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Storage sheds

Started by JohnH18 • 19 replies • 13111 views

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JohnH18 (Georgia)
Posts: 17
Posted:
It is my understanding that sheds have a negative impact on property values. We have very stringent ARC guidelines governing sheds in our community. The members of the ARC actually do not want any sheds and so far we do not have any. Currently, we have a resident who is determined to have one. Our ARC committee has denied three requests from her so far. I am concerned that an appeal will be made to our BOD who are leaning towards approving sheds. I am a member of the three member BOD and am opposed to the sheds. The other two members are joined at the hip and always vote together. I am looking for documentation that will support my position against sheds. Does anyone have a reference? Thanks
DeeS1 (Michigan)
Posts: 223
Posted:
If you have actual rules either in your CCRs, ARC or Rules and Regs, you can not simply just approve the request. The rule must be officially changed.

Are the rules against detached structures / sheds, etc in your CCRs that are recorded with the county vs. your ACC or Rules and Regs? Often, these bylaws etc require 66 2/3 community vote to change.

If the rules are only in your board-adopted ACC or Rules and Regs, you might have more of a problem "blocking" a change of that nature. However, some CCRs give homeowners the right to petition to remove board-adopted ACC or Rules and Regs, so if your Homeowners truly don't want sheds, they might be able to remove the rule before it becomes effective (for example, our changes become effective 30 days after distribution to homeowners). I would imagine it would be improper for your board to approve the alt/mod prior to the rule being effective.

Just my two cents ... also check with your municipality to see what restrictions they have, if any.
DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posted:

John,

Please quote the part of your CC&Rs (protective covenants) that make a statement about sheds or accessory structures or however they are called. Your ARC committee cannot approve them if they are not allowed in either your CC&Rs or ARC guidelines. To allow them, you will need an amendment to your documents by a vote of the membership.
MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491
Posted:
John, sheds in and of themselves are not necessarily a problem, it's the type of shed (some are cheaply made and do not wear well nor keep well), some or too large, some don't fit in with the overall architectural aesthetic of the development, some are built in such a location on the lot that may impact the neighbors enjoyment of their own backyards, so it's not just as simple as "sheds lower property values."

Our development originally specifically restricted sheds. In fact, it stated outright, "No sheds allowed."

Over the years, the residents managed to amend the documents twice to allow for very strictly controlled types of sheds and where/how they can be located on the lots.

The sheds must have a concrete foundation, must match the color scheme of the main house, if the house is mostly brick, at a minimum the front of the shed must have matching brick (to the main house), the roof pitch MUST be the same as that on the main house, and the shingles must match, and in no case can any barn-style sheds be built and in no case will metal sheds or metal roofs for sheds be allowed.

The sheds are restricted in size and height, and must be within 10 feet of the rear of the main house (cannot be placed at the rear of the lot), unless the lot shape affects that, in which case the shed must be as close to the rear of the main house as possible, must have a setback from the neighbors property of a minimum (that I can't remember right now), and is not to be placed in such a way as to be visible from the front of the house if standing center-front.

It took two different attempts to get the language that the majority of the residents could agree to.

BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By JohnH18 on 12/02/2009 3:47 PM
It is my understanding that sheds have a negative impact on property values.

in the words of wikipedia: "citation needed"

To a Missouri native: "Show me"

In my father's words: "opinions are like bellybuttons. everyone has one"

JohnH18 (Georgia)
Posts: 17
Posted:
MichelleD,
Our guidelines are very strict and resemble those you mentioned. What I am looking for is reference to the literature where sheds are discussed in general as to property values...an article in a magazine so example.
Thanks
DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posted:

John,

I did a Google and Bing search on sheds devalueiing property. Everything written is opinions and we all know what that means. IT DEPENDS!!! So I would not take any information from any article to be the gospel truth. Sorry! but I think that you are not going to find concrete evidence that sheds devalue property.
BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820
Posted:
If you will accept anecdotal information as data, i specifically bought my current home in part BECAUSE it had a small storage shed and a large storage shed on the property. along with the corals, they ADDED value to me.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043
Posted:
John,

I doubt a property appraiser would say a storage shed, per se, decreases property value. Those statements are generally made by a BOD who just doesn't want a particular item approved for whatever reason. Many people get property values mixed up with aesthetics. As Michele has stated, there are certain types of storage sheds that you wouldn't want to be seen in your neighborhood; however there are others that look very nice. I've even seen some with tile roofs, which all the homes in my community have.

JohnH18 (Georgia)
Posts: 17
Posted:
Thank you all for your input. This sheds a different light on the issue.
MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By JohnH18 on 12/03/2009 8:33 AM
MichelleD,
Our guidelines are very strict and resemble those you mentioned. What I am looking for is reference to the literature where sheds are discussed in general as to property values...an article in a magazine so example.
Thanks

John, then the issue of whether they add or detract value is moot. If your governing documents have restrictions covering the how, what, where, etc of sheds, then that is what you must follow. If they allow sheds, but only under specific guidelines than the woman can, indeed, put up a shed, as long as it conforms to those guidelines.

I light of the fact your documents do allow, but control, sheds, I do not see how your ARC can legally deny a shed that conforms to the restrictions.

If the ARC wants to eliminate sheds altogether, then it will have to go through the proper procedures in your governing documents to amend the CC&Rs to deny them altogether.

DouglasK1 (Florida)
Posts: 2,046
Posted:
Ancient thread reactivated to post spam. Is there a way to alert mods on this forum?
Escaped former treasurer and director of a self managed association.
LarryB13 (Arizona)
Posts: 4,099
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By DouglasK1 on 07/21/2015 11:05 AM
Ancient thread reactivated to post spam. Is there a way to alert mods on this forum?

Oh crap! I was so incensed by this idiot's conclusion in search of evidence that I failed to notice the date.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By DouglasK1 on 07/21/2015 11:05 AM

Is there a way to alert mods on this forum?

Yes.

Blue bar near top of page.
Place mouse pointer over help (which will show two choices)
Click on Contact HOATalk Support

I went ahead and reported this spam.
KassemS (Florida)
Posts: 5
Posted:
We have a few people in our community (a clique) more than anything that refuses to read the covenants the way they are written, For example this what our covenants state about sheds at the attachment. Rather than read that as sheds are permitted some ARB members state that sheds are not allowed. Others state there is no definition on temporary (I have no idea what that means about sheds being permitted) and others state that it will be bring down our property values which for me is purely opinion, I have owned 8 homes, the first 6 had sheds and not once did I use the shed as a determination on whether to buy the house. I sold all of my homes for more than I paid and it was during and after the recession. I am a little frustrated because our covenants indicate that sheds are permitted.

One final point we live a community that has 2 HOA boards. The main street going through the community divides the two sections. The first phase I and II has about 146 homes and then the developer went bankrupt, our phase 69 parcels and both our covenants state the same wording which is attached. The difference is our sister HOA board allows sheds as long as they are behind a fence or the house.

Any thoughts by anyone?
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TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Kassem,

Welcome to the forum.

This thread is from 7 years ago.

It's best not to reactivate old threads.

You may want to start a new thread.

Tim
PitA
Posts: 1,416
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By JohnH18 on 12/03/2009 10:27 AM
Thank you all for your input. This sheds a different light on the issue.

Well shed.


PitA
Posts: 1,416
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By TimB4 on 02/26/2016 3:31 PM
Kassem,

Welcome to the forum.

This thread is from 7 years ago.

It's best not to reactivate old threads.

You may want to start a new thread.

Tim

could not resist my pun

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