ARCHITECTURAL/GROUNDS GUIDELINES

CATHEDRAL MOUNTAIN RANCH ASSOCIATION

Below are guidelines for cabin construction and remodeling at Cathedral Mountain Ranch. All construction projects must be submitted to the Architectural Review Committee (referred to below as the ARC) first for review with final approval by the CMRA Board of Directors (referred to below as CMRA).

Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in the following actions: (1) stop work order until review and approval are granted; (2) assessment of a daily fine for noncompliance, or (3) a combination of (1) and (2). CMRA will select the penalty option to be enforced. In any action for the enforcement of these provisions, CMRA shall be entitled to recover costs of the action, including attorney fees.  

1.      Permissible Use - All dwellings shall be constructed for single-family occupancy.

2.      Lot Survey - Lot surveys are the responsibility of property owners.   (see #26)

3.      Project Plan - A set of written documents showing all cabin construction or remodeling requirements including access roads, architectural views, dimensions, decks, utilities, materials, color, etc., will be submitted to the ARC for review.

4.      Plot Plan - A plot plan must be submitted showing the location of a new cabin or addition on the lot and access road. Owners are responsible for locating the cabin or addition within the lot boundary.  A map must be provided clearly showing the existing and proposed location of all buried pipes and tanks, including septic tanks and associated drain fields, propane tanks and lines, cistern, and water and power lines.  In addition, any non-metallic items for new construction must have detectable warning tape or an approved substitute buried with them to facilitate location in the future.

5.      Floor Area - The single-family dwelling unit shall contain not less than 768 square feet within the perimeter of the exterior walls. Attached garages, porches or patios are not included in floor area.

6.      Garages – All garages must be structurally attached. to the residence.

7.      Manufactured, modular, and mobile homes - Manufactured, modular, and mobile homes are not permitted.

8.      Storage Buildings – Separate storage buildings are not permitted.  Any storage facility must be attached to the living quarters and be of the same design.

9.      Exterior Siding - Exterior siding shall consist of logs, log siding, cedar, or rough sawn..  All siding other than log shall be vertically oriented.

10. Roofing - Roofing shall be metal or other non-flammable roofing material (documentation submitted to ARC).

11. Windows - Windows shall be wood frame, metal, vinyl, or vinyl clad.

12. Deck Material - Decks shall be constructed of redwood, cedar, pine, man-made composite, or simulated wood.

13. Exterior Colors - Colors of exterior products including siding, windows, doors, roof and trim shall be compatible with the CMRA environment and approved by the ARC.

14. Substructure - Substructure shall be concrete (block or poured), wood, or a combination of these.

15. Lower Level Concrete - Lower level concrete (foundation and basement) shall be stained, stucco, wood, or rock covered.

16. Fireplace/Woodstove - All fireplaces and woodstoves shall be equipped with a spark arrestor.

17. Water System - A community water system is available. Owners are responsible for construction and maintenance of the service lines. The location of a service line connection to a water main must be approved by ARC. Owner-installed pressure pumps may be necessary to insure adequate water pressure. A hook-up fee must be paid prior to approval by the Architectural Committee and any construction.

18. Sewer System - Community sanitary sewer services are not available. Individual sewer systems, consisting of a septic tank and disposal field and related facilities, shall be installed as approved by the Stillwater County Sanitarian. The County Sanitarian must examine the site and issue a permit before any construction is started. A copy of this permit must be submitted to the ARC.  Placement of septic tank, cistern, and/or disposal field on common ground must be approved by CMRA.  Outside privies or toilets are not allowed with the exception of porta-potties for construction purposes only.

19. Other Utilities - Owners are responsible for the installation of water, sewer, electrical, telephone and other utility lines to their property. All utility lines shall be underground. (see #4)

20. Utility Locations - Owners are responsible for determining existing utility locations. No excavation shall commence until all utilities, including water, are located and submitted to and approved by the ARC.

21. Use of Detectable Warning Tape for buried lines and tanks.  The Board requires that any non-metallic pipes or tanks be marked with special detectable warning tape that is buried in the trench.  This tape is available at the ranch at minimal cost.

22. Driveways and Culverts - Owners are responsible for construction and maintenance of lot access driveways and culverts from the subdivision roadways to their property. Cabin access trail and driveway locations must be approved by ARC.

23. A Roadway/Facilities Impact Fee is payable upon approval of the Architectural Committee and prior to any construction getting under way.  See the Fee Schedule for details.

24. Contractor’s License - All contractors are required to have a Montana Contractor’s license and a copy will be provided to ARC. Exceptions may be granted for owners who construct their own cabin units or do minor remodeling.

25. Grades - No owner shall change the elevation of a lot so as to materially affect the surface elevation or grade of surrounding lots.

26. Soil Conditions - Property owners are responsible for evaluating soil conditions for construction suitability and appropriate design and construction to meet those conditions.  (see #2)

27. Electrical System – The electrical system must be installed in accordance with State and local codes. The property owner is responsible for meeting these requirements and shall provide a copy of permit to the ARC pror to installation of electrical system.

28. Plumbing – Each cabin shall have modern inside plumbing with sanitary toilet and running water connected to the sanitary septic disposal system.

29. Removal of Trees - There shall be no cutting of timber on any common ground unless approved by CMRA.  Except to the extent permitted by CMRA to enable the building of structures and improvements on a building site, there shall be no cutting of timber located on a building site.

30. Propane Tanks – Propane tanks must be installed in accordance with appropriate codes and placed underground.

31. Water System Hose Bibs - A minimum of two frost-free hose bibs shall be installed on the exterior of two sides of the cabin.

32. Exterior Water - Exterior water use at cabins is restricted due to limited water supply. Owners are not permitted to place or irrigate grass lawns. Trees, shrubs and flowers may be watered as necessary.

33. Fences - Fences are not permitted.

34. Retaining Walls – Plans for retaining walls must be submitted to the ARC for review and approval.

35. Hazardous/Toxic Materials - Hazardous or toxic materials are prohibited from use for any construction purposes.

36. Construction Timetable - Construction shall commence within 30 days after equipment and/or materials are moved on site. Construction shall be pursued with reasonable diligence with exterior finished within 365 days.

37. Construction Site Condition - Construction sites shall be maintained in a reasonably clean condition. Excess material should be properly disposed of, but not by use of the CMRA dumpsters. These are reserved for household garbage.

38. Construction Materials Storage - Cabin construction material may be stored at the Barn area for up to 60 days with written permission from CMRA.

39. Building Occupancy - No structure shall be used for habitation, unless the cabin is generally completed, including doors, windows, heating system and the water and sewer plumbing systems.

40. Temporary Facilities -  There shall be no temporary living facilities on the building site.  A single shed, van, or trailer for contractor tools, blueprints, etc., is permitted during construction.

41. Address Posting -  All cabins shall be marked with a rural country address number assigned by Stillwater County and shall be clearly visible from the intersection of the common road and driveway.

42. Property Maintenance -  All cabin owners must keep their cabins and property in reasonable condition. This includes weed and other vegetation control, exterior repairs and staining. Failure to do so will result in the improvements being authorized by the CMRA.  Property owners shall be assessed a fee consisting of one hundred and twenty five per cent of the actual costs.

Approved with revisions 12 November 2005 by Cathedral Mountain Ranch Association Board of Directors.