Arcadia, CA HOA Rules: Architectural Review (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Arcadia Municipal Code § 9107.20.030 and Table 7-4
- Review tracks
- City Review, Short Review, Regular Review
- Decision deadline
- 14 calendar days (City, Short); 30 calendar days (Regular)
- Information request
- 90 days to respond or the application is withdrawn
- Required finding
- Consistency with the City adopted Design Guidelines
- Appeals
- Planning Commission and City Council under § 9108.07
- Exempt
- Fence or wall 2 feet or less above lowest adjacent grade
Summary
In the City of Arcadia, California, work inside Homeowners Association Areas set by City Council Resolution needs Design Review approval before a Building or Grading Permit issues. Under § 9107.20.030, the Director, the HOA ARB Chairperson or the full HOA Architectural Review Board decides, depending on the project. Every decision can be appealed to the Planning Commission and City Council.
A.Site Plan and Design Review Required. ... Structures, fences or walls, or landscaping erected or modified within Homeowners Association Areas to accommodate the land use activities listed in Division 2 (Zones, Allowable Uses, and Development Standards) shall require the approval of a Design Review through the specified review process in Section 9107.03.010. ... (1)City Review (Very Minor Review). Review and decision by the Director with no public notice or hearing required. ... (2)Short Review (Minor Review). Review and decision by the HOA ARB Chairperson with no public notice or hearing required. ... (3)Regular Review (Major Review). Review and decision by the HOA Architectural Review Board with public notice and hearing required, in compliance with Section 9108.13 (Public Notices and Hearings).
Full Breakdown
Section 9107.20 is the City's own design review layer for Homeowners Association Areas established by City Council Resolution. Section 9107.20.020 says no one can construct any structure, or relocate, rebuild, enlarge or modify any existing structure or site, including façade improvement, fences and walls, landscaping and hardscaping, until a Design Review has been approved. Building or Grading Permits, Business Licenses and Certificates of Occupancy are not issued until the section's requirements are met, and any permit issued in violation is void.
Table 7-4 sorts projects into three tracks. City Review is decided by the Director, and the table places fences and walls, roofing, roof-mounted solar, pool and spa equipment and in-ground pools without water features there. Short Review is decided by the HOA ARB Chairperson and covers sport courts, single-story remodels and additions, detached accessory structures, landscaping and hardscaping, ground-mounted solar and façade improvements. Regular Review goes to the full Architectural Review Board with public notice and hearing, and covers a new single-family residence and a new second story or second story addition. Any project not listed for City Review or Short Review goes through Regular Review. Fences and walls, landscaping and hardscaping, and fountains, water features or statues need no Design Review if not visible from a public right-of-way, and a fence or wall 2 feet or less in height above the lowest adjacent grade is also exempt.
Under § 9107.20.050, City Review and Short Review applications are approved, approved with conditions or denied within 14 calendar days of a complete filing, and Regular Review within 30 calendar days. The one required finding is consistency with the City adopted Design Guidelines. An applicant asked for more information has 90 days to respond, or the application is considered withdrawn (§ 9107.20.040). Notice of a Short Review or Regular Review decision is mailed within 10 days after final action.
Violations & Fines
Any permit issued in conflict with § 9107.20 is void. Under § 9107.20.070, grading cannot begin and no structure can be altered, enlarged, erected, moved or rebuilt except in compliance with the approved review and its conditions, and the Director determines compliance. Development Code violations are a public nuisance and a misdemeanor under § 9108.15.070, and a person who willfully violates the code owes a civil penalty under the Fee Schedule for each day the violation continues (§ 9108.15.080).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who approves a new fence in an Arcadia HOA area?
How long does design review take?
Does a new second story need a public hearing?
Can I appeal a design review decision?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arcadia
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