ALL Exterior structural work must be pre-approved
All Owners must gain approval prior to making exterior structural, color, or other decorative change in appearance. No Owner has the authority to authorize any exterior work to be done in Stratford Manor without prior approval of the Board. Click here for the application form to perform exterior work.
Annual Inspections
The Architectural Compliance Committee makes an annual inspection of all residences in the spring. At any time that a residence is found to be not in compliance, the homeowner will be advised in writing and asked to take the action necessary to correct those issues within 30 days.
Architectural Compliance Checklist
Use this helpful list to make sure that your residence is in compliance with the Stratford Manor Association By-Laws and Rules & Regulations.
- Roof in good condition
- Mullions in all windows and in good condition
- Shutters in place, painted and in good condition
- Screens in all windows and in good condition
- Fences and gates in good condition
- Siding secured and well-maintained
- Exterior paint in good condition and in required colors
- Gutters cleaned and in good condition
- Patios free of trash, rubbish, garbage, debris and standing water
- Rotting wood replaced
- Landscaping in private spaces kept neat (weeded, grass cut, trees & shrubs trimmed)
- Downspouts must not be routed under sidewalks to prevent erosion
- Sheds should be freed of mold and mildew
- Make sure gutters, downspouts and pads at the end of downspouts are in place and working properly
- Make sure no buckets, flower pots or other open containers are holding water
- Fill in any depressions in your outside spaces where water could collect
Roof Shingles
Shingle color for all Stratford Manor homes is "Weathered Wood". Both three-tab and architectural asphalt shingles are permitted.
Shingle color for all Stratford Manor homes is "Weathered Wood". Both three-tab and architectural asphalt shingles are permitted.
Exterior Painting Guide
Stratford Manor is a welcoming neighborhood nestled away in a sought-after, private community close to shopping, the arts, and professional services. The beauty and value of our community come, in part, from the care of homes by our owners, and the beautiful colonial architecture and colors throughout the development. To help preserve the beauty of our community, it is important to have rules for exterior painting which we all follow.
The vibrant colors found on doors, shutters, porches, etc, in Stratford Manor reflect colors found in early American design. Classic colonial paints such as Barraud House Green, Palace Arms Red, and some 20 others were common in colonial times, and are crucial to preserving our Colonial Williamsburg look. To help us retain the beauty of our community, we ask that all residents limit their choices of exterior colors to the 22 Stratford Manor colors listed within this document.
Included within this document is basic painting information, a guideline to follow when re-painting exterior elements of your home using the same color, and rules to follow when you wish to change paint color. It is important to know that all owners must gain approval prior to making exterior color changes. If an owner changes the color without prior approval, the Association has the authority to require the owner to repaint the unit with an authorized, approved color.
Basic Stratford Manor Painting Information
Approved Colors
Each unit within Stratford Manor has authorized, approved colors. There is an assigned color for your door and shutters, another for your porch, trim and bay window, and a third for your siding (if your home has siding). The assigned colors are listed below and available at the local Sherwin-Williams paint store.
Where to buy your paint?
You can purchase your paint from a store of your choosing. Many Stratford Manor owners have taken advantage of significant Sherwin-Williams’ discounts available to them at the Sherwin-Williams store located in the Food Lion shopping center at Oyster Point Rd. and Warwick Blvd., in Newport News. Simply tell the Sherwin-Williams clerk that you are with Stratford Manor and want to use the Stratford Manor account pricing and they will provide you with the price you will pay for the items you are buying. Sherwin-Williams has a listing of Stratford Manor paint colors and can offer assistance there.
Matching Elements
There are certain requirements for matching colors of two or more elements of your exterior. They are:
- Front door paint color and the color of your shutters must match.
- Porch color (rails, posts and brow) must match the trim of the house. The trim is that top trim board just under the roof and trim board on side of the roof (also known as a rake board).
- If your unit has a bay window, it too must match the trim.
- The trim color of your unit cannot be changed.
Painting your townhome with the existing color.
- If you are repainting any part of your house using the same color you currently have, no architectural application is required.
- Check the authorized color chart provided on the SMA’s website.
- Originally, each house address was assigned a specific color and that slowly changed over the years, however, if you would like to return to the original color scheme feel free to contact Abbitt Association or an architectural committee board member for that information.
- Your original paint color can be verified if purchasing from Sherwin-Williams at Oyster Point Rd. and Warwick Blvd.
Changing any exterior color of your home.
If you want to choose a different color scheme from the list of 22 colors, you must submit an architectural application and send/email it to Abbitt Association.
- Contact Abbitt Association at associations@abbitt.com and request a Community Association Authorization - Architectural Review Application. This form can also be found here.
- Gather information such as existing paint color, new paint color, what portion of your unit you wish to change (i.e. shutters, door, etc.) include any information that would benefit the Association/Board in their review. Again, trim, porch and and bay window colors must remain the same – cannot be changed.
- Complete the Architectural Review Application and email the completed form to Abbitt Association along with supporting documentation.
- Abbitt will review to ensure all required information is included and will then send the completed application and request to the Stratford Manor Board for review and approval.
- Please allow up to 30
SMA Approved Exterior Paint Colors
Kings Arms Tavern Gray
Bracken Tenement Blue Slate
Bracken Tenement Biscuit
Market Square Tavern Gray
Robert Carter Tobacco
Palmer House Kitchen Brown
Market Square Tavern Shell
Barraud House Green
Outside White
Peyton Randolph Gray
Palace Arms Red
Benjamin Powell House Green
Governors Palace Tan
Mopboard Black
Raleigh Tavern Sorrel
William Byrd III House Ivory
Burdettes Ordinary Black
Ludwell Tenement Sage
Nicholson Store/Shop Red
Market Square Tavern Dark Green
Purdie House Gray Slate
Palmer House Green
