Hercules, CA HOA Rules: Architectural Review (2026)
Key Facts
- Review board
- Planning Commission, acting as Historical Architectural Review Board
- HOA role
- Must review and give written recommendation first
- Scope reviewed
- Exterior alterations, landscaping, signs, site plans
- Applies in
- H Historic Overlay District only
Summary
Inside Hercules's H Historic Overlay District, the homeowners association must review and submit a written recommendation on a project's site development standards before the City's Historical Architectural Review Board can act on it, per Section 13-20.400.
Sec. 13-20.400. Historical Architectural Review Board. The Planning Commission shall serve as the Historical Architectural Review Board. As such Board, it is authorized to review for approval proposed alterations, enlargements or rebuilding affecting the exterior of buildings in the H district, whether newly erected, existing or relocated, the landscaping associated with such buildings, site plans and the proposed erection, relocation or demolition of buildings in the H district. The homeowners association in which the property is located shall review proposed site development standards and projects and shall make a recommendation in writing to be submitted as part of the project application prior to review by the Historical Architectural Review Board. The Historical Architectural Review Board shall consider the recommendation of the homeowners association and the appropriateness of the proposed standards for the exterior architectural features of proposed buildings and structures such as building materials, color schemes, historical styles, signs, landscaping and other exterior fixtures prior to making a recommendation on a project.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 555, passed March 25, 2025).
Full Breakdown
400 designates the Planning Commission as the Historical Architectural Review Board for the H historic overlay district. That Board is authorized to review and approve proposed alterations, enlargements or rebuilding affecting a building's exterior, associated landscaping, site plans, and proposed erection, relocation or demolition of buildings within the district, whether the structures are newly erected, existing, or relocated. Before the Board takes up a project, the homeowners association covering the property must independently review the proposed site development standards and the project itself, then submit a written recommendation as part of the project application.
That HOA recommendation has to be on file before the Historical Architectural Review Board proceeds. Once the application reaches the Board, the Board considers the HOA's recommendation together with the appropriateness of the proposed exterior architectural features, including building materials, color schemes, historical styles, signs, landscaping and other exterior fixtures, before making its own recommendation on the project. 500.
Violations & Fines
Submitting a project application for exterior work in the H district without the required written homeowners association recommendation on file is treated as an incomplete application by the Community Development Department, which will not forward it to the Historical Architectural Review Board (the Planning Commission) for action until the HOA review is submitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Hercules HOA decide the outcome of a historic district project?
What exterior features does the Historical Architectural Review Board evaluate?
Which properties in Hercules require this HOA-plus-Board review?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hercules
California rules heatmap·Compare Hercules to another location·View the California hoa rules overview
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