Allegheny County, PA HOA Rules: Architectural Review (2026)
Key Facts
- Authority
- 68 Pa.C.S. §5302(a)(11)
- ARC
- Per declaration
- Standard
- Reasonable/consistent
- Appeal
- Per bylaws then courts
- Timeline
- Declaration-specified
Summary
Architectural review in PA HOAs is governed by declaration/CC&Rs authority delegated under 68 Pa.C.S. §5302(a)(11). UPCA permits HOAs to regulate exterior appearance, additions, and landscaping through architectural review committees (ARCs) when authorized by declaration. Review decisions must be reasonable and consistently applied to avoid discrimination claims.
§ 5307. Upkeep of planned community. (a) General rule.-- Except to the extent provided by the declaration, subsection (b) or section 5312 (relating to insurance), the association is responsible for maintenance, repair and replacement of the common elements, and each unit owner is responsible for maintenance, repair and replacement of his unit. Each unit owner shall afford to the association and the other unit owners and to their agents or employees access through the unit reasonably necessary for those purposes. If damage is inflicted on the common elements or on any unit through which access is taken, the unit owner responsible for the damage or the association if it is responsible is liable for the prompt repair of the damage. (b) Nonresidential planned communities.-- If any unit in a planned community all of whose units are restricted to nonresidential use is damaged and the exterior appearance of the unit is thereby affected, the person responsible for the exterior of the unit shall cause the unit to be repaired or rebuilt to the extent necessary to restore its exterior appearance. If that person fails within a reasonable period of time to effect the repairs or rebuilding, the association may purchase the unit at its fair market value to be determined by an independent appraiser selected by the association.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Contact Allegheny County at (412) 350-4636 for enforcement. Contact Allegheny County at (412) 350-5313 for current ordinance details and enforcement procedures specific to your situation within unincorporated areas. This Allegheny County ordinance applies to unincorporated areas outside any incorporated municipality within the county. Residents inside cities, towns, villages, and boroughs are subject to their local municipal code, which may be stricter or may preempt the county rule entirely. For current statutory text, amendments, enforcement procedures, penalty schedules, appeal processes, and any exemptions or grandfathering that may apply to your specific situation, contact Allegheny County at (412) 350-5313 or consult the county code library directly. Always verify with the county before relying on summary information, as ordinances are updated periodically and may change without notice.
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Allegheny County
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