HOA question (Air Conditioner, cost, electric, dogs)

[ferrickhead28]

So I decided to skip the side door on my garage and put in a doggie door on my main garage door. I dont see anything about *not* doing this on my HOA.

My question is, does the HOA need to be contacted about adding a doggie door to my main garage door even though it does not techically say anything about it in the contract? Not like they sat around and thought "hey, we should add a rule to this!" or anything. Or is it mostly exterior/landscaping rules?

So confused..lol.

[raccemup]

You're going to have to read your covenants. Many HOA's simply have a provision that state that ANY ateration to the exterior of the property must be approved by the ARC (architectural review committe) before the work can be done. If that's the case, and you do the work they may force you to remove it just because it wasn't approved. I would call your property management company or contact someone on the ARC and ask first to be safe.

[jkmeca11]

I agree, better to find out it is an issue before you invest time/money.

[shellytc]

I would check first. If it is the front, they may have a say so. if it is on the side *sometimes* you have more leeway.... Can't hurt calling the architectural chair and just asking.

shelly

[Noahma]

better to let the HOA know of your plans, you might have to go to ACC (Architectural Control Comitee) which generaly consist of members of the HOA or your sub-division. Better to have them approve it, than to tell you to remove it / replace your garage door, which would make things cost quite a bit more

[riveree]

Will this doggie door end up being behind your fence?

If so, I wouldn't worry about it too much. If you were doing something visible to the street - putting an air conditioner into your garage wall that was visible to the street, for instance - then you might have a problem, but if your doogie door is low down and hidden behind your fence, then no big deal .

But yes, to be prudent, it would be best to check your CCRs prior to beginning any work. You should have a copy fo your CCRs anyway, so if you don't, get a copy from your HOA.

Your dogs are fenced, right? Otherwise you might have other issues with the HOA/your neighbors .

[shellytc]

Riveree, they could have an electric fence. Then it wouldn't be hidden by the fence.... I live in an HOA with fairly strict architectural rules, my garage door was on the side though and I was allowed to place the doggie door, and I had an electric fence that went around the entire yard. My neurotic
coc kapooo loved it!! He could lay out front and "see" who was coming or going and it relieved some of his anxiety's.

shelly