Residential Dwelling Changes or new construction

Essential Information

Click here for essential information on when you must file an application to modify your residential dwelling or to initiate new construction on your lot. All improvements or modifications to your residential dwelling or lot must comply with Frostwood's Deed Restrictions. 

Work Flow

Click here to learn more about what happens after an application is filed.

Additional Detail and Good to Know

Click here for additional details on Frostwood's process for managing modifications to your residential dwelling or building on your lot.

Fast Track Approval Applicability

Click here to learn more about applications that are applicable for fast track approval.

Frostwood, just like all homeowner associations, has adopted a comprehensive set of Deed Restrictions and policies designed to protect property value and maintain the quality of life within the community. All improvements or modifications to your residential dwelling or lot must comply with these Deed Restrictions. Proposed improvements or modifications that are viewable from neighboring properties or can potentially impact neighbors (e.g., drainage, potential hazards, or extended disruptions) require advance approval from the Frostwood Architectural Control Committee (the "Frostwood ACC"). The Frostwood ACC comprises volunteer homeowners appointed by the Board who are responsible for ensuring homeowners comply with Frostwood's Deed Restrictions and relevant policies and provisions when undertaking such projects. As a first step, an owner MUST submit an ACC Application to the Frostwood ACC via RealManage at FROSTWOO@ciramail.com. 

Example projects include (i) any change to the exterior form or appearance of a residential dwelling, (ii) major improvements of a structural or non-structural nature to a residential dwelling, and (iii) demolition of existing residential dwelling and construction of a new residential dwelling, (iv) Any project where the occupants of are not resident for more than a few days. Please consult Frostwood's Deed Restrictions and the ACC application when in doubt. As well, please contact RealManage. 

Like-for-like changes, such as repainting or replacing a roof with the same color and quality, will receive prompt approval upon submission of an ACC Application if all required information is submitted. New construction and major improvements of a structural or non-structural nature require an additional technical review. This technical review focuses on objective and technical compliance with Frostwood's Deed Restrictions by an architect on retainer to Frostwood. The owner pays the fee for this review as part of the Frostwood ACC application submission. 

In all cases, approval authority rests with the Frostwood ACC, although the Board is authorized to consider appeals of any adverse decisions made by Frostwood ACC. In such cases, the Board consults with RealManage and Frostwood's legal counsel to assist with any such appeals to ensure compliance with the spirit and intent of Frostwood's Deed Restrictions. 

Alterations to a residential dwelling's interior where 1) the occupants remain in residence, 2) the project does not involve any exterior work, or 3) does not require a dumpster in place for more than a few days may be done solely at the owner's discretion, but they must always comply with City of Houston building codes. Of course, advising neighbors is always useful and neighborly, given the increased traffic, vehicle parking, and potential noise or debris concerns.

More details can be found on the Frostwood ACC Application form, including plan and document submission requirements and review fee..   

Once an application is submitted, RealManage will log and review it to ensure the plan and documentation requirements are complete. Submissions with incomplete information will be marked incomplete and returned to the owner with the missing information identified. Complete applications not requiring technical review are forwarded to the Frostwood ACC  and, if technical review is required, to Frostwood's outside architect. 

Applications that require technical review are only evaluated by the Frostwood ACC when they fully comply with Frostwood's Deed Restrictions. At this point, the Frostwood ACC reviews the plans for community fit, and the committee members vote to approve or disapprove an application. Frostwood ACC approval is required before an owner can begin a project. 

The Frostwood ACC has 30 days to approve, disapprove, or respond to a complete application once they receive it from RealManage. Please note that the 30-day period does not begin until an application fully complies with all requirements and is officially designated "complete." 

The majority of ACC Applications are approved or disapproved within days of submittal; however, ACC Applications for new construction and major renovations often require more information or detail, especially if the application is incomplete or otherwise deficient. If an owner is planning a new residential dwelling or a major improvement to an existing dwelling, the owner should provide their architect or builder with a copy of the Deed Restrictions early in their planning process and before requesting ACC approval.

The requirements for Frostwood ACC submittals are set out in Frostwood’s Deed Restrictions in Articles IV, and V.  A portion of Article IV follows to explain further when an application is needed.  Please review all of Articles IV and V if you plan changes to the exterior form or appearance of your residential dwelling at any time.  

Frostwood also has specific rules and guidelines for a project's construction/activity phase.  The "Construction Rules and Guidelines" is an official Frostwood policy that has been filed and recorded in the Harris County property records.  The "Guidelines" are a compilation (but edited) of various of the documents, including the Deed Restrictions.  An English and Spanish version is required to be posted at the worksite to ensure compliance from workers and builders.  

In addition, to be complete, all plans must meet the City of Houston requirements for issuing a permit based on such plans.  Anything less will not be considered complete.  Note especially that the Frostwood ACC requires a complete drainage plan for any action or modification that adds square footage or additional concrete to one's residential dwelling.  Drainage must be to the street, not onto neighboring properties, as required under state law, City of Houston building regulations, and Frostwood’s Deed Restrictions.  Homeowners planning a major remodel or new construction should download Frostwood's Checklist to ensure completeness in submitting the Frostwood ACC Application.  This Checklist includes, among other items, the requirement to give written notification of the proposed construction project to all surrounding neighbors.    

Each project that is a new residential dwelling or a major improvement to an existing residential dwelling requires that the owner and builder execute and deliver a Construction Deposit Agreement and provide a payment deposit to ensure compliance with all rules and regulations related to construction.  Forfeitures for an owner or builder’s failure to comply with the rules and regulations are set out in the ACC Agreement and may be charged to the deposit as necessary.  Note that the Board and RealManage strictly enforce the requirement that builders comply with all Rules and Regulations set out in the Construction Deposit Agreement and assess fines that are charged against the deposit for non-compliance. 

For all projects, regardless of the need for Frostwood ACC approval, it is a basic courtesy to discuss your plans with your neighbors to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.  Regardless of the level of work being done, advising adjacent homeowners whenever exterior work is done will ease concerns about potential traffic and parking congestion, noise, workmen on roofs, permitted work hours, etc.  

In July 2022, the Board of Directors approved and filed in the Harris County Property Records a Fast Track Approval Policy (the Fast Track Policy”), which provides for rapid approval of additions and modifications that are essentially “like-for-like” additions and modifications. You may use this Fast Track Application if your planned work falls into any of the categories below. A list of modifications falling under this policy follows below.

Adding Borders Around Existing Beds or Trees:  to the extent and only to the extent they consist of similar or substantially the same rock or stone color as the current beds or trees or were approved by the ACC, or are otherwise complementary thereto, and do not exceed twelve inches (12”) in height. An Owner may use black or green plastic or metal edging that does not extend from the ground more than six inches (6").

Replacing Trees: replacing trees in the front or back yard that a builder or the Owner installed. Each replacement tree must be permitted by   Section 5.2.P (Landscaping) of the Deed Restrictions.

Re-Painting: re-painting (or re-staining) a Residential   Dwelling using the same color (or as close a match as possible). [2]

Re-Roofing:  replacing all or part of the Residential   Dwelling’s roof, including shingles and gutters, using the same material and color (or as close a match as possible). [2]

Window Replacement: replacement of windows on a Residential   Dwelling using technologically advanced or otherwise similar windows (or as close a match as possible). [3]

Non-Street-Facing Changes:  treatment of windows that do not face a street with solar window screens that are dark colored. 

Back Porches:  adding porch railings or enclosing back porches of a Residential Dwelling.

Fencing: existing fencing or parts thereof may be replaced with the same fencing materials, provided that all new fencing must comply with the height requirements set out in Section 5.2.1 (Fences} of the   Deed Restrictions.[4] 

Entry Gates: may be added to existing fencing if (a) the materials are the same height and texture as the fencing to which it will be   attached and (b) the entry gate will be a part of the fence that is solely on the Owner's Lot and not jointly shared with another Lot. Metal entry gates require full ACC approval   and do not qualify for Fast Track approval.

Irrigation or Sprinkler Systems: sprinkler or irrigation systems may be installed; provided that (a) the system is solely on the Owner's Lot,   (b) the contractor is licensed by all necessary Harris County or City of   Houston (or both} authorities and (c) the contractor follows all requirements   and procedures set forth by any such licensing authorities. License   information for the relevant contractor must be submitted as part of this   application form prior to the beginning of installation of any such sprinkler   or irrigation system.

Photographs of the relevant parts of the existing Residential Dwelling being replaced, and samples or photographs of   the new or replacement materials must be submitted with the application.

[1] The Fast Track Approver shall have the authority to determine in its reasonable discretion whether a chosen color is a close enough match, and such determination shall be conclusive

[2] The Fast Track Approver shall have the authority to determine in its reasonable discretion whether the chosen windows are a close enough match, or are architecturally and aesthetically harmonious with the appearance of the Subdivision, and such determination shall be conclusive.

[3] Not less than seven (7) feet, nor more than eight (8) feet in height..