Storm Door Issue-Gone Too Far

I had a storm door installed 2 months ago and did I once thought I needed approval from our HOA Board Committee. I received a letter for me to submit a request. Afterwards, my request was denied and I was asked to remove the storm door because of no prior approval. It was also brought to my attention the bylaw that the committee is standing on for their decision:

"No building, fence, wall, outbuilding, landscaping, pool, detached building, athletic facility, structure or improvement will be erected, altered, added onto or repaired upon any portion of any Lot without the prior written consent of the ACA."

Is a storm door consided a structure and/or falls under this bylaw?

I have requested a meeting with the boardmembers however, I am not confident that they will not see from my point of view that this issue has been blown out of propotion.

Any advice you may have is greatly appreciated.

Sheila,

Usually, anything that affects the outside appearance of the home may require approval from the HOA prior to installation. I know in our HOA, prior approval is required before installing a storm or screen door, but our Architectural Committee has gone one step further by publishing a list of doors which meet acceptable criteria. As long as a homeowner selects one of the approved doors on the list, no prior approval is needed.

However, to simply deny a request because you didn't follow the rules and seek approval first is childish and foolish. As long as your door meets acceptable standards, it should be approved.

Find out what doors meet acceptable standards and seek approval to install one of those doors.

Of course all of the advice should start with the disclaimer: Provided your new storm door is the same color and general style of what is in use in your neighborhood. i.e. if all of the doors around you are white and you chose brown then you will probably need to change the door.