These standards and guidelines can touch on everything from square footage to the style of façades and roofs.

Architectural Standards and Guidelines Homeowners’ associations can generally establish standards and guidelines for architectural design within the community.For example, some common (and generally legal) HOA covenants, conditions and restrictions include: So, where are the lines drawn? Again recognizing that laws vary between states, generally speaking, HOAs have broad authority to adopt and enforce rules that are intended to benefit the neighborhood and its homeowners at large. 14 Common (and Generally Legal) HOA Covenants, Conditions and Restrictionsįor developers seeking to establish homeowners’ associations and managers of existing HOAs, it is imperative to understand what rules they can and cannot enforce. Homeowners in HOA neighborhoods agree to comply with the HOA’s rules and regulations when they buy, and this arm’s length contractual relationship is important to keep in mind as well. If someone doesn’t want to live in a neighborhood that has an HOA, they can buy a home somewhere else. In this regard, it is important to keep in mind that homeowners who live in neighborhoods governed by HOAs do so voluntarily. With that said, there are several basic principles that govern the relationships between HOAs and homeowners. With this in mind, when it comes to understanding what an HOA can legally require residents to do, the rules are not uniform across the United States. For example, while Florida has enacted a lengthy list of rules and restrictions governing HOA activities, New York is yet to adopt a law that applies specifically to HOAs. Homeowners’ association (HOA) laws vary widely from state to state.

Irish walk hoa covenants