Architectural Review Committee
Committee Members
- Cindy McDonald
- Noreen Rodriguez
- Cathi DiMartino
- Brenda McCarthy
Responsibilities, Guidelines, and the Review Process
Responsibilities of the ARC
The exact nature of this committee’s responsibilities can vary from one association to another. In our community, they include the following:
- Managing the application and approval process for architectural modifications, improvements, and changes
- Reviewing the current architectural guidelines and proposing valuable changes to the HOA Board
- Reviewing architectural proposals and recommending decisions to the HOA Board
ARC Guidelines
The Architectural Committee guidelines, also known as architectural standards, are a set of rules that dictate what homeowners can and can’t do in terms of design, improvements, and modifications to their property. Our ARC guidelines include what color paint a homeowner may use for the exterior of their property and what materials a homeowner may use for their roof or fencing. More details may be found in the CC&Rs that are given to homeowners.
The HOA Architectural Review Process
- The homeowner completes an application form. You can download that form below.
- The ARC reviews the application. Once the owner submits the application, the Committee starts reviewing it, comparing the application and the project details against the community’s architectural standards. If the committee lacks information, it contacts the owner and asks for additional documentation.
- A decision is made or recommended. After reviewing the application, the committee comes to a decision, and it is agreed upon by the HOA Board. All decisions are made in good faith and are reasonable. They are also made in writing and mailed to the requesting owner. If the Committee denies a request, it will include a reason for denial in its response. This way, the owner can make necessary adjustments to get the project approved. The Committee will keep a copy of all documentation, including decision letters, for future reference. This eliminates any misunderstandings and can prove useful in the event of legal complaints.
- The progress of the work is followed. After approving a change, the Committee or a representative visits the site of the architectural change while its still a work in progress. This is to make sure that the owner and contractor remain faithful to the approved plans. The Committee or the HOA Board normally has the power to ask an owner to reverse any unapproved changes. This also applies if an owner goes ahead with a project without securing the Association’s green light.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I violate ARC guidelines?
If a homeowner violates the architectural rules, they can face a few possible penalties, depending on the HOA. State laws and governing documents permitting, penalties can include everything from fines to a temporary suspension of privileges. The HOA will order the homeowner to correct the violation or reverse an unapproved modification at the owner’s expense. In some cases, the HOA may also take legal action to remedy the situation.
Can the HOA Board reverse an ARC approval?
In general, an HOA Board can rescind approval of an architectural request, provided the owner has yet to act on the change. The HOA Board or Architectural Committee can make a mistake in their approval, hence, the reversal.
A source for some of this content was hoamanagement.com/hoa-architectural-committee-function-role-responsibilities/.