Does My Homeowners Association Need To Approve A Swing Set?

Does My Homeowners Association Need To Approve A Swing Set?

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You have your dream home and your children are eager for their dream play center, but you’re a member of a homeowners association (HOA). As much as your children would love the world’s largest swing set in their back yard, you know your HOA may not be quite as enthusiastic.

What do you do if you live in a neighborhood with HOA restrictions?

Know Your Homeowners Association Guidelines

Take a look around your neighborhood. Do you see other swing sets in the yards?

This will give you an idea of what you can expect to have in your own yard in regards to what your HOA allows (or whether they allow swing sets at all). Your HOA will want to know what play systems design you will have in your backyard. So it is time to shop & choose the unit that works best for your family. Depending on the time of year, there is a 5 day to couple week span from the time you order to the day it is installed. Use this in between period to submit your application to the HOA, most HOA’s will respond to you within a week. If an installation delay is needed, call your Tree Frogs rep and let them know. If unfortunately in the rare case your HOA does not approve play sets at all, no problem, the play set has not been installed and Tree Frogs will issue a full refund. Most likely you have moved into a family community or subdivision and complete denial will not be the case. Now you have ordered your system and the HOA has your application. Nobody’s backyard fun or birthday party will be delayed an additional week or two. The notice comes back from the HOA, “you’re approved” and within days all are swinging, sliding, spinning & laughing on their new play fort.

You can find out the specific requirements for your HOA in your closing documents, the CC&Rs (covenants, conditions, and restrictions), or you can inquire directly to the HOA.

The rules that each HOA sets forth vary greatly. When it comes to installing children’s play structures, including trampolines, basketball hoops and swing sets, you’ll likely run into a few of the more common guidelines, which often dictate:

  • The size of the swing set, including platform and roof height.
  • The type of construction of the swing set, including color options and materials it is made of.
  • The location of the swing set, including easement issues and whether it can be seen from the street.
  • Additional requirements, such as fencing around the play area, or whether you can use shock absorbent materials beneath the swing set.

In other words, your child might want the 7’ MegaDeck Fort with a huge rock wall, super long slide, and 4 position swing beam…but your HOA might not allow it. It’s better to find out what the requirements are before you start shopping.

You might be pleasantly surprised at what your HOA allows, like this
You might be pleasantly surprised at what your HOA allows, like this

We’ll Help You Find The Right Swing Set

There have been instances where HOA’s do not approve the installation of swing sets, but in reality, most HOA’s are not a problem to work with.

The goal of the HOA isn’t to cause you grief.

They just want to be sure that the swing sets and play structures in the neighborhood are not eyesores. Many also want to be sure that it is a wooden swing set, and that the sides of the house block it from the street view. They may also require a professional installation to be sure that it is assembled safely and properly for your yard’s landscape. In many cases, it’s just a matter of you requesting permission, or filling out a form and providing a picture of the swing set.

That’s where we come in.

We can provide you with the information your HOA may require, such as pictures of our swing sets, diagrams, and installation information. We are also happy to work with you and your HOA directly to find the swing sets that fit within HOA guidelines to make it easier for you and your child to select the best option out of what is allowed.

With the large selection of swing sets and play centers, and a wide variety of colors and modular options, you’ll be sure to find a swing set from our catalog that both your child and your HOA agree on.

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