promptly located and retrieved by the boat owner. Boats remaining adrift and unclaimed on someone else’s property will be removed and disposed of at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

X. NUISANCES

No noxious or offensive activity shall be carried on upon any lot, nor shall anything be done thereon which may be or may become an annoyance or nuisance to the neighborhood.

 

(This guide is intended to be a supplement to the governing documents of Lake Martha. It is not intended to revise them. If there is any conflict between this guide and the governing documents, the latter shall take precedence.)

The above Rules & Regulations were approved & adopted on 5/27/2014 by the LMHOA Board of Directors.