Living in a planned community in the Denver metro area—such as Highlands Ranch, Centennial, or Parker—often means dealing with a Homeowners Association (HOA). While HOAs are great for maintaining property values, they can be notoriously strict when it comes to exterior modifications, including holiday lighting.
At Holiday Light Professionals, we work with hundreds of HOA-governed properties every year. Here is what you need to know about navigating HOA rules, and why **temporary lighting** is usually your safest bet.
The Safe Route: Temporary Seasonal Lighting
The vast majority of HOAs have specific bylaws regarding holiday decorations. Generally, these rules dictate *when* lights can be put up and *when* they must be taken down.
A common HOA rule looks like this: *”Holiday lighting may be installed no earlier than 30 days prior to the holiday and must be removed no later than 15 days after the holiday.”*
Why Temporary Lighting Wins with HOAs
When you hire us for a temporary seasonal installation, you automatically comply with the spirit of most HOA regulations:
1. **No Permanent Changes:** We use non-invasive, temporary clips that slide under shingles or onto gutters. We do not drill holes, use staples, or alter the fascia.
2. **Timely Removal:** Because takedown is included in our service, you don’t have to worry about receiving an HOA violation letter in February because you left your lights up. We schedule removals promptly in January.
3. **Clean Aesthetics:** HOAs love uniformity and clean lines. Our custom-cut, commercial-grade C9 roofline displays look incredibly professional, avoiding the messy, “Clark Griswold” look that often draws complaints from neighbors.
*Pro Tip:* If your HOA has a strict “no lights before Thanksgiving” rule, utilize our “Early Install, Late Turn-On” strategy. We install the temporary lights in early November, but you simply don’t plug them in until the approved date. Most HOAs only police *illuminated* displays.
The Challenge: Permanent Lighting and HOAs
If you are considering a permanent lighting system, you must tread carefully. Because permanent lighting involves attaching a track system to your home’s exterior year-round, it is almost always considered an “exterior architectural modification.”
**Do not install permanent lighting without written HOA approval.** Doing so can result in hefty fines and a mandate to tear the system down at your own expense.
How to Get Govee Pro Approved by Your HOA
When our clients want permanent lighting, we exclusively install **Govee Pro** systems. Fortunately, this system is designed with HOAs in mind. If you need to submit an Architectural Review Committee (ARC) request, here are the selling points to include:
1. **Color-Matched Tracks:** The Govee Pro system is housed in tracks that are color-matched to the home’s existing soffit/fascia. Explain to the HOA that the system is virtually invisible during the day and does not alter the daytime aesthetic of the home.
2. **Architectural Up-lighting:** Emphasize that outside of the holiday season, the system will be used primarily for security and architectural accent lighting (using the dedicated warm white LEDs), not for flashing rainbow colors year-round.
3. **Professional Installation:** Provide the HOA with our professional installation plan, ensuring them that wires will be hidden and the power supply will be safely managed inside the garage or attic.
Let Us Handle the Details
Whether you choose the classic flexibility of a temporary seasonal display or the year-round architectural benefits of a Govee Pro permanent system, Holiday Light Professionals has the experience to ensure your home looks incredible while staying off the HOA’s naughty list.
Contact us today to schedule your Denver holiday lighting installation!
