Burglar Bars, do you restrict?

I am the board president and chair to our architectural committee to a HOA in Colorado.

We recently received a request to add burglar bars to a home's windows. We do not have this on any of our homes, over 3000 however our ARC guidelines currently have no language speaking to this.

This in the opinion of the ARC members, not in harmony with the aesthetics of our community so we are considering adding language in relation to this.

Is anyone aware of any restrictions of "barring" (punn intended) burglar bars? Being that it is a anti-theft device I am concerned this may not be restricted but unsure. I agree it is not in harmony of our community but at the same time would hate to be on the evening news about a home being broken into where a request was denied to add burglar bars.

Do any of you have this as a restriction in your architectural guidelines or know if it can be restricted? Also what is your personal opinion to these. I am trying to consider points of view I may not be thinking of..

Thanks in advance

Mark,

Is there a problem with burglaries in your community?

Bars on some windows may violate fire codes if they prevent emergency exit.

'Burglar Bars' present a code compliance nightmare.

For certain windows (bed rooms and some kitchens and front doors and others) they MUST be readily openable from the inside WITHOUT the use of keys.

These pivoting code compliant gates are VERY expensive and potentially unsightly from the outside.

IMO: since the bars are a perceived safety issue the HOA could require that the requestor obtain a building permit before approval and show the 'signed off' C of O after installation.

voila; problem solved as security film on the glass would be much cheaper AND invisible

ps. security film is NOT hurricane film as there is NO code approved hurricane film available ANYWHERE at any price