Glossary
Architectural review
The process by which an association or design committee evaluates and approves or rejects proposed changes to a home's appearance or structures under the governing documents.
Why it matters
Architectural review is the procedural gateway for most HOA-controlled improvements: solar panels,
EV chargers, heat pumps, and landscaping changes usually need a written application and a written
decision. State law can set deadlines and limits on how review may operate — for example,
California Civil Code section 714 requires solar applications to be handled like
architectural-modification requests with a written decision within 45 days.
What to check
Whether review is required, what the application must include, whether the decision must be in
writing, and whether the state imposes a deadline or deemed-approval rule.
Jurisdictional variation
Review authority, deadlines, and appeal rights come from the governing documents and state
statutes, which differ by state and by community.