How does HOA architectural review (ARC approval) work?
By OurHOA · General information · Revised
Check whether approval is required, submit a complete project description, and retain the written decision and conditions before starting work.
Identify the review requirement
Read the declaration and design guidelines for your project. A paint change, fence, addition, or equipment installation may have a specific process. Do not use visibility alone as the test: requirements can depend on the property type, shared systems, and governing documents. Ask which provision applies if the association says review is required. Association approval and government permits serve different purposes; obtaining one does not establish the other.
Submit identifiable plans and track receipt
Use the required form and include relevant dimensions, location, materials, colors, drawings, and photographs. Date and label the plans. Keep proof of delivery and ask what is missing if the application is considered incomplete. Find the applicable response deadline and how it is calculated. California Civil Code § 4765 requires a fair, reasonable, expeditious process with stated maximum response times; it does not set one universal deadline for every project. Do not assume silence means approval.
Read the decision before scheduling work
Check which plans were approved, any conditions, and any expiration date. Confirm whether substitutions or later design changes need another review. Government requirements remain separate: Florida § 720.3035 prohibits requiring a government building permit as a prerequisite to association review, illustrating why the order of approvals must be checked locally. Do not make nonreturnable purchases based only on an informal conversation with a director.
Keep the record and address a denial
If denied, request the reasons, the standard applied, and the reconsideration procedure. California § 4765 and Florida § 720.3035 include written-decision protections with different details. A complete application does not guarantee approval. Keep the submission, correspondence, final plans, and decision together so a future owner or board can understand exactly what was authorized.
Sources
These guides are general education for HOA boards and residents, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules vary by state and by your community's governing documents - check with a professional for your situation.