If you live in a master-planned community, get HOA approval before any work starts. Ask for the landscape guidelines first, choose a product that fits them, and submit a simple packet with a site plan and a sample.
Start with the guidelines
Ask your association for its design guidelines and the landscape change form. Read what it says about artificial turf specifically: allowed colors, how much of a front yard can be turf, required borders, and whether the backyard needs approval too. Some communities have more than one association, so check which one reviews your yard.
What a packet usually includes
Every board has its own form, but most want to see the same things.
- A simple site plan with the turf area marked and measured
- The product name, a spec sheet, or a physical sample
- Color and pile height
- Edging and border materials
- Plants, trees and rock that stay or are added
Timing
Review can take a while, so build it into your schedule. Don't remove grass or plants until you have approval in writing. An installer can usually help with the site plan and product details once you've had an estimate.
Front yards get the most scrutiny
Front yards are what the street sees, so boards look harder at them. A front yard that mixes turf with desert plants and rock often fits guidelines better than wall-to-wall turf. The turf, xeriscape and grass comparison can help you decide where turf earns its place.
If the plan includes the city's grass removal rebate, note that the city requires the project to meet HOA requirements too, and that turf can't go in the rebate area.
Community pages
Our pages on Vistancia and North Peoria cover local HOA considerations. When you have the guidelines, request an estimate and mention any product rules.