Brookfield Village HOA, Inc.

Deck and Fence Guidelines

All 8 sections of Brookfield Village deed restrictions require plan approval for any exterior changes. Please do not start a project or accumulate building supplies before contacting BVHA with your plans. Do not expect the City of Hilliard to know any specifics of our Deed Restrictions or to provide accurate guidance about following the deed restrictions. 

• Contact BVHA at bvhainfo@yahoo.com to submit your plans. Include description of the deck or fence along with material being used, dimensions, etc.  Links to any websites with samples is helpful if you have them. Drawings from a contractor are also helpful.  BVHA will review the plans and possibly review your yard with you. 

Guidelines:

• Our deed restrictions specify that a fence cannot be chain-link or plastic and that plans must be reviewed.
• There are various fence styles in BVHA. Some have weathered and lasted better than others and that guides what we approve based on past performance.
• When we review fence plans, we are looking for sound building materials that will last a long time and maintain their appeal. We are also looking to keep the openness of neighborhood in tact and not chopped up by fences of all different materials, paint colors and sizes.
• We are approving fences 3-5 feet high, preferring open picket design. 
• Fences must be cedar and we will review high-quality vinyl on a case-by-case basis. 
• There are some very durable and aesthetically appealing vinyl options that provide years of maintenance free performance. 
• Plastic and some of the very thin vinyl that is sold at Lowes or Home Depot will not be approved. These do not last well and crack easily in cold temps or when hit with balls, mowers or weed wackers.  
• Pine or treated pine has not weathered well. It turns gray, rots, splits and has not lasted well, so we will not be approving.
• We will not be approving 6ft open picket or privacy fences unless there is an extreme condition that warrants a variance, like a dog that can jump or clear a 5ft fence or an oddly shaped or graded lot that. We will address case by case with you.
• Privacy fences are a concern because of security, aesthetics and weather. 

- First, a privacy fence can easily hide a break in or other crime from other neighbors and police. We would like to keep our neighborhood as safe as possible by keeping open sight lines while balancing your desire for privacy. If you must have a privacy fence, consider a 4 or 5 ft so it does not completely block out the ability of neighbors or police to keep a watchful eye. Criminals target the suburbs and a 6ft fence that could hide a break-in from an alert neighbor or provide cover for a criminal is not a good idea.

- Second, aesthetically, a privacy fence breaks up the neighborhood. Many areas in BV have a great park-like feel because backyards flow together. This allows kids to play, neighbors to say hi and enjoy a great view of people's gardens. The builders of our development wanted this openess preserved, so fences should be lower and open picket to keep this visual openness while still containing our pets and kids.

- Third, 6ft fences in our neighborhood and others are not holding up to the weather conditions. Wind and driving snow are blowing down sections and entire fence lines around Hilliard. This poses a danger to everyone nearby and does property damage when the posts upend and fall over. 

After review, BVHA will provide you with an approval letter for your records. This protects you from further challenge from another neighbor or future owner as to whether or not your deck or fence was approved. All fence and deck construction requires a building permit obtained at the City of Hilliard municipal building. 

Please contact us with any questions!  bvhainfo@yahoo.com