Pool fences and HOA's question.

14 years ago

Question for those with pools and HOA's:

In my townships, pools are really popular. I'd guess 25% - 30% of the houses have pools...so getting a permit for a traditional pool is no problem. And of course, per code, they require a 4ft fence. This is allowed my HOA.

But the rules also state that the fence can't go past the front wall of the house. So it has to sort of wrap around the lot, but can't go past front wall. (I've attached a pic) For most lots this is no problem because the front wall of the house is the closest part to the road.

But on my lot, my side yard extends another 100ft past the house to the front road. So for me, it's the ideal place for a pool. *Assuming* I can't get approval for the fence from the HOA, but can get a permit for the pool, would the fence requirement override the HOA rule?

p.s. not to scale --- my place isn't the size of a pallet =)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

renovxpt
14 years ago
Most HOA's have a lot of power and you need to get their approval regardless of having a pool permit.

If your on a corner lot they typically don't want your fence to go past the front-line of the adjacent house.
hautinglu
Original Author
14 years ago
That is true, they do have a lot of say. But is that technically saying I can get a permit and start building the pool, but won't be allowed to put a fence around it? I was under the impression township/county/state laws superseded HOA's?

It's not a corner lot luckily. It's just a huge side yard. This is an issue because my house is farther back than all the other houses -- the fence wouldn't extend past any of the neighbors' front walls.

We'll see how it plays itself out next summer. I'm just playing with the idea of a pool.
Related Discussions
Still don't have a fence (HOA related)
Q
Comments (27)
abbysmom, I agree with your suspicion that the HOA is just messin' wit' you. What I would suggest is to find a contractor that will do the fence that you want which complies with the govt. code, arrange for installation, and have an atty draft a letter to the HOA (AND copy the state govt dept which oversees this) stating that "In compliance with state code blah blah blah, my client will be erecting a 5' tall (or whatever) pool fence." I also agree with the other poster who said to include in there that the HOA would be liable for legal fees and damages in the event you are found to be in the right. A $150-200 attorney-generated strongly-worded letter will hopefully make them back down without the need for litigation. What a bunch of morons. Perfect example of "power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Your situation is exactly why we refuse to ever live in a subdivision. Best of luck to you, and keep us posted.
...See More
Pool landscape gurus...help with ugly pool fence!
Q
Comments (8)
If you like the view back there and aren't concerned with privacy across the back since there is plantings already doing some coverage, I would put wrought iron or something to that effect across the back. Tie it into a wood privacy fencing on the sidelot lines. We have wood fencing 6' high around the perimeter of our yard for privacy and then have the pool area split with a 4' wrought iron type fencing to give us a play area for the rug rat yet be able to view all the landscaping and pool section from either side. Personally I think a 4' wood fence would look odd. I can dig up some pictures if you are interested.
...See More
Pool Equipment Warranties, Punchlist and Pool School Questions
Q
Comments (5)
My opinion is you have every right to ask for a decent clean up of the job site. Nice IntelliFlo by the way. Initially I thought you were too picky but as the pictures scrolled by, there is enough bad work to hold them to every last detail. Gliu drops are normal and chalk that up to laziness. I lay a towel to catch drip but that's just me. Most glue drops scrape off too. The rest is pretty poor workmanship. You're no going to do much with the paint over spray on the pool sweep booster valve but get everything else fixed. That gauge is a vacuum gauge and should be removed and plugged anyway.
...See More
pool fencing questions: Boston MA area
Q
Comments (3)
Fencing needs to meet certain building codes and ordinances when a pool is being surrounded. Wrought iron would be prohibitively expensive when made to meet these codes. Wrought iron doesn't flex to meet the ground's undulations and that would leave gaps at the bottom and the tops might not align nicely. It is not as maintenance free as the others as it will rust, especially near the bottom. Painting will be needed periodically. Replacement sections are very expensive. Pressure treated wood and aluminum have some of the same issues as wrought iron but the material costs, replacement costs, and installation costs are substantially less. Aluminum doesn't rust either. Typically, it's a painted surface, usually black, so it looks like a wrought iron. Vinyl fencing is also lower in the costs than iron is. It comes in both different colors and patterns. Chain link and vinyl coated chain link's opening must also use a pretty tight mesh. This keeps little hands from becoming trapped. You can see through it, unlike wood or vinyl. In general, the verticals and horizontals of any fence must be tightly spaced to prevent a little one's hands, arms, or head from becoming entrapped. It must be non-climbable and most places require a self closing gate gate with a latch that children cannot reach. In general, a fencing contractor is going to be less expensive than a pool builder. One price does not fit all available options. The price for materials and installation is going to vary. Home Depot and Lowes materials tend to not have the same quality and a fencing contractor. There is a substantial delta in the construction of the materials used and installers used. Scott
...See More
ajones
14 years ago
do you have a process of where you can submit a plan to the HOA folks for approval? that's what ours requires before even beginning the pool build. also, maybe the type of fence you suggest putting up in front of the house would have an impact as well, such as a wrought iron fence instead of wood. just my thoughts. good luck with the HOA because as you know, they do have some pull.
renovxpt
14 years ago
HOA's are private governments that you accept when you buy your house. They have the power to add additional covenents and restrictions to existing munincipal ordinances and state statutes.

Most of them are reasonable if you show them a well landscaped plan that improves property values and doesn't offend your neighbors.
hautinglu
Original Author
14 years ago
ajones - it doesn't say anything about needing to be submitted. Just that it shouldn't higher than 4ft or go beyond the front wall of the house. Technically, it doesn't look like I would need approval for the pool.
I'm going to talk to my neighbor. He built one himself.

I know HOA's are mini-governments, but they aren't dictatorships. For example, the bylaws say no satellite dishes allowed. Of course, the FCC overruled that. I was just wondering if there was a Catch-22 where I could build a pool but not the fence.
leepoffaith
14 years ago
Put a pool screen around it and then you won't need a fence :) Otherwise, I know our HOA allows corner houses to have fences, but they have to be the "rod iron" type that gives you no privacy at all.

I find it funny that your fences have to be 4 feet, when the latches on our gates have to be 52". :)
garageworksguy
14 years ago
HOA's suck! As do the over zealous dictators that run them.
paradigmdawg
14 years ago
I joined the board of our HOA (they just happened to have an opening)before we started the pool. It made the approval of the pool a breeze since I am on the approval committee.
just-a-pb
14 years ago
"HOA's suck! As do the over zealous dictators that run them."

I just figured out that the USA has become a giant HOA.
Rack Etear
14 years ago
"I just figured out that the USA has become a giant HOA."

If I lived in an HOA I'd put up as many antennas, and dishes the FCC forces them to let me have. Even if they didn't do anything I would still do it.

I'd hate to get letters if my trash cans were left out.
garageworksguy
14 years ago
This past summer came home to have dinner with the family before heading back out to a job I was finishing up. Had my 12' trailer hooked up to my truck. I was going to be home about an hour and then back out so rather then park in the street and cause my neighbors to look at the rig in the street I backed it into my driveway which it fit totally in. Well a hour later I go out to leave and my truck and trailer is gone. Come to find out that our HOA Pres two houses up had it towed away. Cost me over $600 to get it out so I could finish the job I was on. All my neighbors were pretty upset about this and voiced it at the next meeting. Come to find out if I had just left it in the street they could not have touched it, but because I wanted to be the courteous neighbor I get towed.
Weird thing the HOA Pres has had his business fined three times by the state for different violations that were called into them....payback can stink...
hautinglu
Original Author
14 years ago
garageguy --- Karma is a you_know_what. That's pretty rough; sounds like a crappy HOA and Pres. Luckily I don't really have this problem. I've had a trailer in my front driveway for months at time with no issues. Another neighbor has left his mega-huge RV in the driveway while winterizing it. I asked the neighbors before I bought, and it seems to be a very laid back HOA.

Pool fences and HOA's question.

Comments (12)

renovxpt

hautinglu
Original Author

Related Discussions

ajones

renovxpt

hautinglu
Original Author

leepoffaith

garageworksguy

paradigmdawg

just-a-pb

Rack Etear

garageworksguy

hautinglu
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Pool fences and HOA's question.

Comments (12)

hautingluOriginal Author

Related Discussions

hautingluOriginal Author

hautingluOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

hautinglu
Original Author

hautinglu
Original Author

hautinglu
Original Author