The General Rule
Exterior paint color restrictions are one of the most universally enforced CC&R provisions. HOAs typically maintain an approved color palette (often 20–100 pre-approved combinations), require ARC submission with paint chip or manufacturer color number, set a review period (usually 30 days), and may require repainting at the owner's expense if unapproved colors are used. Courts have consistently upheld paint color restrictions as reasonable aesthetic regulations. Painting without prior written approval — even with colors from the approved palette — can be a violation if pre-approval was required.
California-Specific Rules
California Civil Code §4765 requires HOAs to act within 45 days on ARC applications. California courts have upheld paint color restrictions but struck down requirements that were unreasonably costly to comply with.
Why Your CC&Rs May Be Different
State law sets the minimum floor — but your community's CC&Rs, bylaws, and board-adopted rules may be stricter, may include exceptions, or may have been amended recently. The only way to know exactly what applies to your community is to read your specific governing documents.
Most CC&Rs are 40–120 pages of dense legal language. Finding the exact section that answers your question can take 20–30 minutes — if you can find it at all.
Get the exact answer from YOUR community's documents
Upload your CC&Rs and bylaws. Covrly reads them and answers any question with the exact page and section cited. Works on scanned PDFs. No account needed.