Your New Home HOA Approval Checklist

Before you break ground on your new Madera, Fresno or Clovis backyard, follow these steps to ensure your landscaping plans are approved quickly.

1. Get Your "Site Plan" Ready

Most HOAs won't approve a verbal plan. You need a bird's-eye view drawing of your lot that shows:

• Exact dimensions of the grass or turf area.

• Drainage plans (to ensure water doesn't run into your neighbor’s yard).

• Types of plants, trees, and mulch colors you intend to use.

2. Check the "Approved Turf" List

Not all artificial grass is created equal. Many Clovis HOAs require:

• A specific pile height (usually 1.5 inches or higher).

• A specific face weight (to ensure it doesn't look like "plastic carpet").

• Natural-looking "thatch" (the brown fibers at the bottom that make it look real).

Pro Tip: We can provide you with physical samples and spec sheets to submit with your application!

3. Irrigation Layout

If you choose natural sod, the HOA often wants to see that you have an automatic underground irrigation system. They want to ensure your lawn won't go dormant and become an eyesore if you go on vacation.

4. Setback & Easement Rules

Check your CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) for "setbacks." Some neighborhoods require a 1–2 foot border of rock or mulch between your turf/grass and the shared fence line.

5. Timeline for Completion

Most new construction homes in the Central Valley give you 90 to 180 days from your closing date to finish your backyard. Make sure your contractor can guarantee a completion date that keeps you out of the "fine zone."

How We Help

Navigating HOA boards can be the most stressful part of a new build. When you work with Bluewood Landscaping,

inc. we don't just dump the materials and start digging. We help provide the technical drawings and material specs you need to get that "Approved" stamp on the first try.