Most Marion County subdivisions require HOA approval before installing a fence. Here's how to get approved fast — and what gets denied most often.
If you live in a planned community in Marion County — Stone Creek, On Top of the World, Heath Brook, Marion Oaks, The Villages — you almost certainly need HOA approval before installing a fence. Skipping this step can result in fines, forced removal, and legal action.
Here's how to get approved fast and avoid the most common denials.
Step 1: Get your HOA's CC&Rs and ARC application
Every HOA has two key documents:
- →CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) — the rules
- →ARC application (Architectural Review Committee) — the form to submit
Get both from your HOA office or community website. Read the fence section carefully — it'll specify approved materials, max heights, allowed colors, and setback requirements.
Step 2: Choose a fence the HOA pre-approves
Most Marion County HOAs pre-approve specific materials and styles. The most common approved options:
- ✓White vinyl picket (3-4 ft) — universally approved for front yards
- ✓Vinyl privacy (6 ft, white or tan) — approved in 90% of HOAs
- ✓Black aluminum ornamental (4-5 ft) — popular for golf-course-adjacent homes
- ✗Chain link in front yard (denied in 95% of HOAs)
- ✗Wood (rare to approve due to maintenance concerns)
Step 3: Submit the ARC application
Most ARC applications require:
- →Survey or property plat showing exact fence line
- →Drawing/sketch of the proposed fence (we provide this)
- →Product specs (manufacturer, model, color, height — we provide this)
- →Photos of similar approved fences in the neighborhood (helpful)
- →Application fee ($25-100, varies by HOA)
Step 4: Wait for approval (2-4 weeks typically)
Most ARCs meet monthly to review applications. Submission timing matters — get yours in early in the month so you don't wait for the next meeting.
You'll get an approval letter (or denial with reasons) by email or mail. Don't start install before you have written approval. Verbal "yeses" don't hold up if a neighbor complains.
The 5 most common denial reasons
- Wrong color. Picking a color the HOA doesn't pre-approve (e.g., bronze when only white is allowed).
- Wrong height. 6-foot privacy fences in HOAs that cap at 5 feet for backyards.
- Material not allowed. Wood in vinyl-only communities, or chain link in any visible-from-street location.
- Setback violations. Building closer to the property line than allowed.
- Front yard fences. Most HOAs heavily restrict or prohibit fences in front yards.
How we speed up the process for you
When you book us for an install, we provide everything you need for the ARC application:
- ✓Sketch with dimensions and gate placement
- ✓Manufacturer product cut sheets
- ✓Color samples
- ✓Photos of similar installs we've done in approved communities
We've worked with Stone Creek, On Top of the World, Marion Oaks, Heath Brook, Spruce Creek, and dozens of other Marion County HOAs. We know which fences each one approves on first submission.
Need help with your HOA application? Get a free quote and we'll provide everything you need to submit. Request your free estimate →
Written by
Andri Ramírez
Founder, Ocala Fence Install
