Philadelphia County HOA architectural committees derive authority from recorded CCRs and 68 Pa.C.S. §5302. Decisions must be reasonable, applied uniformly, and rendered within timelines set by governing documents.
Under PA law, architectural review committees enforce design guidelines only to the extent authorized by the community declaration. Review standards must be objective and consistently applied; arbitrary denials are voidable. Typical review period 30-60 days. Silent response may be deemed approval if declaration states so. Historic districts in Philadelphia add Historical Commission review under Phila. Code §14-1000 on top of HOA review. Solar panel and satellite dish restrictions are limited by federal OTARD rule (47 CFR §1.4000).
Unauthorized modification: HOA fine per CCRs, typically 50-500 dollars plus removal order.
See how Philadelphia County's architectural review rules stack up against other locations.
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