SMITH LAKE, ALABAMA · HUMPHRIES GROUP AT KELLER WILLIAMS
The Preserve on Smith Lake
Explore The Preserve listings in Walker County and review the original covenants for Lots 1–11. The original document has specific home-size and building provisions, while later additions and phases need separate confirmation.
What to compare in The Preserve
Original Lots 1–11, home size, construction completion and lot-specific septic planning.
MLS-reported matches for The Preserve
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 1999 covenants identify Lots 1–11 on Map Book 8, page 135 and are stamped Walker DML Book 1619, pages 271–278. The packet also includes Phase Three incorporation at DML 1967, pages 274–275 and its plat at Map Book 9, page 68. Original-lot rules below are not extended to all phases without the referenced amendments.
- Is there an HOA, and what does it cost?
Not verified
Current association status, annual dues and special assessments have not been established for the offered phase and lot.
The Preserve original covenants · Current documents or property-specific confirmation not yet reviewed.
- What neighborhood amenities are available?
Not verified
Shared facilities and current access or maintenance rights have not been verified for the offered lot or phase.
The Preserve original covenants · Current documents or property-specific confirmation not yet reviewed.
- What size home can I build?
Document summary
For the original covered lots, a one-story home requires 2,000 square feet; a two-story home requires 2,400, including 1,800 on the main level. Heated/air-conditioned area excludes porches, garages, basements and attics.
The Preserve original covenants · Original Lots 1–11 · §2(c) · Book 1619, p. 272 · PDF page 2
- What styles and plans need approval?
Not verified
The complete supplied original has building, site and material requirements, including on-site construction of the primary dwelling. A general current architectural-committee approval process was not established; obtain the two referenced amendments and phase-specific documents.
The Preserve original covenants · Original §3(c) · DML Book 1619, p. 275; Phase Three references · DML 1967, p. 274 · PDF page 5
The Preserve Phase Three incorporation and plat · Original §3(c) · DML Book 1619, p. 275; Phase Three references · DML 1967, p. 274 · PDF page 5- Are manufactured or mobile homes allowed?
Document summary
The original Lots 1–11 copy excludes mobile, manufactured and prebuilt structures. This summary does not apply that rule to unreviewed later phases.
The Preserve original covenants · Original Lots 1–11 · §2(h) · Book 1619, p. 273 · PDF page 3
- Can I keep or stay in an RV or camper?
Document summary
For the original covered lots, campers and listed temporary structures may not be used as temporary or permanent residences.
The Preserve original covenants · Original Lots 1–11 · §2(i) · Book 1619, p. 273 · PDF page 3
- When must construction start?
Not verified
No purchase-to-start deadline was found in the supplied original or Phase Three incorporation. The original 12-month clause concerns completion after work starts. Two referenced amendments are missing.
The Preserve original covenants · Original §2(j) · DML Book 1619, p. 273; Phase Three · DML 1967, p. 274 · PDF page 3
The Preserve Phase Three incorporation and plat · Original §2(j) · DML Book 1619, p. 273; Phase Three · DML 1967, p. 274 · PDF page 3- When must construction finish?
Document summary
The original copy requires diligent, continuous construction and completion within 12 months once work begins.
The Preserve original covenants · Original Lots 1–11 · §2(j) · Book 1619, p. 273 · PDF page 3
- Can I rent through Airbnb or VRBO?
Not verified
The supplied original and Phase Three incorporation do not give a numerical rental minimum or complete Airbnb/VRBO conditions. Two expressly referenced amendments are absent, so current phase-specific permission remains unverified.
The Preserve original covenants · Complete supplied packet; Phase Three references · DML Book 1967, p. 274 · PDF page 10
The Preserve Phase Three incorporation and plat · Complete supplied packet; Phase Three references · DML Book 1967, p. 274 · PDF page 10- What other rules should I know?
Document summary
The original covered lots require locally accepted septic arrangements and prohibit sewage runoff onto neighboring property or into the lake.
The Preserve original covenants · Original Lots 1–11 · §2(k) · Book 1619, p. 274 · PDF page 4
All 12 supplied pages were visually read, including a duplicate original signature page and Phase Three material. Phase Three expressly cites amendments at DML 1628, page 58 and DML 1658, page 643, whose text is absent. Its original reference says DML 1619, page 291, while this supplied original is stamped pages 271–278; official reconciliation is still needed. Research checked 2026-10-31.
Building and ownership notes
The available document copies state:
The original Lots 1–11 covenants describe residential use and one primary dwelling of no more than three stories, including the basement.
The Preserve original covenants · §§1 and 2(a) · Book 1619, p. 272 · PDF page 2
For the original covered lots, a one-story home requires 2,000 square feet; a two-story home requires 2,400, including 1,800 on the main level. Heated/air-conditioned area excludes porches, garages, basements and attics.
The Preserve original covenants · §2(c) · Book 1619, p. 272 · PDF page 2
Mobile, manufactured, prebuilt and the listed temporary structures are excluded; campers and temporary structures may not serve as temporary or permanent residences.
The Preserve original covenants · §2(h)–(i) · Book 1619, p. 273 · PDF page 3
Once construction begins it must proceed diligently and continuously, with completion within 12 months. This provision does not establish a deadline to start after purchase.
The Preserve original covenants · §2(j) · Book 1619, p. 273 · PDF page 3
Septic arrangements require local health acceptance, and sewage runoff onto other property or into the lake is prohibited by the copy.
The Preserve original covenants · §2(k) · Book 1619, p. 274 · PDF page 4
The original requires primary dwellings to be built on site and prohibits moving a primary dwelling onto the premises.
The Preserve original covenants · Original §3(c) · DML Book 1619, p. 275 · PDF page 5
Recorded document trail
Phase Three incorporates original restrictions and references amendments recorded April 7, 1999 at DML 1628, page 58 and February 18, 2000 at DML 1658, page 643. Neither amendment text is in the packet; obtain them before applying original rules to the later phase.
The Preserve original covenants · Phase Three · DML Book 1967, p. 274 · PDF page 10
The Preserve Phase Three incorporation and plat · Phase Three · DML Book 1967, p. 274 · PDF page 10
Walker County probate record search · Phase Three · DML Book 1967, p. 274 · PDF page 10The Phase Three original-covenant reference is DML 1619, page 291, but the supplied original is stamped pages 271–278. This discrepancy remains unresolved; it has not been silently corrected or treated as proof that every phase has identical rules.
The Preserve original covenants · DML Book 1967, p. 274 compared with DML Book 1619, p. 271 · PDF page 10
The Preserve Phase Three incorporation and plat · DML Book 1967, p. 274 compared with DML Book 1619, p. 271 · PDF page 10
Questions for the exact property
- Which original or later-phase lot is offered, and what do the amendments at DML 1628 p. 58 and 1658 p. 643 change?
- Can the original-record page discrepancy in the Phase Three reference be reconciled in the county records?
- What shoreline, dock or shared-slip rights and approvals transfer with this property?
- Who maintains the road, what shared charges apply, and what septic and utility approvals support the intended home?
Sources, document scope and review dates
- 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.
- The Preserve original covenants
Walker Book 1619, pp. 271–278; recorded March 2, 1999. · Reviewed 2026-10-31.
All eight original pages, a duplicated execution page, two Phase Three covenant pages and its plat were visually read. The original covers Lots 1–11. Phase Three cites two unsupplied amendments and a differing original page reference; this is not a reconciled current ruleset for all phases.
- The Preserve Phase Three incorporation and plat
Walker DML Book 1967, pp. 274–275 · recorded August 12, 2005; Plat Book 9, p. 68. · Reviewed 2026-10-31.
Both Phase Three covenant pages and its plat were visually read. The text references amendments at DML 1628 p. 58 and 1658 p. 643, neither supplied. Its original-covenant page reference differs from the stamped original copy and requires reconciliation.
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