San Antonio, TX HOA Rules: Architectural Review (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing Law
- TX Property Code Ch. 202 & 209
- Notice to Cure
- 30 days minimum
- Protected Items
- Solar panels, rain barrels, drought landscaping
- Review Authority
- Set by individual CC&Rs
Summary
Texas Property Code Chapter 202 and Chapter 209 govern HOA architectural review authority. Associations may enforce deed restrictions on exterior modifications, but must follow specific procedural requirements including written notice and an opportunity to cure before taking enforcement action.
Sec. 202.004. ENFORCEMENT OF RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS. (a) An exercise of discretionary authority by a property owners' association or other representative designated by an owner of real property concerning a restrictive covenant is presumed reasonable unless the court determines by a preponderance of the evidence that the exercise of discretionary authority was arbitrary, capricious, or discriminatory. (b) A property owners' association or other representative designated by an owner of real property may initiate, defend, or intervene in litigation or an administrative proceeding affecting the enforcement of a restrictive covenant or the protection, preservation, or operation of the property covered by the dedicatory instrument. (c) A court may assess civil damages for the violation of a restrictive covenant in an amount not to exceed $200 for each day of the violation.
Full Breakdown
Texas Property Code Chapter 202 authorizes property owners' associations to enforce restrictive covenants including architectural standards. Under Section 209.006, before an association may suspend an owner's rights, charge a fine, or file suit for a violation, it must provide written notice by certified mail describing the violation and give the owner a reasonable period (at least 30 days) to cure. Section 209.00505 limits an association's authority to regulate certain items: the association cannot prohibit a property owner from installing a rain barrel, a solar energy device, or certain types of drought-resistant landscaping. HOAs may require an Architectural Review Committee (ARC) application for exterior modifications such as fencing, paint colors, roofing materials, and additions, but the specific standards and review timelines are set by each association's CC&Rs, not by municipal ordinance. San Antonio does not have a city-level ordinance regulating HOA architectural review.
Violations & Fines
The association must provide 30 days written notice to cure before fines or enforcement. Fines are set by individual CC&Rs. Owners may request a hearing under Section 209.007 before the board or a committee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my San Antonio HOA deny exterior modifications?
How long do I have to fix an architectural violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Antonio
Texas rules heatmap·Compare San Antonio to another location·View the Texas hoa rules overview
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Architectural Review in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Bexar County handle architectural review.