HOA Garage Door Rules: A Short Guide
HOAs, or Homeowners Associations, wield enormous influence over what individual homeowners within a certain development can do with their homes. People who move into such a development agree to abide by the rules of the HOA and to pay dues. Failing to abide by the rules after moving in can lead to significant penalties and in some cases, enforced compliance or a lien on a non-compliant property. So if your plans call for a new garage door installation you will need to make sure the new door does not violate any of the design rules established by your HOA.
Making Sure Your Garage Door is HOA-Compliant
There are several dozen HOAs in the Littleton area alone so the odds that you may need HOA approval of your new garage door are pretty good. In a general sense, HOA rules having to do with garage doors tend to focus on the following areas.
Garage Door Apperance
In HOA communities where most homes have a built-in garage, there are bound to be regulations governing the design and appearance of the door, including:
- Style — You can't simply order a custom garage door that is unlike anything else found in the development and install it without HOA approval. HOAs are primarily concerned with maintaining a certain level of aesthetic homogeneity so anything that upsets that apple cart is going to be a problem.
- Color — Even if your new garage door is a common design found elsewhere in your community you will not be free to paint it however you wish. The HOA will likely have specific rules regarding acceptable colors.
- Size — Before you hire a garage door company to install a new door that is larger than your current door you will need to check HOA guidelines to be sure the new size is acceptable. Chances are it will not be.
- Windows — If your new garage door will have window panels they will need to comply with HOA guidelines dictating their size, number and the color of the glass.
- Maintenance — The HOA rules typically include maintenance requirements you will need to agree to before installing or changing your door.
The Installation Process
HOAs not only have rules regulating the aesthetics of garage doors, they also have procedures in place related to the approval and installation process.
As such if you plan to install a new door or make changes to an existing door you will need to follow those established procedures. You can find these procedures laid out in the HOA agreement or supporting documents. In most cases, the first step in complying with garage door installation procedures involves submitting a request to the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) that provides details of the new door or of the changes you propose to make to your existing door. Not all HOAs have an ARC, but most do.
The ARC is where you will find the people who will determine if your new or redesigned door will comply with established rules regarding color, materials, style, size and more. Remember that even if all you plan to do is to paint your door a different color you will need to get ARC/HOA approval before proceeding.
The Importance of Complying With HOA Rules
People were only allowed to purchase property within a given subdivision because they agreed to abide by the rules laid down by the HOA. Attempting to circumvent those rules after moving in will not lead anywhere good.
The law gives HOAs broad powers of enforcement that include the levying of fines and the revocation of community privileges (such as no more using the swimming pool or tennis court). Should a given homeowner refuse to pay fines levied against them the HOA can place a lien on their property to recoup what they are owed.
Pros and Cons of HOA Membership
Many homeowners feel differently as to whether the benefits of homeowner's associations outweigh their imposed restrictions. Review five pros and cons of HOA membership in the table below.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Well-maintained aesthetics: HOAs ensure uniformity and upkeep of homes, landscaping, and common areas. | 1. Monthly/annual fees: Residents are required to pay HOA fees, which can vary widely and add to living expenses. |
| 2. Community amenities: HOAs often provide access to shared amenities like pools, gyms, and parks. | 2. Strict rules and restrictions: HOAs often enforce strict rules about home appearance, landscaping, and renovations, limiting homeowner freedom. |
| 3. Property value protection: By enforcing standards, HOAs can help maintain or increase property values in the neighborhood. | 3. Potential for conflicts: Disputes may arise with neighbors or the HOA board over rule enforcement or fines. |
| 4. Security benefits: Some HOAs provide added security measures like gated entrances, surveillance, or neighborhood patrols. | 4. Limited creativity: Homeowners may be restricted from customizing their homes in ways that reflect their personal style or preferences. |
| 5. Sense of community: Regular HOA meetings and events can foster a strong sense of community among residents. | 5. Lack of control: Homeowners may have little say in how the HOA is managed or how funds are allocated. |
HOA rules exist for a reason: they are intended to create a framework for promoting a harmonious community and to provide mechanisms for punishing those who attempt to undermine that harmonious atmosphere. The safe, stable nature of communities is likely why many people decided to move there to begin with. So attempting to undermine HOA rules after moving in doesn't make a lot of sense.
This short video goes into more detail about HOAs.
What Happens if My Proposal is Rejected?
If you have submitted a proposal to the HOA or ARC that you believe to be consistent with their color, style, size and other guidelines and your proposal is rejected, take a deep breath and relax. The HOA must provide you with a reason for rejecting your proposal and chances are you will soon find out that you only need to make minor changes. Make the necessary changes and resubmit your proposal. The odds are good you will be approved the second time around.
How a Better Garage Door Can Help
Your HOA likely has explicit rules governing garage door maintenance. Some HOAs also have explicit rules that dictate seasonal inspections of the door, the garage door opener and other systems. You can make sure you are always in compliance with those rules by scheduling regular maintenance visits from A Better Garage Door.
The performance of repairs is often dictated as well, in the sense that if your door is in obvious need of repair you will be given a very specific window of time to have the repairs performed before you will start accruing fines. We offer first-class garage door repair services that will ensure your door is always operating smoothly and quietly so as not to trigger the ire of the HOA.
If your plans include having your garage door replaced or modified in some way you can do yourself a favor by providing us with a copy of your HOA guidelines so that we can be sure that the door or modifications you want will comply with HOA rules. We deal with HOA rules on a regular basis and know exactly what to look for within those rules.
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The Bottom Line
HOAs exist to ensure a given community maintains a safe, attractive profile and that the best interests of all the homeowners are always front and center. Most HOAs have very explicit rules regarding garage doors, including their appearance, maintenance and repair and it's in your interest to comply with those rules.
For Expert Garage Door Services in Littleton, Contact a Better Garage Door
The team at A Better Garage Door have many years of experience dealing with HOAs and can help you determine if the garage door installation you have in mind will comply with your HOA rules. To learn more or to arrange garage door repair get in touch with us at (303) 920-2267.