Home Modifications 101
At Point Hope, our community thrives on thoughtful design and a shared respect for our surroundings - and that includes our homes and landscapes. To help achieve this, Point Hope’s Design & Use Review Board (DRB) monitors and approves both new construction projects and updates to existing homes and landscaping to ensure they adhere to the community’s Design Guidelines and requirements.
Whether you’re considering a new fence, refreshing your home’s exterior, or installing a pool, it’s important to understand and follow Point Hope’s Design Guidelines and requirements to help contribute to a collective harmony throughout our neighborhoods.
The Home Modification Approval Process
Before making any exterior changes to your home or yard, it’s best to visit livepointhope.com/design-review-board or check in with the Community Manager to make sure you are accessing the most up-to-date information about the review process, requirements and application fees for your project. Almost all modifications require review. This includes repainting your home, changing or removing landscaping, building or altering fences or decks, installing pools, etc.
You will need to complete a Home Modification Application. The application outlines the requirements for different types of home modifications. Please keep the following important information and guidelines in mind:
Paint and Stain Changes
If you’re simply refreshing paint or stain using the exact same colors, you don’t need approval, but notification is still required. However, if you’re changing colors, you’ll need to submit paint samples that are clearly labeled with information about how each will be used - siding, trim, shutters, doors, etc. No approval will be granted without samples.
Landscaping
If landscaping changes are visible from the street or neighboring homes, you must submit a detailed plan that includes plant types, sizes and locations, path or walkway plans and hardscape material specifications. Keep in mind that there are minimum planting requirements, including canopy trees in front yards, that must be maintained. See Section 5 of the Residential Design Principles for details about these requirements.
Fences & Decks
All fences and decks require DRB review. Please see page 3 of the Residential Design Principles for specific information about fence requirements. Your application must include:
A site plan with measurements that shows the placement of all elements of the design
Material details
Color details
Pools
Pools must be located beyond the 20’ rear building setback and be surrounded by approved decking and fencing. The DRB is looking for plans that provide adequate privacy screening and adequate spacing from property lines. You’ll need to provide detailed schematics, including:
Drainage plans that show how there will be no impact to neighboring properties
An explanation of how you’ll remove dirt without disturbing neighboring properties
Location of pool equipment
Once you’ve completed your application and compiled the required information, you can submit it electronically to drb@pointhopecharleston.com, or drop it off at the POA office at the Hub, along with the required application fee.
Final Step: Talk To Your Neighbors
Whenever you’re making a change that will impact adjacent properties, it’s always a good idea to keep the lines of communication open with your neighbors. Make them aware of your plans, the potential impact, if any, that there might be on their property, and how you plan to address any destruction to their property that results from your work.
Bookmark livepointhope.com/design-review-board for easy access to the latest information and downloadable forms associated with the property modification process at Point Hope.