You picked out the fence, got a couple of quotes, and now you are staring at a stack of HOA paperwork, wondering if the style you want will even pass. That is the real snag with HOA-approved fencing in Lewis County, WA and the newer subdivisions around Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater. HOA rules can be strict, but they are usually specific, which means you can plan around them instead of dealing with a rejection after the fact. Here is what your HOA actually looks at, how the approval process works, and which fences tend to sail through.
We have installed hundreds of fences across the region, including plenty in HOA neighborhoods, so we know where homeowners get tripped up. A little planning up front can save you weeks of back and forth.
HOA Approval vs. County or City Fence Permits: What’s the Difference?
HOA approval and a government permit are two separate things, and you may need both.
Your HOA rules are private covenants written into your neighborhood’s CC&Rs, or covenants, conditions, and restrictions, recorded when the subdivision was built. A county or city permit, on the other hand, is public law. One does not cover the other. Your HOA can say yes while the city says no, or the reverse.
The permit side depends on where you live. In unincorporated Thurston County, fences 8 feet tall or shorter do not require a building permit, though setbacks still apply and corner lots need a sight-distance triangle kept clear. In the City of Olympia, fences not over 6 feet high do not require a permit. In Chehalis, fences in the front street setback are capped at 42 inches if solid, or 48 inches if half-open or more, while fences outside that setback can run up to 7 feet.
These public requirements are only one part of the approval process. HOA fence rules are often stricter than county or city limits. For the full permit picture, see our guide to a fence permit in Lewis or Thurston County. In unincorporated Lewis County, confirm the current height exemption directly with the Permit Center at 360-740-1146.
HOA Fence Requirements in Thurston County (and Lewis County)
So, what exactly is your architectural committee looking for? Most HOA fence rules fall into a handful of categories. Start by pulling your CC&Rs from your closing paperwork or by asking your HOA management company for a copy. Find the fence section and note the requirements before choosing your materials.
Here is what those HOA fence guidelines usually cover:
- Height. Often 3 to 4 feet in the front yard and up to 6 feet in the back. This can mirror public fence setback requirements, but the HOA’s number is what binds you inside the neighborhood.
- Material. Many HOAs name approved materials outright. Vinyl and aluminum are common. Wood is often allowed only if sealed or stained.
- Color. Neutral tones tend to be the safest choice: white, tan, brown, black, and natural cedar. Bright colors are more likely to be rejected.
- Placement and finish. Some HOAs require the finished side to face the street, and most specify how far a fence must sit from the property line.
Newer subdivisions around Lacey, Yelm, and Tumwater tend to be HOA-governed with active review committees. Rural Lewis County parcels often have no HOA at all, so check before assuming neighborhood fence rules apply to you.
Not sure what your specific HOA privacy fence rules allow? We help homeowners spec a compliant fence before they commit. Get a free on-site estimate and we will review the rules with you. Named HOA requirements should always be confirmed against your own recorded CC&Rs.
Which Fence Styles Usually Get HOA Approval
Once you know what your HOA allows, the next question is which materials are most likely to pass architectural review. If your HOA has a history of picky approvals, these are good places to start.
Vinyl Fence Installation
Vinyl is the easy choice for many HOAs. It is uniform, holds its color, and never needs staining. We install American-made vinyl privacy fence panels with a thicker gauge than the imported product most contractors carry, which helps keep the color and profile consistent from panel to panel. That consistency is exactly what review committees want to see.
Aluminum Fence Installation
Black ornamental aluminum fence is close to a default in front yards across the region’s nicer subdivisions. Clean lines, a powder-coated finish, and a look that many HOAs already approve make it an easy option to consider.
Cedar Fence Installation
Where an HOA allows wood, cedar is a popular choice, but the rule is almost always that it must be sealed or stained for a uniform color. This is where homeowners can slip up: they plan to stain it themselves and never get around to it, then the HOA sends a notice. We pre-stain custom-cut cedar fence boards before installation, so your fence shows up already compliant. We also set cedar posts in steel rather than wood in the ground because our wet soil rots buried wood posts within a few years.
Steel privacy panels are newer and approval varies widely, so ask your HOA before you count on them.
The HOA Fence Approval Process, Step by Step
Choosing an HOA-friendly material is only part of the process. You also need to submit the right information in the right order. Follow these steps to avoid an unnecessary rejection or a costly mistake.
- Read your CC&Rs. Find the fence section and note height limits, approved materials, colors, and setbacks.
- Get the application. Ask your HOA board or management company for the fence request form and any architectural standards supplement.
- Submit to the HOA architectural committee. Include your material, color, height, and length, along with a simple site sketch showing where the fence will go. A clear specification gives the committee what it needs to review your project.
- Wait for written approval before you build. This is the step people skip. An unapproved fence can be forced out at your expense, so get the yes in writing first.
- Then handle the permit and locate. Once the HOA approves, pull any required city or county permits. Before anyone digs, call Washington 811 to locate underground utilities. It is free and it is the law.
When you hire us, we prep HOA-ready plans with the exact material, color, and dimensions your committee wants to see, and we handle the permit and locate details. Get a free on-site estimate to start. Check out tips and guides about other fence styles.
Ready for an HOA-Approved Fence?
Ready to put up a fence your HOA signs off on the first time? Call PNW Fence & Gate at (360) 996-4250 or get a free on-site estimate. We serve Chehalis, Centralia, Olympia, Tumwater, Lacey, and the surrounding Lewis and Thurston County communities. PNW Fence & Gate, 132 Pier Rd, Chehalis, WA 98532.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my HOA or the county approve my fence?
Both can, and they are separate approvals. Your HOA enforces private neighborhood covenants, while the county or city enforces public code such as height limits and setbacks. Approval from one does not cover the other, so plan for both if your neighborhood has an HOA.
What fence styles are most likely to get HOA approval?
Vinyl and black aluminum clear review most often because they look uniform and hold their finish. Cedar works where wood is allowed, as long as it is sealed or stained for consistent color. Check your CC&Rs for the exact approved materials list before deciding.
How do I get HOA approval for a fence?
Read your CC&Rs, get the fence request form from your HOA, and submit your material, color, height, and a site sketch to the architectural committee. Wait for written approval before building. Keeping the approved plan on paper gives you documentation if a question comes up later.
Can my HOA make me remove a fence I already built?
Yes, if you built it without approval or outside the rules. Most CC&Rs let the HOA require removal or changes at your cost. That is why written approval before installation matters so much.
Do I still need a permit if my HOA approves my fence?
Sometimes. In unincorporated Thurston County, a fence 8 feet or shorter needs no building permit, and Olympia exempts fences 6 feet or under, but setbacks and other rules still apply. Confirm your city or county requirements separately from your HOA. Lewis County thresholds should be confirmed with the Permit Center.