Architectural Standards

CC&Rs uniformly require owners to obtain Board approval before making alterations that affect the project's appearance or affect the common area building structure. California statute also requires that each homeowners association include in its governing documents a "fair, reasonable, and expeditious procedure for making its decisions" that includes "prompt deadlines." Cal. Civil Code § 1378. This statute establishes other specific requirements for architectural approvals. If your association's existing documents do not meet the statutory requirements, the architectural guidelines should be amended to comply with statute.

In addition to setting out the procedure for applications, including information and documents needed from the requesting homeowner, your CC&Rs or architectural guidelines should also include standards for approval — what factors the Board or Architectural Committee will take into account when considering applications, and what specific alterations are prohibited or permitted.

For more information, please call us at 818-891-9504 or contact us online.