Country Lakes West

PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.

COMMUNITY USE

RULES & REGULATIONS

Amended and Restated

c/o Infinity Community Management, Inc.

5350 10th Avenue North, Suite 1

Greenacres, FL 33463

Phone: (561) 721-9776 Fax: (561) 642-6100

Website:

PURPOSE

To ensure pleasant and comfortable living at Country Lakes West, this pamphlet summarizes many of the Country Lakes West community’s rules and restrictions. The rules, adopted at the urging of your neighbors, are designed to follow common sense necessities created when a large number of people live relatively close together. Please follow the rules.

If the rules are not followed, then the community’s appearance and aesthetic environment will rapidly deteriorate, depreciating the value of all owner’s lots and our quality of life. Your cooperation is appreciated by your neighbors. If you have any comments, then please provide them to the Association.

Because this is only a summary of the community’s use restrictions, please read the community’s “governing documents”, the Declaration of Protective Covenants and the Association’s By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation together with their amendments. These documents govern in case the rules are silent or there is a conflict with the rules. Note that these rules may be amended in the future. Each Owner is responsible to keep a complete set of rules and documents.

All Association approvals are issued by the Board of Directors in writing unless the governing documents require otherwise. Please make this booklet available to all members of your family and see that your guests and home’s occupants are furnished copies for their information and guidance.

In an emergency threatening life or property, call 911

THESE RULES SUPERSEDE ALL PREVIOUS VERSIONS.

WHO ARE WE?

ONCE UPON A TIME, actually well after fairy tales ended, in 1983, Hovsons, Inc. created the Association as a homeowners’ association. At the beginning, the community’s name was “Holiday at Lantana”. You will note that the Association’s original “governing documents” utilized the old name. In 1991, the purchasers of lots from the developer, your neighbors, changed the Association’s name to Country Lakes West.

Pursuant to the governing documents the Association administers the entire community. The “common areas” consisting of parks and lakes together with the entry sign are the Association’s responsibility. The Association is also responsible to enforce the rules, including rules intended to preserve the appearance of the community. To pay for these efforts, the Association levies assessments. Lot owners must pay assessments to avoid liens on their homes and the potential foreclosure of their homes.

The Association’s policies are created by seven volunteer directors. Owners elect directors at an annual members’ meeting. Each lot is entitled to one vote for each director to be elected.

Directors volunteer for two-year staggered terms. The Association’s structure is similar to almost every other corporation and Association. The directors elect volunteer officers who are charged with implementing the directors’ policies. The officers are a President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary.

Directors normally meet once every other month to set community policies. At the time of printing, directors meet on the fourth Wednesday of every other month at 5350 10th Avenue North, Suite 2 in Greenacres. Meeting schedules are subject to change, particularly during holidays and summer. Contact the management company to confirm time and location before leaving your house to attend a meeting.

Please note that volunteers are exactly what the term means. There is no payment to directors for volunteering to serve the community. The Association seeks to ensure a continuing pool of volunteers by treating each other with consideration and politeness, recognizing that all of us have the same goal, a successful community. We may disagree from time to time as to methods to that end; but those feelings should not leave a meeting room.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. LOT USE AND OCCUPANCY ...... 5
  2. Residential ...... 5
  3. Guests ...... 5
  4. ALTERATIONS ...... 5
  5. PETS ...... 6
  6. VEHICLES ...... 6
  7. Prohibited Vehicles ...... 6
  8. Parking ...... 6
  9. COMMON AREAS ...... 7
  10. General ...... 7
  11. Boats ...... 7
  12. Personal items ...... 7
  13. Park ...... 7
  14. Parents ...... 7
  15. Parties/Functions ...... 7
  16. GARBAGE ...... 7
  17. Storage ...... 7
  18. Pick-up ...... 7
  19. COMMUNITY APPEARANCE ...... 8
  20. Homes ...... 8
  21. Lawns ...... 8
  22. NUISANCES ...... 9
  23. General ...... 9
  24. Fire ...... 9
  25. Work ...... 9
  26. Noise ...... 9
  27. SALES, LEASES AND OTHER TRANSFERS ...... 9
  28. FINING...... 10
  29. REQUESTS...... 10
  1. LOT USE AND OCCUPANCY. (Reference: Declaration of Protective Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions IV(A).) Please be mindful of your neighbors. By respecting your neighbors, your neighbors will be more likely to respect you and help you. Each owner is personally responsible for the conduct of the owner lot’s occupants, guests and others visiting their lot.
  2. Residential. To ensure the residential atmosphere at Country Lakes West, lots are to be used as a private dwelling for one family and for no other purpose. Individual rooms or a portion of a lot cannot be leased. No business or commercial building may be erected on any lot. No business may be conducted on any part of a lot.
  3. Guests. All lots share common facilities. Just as in other organizations with shared facilities an owner is responsible for their guest’s conduct.
  4. ALTERATIONS. (Reference: Declaration of Protective Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions III) Any and all alterations to the exterior of a home or lot are prohibited without first obtaining written approval from the Architectural Review Board (ARB), as well as, Palm Beach County Building Department.
  5. Applications for Alteration are available on our website or may be obtained from the management company. The Application must be completed and submitted with details, plans and/or drawings of the alterations requested.
  6. Applications for a building permit are available at or you may pick one up at 2300 N. Jog Road, West Palm Beach.
  7. No building or structure of any kind, including additions, alterations, pools, tennis courts, fences, walls, patios terraces or barbecue pits shall be erected or altered until the plans and specifications, location and plot plan therefore in detail and to scale have been submitted to and approved by the ARB. (Reference: Declaration of Protective Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions III(A).)
  8. No roof work shall begin unless roof design and materials are first approved by the ARB. (Reference: Declaration of Protective Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions III(B).)
  9. No sign of any kind shall be displayed to the public view on any lot unless the size and design of all signs have received approval from the Association. Real Estate signs are acceptable if it is installed on a removable post in the front yard. No more than one (1) real estate sign per lot. (Reference: Declaration of Protective Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions IV(I).)
  10. No enclosed storage areas, tents, temporary or accessory buildings or structures shall be erected without first obtaining written approval from the ARB. All tents and storage structures shall have a 10’ height restriction.
  11. Fences are limited to the area between the rear of a dwelling and the rear property line. Along the side of any home, fences should not extend forward of the midpoint of the home’s wall on that side. The “good” side of the fence must be toward the neighbor’slot; post side must be toward your lot. ALL fences on a property must be the same height, size, material and color. Fences must be kept in good repair and must be free of dirt, mold and/or mildew. If 2/3 of any fences needs repair then the entire fence must be replaced (using the same material as existing fence). Fences may be painted or stained providing that the entire fence is painted or stained the same color. (Reference: Declaration of Protective Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions IV(F).)
  12. Swimming pool walls may not have an outside edge closer than four feet to a line extended and aligned with the side walls of the home. Lighting shall buffer, not glare into, surrounding residences. (Reference: Declaration of Protective Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions IV(B).)
  13. No window or wall air conditioning units are permitted. Only central units, properly screened from the street and neighboring lots, should be installed. (Reference: Declaration of Protective Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions IV(C).)
  14. No portion of a lot shall be used as a drying or hanging area for laundry of any kind, unless screened on all sides from view from abutting properties or street. (Reference: Declaration of Protective Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions IV(D).)
  15. No gravel, blacktop or paved parking strips are allowed except as approved by the original developer or the ARB. (Reference: Declaration of Protective Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions IV(G).)
  16. Driveway may be painted or stained except for the apron and sidewalks.
  17. YOU MUST CALL “SUNSHINE STATE ONE CALL” BEFORE YOU DIG – DIAL 811.
  18. PETS. Recognizing that our homes are relatively close together, and to avoid sanitary and safety problems, owners are responsible for their pets and their guest’s pets. Pets should not be able to roam through the community. Dogs should be on a leash when not on a lot. Dog owners must remember to pick up after their dogs to be respectful for their neighbors. Dogs should also not be allowed to remain outside for an extended period of times where they will yelp or cry or bark becoming a nuisance for others. No kennel, horses, swine, goats, poultry or foul shall be kept within the community, nor shall any pet be permitted which becomes an annoyance or nuisance.
  19. VEHICLES.
  20. Prohibited Vehicles. No tractor-trailers or trucks having a capacity of over one ton shall be permitted to be parked within the community unless the tractor-trailer or truck is necessary for the actual construction or repair of buildings within the community or for deliveries to the community. No boats, boat trailers, boat engines, vessels or any similar type of equipment or craft of any kind or nature shall be permitted to be parked or stored within the community. Note that most trailers are similar to boat trailers and are prohibited. (Reference: Declaration of Protective Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions IV(K).)
  21. No recreational vehicles, fifth wheel campers, travel trailers, commercial or utility trailers may be parked within the community, with the exception of pop-up campers which can be totally concealed from view behind fencing or in a garage. (Reference: Declaration of Protective Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions IV(O,P).)
  22. Parking. Lawns are not parking lots. Vehicles should be parked on paved areas only, except for:
  23. Guest temporary parallel parking on swale immediately adjacent to the street in the direction of traffic; and if unseen behind a fence as described in (d) below.
  24. No vehicle is allowed to be parked on the street. Any vehicle parked on the street is subject to a fine by Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. (Florida Statute Title XXIII, Section 316)
  25. Prohibited vehicles and items have been permitted if parked where they are completely concealed from view behind a fence or in a garage so that they cannot be seen from the street or neighboring lots.
  26. COMMON AREAS. Because the common areas are shared by all owners, these restrictions are necessary to ensure that one owner’s use does not infringe upon another owner’s rights.
  27. General. The use of all facilities is at the user’s risk and the Association is not subject to any liabilities. The Association does not provide guards or monitors. Owners are urged to report any inappropriate conduct directly to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office which patrols the community at: 561-688-3000, or 911 if there is an emergency.
  28. Boats. No power boats of any nature are permitted on any waterways.(Reference: Declaration of Protective Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions IV(L).)
  29. Personal Items. Personal items may not be left on common areas.
  30. Park. The park areas are closed from Dusk until thirty minutes after Dawn.
  31. Parents. Children under the age of 12 should be accompanied by a resident adult at least 18 or older. Parents are responsible for their children’s conduct.
  32. Parties/Functions. Any resident desiring to have a party or function at the park area must submit an application for approval along with a refundable $50 deposit. The deposit will be refunded after a satisfactory inspection of the area by a Board Member or Committee Member.
  33. GARBAGE. For health, safety and aesthetics. Garbage must be properly and timely disposed. No lot shall be used or maintained as a dumping ground for rubbish, trash or other waste. Improper garbage handling results in pests, vermin and odors.
  34. Storage. All normal household garbage must be securely sealed in watertight plastic bags and kept in a sanitary container except during pickup. Grocery store and other merchant bags should not be used because they leak liquids and odors. Cardboard boxes and containers should be cut up and flattened so that they do not blow through the community.
  35. Pick-up. Garbage pickup is normally Wednesday and Saturday, subject to change for days with holidays.
  36. Garbage should not be put out before 5 pm the day before pick-up, and cans should be removed and stored no later than 6 pm the day of pick-up. When not put out for pick-up, cans should be stored in a location not visible from a street or adjoining lot.
  37. Other waste, including but not limited to furniture, appliances, large items, chemicals and hazardous substances, shall not be disposed of in the Country Lakes West community. Please call Solid Waste Authority at 561-697-2700.
  38. THERE SHOULD BE ABSOLUTELY NO DUMPING IN THE CANALS! If you notice someone dumping into the canal, please contact Palm Beach County Sheriff Office at 561-688-3000 or Lake Worth Drainage District at 561-498-5363.
  39. COMMUNITY APPEARANCE. Owners purchased lots inside Country Lakes West because of our appearance. Please help us preserve our appearance as a clean, neat and well-maintained community.
  40. HOMES.
  41. All exterior portions of the home (roof, exterior walls, fences, driveways, walkways, etc.) must be kept free of dirt, mold and/or mildew.
  42. Torn or missing screens on windows, patio doors, and screen enclosures must be replaced immediately.
  43. Homes that have faded, chipped or chalking paint must be properly cleaned and painted.
  44. Missing or damaged shingles must be replaced immediately and the color must match the existing shingles.
  45. Any wood (fascia, wood fencing, etc.) must be replaced if it is dry rotted or damaged in any way.
  46. No basketball goals are allowed to be installed, stored or kept on the swale or sidewalks.
  47. Bikes, toys, ladders, tires, gas containers, etc. must not be stored on the side of the home or in any area where they are visible from the street or neighboring lots.
  48. Mailboxes must be properly maintained and kept free of dirt, mold and/or mildew. Leaning mailbox posts must be straightened.
  49. Every home must have a coach light in the front lawn. The coach light must be in good working order and the post must be kept painted.
  50. Each home MUST have visible address numbers on the front of the home or on the mailbox.
  51. LAWNS. (Reference: Declaration of Protective Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions IV(G,H).)
  52. Each lot owner is responsible for their lot’s landscaping. Please ensure that your lawns, including irrigation systems, are well groomed and properly maintained. All lawns and owner’s responsibility shall extend in the front of a lot to the street’s edge of pavement.
  53. Grass must be maintained at a height of no more than 8” and no less than 3.25”. Grass should be cut once per week during the months of May through October and twice per month during the months of November through April.
  54. Trees must be pruned on a regular basis but no less than once per year.
  55. All areas where the lawn meets the concrete or pavement must be edged with each mowing.
  56. All flower beds, tree rings and driveways/walkways must be kept free of weeds.
  57. All grass clippings, tree branches, palm fronds, leaves and debris must be cleaned up immediately after cutting.
  58. Bushes must be maintained no higher than 4’ in front of the home and 8’ in the rear of the home.
  59. NUISANCES. Please preserve the peace, quiet, health and law-abiding nature of our community.
  60. General. Nothing shall be done or maintained on any lot which may be or become an annoyance or nuisance to the community. No immoral, improper, offensive or unlawful use shall be made of or upon the community property. (Reference: Declaration of Protective Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions IV(J).)
  61. Fire. No fire hazards shall be allowed to exist.
  62. Work. Owners should ensure that any work being undertaken is on a date and time that is appropriate so as not to disturb others and not to incur the risk of having the Association shut the work down at the owner’s expense. No work should be conducted before 7 am or after 8 pm. Workers vehicles must be parked in the direction of traffic.
  63. Noise. Radios, TV’s, car engines, etc. must be kept to a level where it does not disturb neighbors.
  64. SALES, LEASES AND OTHER TRANSFERS. Owners who desire to sell or lease their property must contact the Association’s management company.
  65. Documents. Owners and/or realtors must provide their purchasers and tenants with a complete set of documents, rules and regulations as this is a deed restricted community. These documents normally are obtained from a selling owner’s attorney.
  66. Assessments. Buyers should make certain that the seller has paid all assessments due through the date of closing. Thirty days before closing please request a letter from the management company to confirm what assessments, if any, are due. Most buyers will not close without this letter. A fee of $150 is required payable to the management company for the letter. Assessments are due January 1st and July 1st in the amount of $150, however, this amount is subject to change.
  67. New Purchasers and Tenants will be required to attend an orientation prior to closing/leasing the home. An application must be completed and submitted to the Association and then the orientation will be scheduled.
  68. FINING. Just as in the “real world” outside the community, occasionally individuals need encouragement to comply with the rules everyone else follows. The Association’s membership overwhelmingly approved an amendment to the Association’s governing documents providing for fining. (Reference: ByLawsXIII)
  69. ANY VIOLATIONS THAT ARE LISTED IN THE GOVERNING DOCUMENTS OR THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO FINING AND COULD RESULT IN CONSIDERABLE LEGAL FEES.
  70. Fines may be levied in the amount of $100 per day up to $1,000.
  71. Fines in the amount of $1,000 or more may become a lien on your property.
  72. REQUESTS. The Association seeks to accommodate owners’ reasonable requests. If you have a reasonable request, then please provide it in writing with details to the management company office. The compliance committee will determine what is “reasonable”.
  73. All requests, suggestions, and if any, complaints, must be submitted in writing to the management company. Members are not to interfere with or make requests to management employees working on the grounds to ensure that Association resources are properly utilized.
  74. Under no circumstances should a director be contacted directly. Please remember that directors are volunteers who are not property managers, who are not responsible for personally undertaking community maintenance and who are not paid to be directors. Please respect directors’ privacy.
  75. Management office hours are normally 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Friday. Closed on Saturday, Sunday and legal holidays.

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