Hayward HOAs must follow Davis-Stirling architectural review rules, with written procedures, fair consideration, and specific California Civil Code 714 protections for solar and EV charging.
Under California Civil Code 4765, Hayward HOAs must maintain written architectural review procedures that are fair, reasonable, and applied consistently. Decisions must be in writing and provide reasons for denial. Owners must be given opportunity to be heard and to appeal. California law overrides restrictive HOA provisions in several contexts: Civil Code 714 protects solar installations, Civil Code 4745 protects EV charging stations, Civil Code 4735 protects low-water landscaping and artificial turf, and Civil Code 4750 protects personal agriculture. HOAs cannot use architectural review to effectively prohibit these protected features. Approvals for protected installations must be timely, and denial risks lawsuits and attorney fees.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle architectural review.
See how Hayward's architectural review rules stack up against other locations.
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