Santa Clara HOA architectural committees must follow California Civil Code 4765 fair procedures and honor state protections like Civil Code 714 (solar) and 4735 (low-water landscaping) when reviewing modifications.
HOA architectural review in Santa Clara is governed by both the associations CC&Rs and California Civil Code 4765, which requires a fair, reasonable, and expeditious procedure for considering owner requests. Committees must provide written decisions with the reasons for any denial and an opportunity to request reconsideration by the board. Several state laws override contrary HOA rules: Civil Code 714 prohibits unreasonable restrictions on solar energy systems; Civil Code 4735 prohibits bans on low-water landscaping and allows artificial turf; Civil Code 4750.10 and related provisions protect electric vehicle charging stations; and Civil Code 4741 limits restrictions on accessory dwelling units consistent with state ADU law. Decisions must be made within the timeline set by the governing documents, typically 30 to 60 days, and documented in the associations records.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Santa Clara County handle architectural review.
See how Santa Clara's architectural review rules stack up against other locations.
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