In communities managed by Transcend Community Management, you need written architectural (ACC/ARC) approval before making exterior changes such as paint, patios, pergolas, solar, pools or landscaping. Submit your application through the resident portal with plans, materials and photos. Review can take up to 30 days, so do not schedule contractors or buy materials until you have written approval.
What needs architectural approval?
Your CC&Rs and design guidelines define exactly what requires approval, but in most Arizona communities it includes almost anything that changes how the outside of your home or lot looks. Common examples:
- Exterior paint colors, including repainting the same color in some communities
- Patio covers, pergolas, ramadas and shade structures
- Pools, spas, outdoor kitchens and fire features
- Front yard landscaping, including conversions to desert landscaping or artificial turf; see our desert landscaping and xeriscape guide
- Block wall extensions, gates and fencing
- Solar panels and EV charger installations visible from outside; see solar panels and EV chargers
- Windows, doors, garage doors, roofing and gutters
- Room additions, casitas and RV gates
When in doubt, ask before you build. A quick question costs nothing; removing an unapproved improvement can be expensive.
Step by step: submitting your request
- Read your design guidelines. They are available in the resident portal, and Bruno, our AI concierge, can send governing documents by text or email 24/7.
- Gather your materials. A site plan or sketch showing location and measurements from property lines, product specifications, color samples or paint codes, photos of the current area, and contractor drawings if available.
- Submit through the portal. Log in from our portal login page and submit your architectural application with attachments. If you cannot access the portal, see portal login help.
- Watch for questions. The reviewing committee or board may ask for more details. Respond promptly so your request keeps moving.
- Receive a written decision. It will be approved, approved with conditions, or denied with reasons.
- Build exactly what was approved. Changes to the plan need a new or amended request.
How long does HOA architectural review take?
Plan for review to take up to 30 days. Many requests are decided sooner, but timing depends on your community’s process, how often the committee meets, and whether your application is complete. Incomplete applications are the most common cause of delay, so include everything the first time.
Please do not schedule work, sign a contract or buy materials before you have written approval. Contractors in the Phoenix area are often booked weeks out, especially for pools and shade structures before summer, so build the review period into your project timeline.
Tips for getting approved the first time
- Match the architecture and color palette of your neighborhood.
- Show drainage: in monsoon season, grading and downspouts that send water into a neighbor’s yard or the street cause real problems.
- For landscaping, list plant species and confirm low-water choices suited to the Phoenix and Pinal Active Management Areas.
- Note any utility easements and call Arizona 811 before digging.
- Remember that HOA approval does not replace a city or county building permit; you may need both. Our overview of HOA rules versus city code enforcement explains the difference.
Working with contractors and neighbors
Share your approval letter and any conditions with your contractor before work begins, and keep a copy on site. Conditions often cover details that are easy to miss, such as the height of a shade structure relative to the block wall, the exact paint code, or where pool equipment can sit. Contractors should also follow community rules on work hours, parking, gate access and keeping streets and sidewalks clear of debris.
Giving nearby neighbors a heads-up is a courtesy that prevents complaints, especially for pool excavation or projects that require access through a shared wall. If a wall between two lots needs to be opened for equipment, discuss it with your neighbor and confirm with us whether additional approval is needed, since perimeter and party walls can have special rules.
Once the project is finished, keep your approval letter with your home records. It will be useful if you ever sell, because buyers and title companies may ask whether exterior improvements were approved.
What if my request is denied?
A denial should explain the reason. Often a revised design, a different color or a relocated structure will be approved. You can resubmit with changes, ask what modifications would satisfy the guidelines, or, if your documents provide one, request reconsideration or an appeal to the board. You can contact the board through management; see how to contact your HOA board.
What happens if I build without approval?
Unapproved exterior changes are one of the most common sources of violation notices. Your association may require you to submit an after-the-fact application, modify the improvement, or remove it, and fines may follow under the community’s enforcement policy. If you receive a notice, read how to respond to an HOA violation notice. This is general information, not legal advice; your governing documents and an Arizona HOA attorney control.
Board members who want to understand how Transcend runs the review process can read about our architectural review management service.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on your community’s design guidelines. Some require approval for any repaint so the color can be verified; check your guidelines or ask us before you start.
Do not start work or buy materials until you have written approval. If your request seems delayed, contact us through the portal to check its status.
No. HOA approval and city or county permits are separate, and many projects need both.
Include a site plan with measurements, product specifications, colors or paint codes, photos of the current area and any contractor drawings.
