Celebration Community Standards
The community of Celebration derives its unique character from a mix of compatible architectural styles and the cooperation of all owners in upholding minimum design, landscaping, and aesthetic standards. One of the benefits of owning property in a planned community is the commitment among neighbors to maintain their property in a neat, attractive, and well-landscaped condition to enhance the community’s overall beauty and aesthetic appeal. Every owner is responsible for complying with the governing documents and upholding the community standards described in the Celebration Charter and outlined in the Celebration Design Guidelines.
Downspouts & Gutters
Standard Conditions for all Gutter & Downspout Applications
- Gutters must be installed at the edge of a roof. Installation of gutters at the edge of floors (e.g., porch floor) is not permitted.
- Dissimilar gutter or downspout styles (e.g., Ogee or half-round) on a single structure are not permitted. If installing additional gutters and/or downspouts on a structure that has existing gutters and/or downspouts and of a style that is not approved (or no longer approved) for that architectural style of home, the existing gutters and/or downspouts must be replaced with the same style, material, and color as the additional gutters and/or downspouts being installed.
Downspouts
- Downspouts should be located at a corner of the structure and may not be located midway on a wall.
- Downspouts must be located at the rear of the Front Façade Zone or further back and as far back on the home as possible, with installation to minimize visibility from the street.
- Downspouts may not be attached to or travel along columns that face the front street; positioning should minimize visibility from a side street.
- Downspouts must be installed in a standard vertical orientation unless the application identifies the request for downspout installation in a slanted or diagonal orientation.
- Extensions may not be connected to downspouts regardless of material.
- Splash blocks may be installed beneath downspouts provided approved landscaping is installed to obscure the view of the splash block from public areas. Splash blocks may not be larger than 12” x 24” and must be natural-colored gray concrete with a smooth finish (e.g., no exposed aggregate). Other surfaces, such as brick pavers, may be submitted to the Architectural Review Committee for consideration.
Drainage
- Downspouts shall be located and installed so they will not create water runoff issues for neighboring properties.
- Unless specifically shown on the submitted application and called out as “Grade changes” the owner is not approved to make any changes to lot grading.
- Street curbs may not be cut to provide drainage unless approved by the Celebration Community Development District (CCDD) and Osceola County. Approvals must be in writing and presented to the Association in advance.
Specifications for ALL gutter/downspout installations Gutters
- PVC is not permitted.
- Gutters and downspouts must be seamless.
- Gutters must be aluminum, galvanized, or Galvalume steel, zinc, or copper.
- Structures that have metal roofing require careful consideration when installing dissimilar metals in direct contact which may create corrosive conditions.
- Materials may not be mixed (e.g., aluminum gutters with copper downspouts).
- Standard colors are defined by architectural styles (below). Custom colors (applied as part of the manufacturing process) may be proposed but must be harmonious with the property’s existing colors – roofing, body and trim, hardscape, etc.
- Attachments to roofs that have exposed rafter tails must be half-round gutters for all areas.
- Half-round gutters must have external brackets versus internal hangers.
- 7” gutters may be requested in situations when the roof surface requires additional drainage capacity.
- Vertical shields may be installed in valleys to direct runoff into gutters.
- A vertical rain diverter may be installed –without a gutter – over a sidewalk, steps or porch leading to a doorway to direct runoff to either side of the entryway.
- Conductor heads (also called scupper boxes, scuppers, rain collectors, collector heads, rainwater heads, rainwater boxes, leader boxes, gutter heads, etc.) are required for discharge through parapets or replacement of existing conductor heads. They may be proposed in other situations to add architectural interest.
- Gutter guards (also known as screens, covers, shields, hoods) to prevent leaves and debris from accumulating in gutters may be installed provided they are not visible by a person standing on the ground.
Downspouts
- “Rain chains” are encouraged in place of downspouts when they may be installed at least 24” from the wall.
- Rain chains must terminate in a vessel or into a landscaped area that is designed to accommodate rainwater discharge.
- Kickout diverters may be proposed instead of downspouts provided they permit drainage without damage to landscaping.
- Downspouts must be either 4” round or box rectangular; either style must be smooth surface (no ridges or corrugated surface)
- Downspouts must be the same material, color, and finish as the gutter to which they are attached.
- If downspouts drain into an underground drain line, identify the location of the line and the location(s) and terminate the hardware of drain outlets (e.g., popup heads, grates, etc.).
- Identify modifications to landscaping to manage the rainwater discharge or to add plants that are water tolerant.
- Identify plant name, quantity to be planted, spacing between plants, and the container size to be installed.
- Gutters and downspouts must be designed and installed so they are both effective and aesthetically pleasing.
Specifications for SPECIFIC architectural styles
Conditions for SPECIFIC architectural styles take precedence over general specifications.
For Mediterranean architectural style
- Gutters must be half-round style.
- Gutters and downspouts must be bronze or copper (shiny or aged) finish.
- Gutters may only be installed if the roof line extends beyond the vertical wall. Some cases, including but not limited to barrel tile roofs that do not extend beyond the exterior wall, will not be approved.
For Victorian architectural style:
- Gutters must be 6” Ogee, half-round style, or formed metal boxes. Half-round style is required for installations on exposed rafter tails that are visible from public areas.
- Gutters may be white aluminum, galvanized or Galvalume steel natural color, zinc, or (shiny or aged) copper.
For all other architectural styles:
- Gutters must be 6” Ogee or half-round style. Half-round style is required for installations on exposed rafter tails that are visible from public areas.
- Gutters may be white aluminum, galvanized or Galvalume steel natural color, zinc or (shiny or aged) copper.
Routine maintenance includes, but is not limited to:
- Cleaning to remove dirt, algae/mildew, rust, etc.
- Remove material that accumulates in the gutter/downspouts including weeds, other plants, or debris.
- Repair gutter/downspouts that are damaged or dented.
- A gutter or downspout which cannot be repaired must be replaced with a gutter or downspout that is compliant with the Design Guidelines.
For more information about Gutters & Downspouts and the requirements before installing, please visit the Celebration website or contact our ARC Coordinator at Town Hall by calling 407-566-1200 or emailing townhall@ciramail.com.