How to Get HOA Approval for a New Fence in Central Florida
Getting your HOA to approve a new fence is usually the slowest part of the project — not the install. The good news: most delays come from the same few mistakes. Here's how to get a "yes" the first time.
1. Read the rules before you pick a fence
Ask your HOA or management company for the architectural guidelines (sometimes called the ARC or ARB guidelines). Look for:
Allowed materials (many Central Florida communities require white or tan vinyl, or black aluminum)
Maximum heights for front, side and rear yards
Required style (privacy, semi-privacy, picket) and color
Where the fence can start — often a set distance behind the front corner of the house
Whether the "good side" must face out
2. Gather what the HOA will ask for
Most HOA applications want the same package:
The completed architectural request form
A survey or plat with the fence line drawn on it
The fence style, height, material and color — a product photo or spec sheet helps
Gate locations and sizes
Your contractor's name and license/insurance info
3. Mark it clearly on the survey
Draw the fence line in a bright color, label heights, and mark every gate. A clean drawing answers the committee's questions before they ask — and saves you a second round.
4. Submit early and follow up
Many HOA committees meet once or twice a month, so approval can take a few weeks. Submit as soon as you've chosen your fence, keep a copy of everything, and follow up if you don't hear back by the date in their guidelines.
5. Get the permit too
HOA approval doesn't replace a building or zoning permit. In unincorporated Orange County, residential fences need a county permit; inside the City of Orlando, most fences 6 feet and under don't. See our permit guide for the details.
We do the paperwork for you
At Fence Market, we prepare the HOA package — survey markup, product specs and contractor documents — and file the permit as part of every installation. You just sign. Get your free same-day quote.
