Sunnyvale HOAs may enforce architectural guidelines under CCRs, but California Civil Code 4735 protects solar panels, EV charging, clotheslines, and low-water landscaping.
California Civil Code 4765 requires HOAs to have a fair, reasonable, and expeditious architectural review process, provide written decisions with reasoning, and allow appeal. Civil Code 4735 voids any CCR provision that prohibits drought-tolerant landscaping, low-water plants, synthetic turf (with some restrictions), or clotheslines. Civil Code 714 protects solar energy systems, limiting HOA review to aesthetic conditions that do not significantly raise cost (over 1000 dollars) or reduce efficiency (over 10 percent). Civil Code 4745 protects resident-installed EV charging. Civil Code 714.1 protects installation of certain accessibility features. Sunnyvale homeowners facing an ARC denial have appeal rights through the HOA and may sue under Davis-Stirling.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Santa Clara County handle architectural review.
See how Sunnyvale's architectural review rules stack up against other locations.
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