Homeowner Association Fence Rules: Considerations when Installing a Fence

All too often, property owners and/or their contractors are faced with modifying a recently installed fence, all because they didn't consult the homeowner association (HOA) prior to putting it up. When installing a fence in a neighborhood with an HOA, it pays to consider a few of the common restrictions they have on fencing, and to understand why those restrictions exist.

HOA guidelines exist to maintain neighborhood standards that improve quality of life and ultimately, property values. The reality is that a fence can have a significant impact on other residents since it’s within their line of sight. And a poorly-placed fence or the wrong style of fence can obstruct views – a major problem, particularly if views are one of the main community draws.

Fortress Building Products provides a closer look at some common HOA guidelines on fencing and the reasoning behind them:

WIND AND STORM RESISTANCE In many storm-prone areas of the country, high winds can transform fencing components into dangerous projectiles. These projectiles can cause serious injury and major damage to nearby structures and vehicles. This is especially true of solid fences and fencing with wide slats. For this reason, many HOAs prohibit the installation of wooden fences and other more substantial fencing styles that tend to “catch” the wind. Associations may only allow for fences with narrow metal bars, cables or other styles that offer little wind resistance. It’s also not uncommon to see requirements for the depth of the fence posts and the construction/style of hardware so as to maximize durability. FENCE HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS Fence height is a frequent point of regulation, with rules often varying between the height restrictions for the front yard and the back. HOA restrictions on fence height are often rooted in aesthetics and visibility issues, but there are some exceptions. For example, fences can obstruct a driver’s view at an intersection, making it impossible to see if there’s another vehicle, a pedestrian, or an unleashed dog about to pop out from around the corner. And similarly, a pedestrian or cyclist may not see a vehicle due to a solid fence. So, some regulations are intended to promote greater neighborhood safety. When this is the case, there may be restrictions on solid structures, like a solid wooden or aluminum fence, whereas a tall metal picket fence may be deemed permissible.

VIEWS AND VISIBILITY Gated communities and other HOA-governed neighborhoods are often built in scenic locations. Many communities also invest heavily in landscaping, which can include the creation of man-made lakes and ponds. In these environments, it’s understandable that people might be unhappy if a fence interferes with or obstructs the view of the landscape. For this reason, a homeowner may be prohibited from putting up a fence or may face restrictions concerning fence height, style, type and location. High, privacystyle fences may be banned entirely in favor of shorter fences with narrow metal or wood pickets, or other styles that do not obstruct visibility.