Welcome to a new regular column from the Architectural Review Committee. Our goal is fewer surprises, smoother approvals, and fewer awkward letters from us. We’ll start with the basics, and the ABCs say it all: Ask Before Construction.
A is for Ask First. Many Property Owners are surprised by how much needs ARC approval. If you’re wondering whether your exterior project needs ARC approval, the answer is almost always yes. Repainting, even in the same color, needs approval. So does a new roof that matches the old one, replacing a window or door with an identical one, new gutters, wood rot or stucco repair, exterior lighting, re-tiling a pool, or removing a tree. The same goes for the bigger jobs: decks, patios, driveways, pool fencing, play equipment, solar panels, and demolition. What you don’t need approval for is routine upkeep like landscape maintenance, power washing, pool cleaning and clearing fallen-tree debris.
The rule of thumb is that if it changes, replaces, or repairs something on the outside of your home, check first. If it’s just keeping things tidy, carry on.
And one more thing: your contractor saying, “we do this all the time” is not approval. They may be great at their job, but only the ARC can approve your project. A quick email to arc@sipoa.org before work starts costs you nothing. Fixing unapproved work can cost a lot.
B is for Be Complete. Most delays come from incomplete submittals. Start at the ARC Resources page at sipoa.org, fill out the checklist that is appropriate for your project, and attach everything it asks for. Forms and required documents can be emailed to arc@sipoa.org. Or better yet, you can now submit everything through your very own online submittal and tracking portal: Citizenserve. Bigger projects follow a step-by-step process, and a complete package is the fastest way through it. If you live in a regime or association, check your own standards and get your property manager’s sign-off first.
Did you know? Approval from the Town of Seabrook Island or Charleston County doesn’t replace ARC approval, and ARC doesn’t replace theirs. You’ll usually need both.
C is for Changes Need Approval Too. Approval applies to the plans you submitted. Switching the roof color, shifting the footprint, changing a light fixture, or swapping materials mid-build counts as a change, and it needs approval before it happens.
Changes made during construction are part of what we review at the completion of your project, and an unapproved one can be costly to undo. If something changes on site, let us know early.
Questions? Contact the ARC office at (843) 203-6464 or arc@sipoa.org. We’re happy to help, and we’re friendlier than our paperwork looks.