There are more than 358,000 U.S. neighborhoods governed by a homeowners association (HOA). There are many advantages to living in an HOA, including a higher standard of living and retention of property values.
HOAs are operated by dues paid by residents, who expect value from their contributions. This includes things like holiday decorations for the neighborhood. Meeting such high demands can be stressful for the HOA.
If you are a board member looking for HOA holiday decorating guidelines, keep reading. Below are several that will help you make your Vancouver community festive, fun, and safe.
Check HOA Festive Rules
Holiday decorations compliance should be at the top of your list. The neighborhood may already have in place holiday decor rules HOAs must follow.
These include for grounds, buildings, and common areas. They may relate to color schemes or the types of decorations allowed.
For instance, an HOA may restrict the use of overtly religious displays by the HOA. Others may permit them, as long as are tasteful and inclusive of the diversity of residents' beliefs and traditions.
Communicate Changes to Residents
Like with any other event or project, make sure to communicate the holiday decor plan with community members. Give them dates for when displays will be put up and taken down, and abide by this plan as closely as possible.
Prioritize Safety
Be sure that your holiday decorating plans do not jeopardize the safety of the community. Electrical wiring in common areas could be a hazard for pets or young children who use the space. Consider any potential fire hazards and take precautions to eliminate them.
Ensure decorations do not obstruct walkways or entrances to buildings. Also, make sure there is no danger of them falling from a height or toppling over.
Limit Noise and Light Levels
Many holiday displays include festive lights and music. If you decide to have this in areas near residences, be sure these elements are not disturbing the people who live there.
Keep music levels to a minimum and ensure no bright lights are shining directly into windows or blinding drivers as they pass by. Use timers to shut down the displays during late-night hours to further limit the chances of disturbances.
Choose Eco-Friendly Options
Another good rule of thumb for holiday decorating is to limit waste. Where possible, choose recyclable decorations. Consider using LED lights and, again, put them on timers to minimize energy waste.
Quick Cleanup
A final HOA holiday decorating guideline is to have the neighborhood back to pre-holiday status early in the new year. Line up volunteers and have a plan in place to take down, store, or dispose of decorations soon after the holidays.
Neighborhoods with decorations left up for many weeks following the holiday give off an appearance of laziness. Timely deconstruction of displays will get the project behind you and make sure your community members are happy.
Learn More About HOA Holiday Decorating
HOA holiday decorating is a great way to add fun and cheer to your neighborhood. Follow the tips above to ensure a safe, enjoyable environment for your community.
For more than 40 years, Invest West Management has been providing the highest quality real estate management assistance to clients throughout Washington and Oregon. We offer a range of services, including managing Vancouver, WA, HOA guidelines and providing board resources. Reach out to us today to learn more.
