SECTION I-I – ARCHITECTURAL CHANGES AND ADDITIONS

Revised May 1, 2023

A. Architectural Alterations:

1. Each Townhouse Owner is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the interior of his/her unit. Such installation repair, maintenance or replacement shall not impair the structural integrity of the building or adversely affect any adjacent unit.
2. Proposed changes to any unit, lot or common area on the property within the Jurisdiction of the Newtown Gate Townhouse Owners Association shall be submitted to and approved, in writing, by the Board prior to the start of any work. No building, fence, wall, improvement or other structure or any exterior addition or alteration thereto shall be commenced, erected, maintained or used upon any Townhouse Lot until the plans and specifications showing the nature, kind, shape, height, materials, color and location of the same shall have been submitted to and approved in writing, as to harmony of external design and as to location, by the Board of Directors or the architectural Control Committee of the Association.
3. There are four (4) approved colors of CERTAINTEED Monogram D4 Vinyl Siding– Sterling Gray, Charcoal Gray, Oxford Blue and Flagstone. Adjacent (side-by-side) townhomes in the same 4-unit building are NOT ALLOWED to use the same color. However, the new Sterling Gray vinyl siding will be allowed adjacent to a unit with the current Gray aluminum siding. Residents may petition the HOA Board for exceptions to this policy.
4. The existing slope or configuration of the property shall not be altered; nor shall any structure or retaining wall be erected; or any other activity taken which retards, changes, or otherwise interferes with the natural flow of surface drainage waters; or which created erosion or sliding problems.
5. Requests for architectural alterations must be submitted to the Management Company, and written approval received from the Townhouse Association Board of Directors (Board) before work commences.
   1. Townhouse Owners are responsible for assuring that alterations meet municipal requirements, as well as the current requirements of the Newtown Gate Townhouse Owners Association Rules, Regulations and Guidelines.
   2. It is the responsibility of the Townhouse Owner to obtain a copy of the Rules, Regulations and Guidelines from the Management Company, and to follow the section(s) pertaining to proposed alterations. When work is contracted, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to assure that the Contractor’s work is completed, as approved by the Board.
   3. Any Townhouse Owner making an architectural change or replacement without Board approval will receive a fine in the amount of $500.
6. No Townhouse Owner shall paint or alter any exterior portion of his/her dwelling without the written consent of the Board.
   1. Existing colors of siding, trim, garage door, front door and privacy fences must adhere to the specific colors and materials as detailed in the Rules and Regulations.
   2. No screened or enclosed patios, porches of any kind or decks are permitted.
   3.  Indoor/outdoor carpeting is not permitted on patios, or any outdoor location in the Newtown Gate Townhouse community.
   4. Flower boxes may not be affixed to the unit building facade.
   5. No storage buildings, containers, receptacles, structures, sheds, either portable or permanent, may be installed on the Townhouse lot property.
   6. No lamp posts, fences (except for approved privacy fences between properties), storage containers, dog houses, basketball backboards, or other structures or adornments shall be erected or placed upon any lot, or common area.
   7. No existing fence (except for repainting of fence in same color), enclosure, walkway, or curbs shall be painted, written on, used to mount a sign, removed, marked, or otherwise defaced.
   8. No garage shall be converted to a den or other living quarters.
   9. No swimming pools shall be permitted on the property. Temporary wading pools, five feet or less in diameter may be placed in the rear of the house on the Townhouse Owner’s property on a seasonal basis. They may be used only on the Townhouse Owner’s lot or patio. When not in use, wading pools must be stored inside the Townhouse Owner’s garage or house.
   10. No fire pits, chimineas or torches of any kind are permitted.
   11. No solar panels are permitted.
   12. Hose boxes are allowed in the rear of the townhouse lot only and may not exceed 19” (height) x 19” (width) x 17” (diameter).
   13. Porta pottys are strictly not allowed for any reason. All construction must be done allowing the use of a working indoor bathroom.
   14. No portable generators are allowed in the townhomes. Permanent generators must be approved by Newtown township and all permits and pertinent paperwork presented to the board for final approval. No construction can begin until final board approval. Each request will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
   15. The use of hot tubs is prohibited in Newtown Gate Townhouse Owners Association.

B. Natural Gas Pipelines for Gas Fireplace Logs

1. No horizontal gas pipeline may be installed along the exterior of any unit, unless buried underground, except where the unit gas line is at the chimney (Essex Model). Gas line extension must be painted gray to match existing gas line. No installation may be made without prior approval of the Board.
2. Vertical installation will be permitted in the elbow between the chimney and the house if there is no other method of bringing the gas into the unit for the fireplace. Such installation shall be covered with framing approved by the Board. Framing must be painted to match the closest adjacent surface; either the siding of the house or white to match the trim.
3. The Townhouse Owner must present details of the proposed installation for approval of the Board before work commences.
4. It is the responsibility of the Townhouse Owner to assure that gas pipeline installations meet all pertinent fire and safety codes. Permits must be obtained from the township, if applicable.
5. Gas pipeline may not be installed for any other purpose except for gas logs in the existing fireplace.
6. Contractor installing a gas pipeline will be required to present the Townhouse Owner with a current Certificate of Liability insurance, which must be included with the Architectural Request Form