Rancho Cucamonga, CA HOA Rules: Architectural Review (2026)
Key Facts
- Statute
- Civil Code 4765
- Solar
- Civil Code 714, 45-day deemed approval
- Native plants
- Civil Code 4735 protection
- ADU
- Gov Code 65852.2 preemption
- Appeals
- Required under 4765
Summary
Rancho Cucamonga HOAs run architectural review under Civil Code 4765 with written standards and decisions. Civil Code 714 and 4735 limit HOA control over solar, native, and low-water landscaping.
4765. (a) This section applies if the governing documents require association approval before a member may make a physical change to the member's separate interest or to the common area. In reviewing and approving or disapproving a proposed change, the association shall satisfy the following requirements:
(1) The association shall provide a fair, reasonable, and expeditious procedure for making its decision. The procedure shall be included in the association's governing documents. The procedure shall provide for prompt deadlines. The procedure shall state the maximum time for response to an application or a request for reconsideration by the board.
(2) A decision on a proposed change shall be made in good faith and may not be unreasonable, arbitrary, or capricious.
(3) Notwithstanding a contrary provision of the governing documents, a decision on a proposed change may not violate any governing provision of law, including, but not limited to, the Fair Employment and Housing Act (Part 2.8 (commencing with Section 12900) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), or a building code or other applicable law governing land use or public safety.
(4) A decision on a proposed change shall be in writing. If a proposed change is disapproved, the written decision shall include both an explanation of why the proposed change is disapproved and a description of the procedure for reconsideration of the decision by the board.
(5) If a proposed change is disapproved, the applicant is entitled to reconsideration by the board, at an open meeting of the board.
(c) An association shall annually provide its members with notice of any requirements for association approval of physical changes to property. The notice shall describe the types of changes that require association approval and shall include a copy of the procedure used to review and approve or disapprove a proposed change.
Full Breakdown
California Civil Code 4765 requires HOAs to adopt fair, reasonable, and objective procedures for architectural review of member improvements. Decisions must be made in good faith, not arbitrary or capricious, and must be in writing with the reasons stated. Members must have the right to attend the meeting and be heard, and have access to an appeal process. HOAs cannot unreasonably restrict solar energy systems (Civil Code 714 and 714.1) or low-water and California-native plant landscaping (Civil Code 4735). Solar approval decisions must be made within 45 days or the application is deemed approved (Civil Code 714.1). ADU and JADU installations authorized by state law (Government Code 65852.2) cannot be unreasonably blocked by HOA architectural rules either. Violations can be challenged in Superior Court under Davis-Stirling with attorney fees available to the prevailing party in some cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my Rancho Cucamonga HOA reject my solar panels?
Can the HOA force me to keep a lawn during drought?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rancho Cucamonga
California rules heatmap·Compare Rancho Cucamonga to another location·View the California hoa rules overview
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