My home Owners association covenants state the following in-re wood fencing: "Portions of fencing that are visible from any street are to be well maintained and wood sealer applied in keeping with the natural color of the wood".

I erected a red cedar fence recently and cedar lasts for decades with no preservative applied. One of the neighbors says I have to stain my fence or I will be out of compliance with the HOA resulting in a lien on my home.

His cedar fence has dark redwood stain. The fences down the street are shades of brown & red. To me, these random colored fences make the neighborhood look like clown town. As it says 'natural color of the wood" I would think that those stained fences are the ones not in compliance with the regs. Any opinions?