A very common question we hear from people who are interested in buying one of our wooden or vinyl sheds is, “Will this meet my HOA’s shed restrictions?” With over 26 million housing units and 69 million residents throughout the U.S. living in common-interest communities, mainly Homeowners Associations, it’s very likely that you too may have to follow HOA requirements when choosing a shed for your backyard.

Below are some of the typical restrictions that we work with when building backyard sheds for our customers. However, it’s important that you read up on the specific HOA shed restrictions that your community has regulated before you begin shopping for a shed or other outdoor structure.

Size Restrictions

Your HOA will almost certainly have restrictions on the size of the shed you can place in your backyard. Typically they put limits on the total footprint and max height of sheds:

• Maximum footprint: The maximum shed size may be regulated by the total square footage, the dimensions, or the percentage of land it covers (ex: 150 ft., 8’ x 10’, or no more than 1% of your parcel).
• Maximum height: Many HOA shed restrictions limit the maximum height of the side walls as well as the maximum height of the roof.

Placement of Your Shed

Your HOA may have restrictions on the set-back required when placing your shed in your yard, including:

• Set-back from the interior side property line
• Set-back from the street side property line on corner lots
• Set-back from the rear property line

Most HOA guidelines also state that sheds cannot be visible from the front of the home.

Materials & Appearance

The majority of HOA shed restrictions revolve around the appearance of sheds. They often included clauses which state that:

• Sheds include a solid floor, either a concrete slab or suitable building material. Dirt or gravel floors are typically not permitted.
• Flat roofs may not be permitted and instead, your shed must have a sloped roof.
• Exterior cladding must be constructed of wood, vinyl, or aluminum. All metal sheds are typically not permitted.
• Exterior colors, trim colors, roof shingles, and windows should all match your home’s exterior as closely as possible. You may be required to match the style of your home as well. You may also be limited by the color palette you can choose for your shed.

HOA Approvals

Depending on your HOA Committee’s approval process, you may be required to submit the following to get approval on your new shed:

• Site Plan: A scale drawing that shows the size of your lot, the size and location of your house (including the garage), and the size and location of the proposed shed.
• Shed Image & Dimensions: Photos, drawings, or even a product catalog that shows front, rear, and side views of the proposed shed. This may need to be accompanied by the dimensions (including the height) of the shed.
• Topographic Map: This document will show the proposed placement of the shed on your property, relative to property lines and easements.

Remember that these guidelines are just a few examples of what your HOA may require when adding a shed to your backyard. You should always review your specific rules and regulations before making any large purchase.

We have a large selection of HOA-friendly wooden and vinyl sheds. Visit our product gallery for inspiration!

The post Purchasing a Shed? Know Your HOA Shed Restrictions appeared first on Penn Dutch Structures.