- ARC stands for Architectural Review Committee (Architectural Control Committee, or Architectural Review Board)
- ARC requests are about protecting community aesthetics, not just restricting homeowners.
- Governing documents are the backbone; if a rule isn’t written, it can’t be enforced.
- ARC approvals come before city permits; one checks style, the other checks safety.
- Sloppy record-keeping leads to lawsuits, frustration, and negative reviews.
- Modern platforms like Solume make ARC (or Exterior Change Request) processes transparent, auditable, and stress-free.
Understanding ARC Requests and Their Importance
If you’ve ever considered painting your house a bold color, adding a shed, or installing a hot tub, you may have encountered three little letters: ARC. For some homeowners, the Architectural Review Committee (Architectural Control Committee, or Architectural Review Board) represents order and harmony in the neighborhood. For others, it’s the very reason they avoid living in a homeowners' association. Let’s be real, nobody likes being told what shade of beige their front door can be. And yet, ARCs are part of nearly every HOA or condominium association, designed to protect the look and feel of the community.
Why does this matter? Because without a consistent standard, neighborhoods risk becoming a jumble of clashing paint colors and half-finished projects. For some people, that’s freedom. For others, it’s chaos. The ARC exists to maintain curb appeal, ensure fairness, and protect property values, though some studies suggest the connection to values isn’t always as strong as boards claim. Still, ARCs create a shared expectation of what’s allowed, which can help prevent neighbor disputes and maintain harmony in a community association.
What Does an ARC Request Involve?
At its core, an ARC request is a formal application homeowners submit to their HOA or condo board when they want to make architectural changes. These requests:
- Go through the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) or the Architectural Control Committee (different communities use different names). At Solume, we simplify this by using the more generic term Exterior Change Request, a more straightforward way to describe any change to the outside of a home, which is what most HOAs and Condos actually regulate.
- Must align with the governing documents (CC&Rs, bylaws, or other community standards). Here’s the key point: if a rule isn’t explicitly stated in the governing documents, it cannot be enforced. If ARC standards were adopted without following proper bylaw procedures, they have no legal ground.
- Cover a wide range of modification requests, including new paint colors, fences, additions, sheds, playground equipment, lawn décor, and even adding a new window to your home.
In short, ARCs are there to review requests, ensure compliance, and keep records of what’s been approved or denied.
Why Are ARC Requests Necessary?
The idea behind ARC requests isn’t control for the sake of control—it’s about setting up a structure that balances individual creativity with community standards. In practice, ARC reviews serve several broader purposes:
- Preserving curb appeal by keeping homes visually consistent.
- Protecting property values through cohesive design standards.
- Providing a review process so homeowners know their requests are evaluated fairly.
Think of it like referees in a game: without them, the rules get ignored, and conflicts can spiral. That said, some complaints about ARCs being too strict are grounded, when committees enforce standards inconsistently or without transparency, they risk breeding resentment instead of harmony. In the best cases, ARC committees are worthwhile referees; in the worst cases, they overreach and create the very conflicts they’re supposed to prevent.
ARC Requests and the Submission Process
How to Submit an ARC Request
The process usually starts with the governing documents of the HOA. Read them first. They’ll outline the ARC process, the approval process, and the requirements for submission.
Traditionally, homeowners' associations have relied on physical copies sent to the attorney's mailing address or email requests to handle ARC submissions. Some HOAs use a contact form on their website or ask for digital ARCs like PDFs or photos. In rare cases, communities still manage their operations with sticky notes and manila folders. That’s where frustration sets in: requests get lost, early copies and records disappear, and homeowners are left in the dark.
And here’s where it gets risky. Imagine a board of directors approving a pergola for one family but denying a similar request three years later because the original paperwork is missing. That kind of inconsistency has led to lawsuits and negative reviews of communities.
That’s why modern platforms like Solume’s ARC request feature exist. Solume makes the entire process auditable, transparent, and easy for both homeowners and board members. Instead of chasing down papers, you get a single dashboard view into everything: submission, status updates, and approval history.
What Happens After Submission?
Once you submit your request, here’s what typically happens:
- The ARC Committee or HOA board members (sometimes called the HOA Architectural Review Committee) review the request.
- They compare it against the CC&Rs, bylaws, and sometimes local zoning rules, but in most cases, boards aren’t equipped to dive deep into zoning law, which is why zoning is handled as a totally separate step by the city or county. Even if a board grants approval, that doesn’t guarantee the city will sign off; building codes or zoning laws could still prevent the project. Don’t assume an HOA ‘yes’ means you’re legally cleared to start work.
- They make a decision: approved, denied, or request for more information (supporting documents). This decision must be delivered within the timeframe set out in the governing documents.
- If approved, the homeowner may still need to apply for city permits. ARC approval and city approval are different ways of checking compliance—one enforces community standards, the other enforces building codes.
In nearly every case, ARC committees get the first say. City zoning comes second.
How ARC Requests Impact Communities and Property Owners
Appropriately handled, ARC requests:
- Help property owners and communities maintain consistency.
- Ensure fair treatment through a structured ARC process.
- Protect the everyday area aesthetics.
- Provide transparency so that future boards don’t get blindsided.
Handled poorly, they can spark conflict, lawsuits, and even make the evening news. For example, in 2019, a Florida homeowner sued their HOA after being denied a fence request despite other neighbors being approved. The case dragged out in court, costing both the homeowner and the community thousands of dollars, all because the review request wasn’t applied consistently.
Tips for First-Time ARC Applicants
If this is your first time submitting an ARC request, here are a few essential things to keep in mind:
- Read the governing documents carefully. Don’t assume, verify.
- Provide clear physical ARCs or digital ARCs, such as sketches, blueprints, or images.
- Communicate with the Architectural Committee or HOA management company if you’re unsure. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
- Keep your own record of submissions, even if the system feels outdated.
- Respect the timeframe, but follow up if you don’t hear back.
Above all, remember: the ARC approval process isn’t there to make your life harder. It’s there to create consistency, avoid disputes, and ensure the rules are applied evenly. Whether you love the structure or hate the restriction, knowing how ARC requests work gives you the power to navigate the system with confidence.
