A privacy fence is one of the most requested upgrades in South Florida communities, and one of the most common reasons homeowners end up in front of their HOA’s architectural review committee. Whether you want a new fence, or want to cover an existing chain-link or aluminum fence with a green privacy screen, it pays to know how approval works before you buy anything.
This guide explains what Florida law says about HOA architectural approval, which county and city rules still apply on top of your HOA’s rules, and how to put together an application that is easy for a board to say yes to.
Your HOA’s authority starts with your declaration
Under Florida’s Homeowners’ Association Act, an association’s power to approve or deny changes to the outside of your home comes from your community’s recorded documents. Section 720.3035 of the Florida Statutes says architectural control applies only when the declaration of covenants provides for it, and that the association’s decisions about the location, size, type or appearance of an improvement must be based on the declaration’s restrictions or on published architectural guidelines and standards.
In practice, that means two documents matter most:
- The declaration of covenants: the recorded document that gives the association its architectural review power.
- The architectural guidelines: the published standards that usually spell out allowed fence heights, materials, colors and locations.
Ask your property manager for both before you plan anything. Many communities post them on a resident portal.
Recent changes Florida homeowners should know
- Denials must be explained in writing. Since the 2024 changes to the HOA law, if an application is denied the association must give written notice that cites the specific rule or covenant it relied on.
- No permit needed before review. As of July 1, 2026, an association can no longer require you to get a government building permit before it reviews your plans, and it cannot deny an application just because you have not pulled a permit yet. It can approve on the condition that you get any permit your city or county requires.
These rules apply to homeowners’ associations governed by Chapter 720. Condominium associations follow a different chapter of Florida law and their own declarations, so condo owners should check with their association.
County and city rules still apply
HOA approval is only half of the picture. Your city or county has its own fence rules, and you need to meet both.
In unincorporated Miami-Dade County, the county’s fences and hedges rules (County Code Section 33-11) say that:
- fences require a permit before they are installed;
- fences generally may not be taller than six feet;
- hedges may not be taller than seven feet;
- most chain-link fences in residential areas must sit behind the front building line.
Cities inside Miami-Dade, and cities in Broward and Palm Beach counties, set their own fence codes, so heights, front-yard rules and permit requirements vary from one city to the next. Your city’s building or zoning department can confirm what applies at your address.
Covering an existing fence is different from building one
Those permit rules are written for building a new fence. Dolce Green grass fence rolls are a decorative product: they attach to a fence that is already standing and do not add a new structure, posts or foundation. That is a big advantage, because covering an existing, permitted fence generally does not require a new fence permit, which saves time and permit fees. Rules are set city by city, so it is still worth a quick call to your building department to confirm, and HOA approval is still required where your guidelines cover fences or screening.
What architectural committees typically review
Every community is different, but most fence and screening applications come down to the same handful of questions:
| What the board looks at | What to include in your application |
|---|---|
| Height | The finished height, matched to your guidelines and your city’s limit. Grass fence rolls come in 4 ft and 6 ft heights. |
| Location | A simple site sketch or marked-up survey showing which sides of the lot are covered (rear and side yards are the most common). |
| Appearance and color | Photos of the product and of a finished installation, so the board can see the color and texture. |
| Materials | Product details, for example UV-protected PVC blades on a galvanized steel wire core, flame-resistant and waterproof. |
| Consistency with neighbors | How the screen fits the community’s look. Many boards favor a uniform green finish over mixed materials. |
| Maintenance | Who maintains it and how. An artificial hedge does not need watering or trimming. |
How to get a grass fence covering approved
- Read the guidelines first. Look for sections on fences, walls, hedges and screening, and note any height, color or location limits.
- Photograph your existing fence from inside your yard and from the street or common area, since visibility is what most boards care about.
- Measure the run. Note the height and total length of each side you want to cover.
- Gather product information. Include roll sizes, materials and photos of a finished installation. We can provide a written quote and product details for your application.
- Submit the architectural application on your community’s form, with the sketch, photos and product information attached.
- Wait for written approval before installing, and keep a copy with your home records.
For boards and property managers
Many communities choose to screen shared fences themselves, such as perimeter fences along busy roads, pool enclosures, playgrounds and dumpster areas. A single, consistent green privacy wall gives residents privacy and makes the whole community look finished, without adding hedges to the landscaping budget. See how we work with associations on our HOA community fences page.
The bottom line
Start with your declaration and architectural guidelines, check your city or county’s fence code, and submit a clear application with photos and product details. That combination answers most of the questions a board will ask and keeps your project moving.
This article is general information, not legal advice. For questions about your community’s documents, talk to your association or a Florida community association attorney.
Sources
- Florida Statutes, Section 720.3035: Architectural control
- Miami-Dade County: Residential fences and hedges
Ready for a greener, more private space?
Tell us the length and height of your fence or wall and we will send you a free estimate for rolls or installation.