When planning home improvements, most homeowners start with fun decisions like paint colors or backyard tile samples. Before you even call a contractor, check if your project requires official approval. Skipping a review can lead to work stoppages, expensive fines, and retrofitting fees.
Reviewing HOA rules keeps your project on track. Knowing how the board of directors reviews requests can protect your property values and relationships with your neighbors.
Summary of HOA Approval Requirements:
- Projects That Need HOA Approval: Exterior paint, roof replacement, fences, patios, landscaping, solar panels, pools, or outdoor structures.
- Projects That Typically Don’t: Interior painting, cabinets, light fixtures, and general backyard maintenance.
- Risk of Non-Compliance: You can get fined daily, served a stop-work notice, and forced to undo the work at your expense.
What Is an HOA Architectural Review Process?
A community HOA architectural review process is how associations review proposed home changes before construction begins. Having a formal procedure allows neighborhoods to maintain aesthetic uniformity, community standards, and property values.
Your HOA homeowners architectural review process starts when you submit detailed renovation plans to the board. The architectural review committee (or ARC) reviews your specs against design guidelines. They’ll scrutinize your material selection, color scheme, project dimensions, and planned location.
You can avoid back-and-forth revisions by submitting a thorough application. Include your contractor estimates and technical drawings, color swatches, and applicable site blueprints in your initial review request.
Which Renovations Typically Require HOA Approval?
The HOA architectural review committee is usually concerned with exterior-facing changes. If your project alters the community profile, structural layout, or outside finishes, you’ll need a formal review before breaking ground.
Exterior Paint Changes | HOA Color Requirements
Painting the outside of your home will require an application, even if you’re painting the same color. Homeowners associations have HOA color requirements to minimize drastic color changes between neighbors.
Attach paint samples that include the manufacturer’s color name and color code. Provide specifics on which areas you’ll paint, including the home’s trim, front door, window treatments, and body of the home.
Roof Replacements | HOA Shingle Requirements
Board members review your roof shingles to ensure they match community architectural styles. Roofing materials must conform to HOA roof requirements including style, material, and color.
Include information on shingle warranty, fire rating, shingle type (architectural asphalt shingles, wood shakes), and include the paint manufacturer’s exact color.
Fence Installation | HOA Height and Placement Restrictions
You’ll need official approval for fences because they modify property lines, impact neighborhood lines of sight, and alter drainage flow between properties.
| Fence Feature | Typical Guidelines | Typical HOA Materials |
| Height | 4 to 6 feet max | Cedar, wrought iron, vinyl |
| Placement | Behind front property line | Stain grade wood or powder-coated metal |
| Orientation | Smile toward the street | Natural finishes or dark earth tones |
Include a site plan with your application that specifies property lines, fence measurements, gate locations, and materials.
Patio Addition | HOA Square Footage and Erosion Control
Patios, decks, or stone hardscapes change your property’s footprint and impact how rainwater drains through your lot. The HOA architectural review board wants to ensure your project doesn’t redirect stormwater runoff toward neighbors’ homes.
Submit construction blueprints, drainage mapping, soil erosion notes, and material samples with your application.
Landscaping | HOA Tree Removal and Front Yard Structures
Planting seasonal flowers typically doesn’t require approval. However, homeowners who remove large trees, add landscape retaining walls, or modify the shape of their front yard beds will need approval.
Include a property plot that outlines what plants you’re adding, location of hardscapes or stonework, tree removal location, and if you’re upgrading or adding sprinkler systems.
Solar Panels | HOA Energy Guidelines and Appearance
State law prevents HOAs from banning solar installation outright. However, your homeowners association can enforce placement requirements to maintain neighborhood aesthetics.
Submit your builder’s design blueprints that outline panel arrangement, direction your roof faces, routing for electricity, and sunlight glare on windows at different times of the day.
Pools and Other Structures | HOA Fence and Storage Standards
Building a swimming pool, backyard gazebo, or storage shed will receive a thorough architectural review. Any structure that requires major excavation, heavy machinery on your property, new utility hooks, or fence installation will need to be reviewed.
Provide illustrations that show board members where construction vehicles will need to access your property, safety fencing, noise protection plans for shared walls, and maximum height of structures.
Which Renovations Can I Start Without HOA Approval?
You typically don’t need to apply for renovations that won’t alter your home’s structure or impact shared infrastructure. Updating your kitchen, changing your floorboards, and painting interior walls typically do not need to be submitted for approval.
Confirm with your HOA stricture covenants before starting work. Some condo associations or multi-family buildings require flooring approvals due to noise restrictions.
What Occurs if You Don’t Get HOA Approval?
Starting work without HOA approval opens you up to liability. Your HOA rules for renovations allow your board to take action on unauthorized work started by homeowners.
- Receive a stop-work order from your HOA management company.
- The HOA can tack on daily fines until you submit an application.
- You can be forced to undo modifications at your expense.
- You may lose community privileges and your ability to vote on board decisions.
- The HOA can pursue legal action against you and place a lien on your home.
Double-check the HOA architectural standards and guidance prior to scheduling contractors. Avoid these risks by submitting an application ahead of your proposed project start date.
What if My HOA Says No to My Project?
Your design submission isn’t over if you receive a denial letter. Most HOA architectural review boards will provide homeowners with reasons why their project was rejected.
- Carefully read your reasons for denial and identify how your design failed to meet current standards.
- Revise your design plans to adhere to the HOA architectural standards.
- Resubmit an application with your changes to materials, colors, or dimension adjustments.
- You can always request a hearing with the board if you feel your renovations match community guidelines.
Approach the board with a willingness to compromise, and you’ll often achieve a favorable outcome on your second submission.
How Do You Quickly Get HOA Approval?
Redirect that energy into creating a detailed application. Here are some tips to easily get HOA approval for renovations.
- Read your HOA guidelines before you start drafting your renovation plans.
- Provide actual samples of your materials, product brochures, color samples, and measurements.
- Include professional drawings from your contractor and attach a copy of your property survey.
- Apply for approval well in advance of when you plan to start work.
- Follow up with your HOA management company to ensure they received your application.
Homeowners who take the time to submit an accurate application respect community guidelines and experience less lag time.
Call On Goodwin & Company | Your Partner in Streamlined HOA Management
Reviewing architectural requests takes time, energy, and plenty of organization. Goodwin & Company can lighten the load your association board experiences by managing home improvement HOA approval requests efficiently.
Our award-winning association managers serve your community with flexible, month-to-month management contracts. We focus on simple cash reports and easy-to-use online client portals. Free up your volunteer board members and ensure architectural reviews stay consistent by partnering with Goodwin & Company. Contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need HOA approval to replace my roof?
Yes, you will need HOA approval to replace your roof. The HOA board or ARC must approve your roofing shingles match the neighborhood design standards.
Q. Will I need HOA approval before I renovate my home?
If your renovations change the outside appearance of your home, you’ll need to apply for permission from the HOA. Projects that don’t alter your exterior footprint typically don’t need approval.
Q. Do I need HOA approval to put up a fence?
Installing a fence on your property without approval is a direct violation of most HOA rules. The association sets specific fence requirements to protect property lines and manage drainage flow.
Q. How Long Does It Take To Get HOA Approval?
According to HOA governing documents. However, most HOAs strive to respond within 30 to 45 days. You can expedite the review process by including detailed plans.
Q. Can a HOA deny me permission to remodel?
Community associations can deny remodeling requests that don’t follow community design rules. If your application is denied, you’ll receive a letter detailing what needs to change.
Q. What happens if I remodel without HOA approval?
Some homeowners try to “wait it out” and hope the HOA doesn’t catch them. You can get fined daily and forced to undo all improvements at your expense.
