Homeowners associations (HOAs) typically carry some mixed reviews. While their intentions to maintain the appearance of your shared community are good, let’s face it — some homeowners association rules can be quite restrictive, especially when it comes to decorating your home’s exterior or backyard.
If you reside in a neighborhood or complex with an HOA, it’s important you get familiar with the rules before you invest in something big, especially like a playset.
Using our guide, we’ll help get you up to speed on how to navigate your community’s HOA playset regulations, plus some additional tips on how to get your HOA to approve your purchase.
Huge disclaimer before we start — this guide is meant to be a starting point. Every HOA’s regulations are slightly different, so you must be vigilant and research your specific rules. With that said, let’s break down some of the more common homeowners association rules.
What Is An HOA?
According to a 2023 report from YouGov®, 1 in 5 Americans live in communities with homeowners association rules, and 1 in 3 have lived in one at some point. So what are these curious governing groups?
Rocket Mortgage defines homeowners associations as “private organizations that oversee the management of some residential communities.” They determine the rules and property standards, known as “bylaws,” for shared living spaces like neighborhoods, townhouses, condos, apartment complexes, and more.
All of these rules exist in a document called the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), which homeowners can get access to through their real estate agent/company or by reaching out to the association directly.
HOA bylaws are different from local or city ordinances because they are self-regulated by the group itself. Just like local laws, however, HOA bylaws have legal standing in court, so it’s important you know your HOA’s standards.
What Can HOAs Regulate?
Every HOA’s regulations are different, but here are some common examples of what they can (and, usually, do) outline in their bylaws:
- Noise Levels: much like city ordinances, HOAs can set up quiet hours to keep noise levels to a minimum after certain times.
- Exterior Maintenance: in the spirit of keeping the neighborhood look cohesive and clean, some groups place limitations on exterior design choices like paint colors, types of decor, etc.
- Landscaping: similar to exterior maintenance, some HOAs also may outline their expectations for lawn/garden upkeep.
- Fees & Compliance: one of the less glamorous parts of belonging to an HOA: the fees. Failure to pay your fees or abide by the bylaws could result in punishment in the form of warnings, additional fees, or in extreme cases, even legal repercussions.
- Architectural Standards: HOAs have the power to oversee any changes to your home’s property, which can include anything from deck or roof replacements to buying a new playset or a shed.
The list of what they can control might be long, but there are some items that are off-limits. Under no circumstances can your HOA impose regulations on basic rights, anything discriminatory, or anything inside of your home.
That said, all the evidence provided suggests that HOAs do have the ability to place controls on the type of playset you can buy for your backyard. Let’s explore more about the relationship between HOAs and playsets.
Common HOA Playset Rules
Given what we now know, outlining HOA playset regulations in the CC&Rs is fair game. In the interest of maintaining safety, noise levels, and aesthetics, HOAs may place rules on anything from the size and material of the playset to its color and location.
1. Size
Size requirements for HOA playsets can be put in place to help protect the safety and character of the neighborhood. In communities where backyard spaces are close together or shared, buying a massive playset could become a liability for the young children in the area, especially if your yard isn’t fenced.
To limit this threat, associations may enforce a maximum height rule, helping to minimize the impact of a fall.
Maximum height rules might also be enacted to protect the privacy of neighbors. A playset tower that overlooks a neighbor’s backyard could be an undesirable annoyance. HOAs might choose to be proactive by limiting the height or even placement of the playset.
2. Location
Most HOAs outline their expectations for where the playset can be placed relative to the distance from the property line, the house, and/or the fence. These rules help ensure there’s enough usage space surrounding each playset accessory to keep children safe.
Additionally, these rules might also be in place to ensure that the playset isn’t visible from the front of the house.
3. Materials
Most associations don’t want a playset that looks rotted or worn out to hinder the value of the community, so some CC&Rs might place restrictions on the playset’s materials. Structures made from vinyl or high-quality wood have been known to stand the test of time and could be an attractive material for getting your HOA playset approved.
4. Color
It’s not uncommon to find limitations on the playset color schemes, too. Most HOAs prefer neutral or muted-colored playsets. Anything too bright or flashy could clash with their exterior design rules.
How Do I Know if My Playset Meets HOA Requirements?
The best way to know if your playset meets HOA requirements is to get a copy of your CC&R. If you don’t have it on file from when you moved, you can get access by reaching out to the association directly.
Using the information outlined in the document, you should get a better understanding of the type of playset your HOA will or will not approve. If for some reason that information is not detailed, ask to speak to a board member for clarification.
You’ll need your HOA to approve the playset before you install it, and the best way to do that is to be proactive. Start putting together some information about the model you’re interested in purchasing — include all of the details such as height, color, material, and even mock-ups of where you intend to install it in your yard.
With this information, you can submit your case to the HOA and wait for your approval! If the request you submitted follows all the details outlined in the bylaws, you shouldn’t have to worry about your request getting denied.
If you’re in search of a compliant HOA playset, Swing Kingdom builds and delivers pre-built or custom play structures. Our team of experienced experts will work with you to find a playset that meets your homeowners association rules.
Leave a Reply