Yard decor

I live in an upscale HOA that is experiencing a new problem with new homeowners moving in.
Our problem...Although our rules and regs address holiday displays, we are now looking at the need for rules governing porch and yard displaying of decorative items at other times. What one homeowner views as tasteful, another views as tacky. Items such as chickens, rabbits, deer, knomes, pots, planters, blow-up turkeys, large butterflys, wind catchers, etc. are up for discussion.

We'd love to hear how other HOAs have dealt with this issue without being overly restrictive but keeping items within bounds and tasteful.

Carol in Tacoma

Carol,

You are correct that often yard decor becomes an issue of personal tastes rather than an issue of governing documents. Therefore, we treat all yard decor the same. That is to say, it doesn't matter if it's gnomes or rabbets, planters or ceramic mushrooms.

We didn't want to ban everything and we didn't want to have personal tastes come into play that often. Our policy is:

EXTERIOR DECORATIVE OBJECTS.

An application for approval must be submitted to and reviewed by the Architectural Committee prior to the installation or erection of any oversized exterior decorative objects, natural or man-made. Oversized decorative objects are defined as any object exceeding 12 inches in height and 12 inches in either width or depth and includes, but is not limited to, such items as sculptures, fountains, driftwood, free standing poles of any type. Oversized decorative objects will be considered based on their size, color, scale, location, compatibility with architectural and environmental design qualities and their visual impact of adjoining lots.

Smaller exterior objects do not require a prior application for approval to be submitted to the Architectural Committee but must remain in good condition and repair

Garden flags using poles that do not exceed 36 inches in height and 24 inches in width do not require prior approval providing the pole and flag are kept in good condition and repair.

Signs are not considered exterior decorative objects and are covered elsewhere within these guidelines.

Holiday decorations are generally exempt from this requirement, but shall not be displayed more than 45 days before or 15 days after the holiday has occurred.