Chateaux Sur Mer

March 2021

Chateaux Sur Mer (CSM) Owners and Renters Guide

Key Neighborhood Covenants and Sanibel Ordinances

A guide to help you know your responsibilities to our neighborhood

Key Chateaux Sur Mer Covenants and Guidelines

·         Garbage, recyclables, and yard waste should be put on the roadside late Monday for Tuesday pickup by the city of Sanibel.  They should not be put out early OR left by the road after Tuesday pickup. (Covenants article 5.4)  If you’re leaving town before trash pickup, please take your garbage to the recycling center on Dunlop Road as you leave the island (across from the Sanibel library).

·         Please observe posted speed limits for safety and be aware of our many walkers and bikers. Walkers and bikers should stay to the side of the road.

·         Beach accesses are for walkers (i.e. owners and their guests/renters) only—no bicycles or motorized vehicles including golf carts please.

·         Golf carts:  Please drive slowly and watch out for walkers and bikers.  Florida statute 216.212 states that no one under the age of 14 is permitted to drive golf carts on public roads.  If you decide to permit your teenager (over age 13) to drive, please supervise to ensure safety for our residents and visitors—especially on our narrower roads.

·         Parking:  Parking of vehicles, golf carts, or bicycles is NOT permitted in front of any owner’s property without the permission of that owner.  There is a bike rack at the beach access path.  Golf carts can be parked on the grassy area across from 4697 Rue Belle Mer.

·         DOGS—Owners must pick up after their pets in the neighborhood and on the beach.  All pets must be leashed.

·         ALLIGATORS—love to sun themselves along our entrance road.  Like any wild animal they are dangerous when they feel threatened by humans.  Do not approach them and keep dogs and children away.  Do not walk close to the edges of the lake or bayou, especially with dogs.

·         To ensure safety:  no fishing, swimming, or boating in Lake Claudine; no fishing or swimming in our bayous.

·         Keep noise to neighborly levels.

·         RVs, motor homes, trailers, large trucks, and boats are not permitted on a property except during normal visiting hours.  NO overnight parking without written approval before returning to Sanibel. (Covenants article 5.6)

·         Permitted signs—two types:  name/address signs and standard “for sale” signs no larger than 2x2 ft. on standard frames.  No other signs are permitted. (Covenants article 5.2)

·         Regularly check irrigation systems that may be spraying onto the road causing damage.  Ask your landscapers and lawn service companies to refrain from blowing yard debris across roads and neighboring lawns or into our waterways.

·         When considering a major renovation or new construction, your CSM board will provide an architectural review process which is voluntary and nonbinding. The review will provide input to help in your design process.  This input can be beneficial when taking your plan to the city of Sanibel.

·         Any significant damage to the roads and/or neighborhood property by owners or their contractors (including phone, cable, irrigation, etc.) or by heavy building construction, will be taken care of at the contracting owner’s expense. 

Key Sanibel Ordinances

·         Rental of properties can be for no less than twenty-eight consecutive days.  Owners wishing to rent must comply with the city’s licensing and registration requirements.

·         Pets must be leashed and picking up their waste is required.

·         No motorized vehicles can be driven on the beach or parked on beach vegetation.

·         A strict noise ordinance applies to owners, renters, and contractors.

·         No beach fires are permitted without specific requirements, permit, and fee.

·         No feeding of wild animals is permitted—ESPECIALLY ALLIGATORS!

·         Outside lights must conform to city regulations.

·         Fertilizers: please go to http://www.mysanibel.com/Departments/Natural-Resources/Protecting-Our-Water-Quality/Sanibel-H2O-Matters/Sanibel-s-Fertilizer-Information/Sanibel-Fertilizer-Ordinance to ensure that you are in compliance. 

All Sanibel city codes and ordinances can be found at:  mysanibel.com.  See “city codes”. 

The key covenant responsibilities for CSM residents and their renters are meant to keep our neighborhood clean, beautiful, safe, and in harmony with nature and our neighbors.  The knowledge of the covenants and the key Sanibel ordinances will hopefully help you or your neighbor avoid costly or embarrassing situations while on Sanibel and in CSM.

If you observe a violation of the covenants or ordinances, please be a good neighbor and discuss the issue directly with the person responsible.  Most violations occur because of a lack of knowledge.  If the situation is not corrected, please report it to the city of Sanibel or a CSM board member.   

Thank you for observing all covenants, guidelines, and ordinances.

Chateaux Sur Mer Improvement Association

Board of Directors