In most master-planned communities, the HOA — not the city — is the gatekeeper that decides whether your fence gets built. And the HOA's Architectural Review Committee (ARC) rejects far more applications for being incomplete than for being non-compliant. Here's how to submit a package that gets approved the first time.
Read the CC&Rs before you design anything
Your Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions document specifies allowed materials, maximum height, approved colors and finishes, setback rules, and sometimes the exact product line you must use. Designing first and reading second is how homeowners end up tearing out a finished fence. Pull the current CC&Rs from the HOA portal — not an old copy.
Build a complete submission package
- A site plan or plat showing the fence location and setbacks from property lines
- Material spec sheet (manufacturer, product line, color, height)
- A drawing or photo of the exact style you're installing
- Your contractor's license and insurance, if the HOA requires it
- Neighbor sign-off forms, where the CC&Rs call for them
Match the neighborhood standard
ARCs reward consistency. If every back yard on your street runs 6-ft board-on-board cedar with a natural finish, proposing black chain link invites a rejection no matter what the CC&Rs technically allow. When in doubt, photograph two or three approved fences nearby and reference them in your application.
Submit early and follow the timeline
Most ARCs meet monthly and have 30–45 days to respond. Submit well before you want crews on site, and get the approval in writing — never rely on a verbal yes from a board member. Keep the approval letter with your permit and survey in a project file; you may need it years later at resale.
If you're denied
A denial is usually fixable. Ask for the specific reason in writing, adjust the one element that triggered it (often color or height), and resubmit. Most denials come down to a single correctable detail, not a flat no.