It is important to understand the Sunriver Design Rules whether you are buying a home in Sunriver, own a home or are thinking of buying a home in Sunrier. Sunriver is a place of natural beauty and one of the reasons it has remained so is the design rules in place.
According to the Design Review Committee the most significant element that has kept Sunriver a place of even with over 4000 homes in it is the ability to insist they blend with nature. Paint colors are a big part of this, and SROA (Sunriver Owners Association) has compiled a list of approved paint colors, these colors are available at Sherman Williams. If you choose one of these colors a sample is not required, but approval is still required.
Many buyers have an idea of repainting a home and adding some great trim color to make things stand out and look fresh and updated. This is not acceptable in Sunriver, in the rules you will find that everything is meant to blend. The committee does not want to notice every window, peak or corner of your home, they would be thrilled if your home was never seen.
Section 19.00 of the Design Manual explains in great detail what needs to be painted and what is expected. One of the little known facts about painting your home in Sunriver that a few owners have caught on to is the front door. The front door can be any color you wish it to be and of any type of paint. 19.03 of the Sunriver Design Manual reads “All exterior colors shall blend and be compatible with the surrounding, natural environent. There shall not be excessive contrast between any color comobinations used including, but not limted to, roof, masonry, siding, trim, windows, doors (except the main front entry door), shutters, trusses or logs. When more than one color is used, such colors shall be within the same tone range and should only be a few shades darker or lighter, including any semi-transparant stains, soild stains, pains and cleal sealers or any combinatioon of the above.” The section does continue on.
If you plan to add rock, change the roof or any thing else that contributes to the appearance of your property it does need require that you follow the design review rules and supply a sample board for the committee to review.
This process seems to be a double edged sword to many of the homeowners in Sunriver, they love the appearance of Sunriver, but they dislike having to go through the process.
Sunriver Owners Association has created a great website which can really help the homeowner know what to expect.
There is a lot more to know about buying in Sunriver than understanding the Design Rules, that is why it is so important to use a REALTOR® that understand the area and the market.
The SROA design limitation depends on your point of view. If you’re a homeowner or full-time resident, you would be inclined to personalize the home with your particular taste in colors, textures, etc. But as a visitor (as I will be later today!), you appreciate the blending of homes with the pines and lava rock. Good information for potential homebuyers who aren’t familiar with this popular high-desert community.
I hope you enjoy your visit, you have a valid point about visitors and homeowners. One of the biggest reasons a local REALTOR® should always be your choice when purchasing in Central Oregon.
Like anything else, someone is going to see this as great, others are going to see it as unconstitutional or something.
If you’re going to buy into an association, you have to agree to abide by the rules –
In the suburbs you may want to stand out, but when you’re in “nature” you want to keep the nature part beautiful and make as little of a footprint as possible.