HHOA Fence Guidelines

Revised January 9, 2023
Fences must be:
  • wood, wood composite, wrought-iron, or wrought-iron-look metal.
  • between 70" and 74" in height with vertical pickets.
  • no closer to the street than 25 feet.
  • no closer to the street than the front of your home.
  • uniform (same style, material and color on all sides) except for any portion of the fence that is part of a connected neighboring fence.
If wood posts extend above pickets, they must be gothic style tops.
You must:
  • obtain approval from the ACC or Elite ARC Department before work begins.
  • obtain permission from all neighbors whose fence you wish to attach.
  • if wood, stain your fence once the wood is properly dry.
  • keep your fence properly maintained and stained.
 
Approved Fence Styles:
Single Side
Board on Board
Shadow Box
Wrought Iron
 
Approved Picket Top Styles:
Dog Ear
Gothic
Arch
Cap or Cap & Trim
Flat
Finial or Spear
 
Approved Semi-Transparent, Semi-Solid, and Solid Stains & Wood Composite Colors:
Redwood Naturaltone
Cedar Naturaltone
Timberline
Tobacco
Russet
Redwood
Brick Red
Cumaru
Examples are Olympic stain colors. These can be matched by stores using other brands, but images should never be used to match colors. Paint is not approved for use on fences. Note that semi-solid stains are not commonly available at Home Depot or Lowe's.
 
Extending the life of your wood fence:
  • Don't set posts directly in the ground
  • Keep posts from contacting dirt in the 1st few inches below the soil surface where most rot occurs
  • Don't increase ground moisture by mulching around posts
  • Use PostMaster steel fence posts on all or part
  • Upgrade to cedar to reduce rot & warping
  • Cap square posts to protect from top rot
  • If using pine, installers advise using Red Pine to reduce warping
  • Stain your fence once the wood is properly dry
  • Solid stains last longer than Semi-Transparent
 
 
Staining your wood fence:
  • Fence installers in our area recommend waiting 2 months before staining NEW pine to allow it to sufficiently weather and to dry or cure (1 month for cedar).
  • If your fence has different age/texture wood due to repairs, using a solid stain will result in a more uniform look.
  • It is generally recommended to stain on a sunny day with temperatures between 50 and 80 degrees, at least 24 hours after and at least 24 hours before rain. Solid latex stains are less affected by rain, oil-based stains are more affected, so always refer to the label.
  • Be mindful that intense summer sun can heat the surface of the wood above the maximum application temperature. This is why some stain manufacturers do not advise staining in July and August in the South.
  • Be sure to adequately clean your fence before staining, otherwise the stain will not penetrate evenly and will appear mottled. Use a solid stain to avoid this problem.
  • To test if your fence is ready for staining, put a drop of water on top of several horizontal framing board along your fence. If the water absorbs right away, that section of the fence should be ready for stain. If you want to really be sure, have it checked with a moisture meter.
  • Always test a small section first to check the color.
  • Apply stain by brushing in the direction of the grain.
 
Staining your fence an approved color does not require a Review. However, a Review is required if you wish to use a stain that is not visibly identical to an approved stain color.
Replacing pickets or a section with the identical style does not require a Review.
 
NOTE: A fence that does not satisfy these guidelines but has already been approved or granted a variance is grandfathered and should not be considered out of compliance until the fence is modified or requires repair. The fence must then be brought into compliance with current architectural standards.
 
Hermitage Protective Covenants Article VI §18 states that no fence shall be constructed prior to receiving written approval from the Architectural Control Committee (ACC). Fences require the same Architectural Review procedure as certain other modifications to your property. Beginning work prior to receiving approval in writing is cause for a fine and is cause for a cease order until approval is granted. Failure to comply with a cease order is cause for an additional fine.
Written approval or denial should be expected within 30 days after all requested documents are submitted. If the ACC fails to approve or deny a review within thirty 30 days after all requested documentation has been submitted, the review is automatically approved. No changes or additions shall be permitted unless separately approved in writing by the ACC.
 
These guidelines are established pursuant to Hermitage Protective Covenants Article VI §10 which dictates that the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) define architectural standards. Always refer to this webpage for the latest revision.