Fence Permits & HOA Tips Every Union Homeowner Should Know

Don’t Be Intimidated by a Strict HOA

When you live in an HOA neighborhood, starting a new home improvement project can feel daunting. It helps to remember that the process is the way it is to preserve your neighborhood’s image, the same image you fell in love with when you decided to call it home. Working with your HOA shouldn’t be intimidating; they are members of your community who are dedicated to preserving your neighborhood. 

Property Value Pro-Tip

Did you know that having a fence on your property could increase its value? But not just any fence, a quality fence. If you’re looking for ways to boost your curb appeal, a fence is a great way to do it. If you live in an HOA neighborhood, your Home Owner Association already knows this, which is why they have specific criteria to ensure your property remains looking a certain way. Preserving your neighborhood’s aesthetic preserves your home’s value. 

Gathering Documents

Before we get started, let’s define some fence terminology to give you a little more insight:

Fence Plan: The plan that you and/or your fence contractor made for the construction of your fence.

Property Survey: A property survey is typically done when you purchase your home and outlines your property lines, which is where your property ends and your neighbor’s begins.

HOA Application: An HOA application is an application provided by your Home Owners Association that you fill out and return with your fence plan and property survey for approval.

Fence Permit: A fence permit is granted by either the city or the county in which you live. It gives you permission to construct your fence according to the specifications you provided. 

Property Lines

Establishing your property lines is necessary not only for permit approvals but to avoid disagreements over property ownership. You should let your neighbors know that you are planning to build a new fence and have your property survey ready to resolve any disputes. If you have lost your property survey, you will need to pay to have another one done so that you have it ready to submit with your paperwork. 

HOA Approvals & Applications

Your Home Owners Association has specific color and style rules for your fence installation. In order to receive your zoning permit, you’ll need to have permission from your HOA. To do this, you’ll need to submit your property survey and fence plan to your Home Owners Association along with a fencing application. You can obtain this document from your HOA. To avoid delays in approval, you’ll want to research your HOA’s fencing expectations. 

Do You Need a Fence Permit in Union County?

In Union County, you need a zoning permit for all fence installations and remodels. I know it seems like a lot of steps to build on your own property, but preserving your home’s value is worth the effort. If you’ve already gotten HOA approval, permitting is simple. Submit your HOA-approved fence plan and your property survey to your local municipality, then await your fence permit. Working with a Union fence company can help you create an accurate fence plan. 

Local Permitting Expectations

The best way for you to find out your HOA and zoning rules is for you to contact them directly. Your municipality should be able to help you understand what rules apply to your neighborhood. If you’re having trouble, feel free to contact a member of our team to see how we can help make the process easier. Because HOA rules can vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, you’ll want to get information directly from your HOA to avoid penalties. 

Avoiding Delays

Having a concise fence plan helps you avoid approval delays. Working with a reputable fence company can help you create a clear fence plan and timeline so that your HOA knows exactly what to expect. If you create your own fence plan, be sure it’s readable; otherwise, you could be fined if your fence doesn’t look how it did on paper. Diagrams are a great way to mitigate any costly miscommunications. Having images helps translate your fence plan, which can help you get approved the first time around.

Approvals and Denials

Once you have both HOA approval and your fencing permit, you can get started on your fence installation. This is where the fun really begins. Working with a professional fence company ensures that the process runs smoothly from start to finish. If your application is denied for any reason, your denial letter should contain specific information explaining why it was denied. You can use your denial letter to reconstruct your plan and reapply. 

Let Your Union County Fence Professionals Help!

Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team members at any point in the process. We are dedicated to making your fencing process as simple as possible. When you work with our team, we go above and beyond to ensure that your fence installation goes according to plan. From your consultation all the way through to your final walkthrough, our fencing professionals will treat you with respect and ensure that you have clarity on the entire process. Call us today at (908) 864-5752.