As stated in Article V of the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions and Easements, the Board of Directors may from time to time publish “rules and regulations” governing structural modifications, acceptable exterior color schemes, fence materials, storage areas and receptacles, screening specifications and other materials relating to architectural control.

The following is a summary of items from our documents and additional new regulations recently passed by the Board of Directors.

The speed limit in our community is 25 MPH – please do not speed down our streets.

Ownership

We are required by the state to keep records of the owner(s) of record of each home – including names, mailing address and contact information. Please keep us informed of how to contact you – your mailing address if different from your property address in Franklin Farms and a current telephone number. Renting your property requires prior approval from the Board.

Your responsibilities as an owner

You are responsible to maintain your property even if it is rented. You are also responsible for the actions of renters and guests at your property. All occupants must abide by the rules and regulations of the association.

• No commercial activity, trade or business shall be conducted on any property
• No noxious or offensive activity shall be carried on in or about any property
• Dogs must be kept on your property or on a leash
• No signs, display, poster, or other advertising device of any kind may be displayed in public view except “for sale” signs inside a front window

Renting or Selling your home

“For Sale” signs are only allowed inside a window. You are required by state law to inform any potential buyer that the property is in a homeowner’s association, provide a set of association documents to the buyer and obtain the buyers signature on a disclosure statement acknowledging receipt of this information. Your closing agent must contact the association for an estoppel letter prior to closing the sale.

All rentals must be approved in advance by the Board of Directors.

Garbage, recycling and bulk trash (per City of Miramar ordinances)

Garbage is collected on Tuesday and Fridays. Recycling is collected on Tuesday; Bulk Trash is collected on the second Saturday of every month. Service is provided by Waste Pro (954-967-4200) . Collection rules can be found on the city website at ttp://www.ci.miramar.fl.us/publicworks/solidwaste/

Items for garbage, recycling and bulk trash can only be placed at the curb the night before and receptacles must be removed from the curb and placed out of sight by the night of the collection.

Parking

The American with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a federal law that makes it illegal to block sidewalk accessibility. According to the ADA sidewalks should be free of all obstacles/ barriers that would restrict use of the sidewalk by persons using a cane, walker or wheelchair. Barriers include vehicles, bushes, low hanging trees, etc.

A city of Miramar ordinance states it is illegal to park across the sidewalk or in the lawn.

Sec. 20-48.  Parking regulations, all zoning districts.

 (b)   Parking so as to face oncoming traffic prohibited.  It is unlawful to park any vehicle on the street, right-of-way or swale area in such a manner as to face oncoming, opposing traffic, whether or not curbing is present. 

(c)   Parking, standing on sidewalks.  It shall be a violation for any person to park a vehicle upon any part of a public sidewalk or bike path. 

(d)   Parking in public right-of-way.  It shall be a violation for any person to park a vehicle on any street in such a way to impede the free flow of traffic or interfere with the passage of emergency vehicles. 

(k)   Blocking driveways.  It shall be a violation for any person to stop, stand or park any vehicle so as to deny normal access to any public or private roadway. 

 (m)   Consent of owner required.  It shall be unlawful for any person to park any vehicle including trailers upon any privately owned parking lot or other private property without the consent of the owner, lessee, tenant or other person entitled to the possession and use of the premises. 

(h)   Parking location.  No commercial or passenger vehicle shall be parked on any part of private property including the lawn area, except in a driveway, carport or garage. Passenger cars may be parked in swale areas abutting residential property with the consent of the abutting residential property owner.

This is a reminder that it is the policy of Franklin Farms Homeowners Association that parking is allowed in your driveway and swale area (facing traffic) only.

 - Parking across sidewalks is prohibited and illegal.

 - Parking in your lawn is prohibited and illegal.

 - Unlicensed or inoperable vehicles are not allowed on any portion of the property.

 - Commercial vehicles are not allowed to be parked in Franklin Farms unless services are being performed at the property location where parked.

Parking is allowed in driveways or on your own swale area only. Parking in the lawn is strictly prohibited. If you are planning to have numerous guests at your property, please observe all parking laws and/or provide off-site parking for your guests. Violations will be reported to the police and you will be ticketed.

Commercial Vehicle definitions

- Commercial vehicles are not allowed to be parked in Franklin Farms unless services are being performed at the property location where parked.

The designation of commercial vehicles is any vehicle larger than a stretch van or a pick-up truck. Where questionable this designation is at the discretion of the board of directors.

Small commercial signs on passenger owned vehicles are allowed. The determination of allowable small signs shall be at the discretion of the board of directors and determined on a case by case basis.

Car covers

These are for temporary use only.

Covers must be maintained in good repair - not torn or stained. They should fit the vehicle and not be secured with ropes or held down by bricks, etc.

Changes to your property

Approval in writing by the Board of Directors must be obtained prior to starting any exterior work – this includes but is not limited to painting, roofing, shutters, driveways and fencing.

Any required City permits must be obtained prior to starting any work.

If you fail to obtain approval prior to doing the work a $10.00 delinquent fee will be assessed to process the ACC form.

Exterior Color schemes:

A collection of color schemes has been approved by the board as the only allowed paint colors as of January 2009. A brochure can be obtained from 9421 Belaire Drive. If you choose a color scheme from the approved brochure you do not need approval or an ACC form to paint. Any other colors must be approved in advance (including repainting the same color) by submitting an ACC form to the Board with color samples attached.

Basketball hoops

These rules apply to fixed or temporary hoops.

Please respect your neighbor. Playing basketball outside is restricted to dawn to dusk.

Decorative or functional columns on front porches or entryways

In keeping with the style of the neighborhood these columns must be square sided only - round columns are not allowed. An ACC request and approval is required prior to any change to the exterior of a home.

Lawn Maintenance:

All lawns must be kept in a healthy green condition and weed free. Lawns should be mowed and edged around all areas at least once a month during the winter and twice a month during the summer growing season.

House exteriors:

The home exterior including stucco and wood surfaces will be kept in good condition and repaired and repainted as necessary to present a “like new” appearance. Mildew and rust will be removed routinely from all exterior surfaces. Rotted wood will be replaced and repainted. We sell rust remover for $10.00 (our cost) per gallon. Replacement windows must be white - colonial grids are optional.

Solar panels should blend with the roof and be placed on the rear of the home if possible.

Walls and fences

• No wall will be permitted except along the lake as a retaining wall.
• No fence will be constructed with a height of more than six (6) feet above ground level.
• No fence will be constructed parallel to an existing wall or fence within five (5) feet of that existing wall or fence, unless approved by the Board of Directors as a variance for good cause.
• The Boulevard wall and all fences will be kept in good condition and repaired as necessary to present a “like new” appearance.
• Effective 1-1-07 white PVC vinyl fencing is the only approved fencing type. No wood or chain link fencing will be approved. Any existing wood or chain link fences are grandfathered in and may be maintained but if replacement is required they must be replaced with white PVC vinyl fencing in an approved style. The approved styles are:

                  Closed privacy

                  Basket weave privacy

                  Lattice top privacy

                  Closed picket – 4 foot only

• Six-foot privacy fences will be allowed on non-lake lots in any approved style. Six-foot privacy fences on lake lots will only be approved at the front and on the side of the home extending only to the end of the home in the rear. Only four foot closed picket style white PVC vinyl fencing will be allowed on the side of the lake-lot home from the end of the home to the lake and across the lake front.

Other outside improvements

Any sheds, outbuildings, storage buildings, above ground pools, or any other structure to be added to any lot will be approved on a case by case basis and must:

• be concealed by fencing and/or landscaping
• conform to City and County requirements and have required city permits

Gazebos or tents (temporary)

Temporary structures(metal poles with cloth tops):

Use is limited to a specific part or activity - one week limit

Can be erected in the rear of property only

Mailboxes

Beginning 1/1/2016 all mailboxes will be provided by and maintained by the association. If it becomes necessary to repair or replace a homeowner’s mailbox more than once in a 12-month period, the cost will be billed to the homeowner. Report any problems promptly to the association.

Exterior free standing lights

All free standing exterior lights will be only the approved model installed in the largest section of the front yard 2-3 feet from the sidewalk and 2-3 feet from the driveway.

Artificial Plants and Holiday Decorations

No artificial plants, shrubs or trees are allowed on the property except for holiday displays during the holiday season.

Storm shutters

Removable storm shutters should be taken down within one week after a storm. Permanently installed shutters should be opened within one week after a storm.