A. Utility hookups must be inspected by the appropriate inspectors. Electric power is provided within Big Canoe by Amicalola Electric Membership Corporation (AEMC). A minimum 200 AMP electrical service is required. Water is provided by Utilities, Inc. of Georgia. Utility deposits, fees, and service are the sole responsibility of the Property Owners. The location of utilities is controlled by the respective utility purveyor. All
connections from trunk lines to individual structures must be underground at a depth meeting Georgia or local codes or the respective utility standards, whichever is deeper. Exposed plumbing and electrical lines are not allowed. Materials and installation must conform to the applicable Electrical or Plumbing Codes. All excavation for site utility hookups must be restored to the natural condition.
B. The residential licensed contractor is responsible for trenching all service lines from the appropriate pedestal to the home. All such drops shall be installed according to the standards of the utility companies.
1. The Property Owner/Builder must call AECD for a location inspection to determine where the trench is to be dug. Only two sweep turns are allowed in the conduit.
2. The ditch must be a minimum of 24” deep and the conduit to be installed must be 21/2” diameter schedule 40 electrical conduit.
3. The ditch is to be covered with dirt.
4. After this work is completed, AECD must be contacted for final inspection. If inspection is approved, AECD will call AEMC to schedule a permanent hook-up.
C. HVAC equipment must comply as follows:
1. Window air conditioning units are not allowed.
2. Compressor units shall be ground mounted and meet all applicable codes.
3. Compressor units visible from adjacent properties or exposed to community view shall be screened by approved fencing or planting of a density and height to effectively hide the unit.
D. All Liquid Propane (LP) tanks and installation must follow all regulations established by the National Fire Protection Association.
1. All above ground tanks shall be screened by approved fencing or planting of a density and height to effectively hide the unit.
2. Property Owners should provide propane tank location directly to Big Canoe Public Safety (706-268-3376).
E. Foundation walls must be poured concrete with stucco finish painted the approved siding color, concrete block with stucco finish painted the approved siding color, or poured concrete or concrete bock with stone/brick veneer (as specified by that particular neighborhood guidelines with veneer ending at internal corners.)
F. Retaining walls must be concrete or concrete block with stucco finish painted Cabot’s Spanish Moss or another color approved by AECD prior to painting; poured concrete; concrete block with stone/brick veneer (as specified by that particular neighborhood guidelines) with veneer ending at internal corners; pressure treated 6 X 6 or 8 X 8 landscape timbers stained or painted Cabot’s Spanish Moss; or another color approved by
AECD prior to painting, railroad ties, interlocking block in an approved color; welded wire blocks; or natural stone.
G. Exterior siding material must be either cedar shakes or shingles; horizontal or vertical wood; reverse board and batten plywood or equal material; logs or log siding; cement fiber siding (Hardie Plank or equal material).
H. Approved stonework is Tennessee Fieldstone, Arkansas Fieldstone, or River Rock. Some neighborhoods approve artificial stone or other veneers.
1. Stonework must be approved stone laid with gray or tan to closely match the stone.
2. Stonework must end at an inside corner.
3. Stonework may be used as an accent.
I. Roofing materials include the following.
1. Hand split wood shakes;
2. Wood shingles;
3. Asphalt fiberglass architectural shingles in Weathered Wood Color: GAF “Timberline,” Georgia-Pacific “Summit,” Tamko “Heritage II,” IKO “Armourshake Weathered Stone,” Celotex “Dimensional IV Shake Shingles,” Owens Corning- Driftwood color, Atlas Storm Master Shake, Certainteed “Landmark”;
4. Metal approved for primary roof volumes (Gerard Metal-- Granite Ridge Shingle in Timberwood or Canyon Shake in Country Blend;
5. Metal approved for secondary roof Copper (anodized); pre-finished metal (bronze anodized or charcoal color).
6. No 3-tab style roofing is authorized.
J. Exterior color approval is based not only on the color itself, but also on design, location, and visibility. Due to the variation of stain and paint colors on different building materials, samples of all stain and paint must be submitted on 6” by 6” materials to which they will be applied for review/approval.
1. All siding and trim paint must be either a flat or satin finish.
a. Siding and trim paint color must be used on structural posts, columns, adjoining beams, cornice, and fascia boards.
b. Deck floors must match siding or trim color or left natural wood with or without an approved stain/sealer.
2. Natural wood porch columns, wood beams, and other wood accents may be stained.
a. Because of mildew and fading problems, clear-coated cedar is not permitted.
b. Laurel pickets may be left natural
3. Posts, railings, and pickets for all installations, including decks, porches, and retaining walls, must meet applicable state codes and be submitted to and approved by AECD prior to installation. All pickets must be straight and unadorned unless specifically outlined in the individual neighborhood standards.
a. Posts, railings, and pickets that are visible in the same plane must match in design, material, and color.
b. For all installation applications in community view (roadways, trails, lakes, and golf courses), all posts and railings must match the siding or trim color of the house. Pickets may match the siding or trim color of the house or be black or anodized bronze metal. Front entry handrails may be black or anodized bronze metal.
c. For rear or side installations that are not visible from the roadways, trails, lakes, and golf courses, all-metal posts and railings can be used and must match the siding or trim color of the house. Black or anodized bronze metal pickets, stainless steel cables or black mesh panels are also acceptable, and all frame work shall match the siding or trim color.
d. For rear or side installations, glass panels may be used to enhance views, but the installation of the glass panels must take into consideration sunlight reflection viewable to other Property Owners in Big Canoe and be limited in scope or expanse so as to not overwhelm the property. This will be a consideration taken into account by the AECD when presented for approval prior to installation.
4. Approved colors are listed in Appendix K—Big Canoe Approved Exterior Colors.
K. All exterior lighting must be approved by AECD. All lighting proposals must show suitable restraint and concern for the impact on the Big Canoe flora and fauna environment as well as neighboring properties. Lighting of adjacent or common property is prohibited. Entry, garage, deck, and terrace areas may be illuminated under the following conditions.
1. Exterior lighting must be fully shielded or directed shielding. “Fully shielded” means outdoor light fixtures shielded or constructed so that light rays emitted by the fixture are projected below the horizontal plane. “Directed shielding” means shielding by design or external application that directs light downward and limits direct line of sight of a fixtures lamp.
2. Fixtures are lit by bulbs not greater than 525 lumens each as recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) and the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA).
a. Post lighting fixtures shall be a maximum of 250 lumens each.
b. All outdoor lighting shall be "white light," defined as a color temperature between 2700-3100K (Kelvins).
c. No colored bulbs are allowed, even for seasonal decorations.
3. Neither Up Lighting nor Moon Lighting is permitted
4. Classic residential “corner floodlights” are not acceptable except for emergency lighting. Emergency lighting may exceed the lumen maximums provided the lighting extinguishes within 30 minutes of activation or secession of an emergency condition.
5. Driveway/pathway/entry fixtures shall be only brass, brown, black, or gray powder coated aluminum.
6. Landscape lighting fixtures may be dark green.
7. Non-compliant outdoor lighting installed before the effective date of these lighting standards must be brought into compliance with all of the lighting provisions herein within no more than 5 years after the effective date of these exterior lighting standards.
L. Windows and doors having traditional shapes and proportions are permitted.
1. Acceptable materials for doors and windows are wood, paint-able metal, vinyl clad, and metal clad. All colors must be approved by AECD.
2. Screens shall be dark bronze anodized or charcoal color.
3. Window and door trim must be a minimum width of 3 1⁄2”.
4. Stained glass must be approved by AECD.
M. Garages/Carports must be attached to the house or attached via a breezeway, if the structure is more than one story.
1. Carports are not authorized in all neighborhoods (see Appendix J- Neighborhood Guidelines).
2. Breezeways may not be more than 20 feet long.
3. Garage doors exposed to the community view shall remain closed when not in use. Garage doors must be the color of the siding/trim or a natural wood color/stain.
N. For Alternate Energy Devices, detailed plans showing installation, placement, and materials must be submitted to AECD for review and receive written acceptance from AECD prior to such installation. AECD will reject any collector of size, shape, or color that is unacceptably designed or located.
1.These Standards apply to all alternate energy devices including, but not limited to, solar panels and their associated components, solar tubes, solar skylights, wind turbines, or other solar energy devices (collectively referred to as "devices" or "systems" or "equipment") which due to installation and use may become visible from neighboring property or Big Canoe roads.
2. Solar collectors must be aesthetically integrated into the design when exposed to view or they must be hidden from view. Solar collector panels should be carefully designed to relate to the architectural mass by which they are attached. Panels should be racked at the same pitch as the roof and detailed to be as unobtrusive as possible.
3. Only commercially or professionally made devices, systems, or equipment is allowed. "Homemade" items will not be permitted due to safety and aesthetics.
4. The front slope of the roof of the house or garage may not be used.
5. All roof-mounted equipment (excluding the face of the solar panels), must match the color of the roof material. Panels should not exceed 2.5 inches in thickness, and all plumbing is required to be interior. Exposed surfaces such as any frame or supports for panels, must be painted to match, or the color of the materials used must match the surface on which it is mounted.
6. All exterior plumbing lines must match the color of adjacent roof material and walls. Aluminum trim should be anodized or otherwise color- treated to blend into the surroundings as much as possible.
O. Satellite dishes may not exceed a diameter of one meter.
1. All equipment must be flat gray or black and positioned in a location with low visibility from the road.
2. No more than two dishes are allowed per home site.
3. Wiring must be painted the same color as adjacent siding or trim, as appropriate.
P. Decorative accessories and trimmings shall be in keeping with the style and color of the house.
1. Decorative accessories and trimmings are defined to include, but not limited to, the following:
a. Statuary/Sculptures shall be in keeping with the environment and appear natural.
b. Bird/Butterfly houses shall be natural wood or painted with an approved siding color for the community.
c. Bird feeders shall be styled and colored so as to be unobtrusive if visible to the community. Feeders are to be used only during winter months to avoid attracting bears. They must be removed from March 1 to November 30.
d. Bird baths, fountains, and ponds shall be submitted to the AECD prior to installation for acceptance of color, style, size, and location.
e. Planters shall be the approved siding or trim color or gray, brown, terra cotta, black or dark green, or natural wood or stone.
f. Artificial plants are not allowed.
2. No more than three (3) decorative accessories (in a plane) may be visible from the road.
3. The maximum allowable height for any decorative accessory is 36".
4. Holiday Decorations or seasonal decorations shall consist of live natural materials or artificial materials with a natural appearance. Decorative accessories and trimmings (including holiday and seasonal decorations) intended for the enjoyment of the Property Owners shall be positioned so as not to offend the community or the immediate
neighbors. All seasonal outdoor decorations are allowed for the applicable holiday period and must be removed within two weeks after the holiday.
5. Outdoor lighting approved for the winter holiday season is limited to miniature clear white bulbs displayed at the front entry, including front foundation shrubs and adjacent small trees less than six inches in circumference and less than ten feet tall are allowed.
a. Structures, decks or property lines shall not be delineated.
b. Flashing or running lights are not allowed. Icicle-like and other mimetic shaped lights are not allowed.
6. The only flag allowed to be continuously displayed is the United States flag with a maximum size of 4’x6’.
a. In addition to the United States flag, one military service flag, one seasonal banner, or one college pennant is permissible, with a maximum size of 3’x5’.
b. Free standing flag poles and displays, including but not limited to “feather flags,” are prohibited.
7. All outdoor furniture if visible to the community or adjacent properties shall blend with the natural environment. Outdoor furniture and accessories must be gray, brown, black, dark green, or adjacent door color. This includes umbrellas, cushions, and pillows.
8. Play Equipment, Toys, and Yard Tools must adhere to the following:
a. Play equipment (swings, trampolines, and the like) must blend with the natural environment. The location, design and colors must be submitted to the AECD for acceptance prior to installation.
b. Small toys (bicycles, tricycles, basketballs, etc.) and yard tools shall be stored so that they are not visible to the street or adjacent neighbors.
9. The location, style, and fencing material shall be submitted to AECD for acceptance prior to installation.
a. The delineation of side and/or rear property lines is not permitted. No fences or barriers are permitted across a driveway.
b. The maximum square footage allowed for enclosed areas using rail fencing is 800 square feet. Maximum height is 4 feet.
c. All fencing shall be designed to blend into the natural environment. Stacked or post and rail fencing using natural split rails are preferred. All designs require AECD written acceptance.
d. Information about deer deterrents and fencing standards can be found in Appendix O – Fencing and Deer Deterrent.
10. Outside clotheslines are not permitted.
11. Water/Rain Barrels must blend into the environment and be gray, brown, black, or dark green.
12. Outdoor trash containers must meet the minimum construction described in Appendix P – Residential Exterior Trash Can Enclosures. The location, color, and design of the outdoor structure shall be submitted for acceptance by AECD.
13. Tarps and covers intended for firewood storage and other uses, including vehicle, grill, and hot tub covers, shall be either dark green, brown, black, dark gray, or clear. This is not applicable to tarps used for large home repairs such as covering roof damage.
14. Outdoor Fire Devices (other than cooking grills) are not permitted in Big Canoe. This includes devices/appliances such as fire pits, chimenaes, fire rings, and all other devices/appliances whether they are fueled by wood, charcoal, or bio ethanol.
a. There are two exceptions: a device/appliance fueled by propane designed to be used on the deck or patio; and an outdoor fireplace approved by AECD, constructed of brick/masonry materials or UL approved with a chimney cap and spark arrestor and full protective wire mesh screening to effectively eliminate the possibility of live sparks/ashes/cinders/embers from escaping the permanent outdoor fireplace internal structure,
b. Permanent outdoor fireplaces may not be used whenever a burn ban is placed in effect by the State or County governments, or Big Canoe Public Safety.
15. Gutters/downspouts should be comparable to the structure background color. Chain style downspouts are authorized. It is the responsibility of the Property Owner to maintain the gutters and downspouts on the structure including, but not limited to painting, repair, and replacement.
