The HOA Board has been approached by homeowners about installing permanent patio covers and pergolas over their back patios.
The board will not grant these architectural requests, due to many factors, including:
1. All exterior building changes require building permits by the City of Austin and must follow city building codes. The board and the association will not take responsibility for verifying that permits are granted by the city nor that the finished project has been inspected and approved by the city.
2. The association does not want to take responsibility for permanent structures and any damage that they may cause to that unit or an adjacent unit. By granting a homeowner permission to build the cover, the association opens itself up to liability to any damage that the structure could cause.
3. The association does not want to be obligated to future maintenance of the new structure. If the board approves an addition such as an attached patio cover or pergola and the owner sells his unit, who is responsible for maintenance or removal of that structure? The board does not want to burden other homeowners with this expense.
The board understands that Austin is a hot climate. There are other options, besides permanent structures, for battling the heat. If you are low to moderate income, the City of Austin offers Free Home Improvements. They also have rebate programs for home energy improvements. Even adding solar screens to your windows will reduce your energy consumption!
If you want a cover to escape the heat on your back patio, the board encourages non-permanent, freestanding units.
