Upgrades to Your Home or Your Property

By Wynfield Communications Committee

Are you planning upgrades or changes to your property and need help deciding who to ask or what counts as requiring HOA approval? Here is the inside scoop.

We love our homes. In suburban life, the beauty and presentation of our homes matter to most of us. Like any HOA, Wynfield has some restrictions on upgrades that could also positively or negatively impact the value of your neighbor’s homes.

Please keep reading to learn more about the projects that require approval and the submission process.

So How Do We Request the Approval?

We have had an established Architectural Committee since the contractors established this neighborhood in the 1990s. They are a reliable contact for any request or questions about the architectural improvements you are planning for your home or property. The easiest way to submit your request is on our HOA website, which does not require logging in to request it. You can access the link “Architectural Modification Request” in the footer of Wynfield.org. You can also click this URL in your browser. This request form walks you through all the details needed for your approval.

If you are still waiting for a response from the Architectural Committee after 30 days of your submission, you can proceed with the project. However, we do recommend that you double-check that the request was received. If you sent an email instead of using the website form, your email could have been flagged as spam, and the Committee may not have received it. Suppose the Architectural Committee sees the project in motion without a request. In that case, it could immediately halt your project until the project is verified and approved.

Projects that Require Approval

Like many fashion choices, one person’s taste can be significantly different than another’s. Still, often there is a happy middle ground that leaves room for personalization without negatively impacting people around you. Here are the most critical changes that require HOA approval before it begins.

1. External House Appearance

Any change to the outward appearance of your structure requires Architectural Committee arrival, including:

• Paint Color
• Siding change
• Deck/Porch expansion
• Deck/Porch enclosure
• Addition to the house framework
• Significant roofing change (type of roofing material)
• Change to house fascia, trim, or shutters.

2. External Structures or Fencing

The addition or removal of existing structures or fencing also requires approval, including:

• A significant change to Fencing in design/color
• Additional Sheds, Storage, Greenhouse, Cages, or Coops.
• Pool or Sport Court/Net additions or expansion
• Garage or Shop Addon/Expansion
• Mailboxes

3. Landscaping Changes

Significant changes to the landscaping include the following:

• Fence, wall, curb, paving, or hedge changes over 2 feet in height
• Driveway or sidewalk expansion
• Lot grading change over 6 in
• Excavation, fill, ditch, drainage, or diversion dam that could impact natural flow
• Removal of a tree with a base diameter of 12 in+

Projects that DO NOT Require Approval

Many changes to our property are considered the most basic maintenance that does not require the Architectural Committee’s approval.

1. External House Appearance

Changes to the house that equal standard maintenance versus an actual change are as follows:

• Repainting or repairs to siding, trim, fascia, doors, or windows in the same color/design that already is in place.
• Replacement or repainting of deck wood/railing that doesn’t change size, structure, or color.
• Repairs to external walls that do not change the size or shape.
• Replacement of roof with the same size, construction, and materials.

2. External Structures or Fencing

Changes to the outer structures or fencing that are just maintenance or repair include:

• Refinishing or repairing an existing fence.
• Repainting or repairing existing external structures with the same color and size.
• Refinishing pools or courts/netting without expansion or significant change.
• Improving existing mailboxes with the same style, design, and color.

3. Landscaping Improvement

Here are landscaping changes that do not require approval.

• Repaving of driveways or sidewalks
• Planting, trimming, and framing (under 2 ft height) gardens and shrubbery.
• Trimming and maintaining tree health, size, and shape
• Improving, maintaining, or replacing existing grass
• Cleanup or refreshing of existing drainage, gradient, or ditch.
• Remove any trees with trunk less than 12 inches in diameter.

PLEASE NOTE: The approval will expire if your project does not begin within six months of the ACC approval. In that case, you must resubmit your project to the Architectural Committee for approval.

If you have any questions or concerns about what is allowed or not allowed on your property, please log in to Wynfield.org and read the Covenants/Bylaws for our Wynfield Homeowners Association.