subject: GET YOUR WOODEN GARDEN SHEDS APPROVED BY THE HOA [print this page] Most all new homes built in subdivisions are covenant controlled and managed by a homeowners association. Homeowners who desire to build a wooden garden shed on their property will most likely need to get the wooden garden shed approved prior to building the garden shed. We will discuss the issues involved with this process. FIRST QUESTION: Why do I have to get approval of my wooden garden shed from my Homeowners Association (HOA) before I build the storage shed? FIRST ANSWER: Because most developers record a set of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs)against your lot before they sell it to your builder. These CCRs will most likely control what additional sheds or structures you can build on your property. The developer gives the HOA the right and authority to enforce these restrictions. Additionally, the developer may have also filed a document with the city or county when getting the subdivision approval that places additional restrictions on what you can do on your lot. These are often contained within the zoning approvals for the subdivision and may be called Planned Unit Development (PUD) documents or zoning documents. These documents are enforced by the governmental entity that approved the subdivision. They are usually enforced by the zoning or building department. HELPFUL TIP: You can usually get a copy of the CC&Rs and the PUD or zoning documents from the title company when you purchase your house. If the title company, builder, or realtor does not provide them to you then ask for them. They will be provided to you, as the buyer, at no charge. Review them again so you know what restrictions are in play when deciding to build your garden shed. SECOND QUESTION: How do I know what will be approved by the HOA? SECOND ANSWER: The easiest way is to contact your Board of Directors of the HOA and ask them if they have developed any standards for what they will approve. Active HOAs will normally have examples and helpful information for you on what they will approve. Also look around your neighborhood to see what other homeowners have done to get an idea of what the HOA has been approving. THIRD QUESTION: What will I need to get my wooden garden shed approved? THIRD ANSWER: Normally the HOA will ask that you submit a set of plans, a lot layout showing where your shed will be placed in your yard, and a description of the type of roof, siding, and paint colors that you will be using. Buying a good set of plans is most helpful in this situation unless you are a good artist/architect. Most HOAs will accept a hand drawn lot layout as long as the measurements are good. HELPFUL TIP: Talk to your neighbors who have put up wooden garden sheds and ask them what the HOA was looking for or what it took for them to get their storage shed approved. HOA Board of Directors change members over time so the process can also change over time. Some boards are very strict and others are more lax in the approval process.
