We encourage each of you to create the home that inspires and nourishes you, and reflects your vibe, your tastes, and your lifestyle. We also encourage mindfulness in your design - creating a space that respects the environment and the neighbors around you.
To strike this balance of creative freedom and conscious construction, we have created Architectural Design Guidelines and a process of design review for each home built in Alegría Village.
Here is an overview of the process for building your home:
Purchase your lot: choose your favorite lot, sign the lot option contract, and submit your deposit
Obtain the topographical maps and measurements of your lot to begin your design process
Submit your architectural designs to our Design Review Committee within 18 months of purchasing your lot (transferring title)
Receive approval (or revisions) from the Committee & begin construction on your lot within 12 months of approval
Construction projects must be completed within 18 months of their start unless an extension is provided by the Committee
We have also created a resource of recommended architects, landscapers, contractors, and experts in sustainable development: Home Building Recommended Partners
UPDATE
Dear Neighbors,
We are now seeing neighbors mobilize for the construction of homes in Alegría Village! How exciting! We have passed our initial 20 homes submitted to the Design Review Committee and based on some recurring topics that have arisen, we thought it would be helpful to send out some reminders on this process:
Please read the guidelines and share with your architect! This is a great first start.
Note that containers and temporary working structures may be permitted but MUST be requested to the DRC prior to placement on the lot. This involves a simple email to admin@alegriavillage.com that includes the location of the structure on a site plan and a brief description of the request. Reminder that all structures must avoid the lot setbacks without special exception.
All workers on site must be legal, insured, and register with security when entering.
Tree cutting is generally not allowed in the community (or in Costa Rica) without specific exceptions. Please carefully review the tree preservation section of the guidelines prior to finalizing any plans with trees. Note that the guidelines specify financial penalties for cutting trees.
There are multiple steps to the process, including: Preliminary design submission with application fee ($250), Final design submission with builder impact fee ($500), and inclusion of the builder information for approval. The Design Review Committee of the HOA must approve the conceptual designs, the final (technical) designs, and the contractor (which will be reasonably approved unless there are known reasons to not approve).
Approval of technical designs will likely mean that your architect is also ready to submit for permits. Permits are submitted to CFIA (Costa Rica’s college of architects) and then carry on to the Municipality for approval. Plans shall not be submitted for permits prior to final DRC approval and fees.
We look forward to building alongside you!
Thank you,
Design Review Committee, Alegría HOA
Applying for Electric:
Dear Community,
LET THERE BE LIGHT!!
We are overjoyed to share that ICE has finally activated the electrical service for the southern property of the Alegría community! We are now applying for service connections at each common area which should take a couple days.
Neighbors can now apply for power for their individual lots!
Here are the instructions for how to apply for electricity on your individual lot:
1.Gather the following documentation:
The literal certification of the property, you can get it on the Page of the National Registry Inicio (registronacional.go.cr) or with your lawyer
Sealed electrical plans by the CFIA. *must be provided by Electrical Engineer.
Unifilar diagram sealed by CFIA (executive consults the CFIA). *must be provided by Electrical Engineer.
The nearest NISE electrical meter number which is 2206572
Copy of your identity card, passport, or certification of legal entity (if the owner of the property is a company) and copies of the identity cards of the legal representatives. Company certification with less than one month of issue.
Your phone number and email
2. Download the ICE app: https://apps.apple.com/mx/app/ice-electricidad/id872041645
3. Select the option: “Trámites y Compras”.
4. Select the option: “Información de Trámites”.
5. In the " Residencial o Comercial " option, select the shopping cart icon.
6. When you collect all the items in the requirements list "Requisitos Servicio Eléctrico Nuevo Residencial y Comercial” (listed above), you mark all the checkboxes and select “siguiente”.
7. In “Adquisición de servicio-Paso 2”, select type of the ID:
Cédula física is for Costa Ricans who have cedulas.
Cédula jurídica is for Costa Rican Companies or Corporations (S.A., Limitadas and S.R.L.)
Pasaporte o DIMEX: Passports or DIMEX.
8. Fill the following spaces:
First space: please type the ID/DIMEX or passport number.
Nombre de la persona titular del servicio*: ID of the lot owner.
Correo electrónico para enviar información: your email address.
Teléfono celular: Telephone number (mobile).
Teléfono fijo: Telephone number (landline telephone).
Boleta del CFIA: Sealed electrical plans by the CFIA ticket number.
Provincia: Alajuela.
Cantón: San Mateo.
Distrito: San Mateo.
Dirección detallada: 150 metros norte de la Escuela de Maderal, 300 metros al oeste, Condominio Alegría, lote #_____(put he number of the lot)____.
NISE Refernecia: 2206572
9. In “Adquisición de servicio-Paso 3”, indicate how many electric devices will be in your home.
10. In “Adquisición de servicio-Paso 4”, upload the front and back side of your ID/Passport or DIMEX and select “completar”.
11. You should receive the order confirmation by email and probably an ICE executive will contact you soon.