WHAT IS AN ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW?
Nearly every HOA has an architectural review board. This committee reviews and approves any structural
changes to a home or yard before construction can begin. Enforcement guidelines should be covered in a
community's governing documents and will need to be interpreted and enforced by members of the review
board. When a review occurs, typically a homeowner submits planned changes for approval, and the review
board accepts or rejects the proposed changes, usually with some additional feedback as needed.
DEFINE YOUR PURPOSE.
Homeowners are often unfamiliar with how the architectural review works. The first step to transforming your
review board should be taking the time to define your purpose. Providing homeowners with a clearly-written
purpose statement will help put board members and homeowners at ease. Write this purpose statement
down and include clearly-defined objectives for both the review board and homeowner. Share this purpose
statement with the architectural review committee and homeowners starting the process.
PROVIDE A ROADMAP.
We've found that successful review boards provide homeowners
with a roadmap for the application journey. This map could be a
step-by-step guide, an in-person consultation, or even a digital
outline on your community website. No matter how you choose to
share it, your roadmap should give clear, easy-to-follow directions
from start to finish. Also, use your roadmap to help homeowners
avoid common roadblocks and obstacles along the way.
