Declaration of Architectural Rules

Section 1. Authority
The protective covenants of Granite Springs Retreat, a subdivision of Laramie County, Wyoming, shall be the authority for the promulgation of these rules, supplementing the ordinances of the County of Laramie, Wyoming.

Section 2. Purpose
The purposes of these rules are to provide minimum standards of construction and maintenance, to protect and enhance the value, desirability, and attractiveness of the Granite Spring Retreat Subdivision. These rules provide a guideline to property owners and members of the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) for consideration when reviewing construction within the subdivision.

Section 3. Scope
The provisions of these rules shall apply to the construction, alteration, repair, and use of any buildings, structures, fencing, signs, ancillary buildings, walls, or any other structure located within the subdivision.

Section 4. Application to Existing Buildings and Structures
Buildings, structures, fencing, signs, ancillary buildings, walls, or any other structure in which alterations, or repairs are made shall comply with all the requirements of these rules.

A.Existing installations of any buildings, structures, fencing, signs, ancillary buildings, walls, or any other structure in existence at the time of adoption of these rules shall have their existing use continued, but with the provision they are maintained in conformance to the Protective Covenants and part B. below.

B.All existing buildings, structures, fencing, signs, ancillary buildings, walls, or any other structure and all parts thereof shall be maintained to protect and enhance the value, desirability, and attractiveness of said tract.

Section 5. Alternate Materials and Methods of Construction
The provisions of these rules are not intended to prevent the use of any material or method of construction specifically prescribed by the rules. The ACC may approve any such alternative, provided it finds that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the provisions of the Protective Covenants and that the material and method of construction is at least the equivalent of that prescribed in these rules in suitability to meet the intent of the Protective Covenants.

Section 6. Building Type and Use
As provided in the Protective Covenants, all tracts within said subdivision shall be used only for single family homes, country estates or leisure time homes. No commercial trade shall be conducted upon any tract, except professional offices, which may be in the main dwelling, upon specific approval of the ACC.

Section 7. Type of Construction
Dwellings shall have exterior design which harmonizes with the existing dwellings. All dwellings and ancillary buildings must be built on the site. Modular, trailer houses and pre-manufactured homes shall not be set on temporary or permanent foundations on any tract.
A.Styles shall be limited to the following:
i .Western ranch.
ii.Country cottages - salt box and Cape Cod.
iii.Log homes.
iv.Chalet - vacation homes.
v.Country gambrel.
vi.Exceptions see section 5.

B.Exterior materials of construction shall be limited to the following:
i.Natural wood siding and trim such as cedar or pine.
ii.Logs.
iii.Stone.
iv.Cultured simulated stone.
v.Brick.
vi.Hardboard siding that depicts natural wood siding - painted.
vii.Plywood siding that depicts natural wood siding - painted or stained.
viii.Asphalt composite roofs.
ix.Wood shakes roofs.
x.Metal roofs.
xi.Exceptions see section 5.

C.The ACC may require lot owners to provide a complete set of construction drawings certified by a registered professional engineer.

D.Exterior color schemes shall be limited to the following: Natural earth tone colors such as browns and greens.

E.Grading and landscaping shall be limited to the following:
The minimum necessary to excavate for the foundation. As much of the natural grade as possible must remain. The foundation and entrances into the basement must be designed to fit the topography of the site. Driveways and parking areas are to be of appropriate size for the home.
Minimum landscaping shall include re-seeding with native grass, as soon as possible.

Section 8. Outdoor Lighting
Yard lighting must be switchable so its period of lighting can be controlled. Decorative yard lighting shall be directed at the ground and not aimed at other tracts. Mercury or sodium vapor lights that automatically switch on at dusk and off at dawn, such as those supplied by a utility company, are strictly prohibited.

Section 9. Safety
Other than for potable water and approved sewage disposal systems, no underground tanks shall be allowed. Above ground gasoline or diesel storage tanks shall be limited to 150 gallon size and fenced from view. These tanks shall be installed over a concrete or fiberglass pan. Propane tanks shall be fenced from view. Other than small quantities of paint or other household materials for maintenance purposes, hazardous materials shall not be stored within the subdivision.

Section 10. Signs
All signs displayed upon any tract within the subdivision must first be approved in writing by the ACC. Signs shall not exceed 3ft. by 3ft. dimensions and shall not be placed higher that 6ft. from the ground. No lighted signs shall be used on any tract within the subdivision.

Section 11. Improvement Projects
A.Lot owner(s) shall make initial contact with the ACC to obtain an application for approval of any proposed improvement on the lot consisting of structures, walls or fences. All projects must have an acceptable application filled out before the reviewing process begins.

B.Lot owner(s) shall submit a set of plans and specifications which shall contain enough information to determine that the project meets the requirements of the Protective Covenants and Architectural Rules. Additional information may be requested before approval of the project. See attachment C.

C.The ACC shall complete the approval process within 20 calender days after the receipt of the application and plans. If additional information is required for review, the 20 days may be extended to include the time needed to obtain the additional information.

D.The ACC shall determine if a meeting of the lot owner(s) submitting the application and/or adjacent lot owners is necessary.

E.The ACC shall respond to an application in the form shown on attachment B.

F.All changes or additions to the project which impact the Protective Covenants and/or the Architectural Rules shall be submitted and approved before incorporating them into the project. The ACC shall act on these changes or additions so the project may proceed without undue delay.

G.Plans and specifications are approved for one year after the date of the ACC approval. If the project has not been completed before this date a new application and plans shall be submitted for review and approval.

H.The ACC shall inspect the project from time to time and immediately notify the lot owner(s) of any parts that do not meet the intent of the Protective Covenants and/or the Architectural Rules. The ACC shall establish a reasonable date that these parts of the project must be corrected.

I.Disputes arising over the interpretations of the Protective Covenants or Architectural Rules shall be submitted to the Granite Springs Retreat Homeowners Association Board of Directors for review.

Section 12. Complaint Procedure
It is the intent of the complaint procedure to provide all property owners within Granite Springs Retreat guidelines by which to file a complaint of a violation of the Protective Covenants or Architectural Rules and the manner by which reported violations shall be investigated and resolved.

A.Any property owner of Granite Springs Retreat who observes a violation of the Protective Covenants or Architectural Rules within the subdivision may bring the violation to the attention of the ACC or Board of Directors. The complaint shall be in writing and may be given to any member of either the ACC or Board of Directors.

B.The ACC shall meet and investigate the reported violation within 20 days of receiving the written complaint

C.When it is determined that a violation does exist, the ACC shall contact the property owner where the violation exists and attempt to resolve the violation in a reasonable and timely manner.

D.If the violation is resolved at step C. (above), no further action shall be taken.

E.If the violation is not resolved at step C. the ACC shall request a meeting of the Board of Directors. The property owner where the violations exists, shall be informed in writing of the time and place of the meeting in order to provide him/her an opportunity to attend to present their position.

F.If a resolution with the property owner is reached at the meeting, no further action shall be taken.

G.If no resolution is reached with the property owner, the Board of Directors shall draft a letter to the property owner explaining the violation, the action necessary to resolve the violation and a reasonable time table within which the violation is to be corrected. The letter shall be sent through US registered mail.

H.If the property owner does not correct the violation as stated in the registered letter, the Board of Directors may then pursue legal action to resolve the violation.

I.Once the violation is resolved, the original complaining party shall be informed of the outcome.

The Architectural Rules were adopted by the Granite Springs Retreat Homeowners Association by ballot on August 22, 1994.

In Testimony Whereof, said Granite Springs Retreat Homeowners Association by its President, who is duly authorized by its By-Laws, has hereunto signed its Corporate name on this 15th day of May, 1997.

Granite Springs Retreat Association