Our Code is an important part of the overall plan for SouthWater, as it guides what is to be built in a way that best assures harmony with the site and a more pedestrian-friendly community, and ensures a view for all residents. 

The Neighborhood Code for SouthWater at Lake Guntersville describes how a particular house should fit on a particular lot. This guide will ensure the desired orientation and setting for every house and building in the community. The Code is an important part of the overall plan for SouthWater, as it guides what is to be built in a way that best assures harmony with the site and a more pedestrian-friendly community, and ensures a view for all residents. There is a great deal of community common space in the plan for SouthWater. Much of the Code deals with how houses and buildings will relate to the spaces so that they are amenities to the entire community. Among these common spaces are the public promenade, dedicated natural areas, and developed parks and paths. The developed areas are community spaces, intended for the residents to use and enjoy.

The Code contains many guidelines for vehicular access and parking as well as building placement to facilitate this access. Much of this regulation is based on the notion that in a neighborhood such as this, vehicular travel is a service function and not the only means of moving about the community. 

People and their visual and physical access to the rest of the community take precedence over the ability to drive rapidly through the area. This principle throws out the conventional way that front and back of a house are thought about and introduces a concept of the service side and the people side of the house. There are many different lot types in SouthWater as well as greatly varying topographic conditions with differing building placements, height limitations, driveway and parking configurations, pedestrian paths and areas of natural vegetation preservation.

The Lot Specific Code

The Lot Specific Code has been written to include such specifications as façade zones, setbacks, build-to, roof heights, tree preserves, drive locations and allowable lot coverage for each individual lot. Typical site plan and section illustrations are also provided for each lot type for reference, but the Lot Code shall be referenced for house placement on each lot. The individual
lot requirements shall be provided to each purchaser.