DESIGN REVIEW

Planning a Project?

A friendly guide to the Willowbrook Design Standards and how to get your project approved.

Willowbrook is a beautiful neighborhood, and part of keeping it that way is making sure exterior improvements fit the community's overall look and feel. Many changes to the outside of your home or lot require written approval from the board before any work begins. It is a simple process, and this page walks you through it.

Getting approval protects your investment and your neighbors' investment, and it keeps the community cohesive and welcoming for everyone. Most applications are straightforward, and the board works to turn decisions around quickly.

One important note: HOA approval is about community standards and is entirely separate from any city or county building permit you may also need. You are responsible for securing both. When in doubt, check with the City of Delaware Building Department as well as submitting your HOA application.

How to apply

The process has four steps. Most homeowners complete it in a single sitting.

  1. Put together your application materials. You will need: a site plan (an overhead, survey-style drawing of your lot showing existing and proposed improvements), an elevation plan (photos or drawings showing the side view of the project), the proposed materials and colors, the roof style and material if applicable, the siding material if applicable, the distance from the nearest property line, and a short written description of what you are doing.
  2. Submit through the CPS resident portal. Upload your materials at portal.cpscolumbus.com along with the $25 application fee. CPS (Capital Property Solutions) is our management company and handles all submissions.
  3. The board reviews and issues a decision in writing. You will receive an approval or denial by email. Under our current rules, a decision requires three of the five board members to approve or decline. Verbal conversations are not approvals.
  4. Once approved, get moving within the window. Work must be completed within 45 days of materials arriving on site. Noise-generating work should happen after 7:30 AM and before sunset.

Application fee

Applications are $25 each, paid to the management company that processes them. See the FAQ for why there is a fee.

The Willowbrook Design Standards

Each standard below sets the conditions for a particular type of improvement. Your approval letter will reference the ones that apply to your project. Click any standard to read a plain-English summary.

WDS-01. Gardens
Vegetable gardens, flower beds, and raised beds belong in the rear yard, set back 5 feet from the property line, and no larger than 16 by 8 feet (or 8 by 8 square). Borders may be up to 18 inches tall and may include optional animal mesh. Stakes up to 5 feet are allowed in white, green, or natural tones.
WDS-02. Exterior Colors
All exterior surfaces must use earth tones. Metallic, chrome, fluorescent, and neon finishes are not allowed. List your specific colors in the application. Exterior bulbs should be white or soft white (seasonal holiday lighting is excepted).
WDS-03. Driveways and Pavers
Driveways may be concrete, asphalt, or brick and stone pavers. Extensions must match the existing driveway surface and are for street-legal vehicles only. Boats, campers, and RVs may not be stored on driveway extensions. Sport courts require a 10-foot setback and may not have permanent lighting.
WDS-04. Decks
Decks cannot extend into the street setback. When the deck is raised, skirting or landscaping is required underneath, and the space below may not be used for storage. The wood finish should match the home.
WDS-05. Fences
Fences must be located behind the rear plane of the house. They may sit on the property line or be set back at least 24 inches. The finished (good) side must face outward toward neighbors, and gates must swing inward.
WDS-06. Playsets
Playsets must be wood or composite look-alike, placed in the rear yard with a 3-foot setback at full swing arc. Maximum height is 12 feet. Playsets may not be used for storage, and any attached tarps or covers must be kept clean and in good condition.
WDS-07. Home Businesses
Business signage must follow local zoning and requires board approval. Signs must be earth tones. The business should not generate traffic, noise, or delivery activity beyond what is normal for a residential neighborhood.
WDS-08. Fire Pits
Fire pits must be in the rear yard, at least 15 feet from the property line and 25 feet from any structure. A surrounding wall up to 18 inches is allowed. Only wood fires are permitted, and fires may never be left unattended.
WDS-09. Solar Panels
Panels may not be visible from the front street and may cover no more than 25 percent of the roof. Color should match the shingles as closely as possible. Ground-mounted systems must follow fence-height limits and include appropriate screening.
WDS-10. Other Structures
This standard covers structures not addressed elsewhere in the design standards. Street setbacks apply. Raised structures require skirting or landscaping, and the roof style and materials must match the home.
WDS-11. Screens and Partitions
Pergolas, lattice screens, and privacy partitions may be attached to or placed next to the home or an approved structure. Total linear footage may not exceed 16 feet, and height is capped at 6 feet (8 feet when placed on a platform).
WDS-12. Outbuildings
Sheds and similar outbuildings may be up to 100 square feet and 12 feet tall. They must be set back from the property line by at least the height of the facing wall. A gabled or hipped roof is required. If visible from the street, the structure must be screened with landscaping. Outbuildings may not be placed forward of the front of the home.
WDS-13. Patios and Play Surfaces
Patios and play surfaces are allowed in the rear or side yard. Approved materials include concrete, brick, stone, and pavers. The installation may not redirect rainwater or surface runoff onto a neighboring property.
WDS-14. Room Additions
Additions must attach to the home and be accessible from the interior. They may not extend into the street setback. The roof must be gabled, and the siding, windows, and finishes must match the existing home.
WDS-15. Swimming Pools
No part of the pool may be more than 12 inches above grade without specific board approval. A safety fence as required by law is mandatory. Pool equipment must sit on a permanent, screened pad. A city or county building permit is typically required, so secure that first before submitting your HOA application.
WDS-16. Trash Can Screens
Screens for trash and recycling cans must be located in the side or rear yard, next to the home, and no more than 4 feet tall. Approved materials are solid board wood, white vinyl, or painted wood that matches the home's trim. Lattice and picket styles are not permitted. These enclosures are for trash cans only.
WDS-17. Variances and Auto-Approved Items
A variance is a limited exception to a standard and is only available when the physical shape or dimensions of a lot create a genuine hardship. Personal preference does not qualify. Some small items are automatically approved without an application: a single security sign, a "No Soliciting" sign, holiday decorations, and sports or seasonal flags.
WDS-18. Standby Generators
Generators must be installed on a permanent concrete pad, at least 23 feet from any neighbor's window, and screened from view. Sound output must not exceed 63 decibels at 23 feet. Generators are for backup power only and may not be used as a primary or supplemental power source during normal operations.
WDS-19. Exterior Fixtures
This standard covers security cameras, lighting, smart doorbells, and EV chargers. Cameras may be mounted up to 8 feet high and may not be aimed at a neighbor's property. All fixtures must be color-matched to the home's exterior. Security lighting should be white or soft white and must not create a nuisance for neighboring properties.

Conditions that apply to every approval

No matter which standard covers your project, the following conditions apply to all approvals. Please read through them before you start work.

  1. HOA approval is not a government permit. You remain responsible for any zoning, building, and permitting requirements from the city, county, or state.
  2. Approval does not eliminate easement obligations. If your project extends into a utility or drainage easement, those restrictions still apply in full.
  3. No-build, preservation, and non-disturbance zones are not covered by an HOA approval. Work in those areas is not authorized by a design review decision.
  4. Improvements may not block or redirect the natural flow of surface water, including runoff onto adjacent lots or common areas.
  5. Call OUPS at 8-1-1 before you dig. This is required by Ohio law and protects you and your neighbors from underground utility damage.
  6. "Basic landscaping" means perennials, annuals, low plants, shrubs, and bushes. Anything beyond that scope requires its own design review submission.
  7. You are responsible for the accuracy of all measurements and drawings submitted with your application. Errors or misrepresentations can void an approval.
  8. Work must be completed within 45 days of materials arriving on site.
  9. Decisions are valid only in writing, signed by an authorized board representative. There are no verbal approvals.

Coming soon

Proposed Little Free Libraries

The board is finalizing a standard for Little Free Library installations. Under the proposed policy, libraries would be permitted in the front or side yard, with direct access from the street or sidewalk, and within defined size limits. This policy is proposed and not yet adopted. No application is needed until the policy takes effect. Watch the News page for updates when the board votes.

Ready to take the next step?

If you have questions about whether your project needs approval, or you are not sure which standards apply, reach out before you submit. We are happy to help.

Questions about a project? Contact us View governing documents