Building Permit Form & Guidelines

C-11 BUILDING/DEVELOPMENT RULES AND REGULATIONS

​

​

1. ABCA Building/Development permits are required for all interior and exterior construction, structural alteration,

destruction and relocation of a building, no matter what the cost. The Town of Alton requires an approved ABCA

permit before considering any permit for town approval. Check at the ABCA office for details on the permitting

process and for what work requires ABCA permit only and what work requires town approval. Examples of work that

doesn’t require Town of Alton approval include: painting, roofing, replacement of 1-2 windows, replacement of

flooring and/or carpet.

​

2. Building/Development Permits are required for any ground work, such as cutting of trees, construction of fences or

walls, soil alteration, drainage, landscaping, etc.

​

3. Building/Development Permits shall include: location of work request, name and contact information of cottage/RV

owner, reason for request, detailed description of request, diagram showing layout and design, list of materials to be

used, name and contact information of person/contractor performing work if other than cottage/RV owner.

​

4. Building/Development Permits shall be good for 24 months from date of approval.

​

5. If a permit is denied, a second request can be made. If the second request is denied, one appeal may be made to the

Executive Committee.

​

6. Work to be performed shall be to the betterment of the cottage/RV and the Association. Construction and alterations

shall be attractive and in keeping with the historic nature of the association and neighborhood in both materials and

colors as approved by B&G and shall be to the betterment of the cottage/RV and the Association.

​

7. Abutters shall be informed of the project (B&G will check if there are concerns).

​

8. Construction and alterations shall only be according to and within the framework of the approved permit.

​

9. Permitted work hours are Monday through Saturday, 8:30am to 8:00pm. ABOLUTELY NO WORK IS TO BE

PERFORMED ON SUNDAY, unless in an emergency situation or by written permission from the Maintenance

Supervisor or ABCA Director. (Emergency is defined as any situation that poses imminent threat to life or property.)

​

10. Major construction is defined as new construction or renovations covering over 60%of the existing property. Major

construction requires Board approval. Major construction shall not take place during campmeeting season unless

approved by B&G.

​

11. New construction:

​

a. Construction of a new cottage will only be upon the approval of the Board of Director. The Board of Directors

shall take into consideration that the building will be attractive and in keeping with the historic nature of the

association and neighborhood in both materials and colors. Construction shall be subject to approval by the

Town of Alton.

​

b. Building will be attractive and in keeping with the historic nature of the association and neighborhood in both

materials and colors, as approved by B&G.

​

c. Footprint of new buildings shall not be greater than 20’ by 34’. Only uncovered decks not more than 8’ on the

20’ side. Additions to existing buildings shall conform to these same limitations, unless approved by B&G

and the Town of Alton. Dimension limitations shall also apply to attached or integrated garage.

​

d. Every new building shall be set back from the street a distance as shall conform to the line of the existing

buildings on adjacent property. Otherwise, all new buildings shall be set back not less than 25 feet from the

edge of the right of way (Town regulation).

​

e. Any new building or addition must be 20 feet (drip edge to drip edge) from next structure.

​

f. Buildings must be at least 10 feet from a public path.

​

g. Buildings shall not exceed 35 feet in height (Town regulation). Buildings are suggested to be no more than 1-

1/2 stories, depending upon location. Views from existing cottages will be taken into consideration. Plans

must be submitted and approved by B&G and the Town of Alton.

​

h. Foundations shall be constructed according to Town of Alton code.

​

i. Metal roofs are allowed, they need to have ice shield to prevent ice sliding. Buildings and Grounds will limit

colors and evaluation of safety for each cottage.

​

j. Cottage repairs or restoration of an existing cottage would require the cottage owner to use “like materials and

finishes” to conform with the existing cottage appearances. If existing cottages are within 20 feet of

neighboring cottages (drip edge to drip edge), the ‘neighbor facing side” will require cement board siding, the

remaining facing sides that are a minimum of 20 feet away (drip edge to drip edge) from neighboring cottage

can use materials other than cement board siding. New Construction requirements: Shall meet all town, state,

and federal codes. Shall use cement board if less that “20 feet separation from other cottages” (drip edge to

drip edge). If a new or existing cottage has a 20-foot (drip edge to drip edge) separation from a neighboring

cottage then any and all currently approved building materials should be allowed in accordance with town

permitting & approval. This allows for the use of vinyl siding.

​

k. Heating system construction and venting shall be in compliance with local, state and federal regulations.

(Cottage owner is responsible for having an inspection certificate for all heating and venting, a copy of which

must be on file at the office.) Chimneys shall be constructed of stone, brick, cement blocks, cinder blocks,

cement, mortar, or chimney pipe approved by the National Board of Fire Underwriters (Town regulation).

New wood, coal and pellet stoves are not permitted. Existing wood, coal and pellet stoves will be allowed

until 9/1/2020.

​

l. If new construction replaces previous construction lost due to destruction:

​

i. Footprint of new construction shall conform to previous footprint, unless approved by B&G and Town

of Alton; square footage shall conform to 11c above.

​

ii. If more than one building was destroyed and there is not enough space for the same number of

buildings to be constructed, the appropriate size and number of buildings to be rebuilt will be

determined by the B&G Committee in conjunction with the Board of Directors and the Town of Alton.

The process for this determination will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

​

iii. If a building must be torn down and rebuilt, pictures must be taken and elevations determined

beforehand.

​

iv. For safety reasons casement windows are not permitted on 1st floor.

​

​

12. Exterior paint must comply with B&G approved colors (sample book in ABCA office) or be approved by B&G. A

color sample must be submitted along with application.

​

13. Year round use of any building, and therefore of the sewer system, is only by permission of the Board of Directors.

Requests are reviewed by the Executive Committee.

​

14. Washing machines are not permitted, unless by approval of B&G.

​

15. Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are required in all cottages/RVs and must meet Town of Alton code. (Carbon

monoxide detectors are highly recommended.)

​

16. To minimize septic load, cottage/RV owners are responsible for inspection and repair of any leaking toilets or faucets.

​

17. Addition or replacement of heating systems in any building shall be in accordance to 11k above.

​

18. The area around any building construction, including abutting cottages, must be returned to its original condition, or

improved, unless other agreements are in place. Pictures must be taken prior to the commencement of work and be on

file at the ABCA office.

​

19. The use of T-111 as an exterior material: Any new cottages or project restorations will conform with the concept of

“like materials to the existing cottage” within one year of project implementation.-Shall not be used as an exposed

siding material.

​

20. The construction and use of outdoor showers is not permissible on ABCA grounds.

​

21. Cottage/RV owners must inform contractors to notify the ABCA office at the start and finish of their work, both as a

courtesy and for security purposes. It is the cottage owner’s responsibility to obtain the contractor’s Certificate of

Insurance, a copy of which must be kept on file at the ABCA office.

​

22. Generators: Permission to use a generator will require a permit from ABCA and whatever permits the Town of Alton

may require. For seasonal residences, approved generators must be no more than 10,000 watts, must be portable and

stored indoors. Generator must be placed at least 10’ from propane tanks and windows when running. Residences

approved for year-round tenancy may apply to install a permanent emergency generator. An approved transfer switch

must be installed and used on all generators. Existing permanent generators are grandfathered.

​

23. Propane Tanks: Installation of a propane tank will require an ABCA permit and whatever permits the Town of Alton

may require for both the tank and associated plumbing. No more than one 125 gallon tank is permitted. The exception

being those approved for year-round tenancy, and those, no more than two tanks.

​

24. Storage Sheds: Installation of sheds require a permit from ABCA. Only one shed per cottage is allowed. Sheds shall

not exceed a 4’x4’ footprint and shall be located within 10’ of the owner’s dwelling. Existing Sheds are grandfathered.

ALL sheds will be in good shape and fit the aesthetic of their cottage area.

​

25. These Rules and Regulations are not deemed to be exhaustive or all-inclusive.

​

Updated and Approved: January 28, 2023

Updated: November 13, 2021

Revised and Adopted: May 19, 2007