An Exterior Alteration Application must be submitted for any and all basketball equipment, freestanding or attached, temporary or permanent.

Exterior Alteration Application Requirements

The application must include:

• Diagrammed plot plan showing the location of the basketball unit.
  Note: Applications without a diagrammed plot plan will not be accepted.
• Completed Basketball Worksheet.
• Description of proposed unit.
• Description of the backboard color.
• Manufacturer’s drawing or photograph.
• Color of the pole.
• Height of the rim.
• Description of how and where the equipment will be anchored (for attached units).
• Plans for screening as applicable. See GUIDELINE No.47—SCREENING.
• Signature of affected neighbors.

Approval

Your Exterior Alteration Application for free-standing, portable or permanent basketball equipment will most likely be approved if you meet the following conditions:

1. The backboard is a quality, commercial one.
2. The backboard is clear, white, graphite (gray), with hoop, stripe, and net.
3. The proposed placement provides reasonable visual and noise consideration for neighbors.
4. Appropriate screening is proposed (where applicable).
   See GUIDELINE No.47—SCREENING.

Front of House Placement

1. Placement is at the side of the driveway away from the applicant’s house toward the side property line.
2. The basketball equipment is no more than 20 feet or less than 3 feet from the front of the garage, and no more than 4 feet from the sideline of the driveway.
3. There is a minimum of 7.5 feet between the backboard and the side property line and a minimum of 20 feet or half the length of the driveway (whichever is less) from the front property line to the backboard.
4. The basketball hoop faces the driveway.
5. You have obtained written permission of all owners if you have a shared driveway.

Rear of House Placement

1. Placement is 10 feet or more from the rear and side property lines (although this placement will be considered on a case-by-case basis).

NOTE: Basketball equipment is not and will not be approved in the Howard County Right of Way (ROW: the street, the sidewalk, street tree easements, and the cul-de sacs.) Residents with complaints about basketball equipment in the County Right­ of Way may contact Howard County at 410-313-7450.

An Exterior Alteration Application is required for the following:

1. All play equipment over 8 feet in height and/or over 10 feet in length.
2. Sandboxes more than one foot above ground and/or over 25 square feet.
3. Tree houses, forts, playhouses, and trampolines.
4. All play equipment not made of natural wood, regardless of size.

Exterior Alteration Application Requirements

The application must include:

 

• Diagrammed plot plan showing the location of the play equipment. Note: Applications without a diagrammed plot plan will not be accepted.
• Description of the play equipment.
• Completed Play Equipment Worksheet.
• Manufacturer’s drawing or photograph, if available.

Approval

Your application will most likely be approved if the following criteria are met:

1. All equipment is in proportion to lot size.
2. The overall size of the equipment is proportionate to the area and does not dominate the site.
3. The equipment is inconspicuously located in the rear yard area at a reasonable distance (7.5 to 10 feet) from side and rear property lines.
4. If natural wood play equipment is proposed; or if; metal play equipment is proposed, it is painted a dark earth tone color (brown, green).
5. Equipment is located in the rear of the house and within lines defined by the sides of the house extended to the rear.
6. Play Equipment is within 20 feet from the rear of the house or 2/3 the distance between the rear of the house and the rear property line, whichever is closer to the house.
7. Fencing, planting, or landscape screening have been proposed, required. See GUIDELINE No.17—FENCING or GUIDELINE No.47—SCREENING.

Approval Not Required

An application is not required for swing sets and play equipment if all the following five criteria are met:

1. Total height of 8 feet or less.
2. Total length of 10 feet or less.
3. Located at the rear of the house and within the lines defined by the sides of the house extended to the rear.
4. Within 20 feet of the house or 2/3 the distance between the rear of the house and the rear property lines, whichever is closer to the house.
5. The swing set or play equipment is made of natural wood.

An application is not required for sandboxes if all the following criteria are met:

1. Total height is one foot or less above ground.
2. Area is 25 square feet or less.
3. The sandbox is within 20 feet of the rear of the house or two-thirds the distance between the rear of the house and the rear property line, whichever is closer to the house.

NOTE: Townhouse and condominium associations may have further restrictions on play equipment so please check with your local association. The most restrictive guidelines will apply.