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Franklin County, OH HOA Rules: Architectural Review (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

State Law
ORC 5312.03
Solar Panels
Ohio HB 201 protects
Satellite
FCC OTARD protects
Flag
Federal law protects
Review
30-60 day typical

Summary

Franklin County HOA architectural review committees (ARCs) enforce CC and R design standards for exterior changes, additions, colors, fences, and landscaping. Under ORC 5312.03, declarations may require owner applications before exterior modifications. ARC decisions must be consistent with declaration and cannot be arbitrary or discriminatory. Homeowners retain right to satellite dishes and solar panels under federal/state law despite ARC restrictions.

City-specific rules exist: Dublin, Grove City, and Columbus have their own architectural review rules that differ from Franklin County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Section 5312.03 | Administration; owners association; board of directors. (A)(1) An owners association shall administer a planned community, and a board of directors the owners elect from among the owners and their spouses shall exercise all power and authority of the owners association. If an owner is not an individual, any principal, member of a limited liability company, partner, director, officer, trustee, or employee of the owner may be elected to the board. The majority of the board shall not consist of owners or representatives from the same lot unless authorized by a resolution adopted by the board of directors prior to the board majority being comprised of owners or representatives from the same lot.

(2) Unless otherwise provided, a board of directors may carry out any action this chapter requires or allows an owners association to take, subject to any vote required of the owners.

(B) A declarant shall establish an owners association not later than the date upon which the first lot in the planned community is conveyed to a bona fide purchaser for value. The owners association shall be organized as a nonprofit corporation pursuant to Chapter 1702. of the Revised Code. (C)(1) If provided in the declaration, a declarant may control the owners association for the period of time the declaration specifies. During the time of declarant control, the declarant or the declarant's designee may appoint and remove the members of the board. The period of declarant control shall terminate not later than the time at which all of the lots have been transferred to owners.

(2) Not later than the termination of any period of declarant control, the owners shall elect a board of directors comprised of the number of members the declaration or bylaws specify.

Full Breakdown

Typical ARC review period 30 to 60 days; silent approval often triggers after 30 days per declaration. Appeal procedures vary; many associations allow appeal to board or binding arbitration. Ohio courts enforce reasonable design standards but strike down arbitrary denials (see Nottingdale Homeowners Association v. Darby). Ohio HB 201 (2014) preempts HOA bans on solar panels; FCC Over-the-Air Reception Devices rule preempts satellite dish bans. American flag display protected under federal Freedom to Display the American Flag Act.

Violations & Fines

Unapproved modifications: HOA can demand removal at owner expense, 50 to 300 dollars per day fines under declaration, lawsuit and injunctive relief. Owner remedies: ORC 5312.11 allows court action for unreasonable denials with potential attorney fee award.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Franklin County

All Franklin County rules

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