Painting homes same color - ARC form needed?

We have one homeowner who believes that just because she is painting her house the same color she does not need to submit the ARC form indicating she is painting her home. Our BOD believes that no matter what color, if you are painting it must be approved. Our CCR's states the color must be a neutral color. The previous homeowner painted the home without approval and it is darker then what most would consider neutral. Your thoughts opinions? ARC form or not for same color?

Karen,

That would depend on the Associations governing documents and the language within. Just because my Association wouldn't require one doesn't mean that your Association wouldn't.

If the language says all "changes" or "alterations" must be approved, painting the home the same color is not a change but a maintenance action. Do homeowners have to submit requests to change a burnt out light bulb or to repaint a railing? What about replacing pickets in fences?

My Associations governing documents specifically says that no exterior structure shall be painted without having the color approved. A reasonable person would expect that the color on the home was already approved and by using the same color of paint, they would be in compliance with our covenants. What does your documents say?

You stated that the previous owner had painted the home an unapproved color. Did the Association inform the current owner that the color on the home was not approved? If not, then the current owner would be of the expectation that the color was fine.

Can you provide the exact wording your Governing documents (including any resolutions) has concerning submitting requests and when they are needed?

Tim

There are "warm" neutrals and "cool" neutrals and yes I know that dark grey is a neutral color. The reason for neutral color was because one homeowner painted her home neon green, including her garage door WITHOUT approval to paint and the ARC had to notify her that she did not obtain approval and she had to repaint.

Our CCR's specifically state "The color and brand of any paint, stain, oil, or other preservative applied to the exterior of any residence or out building must first be approved by the Architectural Control Committee".

Yes. One company's "desert tan" might not be the same color as another company's "desert tan."

I unnderstand where you are coming from so I guess we will have to send out the "color" chart showing the neutral colors. I personally have no problem with someone wanting to paint the same color, but if we don't enforce the requirement to submit the color for approval - we may end up with another neon home! Smile!

What is neutral or earth tone colors?
One definition of neutral color is: without hue, a color such as white, black, or gray that is not in the spectrum.

Another definition is: not strongly or strikingly colored and thus relatively inconspicuous and able to blend easily with other colors.

IOW, neutral color does not define any specific color(s). Similarly, neither does earth tones. I have seen many earth colors encompassing most of the color spectrum.

To remove doubt have the architectural committee provide a color pallet of acceptable colors.

I would like to add just because you use a specific "Brand" does not mean the color will always be the same. Sometimes the mixing is a little different had that happen when I needed more paint went back to same paint store same "Brand" same color there was a noticeable difference paint mixing is not a very precise operation.

That's true. When buying paint it's advisable to buy more than you'll need and to make sure all cans are the same lot number. If you run out of paint and need to return to the store for more, you may not be able to get the same lot number and the color may not match. The same is true when you buy wallpaper, knitting yarn, and many other items where color consistency is important.