HOA shed approval request: letter template, site plan and checklist

Almost every HOA treats a shed as an exterior change that needs architectural committee (ARC or ARB) approval, even prefab and kit sheds. Committees approve sheds quickly when the request shows size, location and appearance against their written rules. They table them when any of those three is missing.

Before you write: the rules to look up

In your design guidelines or the architectural section of your CC&Rs, find and note the section number for each of these:

• Size and height: many HOAs cap footprint (for example 100 or 120 sq ft) and height (often 8 to 10 ft at the peak).
• Location and setbacks: usually rear yard only, a minimum distance from rear and side property lines and easements, and not visible from the street, or screened if it is.
• Appearance: siding and roof should match or complement the house; approved colours; metal or plastic sheds are sometimes not allowed.
• Foundation: gravel pad, concrete slab or skids, and whether a permit from the city or county is needed (often required above a size threshold).

The request letter (copy and fill in)

[Date]

To: Architectural Review Committee, [HOA name]
c/o [management company, if any]

Re: Architectural request for a storage shed at [property address], Lot [number]

Dear Committee members,

I am requesting approval to install a [8 x 10] ft storage shed in the rear yard of
the property above. The enclosed site plan shows its location.

How the shed meets the guidelines:
- Size: [80] sq ft footprint, [9] ft at the peak, within the limits in Section [x.x].
- Location: rear yard, [5] ft from the rear property line and [5] ft from the side
  property line, outside the [utility] easement, as required by Section [x.x].
- Appearance: [wood / LP SmartSide] siding painted [colour] to match the house, with
  [colour] asphalt shingles matching the house roof, consistent with Section [x.x].
- Screening: [the shed is behind the existing 6 ft fence and not visible from the street].
- Foundation: [gravel pad / concrete slab]. [A building permit will be pulled if required.]

Enclosed: completed request form, site plan with dimensions and setbacks, shed
drawing or product page, colour samples.

Installation by [company / myself], starting about [date]. I will call 811 before
any digging.

Thank you for your time. I can be reached at [phone / email].

Sincerely,
[Name]

Attachments committees ask for

• Site plan: your plat or survey with the shed drawn to scale, its dimensions, and the distance to each property line and easement. This is the attachment most often missing.
• Shed drawing or product page showing footprint, height, door and window placement.
• Colour and material samples: siding, trim and roof, with product names.
• Photo of the spot from the street and from the yard, if visibility is a rule.
• Neighbour acknowledgement, if your HOA requires it.

Common reasons shed requests come back

• Setbacks not shown, or the shed sits on an easement.
• Footprint or peak height over the limit.
• Roof or siding colour not given, or not matching the house.
• Shed visible from the street with no screening plan.
• Metal or resin shed where guidelines require wood or matching siding.

Related: ARC application checklist · HOA fence request letter · request denied? what to do next

General information, not legal advice. Your HOA's documents control.