Does Your Garage Door Meet HOA Standards?

Homeowners associations (HOAs) strive to make the neighborhood an attractive, pleasant, and safe place to live by ensuring all residents comply with the HOA’s rules. These guidelines can cover the design, use, and maintenance of homes in the area, including your garage door.

So, how do you know if your garage door is HOA compliant? This guide covers typical HOA regulations for garage doors to help you avoid violation fines, enhance your home’s curb appeal, and maintain a garage that reflects your community’s standards.

What Is an HOA?

A homeowners association is an incorporated organization that creates and enforces property rules for their community. HOAs typically exist within neighborhoods or gated communities with single-family homes or multifamily buildings like townhouses and condominiums. In 2023, there were about 365,000 homeowners associations in the United States.

When you buy a home in an HOA area, you will most likely have to become an HOA member. Your sales agreement may also include local HOA standards and fees. Rules can cover anything seen from the street, including garage doors, gardens, fences, sheds, mailboxes, home design, solar panels, decorations, vehicles, and more.

Community residents run their local HOA and designate directors and governors to enforce the rules. Some HOAs collect monthly or annual fees to maintain or repair common areas and amenities. However, HOAs work differently depending on the community and region.

The Importance of HOA Compliance

While navigating complex rules can be cumbersome, HOAs can be beneficial. The purpose of an HOA is to maintain the community’s aesthetic appeal. Attractive neighborhoods are more desirable to homeowners, which can increase property values. HOA rules can also improve community relationships by reducing conflicts between neighbors and encouraging community building.

HOAs can impose fines for rule violations to keep residents compliant. Fees vary depending on the economic status of residents in the community and the severity of the violation. To avoid a hefty penalty, you’ll need to maintain your garage and stay up to date with HOA requirements.

What Are the HOA Standards for Garage Doors?

While each one is different, many implement similar HOA garage rules:

1. Appearance

Most garages are visible from the street, so garage door HOA rules often require residents to keep them clean and well-maintained. Wash your garage door and stick to a cleaning schedule to ensure the door stays clean, particularly after heavy rain and winds. Look for and repair any damage, like dents, scratches, paint chips, peeling paint, broken windows, or rust. You may also need to restain your wooden garage door when the stain fades.

If the homes in your community have a cohesive color and style, there may also be design rules for your doors. Check with the HOA before purchasing or repainting your garage door. It might have to be a specific color and material or have a particular design. Knowing these rules beforehand will prevent wasted money and time.

2. Use

Many communities have an HOA open garage door rule, which requires residents to keep their garage doors closed unless in use. Open garage doors look visually unappealing, especially if the inside is messy. If your garage door is not closing, repair it as soon as possible to comply with this standard. 

You may also need to park your vehicles inside the garage at all times. If your garage is too full to fit your vehicle inside, clean up, reorganize, and declutter to make room. Storing your vehicle inside your garage can protect it from damaging UV rays and messy substances like tree sap and bird droppings.

3. Noise

Another rule most HOAs have is a limit on noise levels. An old or faulty garage door can create loud creaking, scraping, and squeaking noises while opening and closing. These unpleasant sounds can disturb neighbors and result in an HOA violation. If you notice a strange noise, have a professional check it and make any necessary fixes. Leaving the issue can result in more costly repairs down the line.

You should also be careful about making loud noises inside your garage, such as playing drums or operating tools. Investing in sound-dampening materials can help lower noise levels and appease your HOA.

4. Safety

Garages can pose a significant safety risk to you and the people around your home. Faulty wiring and electrical circuits can cause electrical fires, and your car’s exhaust can lead to a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide. Doors can also physically harm you if they malfunction and close abruptly.

HOA rules may include building and garage safety regulations to keep you and the neighborhood safe. You might need to install safety devices like smoke detectors, auto-reverse sensors, and carbon monoxide alarms. These will alert you to any issues as they happen to limit property damage and health concerns.

5. Maintenance

Friction, moisture, and general use can wear down garage door components. Without regular inspections and touchups, your garage door may malfunction, break, and look old. For this reason, many HOAs include maintenance rules.

Regular inspections and upkeep can prolong its life span and prevent major malfunctions and issues. This benefits both you and your community, as the garage door will look good, and you can save money on costly repairs. As a general rule of thumb, you should have a professional inspect your garage at least once a year. However, check your HOA’s rules to ensure you comply with their specific maintenance requirements.

How to Respond to HOA Violations

If you violate an HOA rule, the committee will send you a formal warning letter. The letter will detail the issue, tell you which rule you broke, and give you a due date for correcting the problem. It’s a good idea to act quickly when you receive a notice of violation. Correcting the error before the due date may save you from having to pay any fines.

However, it will also give you time to ask for a formal hearing if you disagree with the information in the letter. Read through the letter carefully, then contact the HOA if you have any questions. They may allow you to state your case to the HOA board. If you are successful, they may waive the fine.

Keep Your Garage Door Compliant With Ingstrup Garage Doors

Regular garage door maintenance can help you avoid breaking any HOA rules. However, hiring an experienced professional is essential to get the best results. If you live in Lansing or Grand Rapids, Michigan, trust Ingstrup Garage Doors for reliable garage door maintenance services. Ingstrup Garage Doors specializes in garage door installations and repairs and has over two decades of experience.

When it is time for your garage door’s annual maintenance checkup, contact us to schedule an appointment. An experienced technician will come to inspect your door, adjust springs, tighten hardware, and replace any worn parts.