SMITH LAKE, ALABAMA · HUMPHRIES GROUP AT KELLER WILLIAMS
Highland Shores on Smith Lake
Explore Highland Shores on Smith Lake across Winston and Walker counties. The reviewed declaration identifies plats in both counties and sets out architectural, home-size, parking and lease provisions; current amendments and the offered lot’s records still need confirmation.
What to compare in Highland Shores
Cross-county plat coverage, architectural review, construction timing and the documented minimum lease term.
MLS-reported matches for Highland Shores — Winston County
Explore the MLS-reported subdivision matches in our Smith Lake search area. Confirm the exact community, phase and parcel for each property.
Open this property search full screenListings remain supplied through our existing Brivity MLS search. Save properties, use your existing account or open a listing for its full details.
MLS-reported matches for Highland Shores — Walker County
Explore the MLS-reported subdivision matches in our Smith Lake search area. Confirm the exact community, phase and parcel for each property.
Open this property search full screenListings remain supplied through our existing Brivity MLS search. Save properties, use your existing account or open a listing for its full details.
Your neighborhood questions, answered
Document summaries describe the sources reviewed. Confirm current amendments, fees and the rules for your exact lot.
The original declaration is Winston Deeds Book 267, pages 319–343 and identifies Winston Plat Book 3, page 144 and Walker Plat Book 9, page 94. The packets also contain declaration Amendment No. 1 at Deeds 328, pages 251–252; amended/restated bylaws at Deeds 328, pages 155–162; and a later bylaw amendment at Deed 369, page 583.
- Is there an HOA, and what does it cost?
Confirm current terms
Membership, annual dues, special assessments and common-road/common-area funding are documented. The bylaws allow dues changes; their old amount is not quoted as current. The later amendment changes payment timing to January 31. Obtain current dues, specials and lot-account status.
Highland Shores declaration · Declaration Article IV · Deeds Book 267, pp. 325–327; bylaws Article VII · Deeds 328, p. 161; amendment · Deed 369, p. 583 · PDF page 9
Highland Shores amended and restated bylaws · Declaration Article IV · Deeds Book 267, pp. 325–327; bylaws Article VII · Deeds 328, p. 161; amendment · Deed 369, p. 583 · PDF page 9
Highland Shores bylaw Amendment No. 1 · Declaration Article IV · Deeds Book 267, pp. 325–327; bylaws Article VII · Deeds 328, p. 161; amendment · Deed 369, p. 583 · PDF page 9- What neighborhood amenities are available?
Confirm current terms
The original designates Lots 41 and 42 as common areas, describes a 16-by-24-foot pavilion on Lot 41 and excludes overnight vehicles from Lot 42 parking. The ramp is explicitly proposed and subject to Alabama Power approval. Present operation and access rights need confirmation.
Highland Shores declaration · §3.09.1(c) and §5.07 · Deeds Book 267, pp. 325 and 328 · PDF page 7
- What size home can I build?
Confirm current terms
Original §8.07 specifies 1,800 heated square feet and a 1,200-square-foot heated footprint, with stated lot-size/hardship exceptions. The 2018 amendment gives architectural guidelines priority in a conflict; confirm current guidelines before relying on these original figures.
Highland Shores declaration · Original §8.07 · Deeds Book 267, p. 332; Amendment No. 1 · Deeds 328, p. 251 · PDF page 14
Highland Shores declaration Amendment No. 1 · Original §8.07 · Deeds Book 267, p. 332; Amendment No. 1 · Deeds 328, p. 251 · PDF page 14- What styles and plans need approval?
Document summary
Architectural approval applies to construction, exterior work and site changes. The 2018 amendment corrects the architectural cross-reference and gives architectural guidelines priority over conflicting covenants. Obtain current guidelines and written project approval.
Highland Shores declaration · Original §§7.01–7.02 · Deeds Book 267, p. 330; Amendment No. 1 · Deeds 328, pp. 251–252 · PDF page 26
Highland Shores declaration Amendment No. 1 · Original §§7.01–7.02 · Deeds Book 267, p. 330; Amendment No. 1 · Deeds 328, pp. 251–252 · PDF page 26- Are manufactured or mobile homes allowed?
Not verified
No express manufactured/modular-home classification was found in the fully read declaration, amendments or bylaws. Temporary-structure and log-home provisions are not a complete manufactured-home answer; current architectural guidelines were not supplied.
Highland Shores declaration · Complete supplied packets; original §§8.08 and 8.18 · Deeds Book 267, pp. 332–333 · PDF page 14
Highland Shores amended and restated bylaws · Complete supplied packets; original §§8.08 and 8.18 · Deeds Book 267, pp. 332–333 · PDF page 14
Highland Shores declaration Amendment No. 1 · Complete supplied packets; original §§8.08 and 8.18 · Deeds Book 267, pp. 332–333 · PDF page 14
Highland Shores bylaw Amendment No. 1 · Complete supplied packets; original §§8.08 and 8.18 · Deeds Book 267, pp. 332–333 · PDF page 14- Can I keep or stay in an RV or camper?
Document summary
The reviewed clause requires listed campers, trailers, boats and similar equipment to be parked entirely within a garage unless the Board permits otherwise. Tents, trailers and temporary structures are separately restricted; this is not general RV occupancy permission.
Highland Shores declaration · §§8.02 and 8.18 · Deeds Book 267, pp. 331 and 333 · PDF page 13
- When must construction start?
Not verified
No purchase-to-start deadline was found in the supplied declaration, amendments or bylaws. The 12-month covenant concerns finishing after commencement; external architectural guidelines remain to be reviewed.
Highland Shores declaration · Complete supplied packets; original §8.22 · Deeds Book 267, pp. 333–334 · PDF page 15
Highland Shores amended and restated bylaws · Complete supplied packets; original §8.22 · Deeds Book 267, pp. 333–334 · PDF page 15
Highland Shores declaration Amendment No. 1 · Complete supplied packets; original §8.22 · Deeds Book 267, pp. 333–334 · PDF page 15
Highland Shores bylaw Amendment No. 1 · Complete supplied packets; original §8.22 · Deeds Book 267, pp. 333–334 · PDF page 15- When must construction finish?
Confirm current terms
Original §8.22 calls for finishing within 12 months of commencement unless the committee grants a written exception. It separately calls for a landscape plan within 90 days after completion and implementation within 60 more days. Reconcile current guidelines under the 2018 priority amendment.
Highland Shores declaration · Original §8.22 · Deeds Book 267, pp. 333–334; Amendment No. 1 · Deeds 328, p. 251 · PDF page 15
Highland Shores declaration Amendment No. 1 · Original §8.22 · Deeds Book 267, pp. 333–334; Amendment No. 1 · Deeds 328, p. 251 · PDF page 15- Can I rent through Airbnb or VRBO?
Confirm current terms
Original §8.23 requires written leases of at least 90 days, tenant compliance and owner responsibility. The 2018 priority amendment gives bylaws/amendments and architectural guidelines priority in a conflict. Reconcile current guidelines and later changes before planning Airbnb or VRBO use.
Highland Shores declaration · Original §8.23 · Deeds Book 267, p. 334; Amendment No. 1 · Deeds 328, p. 251 · PDF page 16
Highland Shores declaration Amendment No. 1 · Original §8.23 · Deeds Book 267, p. 334; Amendment No. 1 · Deeds 328, p. 251 · PDF page 16
Highland Shores amended and restated bylaws · Original §8.23 · Deeds Book 267, p. 334; Amendment No. 1 · Deeds 328, p. 251 · PDF page 16
Highland Shores bylaw Amendment No. 1 · Original §8.23 · Deeds Book 267, p. 334; Amendment No. 1 · Deeds 328, p. 251 · PDF page 16- What other rules should I know?
Document summary
Waterfront work requires written architectural approval before the required Alabama Power approval process. Lot-specific dock and shoreline rights must be verified.
Highland Shores declaration · §9.01(a) · Deeds Book 267, pp. 334–335 · PDF page 17
All 27 declaration-packet pages and all nine bylaw-packet pages were visually read. The 2018 amendment says bylaws/amendments and architectural guidelines control conflicts with covenants. Original building and lease terms below must be reconciled with the current guidelines, which were not supplied, and any later recorded changes. Research checked 2026-10-31.
Neighborhood features
The original designates Lots 41 and 42 as common areas and describes a 16-by-24-foot pavilion on Lot 41. The ramp is only proposed, not guaranteed, and requires Alabama Power permitting. Lot 42 excludes overnight parking; current facility operation has not been checked.
Highland Shores declaration · §3.09.1(c) and §5.07 · Deeds Book 267, pp. 325 and 328 · PDF page 7
Road responsibilities distinguish accepted public roads, association-maintained common-area private roads and owner-maintained driveways. Specified shared easements carry maintenance obligations.
Highland Shores declaration · §§3.09–3.09.1 · Deeds Book 267, pp. 324–325 · PDF page 6
Building and ownership notes
The available document copies state:
The declaration specifies 1,800 heated square feet with a minimum 1,200-square-foot heated footprint. The architectural committee may approve the stated inadequate-lot-size or hardship exceptions. The 2018 priority amendment requires checking the current architectural guidelines before relying on these original figures.
Highland Shores declaration · §8.07 · Deeds Book 267, p. 332 · PDF page 14
Highland Shores declaration Amendment No. 1 · §8.07 · Deeds Book 267, p. 332 · PDF page 14Construction, exterior work and site changes require architectural approval, subject to the stated exceptions and separate architectural guidelines.
Highland Shores declaration · §§7.01–7.02 · Deeds Book 267, p. 330 · PDF page 12
Construction normally must finish within 12 months from commencement unless the committee grants a written exception. Landscaping has separate completion requirements.
Highland Shores declaration · §8.22 · Deeds Book 267, pp. 333–334 · PDF page 15
Original §8.23 requires written leases of at least 90 days, tenant compliance and owner responsibility. The 2018 priority amendment requires reconciling current bylaws and architectural guidelines; this is not a complete current Airbnb/VRBO determination.
Highland Shores declaration · §8.23 · Deeds Book 267, p. 334 · PDF page 16
Highland Shores declaration Amendment No. 1 · §8.23 · Deeds Book 267, p. 334 · PDF page 16Listed campers, trailers, boats and recreational equipment must be parked entirely within a garage unless otherwise permitted by the Board. The document also restricts tents, trailers and temporary structures on lots.
Highland Shores declaration · §§8.02 and 8.18 · Deeds Book 267, pp. 331 and 333 · PDF page 13
Waterfront work requires written architectural approval before submission for the required Alabama Power permits or approvals.
Highland Shores declaration · §9.01(a) · Deeds Book 267, pp. 334–335 · PDF page 17
Recorded document trail
The opening identifies plats in both Winston and Walker counties. Confirm the offered lot in the appropriate plat and any recorded supplements rather than inferring location from the community name alone.
Highland Shores declaration · Deeds Book 267, opening p. 319 · Winston Plat Book 3, p. 144 · Walker Plat Book 9, p. 94 · PDF page 1
Winston County probate record search · Deeds Book 267, opening p. 319 · Winston Plat Book 3, p. 144 · Walker Plat Book 9, p. 94 · PDF page 1
Walker County probate record search · Deeds Book 267, opening p. 319 · Winston Plat Book 3, p. 144 · Walker Plat Book 9, p. 94 · PDF page 1The eight-page bylaws are followed by an amendment adopted in 2022 and recorded in 2023. It changes annual payment timing to January 31 and director/election terms, leaving its other provisions unchanged. It does not verify today’s dues.
Highland Shores amended and restated bylaws · Bylaws Article VII · Deeds Book 328, p. 161; amendment · Deed Book 369, p. 583 · PDF page 9
Highland Shores bylaw Amendment No. 1 · Bylaws Article VII · Deeds Book 328, p. 161; amendment · Deed Book 369, p. 583 · PDF page 9The 2018 declaration amendment replaces §15.08 so bylaws/amendments and architectural guidelines control conflicts with covenants. Reconcile current architectural guidelines before treating an original covenant number or use restriction as the complete present rule.
Highland Shores declaration Amendment No. 1 · Amendment No. 1 · Deeds Book 328, p. 251 · PDF page 26
Questions for the exact property
- Which county plat, lot and later amendments govern the offered parcel?
- What current architectural guidelines control under the 2018 priority amendment, including size, construction type and landscape timing?
- Which road segments and entrance/common areas does the association maintain, and are special assessments planned?
- What written dock or shoreline permits and any shared-slip rights transfer with this lot?
- What current water-service, connection and septic approvals are available for the intended home?
Sources, document scope and review dates
- Winston County probate record search
County recording search; search by the book and page shown with each summary. · Reviewed 2026-10-31.
Official search destination; source copy not independently index confirmed.
- Walker County probate record search
County recording search; search by the book and page shown with each summary. · Reviewed 2026-10-31.
Official search destination; source copy not independently index confirmed.
- Highland Shores declaration
Winston Deeds Book 267, pp. 319–343 · recorded October 6, 2006. · Reviewed 2026-10-31.
All 25 original pages and two appended 2018 declaration-amendment pages were visually read. Separate current architectural guidelines were not supplied and matter because the amendment changes priority among documents.
- Highland Shores amended and restated bylaws
Winston Deeds Book 328, pp. 155–162 · recorded February 20, 2018; adopted February 4, 2017. · Reviewed 2026-10-31.
All eight bylaw pages and the appended amendment at Deed Book 369, page 583 were visually read. The old dues amount is not current verification. The later amendment changes payment timing to January 31.
- Highland Shores declaration Amendment No. 1
Winston Deeds Book 328, pp. 251–252 · recorded February 8, 2018. · Reviewed 2026-10-31.
Both appended pages were visually read. The face gives February 4, 2017, with an acknowledgment-year correction to 2018; the recorded date is used. The amendment changes document priority and architectural cross-references.
- Highland Shores bylaw Amendment No. 1
Winston Deed Book 369, p. 583 · recorded December 18, 2023; adopted February 5, 2022. · Reviewed 2026-10-31.
The appended page was fully read, including the rotated recording stamp. It changes director/election terms and annual payment timing to January 31; it does not verify a current dues amount.
Document summaries preserve the source’s stated scope. Current amendments and the requirements for your exact lot still need confirmation.
Understand the map and the property
Community pins identify reference locations, not entrances or subdivision boundaries. A highlighted tax parcel is the selected listing’s map reference and may not include all land offered for sale. Nearby parcels are not assumed to be part of the community or listing. Confirm boundaries, access and rights with recorded documents and a survey.
Find your place on Smith Lake
Tell our team about your plans, your preferred area and the properties you want to compare.
Talk with our teamExplore Smith Lake property