If you are thinking of buying an existing Sea Ranch house or a lot, you have probably already noticed that this is not a typical community. Here the beautiful and dramatic natural setting predominates.
Most houses are modest in size and designed to fit into their surroundings. There are no streetlights, sidewalks or mailboxes. You rarely see manicured lawns, flower gardens, fences along property boundaries or brightly painted houses. Boats, recreation vehicles and propane tanks are screened. Unlike a suburb, Sea Ranch streets are not lined with cars.
Before You Buy, Learn About The Sea Ranch Philosophy
These "non-suburb" features and other design elements express The Sea Ranch philosophy of “living lightly on the land.” To learn more about The Sea Ranch philosophy, please read the booklet,
The Sea Ranch: Concept and Covenant.
(A free Adobe Reader for this and other Acrobat documents provided on this page can be downloaded from the Adobe Website.)
You can also obtain a CD describing the vision of The Sea Ranch at the Association office.
Community Restrictions Govern Individual House Design
The appearance of The Sea Ranch is no accident. It derives from deliberate decisions to develop according to the original concept and follow the guidance of The Sea Ranch Restrictions, Covenants and Conditions (commonly referred to as the CC&Rs). The CC&Rs state:
It must be assumed that all owners of property within The Sea Ranch by virtue of their purchase of such property are motivated by the character of the natural environment in which their property is located, and accept, for and among themselves, the principle that the development and use of The Sea Ranch must preserve that character for its present and future enjoyment by other owners.
All Sea Ranch property owners are bound by the CC&Rs. Sea Ranchers accept limits on their freedom to do as they wish with their property in order to protect the integrity of the community and its environment. This is our covenant. The CC&Rs are the foundation of The Sea Ranch community.
Don’t be surprised! If you are considering buying property at The Sea Ranch, now is the time to review the CC&Rs.
The Design Committee Must Approve All Plans
The CC&Rs establish a professional Design Committee to review all construction and landscaping plans. No work may proceed without Design Committee approval. Members of the Design Committee and staff join you and your architect in a collaborative design process to find the unique potentials of your site and achieve building and landscape designs consistent with The Sea Ranch idea. The Sea Ranch Design Manual and Rules was adopted to help you and your designer/architect through the process of designing and building a home at The Sea Ranch. Be sure to read it carefully before you start planning a home or remodel.
You can download the Design Manual in four parts:
Design Manual
Chapters 1, 2, & 3 Introduction, The Sea Ranch Environment, Design Process
Chapters 4 & 5 Design Review and Design Standards
Chapters 6 & 7 Site Planning and Site Development
Chapters 8 & 9 Architectural and Landscape Elements
If you are considering a lot or home in an area with septic systems, you need some understanding of septic systems before you buy. A free Homeowners Guide for On-Site Disposal Systems is available in the Association office.
This website contains a wealth of information about The Sea Ranch. We encourage you to browse our public pages and learn as much as you can about this wonderful and unusual place. Then, if you resonate with The Sea Ranch idea and accept the covenant as contained in the CC&Rs, come join us in this fascinating experiment in “living lightly on the land.”
Questions or Inquiries
Click here to email your questions or inquiries to The Sea Ranch Association
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